I'm reading The Used 911 story and I'm a little concerned on what it will actually take to drive and maintain a late 80"s 911. I know I wont be putting more than 8K a year on the car but I don't know these car's.

The book goes into detail on what it takes to take proper care of these cars and what could happen when they are not taken care of. So, I'm concerned about two things.
1. was the care taken care of before I bought it and what will I be stuck with when something goes wrong. I do plan on having a PPI done prior to me buying one.
2. what can I expect for yearly maintenance cost based on my estimated 8k miles per year.

BTW. I'm annal about keeping my vehicles well maintained and I don't want to get in over my head if you know what I mean.

Can you guys give me an idea on what to expect for yearly maintenance to run these cars.
Thanks, Dan

 

calling theiceman.... 3... 2....1....

 

Based on my 911SC experiences, here's my input:
>Each year =oil/filter changes+misc. small stuff: $400
>Every other year=brake flush+valve adjustment:$600
>Every 4 years=tires+brake pads+major tune up:$1000

So given a five year ownership period, we're talking $4-5000 for mtnce., tires, etc.
But a well cared '80s 911 will retain 100% of its purchase price and may actually increase in value over this same period; i.e., no depreciation and possible appreciation. I know of no other car, much less performance car, that can match that.

Here are a few more opinions: (a) Don't waste money on fixing an inoperative A/C system. (b) Drive smoothly...clutch replacements and transmission rebuilds cost a fortune. (c) Join PCA...your local club will be an invaluable source of advice and good cheer.

 

relinuca, are those numbers based on you doing the work or having someone do the work? And how many miles a year do you normally put on the car?

Those numbers aren't bad.

 

That's a good question but in my opinion hard to give a difinitive answer. Given the age of the vehicle things are soon to go bad and need replaced. I can say from my personal experience yearly cost would be comparable to any other vehicle. I've owned a 89 930 since last july 2010 and have put 5k miles on it in 14 months. There were preventative expenses right up front ie: brakes,rotors, voltage regulator, battery, engine oil and filter, trans fluid, convertible top cleaner/sealer, the assortment of cleaning/care products. Then about 2 months ago because of a driving issue I just started to replacing plugs, coil, distributor cap and rotor, O2 sensor, and cylinder head temp sensor. Last Thursday I spent 339.00 to have valves adjusted. My ac system was upgraded by PO and 2 days ago I was bored so I started checking things and found my original ac blower relay super hot so I ordered a new one. My next big things to get done are rear right drive axle replaced cause the outer cv boot is torn and wheel bearing replacement. All in all I expect a yearly cost just to be gas, oil and filter @130.00 a wash and wax once in a while unless something decides to go bad due to age. I'm sure others will chime in.

 

Dan,

You can cut those costs by more than half if you do the work yourself ...
For instance an oil change is less than $100.00 dollars and a brake fluid flush every two years is less than $20.00 dollars if you figure the cost of one liter of brake fluid ...

You don't have to adjust your valves every year either and your plugs and wires are
easily good for five + years !
It's the performance upgrades and the while you're there things that become costly

Cheers !
Phil

 

Let me pass along my experience with a late 80'S 911. Mine was an '87 MY that I bought in 2002 with 72,000 miles and just sold a month ago. I did none of the work myself but instead had a local independent do it.

All told, (maintenance/repairs) I spent at least $14,000. Everything from new brakes, top end rebuild, AC work, etc. I put approx 18,000 miles on the car when I owned it.

 

That's good to know Phil.
ClaylG. What kind of shape was the car in when you bought it, was a PPI done prior to the sale?

 

I'd say that if you are paying someone to maintain a well-sorted car, you should budget $2-3k per year. Over a longer term, that will cover things like brake rebuilds, new clutch, etc. As noted above, you can spend a lot less doing things yourself.

For instance, I cannot fathom spending $600 for a valve adjust. This is a simple and enjoyable way to spend a morning or afternoon under their car.

 

I have a late 70's 911, so my costs arent anywhere close to these . mine are MUCH lower

 

Plan on putting about $2k right up front to get everything sorted out. I know I did when I bought mine a year ago. I have read others putting in similar $$$ from the get go.

Each year I budget $1k for the small stuff and that's with me doing the work. In bad years it will be much higher. As the other poster said you will not have a depreciation cost on these older 911's so that is a huge plus. You won't be driving it for free but for a high performance car not too bad considering.

 

Other than oil and filters, I've not spent any money on Ruby since June 2010. My estimate was based on going to a mechanic, which I've no experience with.

Early 2010 was QUITE co$tly for Ruby, however, as was 2007.

 

I would say its a stinking blur of cash out lay but that's because I cant leave "well enough" alone and the maintenance gets blurred with the mods, upgrades and wants

that and what has been done, not done and neglected by the previous 25 years worth of owners

My car has records back to day one...and the very nice gentleman from Switzerland did a stand up job taking great care of her - I would not have the heart to show him the car now....although all reversible I have made quite a few changes to the ole girl

 

my experience is somewhat similar to ClaylG. same yr 911, approx same length of ownership (but still have it), same mileage when I bought it (but now have over 125k). do almost all of my own service... I've spent maybe $500/yr avg (clutch was the big $ job - not too bad when a friend who is an expert 911mechanic helps out & you subsidize labor costs w/ quality beer).

I know pro shop labor will double one's overall cost-of-operation. & I know that a car that was well-cared for from birth (esp its early yrs, & being garaged) to your acquisition makes a substantial difference in maint costs. As the yrs roll by, these cars get older & we know about the cost of health care, don't we? So, in general, a thorough review of the car's history & records (along w/ expert PPI) is a big discriminator in selecting an example that will cost less to maintain.

beyond that, the length of time you intend to keep it, & to what standard of "readiness", will have a great impact on your maint & repair costs (need a valve guide job? just keep adding oil for awhile longer...). seems no matter what, there's always been about $500-1k of backlogged service to perform, but I keep it in that window... reliability & enjoyment suffers little if any.
happy hunting!

 

My '87 coupe cost me $8k in maintenance over 9 years and 32k miles of ownership. Mods/upgrades were few. I did all the easy stuff myself but had a shop do what I wasn't comfortable with. The car never needed anything major like a clutch or top end.