What is the usual cost to maintain a 928 these days? I am considering getting a hold of one, but I'd like to know from you guys about regular costs and maintenance.

Thank you much!!!

 

It varies a great deal based on the model year you own and how well it was maintained before you got it....it can be fairly modest to a wallet buster depending on how lucky you are...but a general guideline is $200 a month to keep a nice 928 running properly

 

Yes, it varies quite extensively. I've put about $1000/year into mine (daily driver since spring 2003). That's including transmission rebuild in 2003, Timing Belt in 2004, steering rack in 2005 and clutch in 2008. However, I do all the work myself which saves a small fortune.

That said, this is definitely not the car to buy if maintenance costs are going to be a concern. Things can quickly get expensive is the wrong part fails.

 

Depends heavily on the history of the car.

Most non-enthusiast owned 928's haven't had all the preventative maintenance to update stuff that hasn't visibly broken, but which at 20 years old is in poor shape (intake hoses, coolant hoses etc.). As a result, to get the average 928 up to "proper running" state (no vacuum leaks, correct engine power output, working A/C) can expensive.

I'd say that typically, a 928 will need around four-six thousand dollars in parts, plus about 40 hours of labor (timing belt, intake manifold/sensors, cam tensioners, fuel lines, ignition caps/rotors/wires/coils, vacuum and AC etc.). If you do the work yourself and but parts from 928 suppliers directly, you can come out cheaper.. but parts will still be a few thou.

Of course, some will need more (manual gearbox syncro issues, or torque tube, or thrust bearing failure on autos), and some will need less (been owned by a fastidious Rennlister).

Once running reliably, service costs are actually pretty good - most of the 928 parts are so heavily engineered they last a long time. Clutch, brake rotors, hydraulics etc. all have long lifetimes.

 

If you love your and goes like "Hey... That new aluminum radiator... Would look nice."

Would cost you a lot.

 

I would say $1000 - $2000/year to maintain a nice condition 928 which has had regular maintenance. If you're buying a fixer upper then all bets are off.

 

About a thousand / year if car is mint.

 

$1000 a year is probably fair if you do most things yourself. Several thousand if you pay a shop.

A key point is that you are likely to need a few thousand right away to put into a used Porsche, it is pretty rare to find one that really needs nothing. The other thing are the problems that arise from skipped maintenance or shoddy work, or overlooking issues that can cause engine damage.

I say if you are looking at a car and not as a long-term non running project you should be mentally and financially prepared to put an engine or a trans in it right away. You might not need to, but that's the sort of money you need to be prepared to spend. Getting a used 928 that is in decent shape and in the next few months spending $3000 replacing a timing belt, worn brakes and suspension yourself is not unheard of.

Costs go up quite a bit also if you cannot wait a while when the car needs something, so you can scrounge for used parts and good deals.

So for example if you are looking at a 928S4 I suggest having a $10k war chest for repairs/maintenance if you have to pay a shop, or $5k if you do the work yourself.

-Joel.

 

Most of the 928's I get in my shop, I can find ten grand worth of work that needs to be done in just a few minutes.

Oil pan gasket, motor mounts, torque tube bearings, timing belt, intake refresh and a few other things and you are well over that.

There is a reason that a car that sold for 70 thou in the late 80's can be had for a few thousand right now.

 

I think the others have hit the numbers pretty well. I think of it in terms of first-year costs, followed by the numbers they mention for the subsequent years.

First-year costs include purchase price, plus the cost of getting everything on the car back to reliable-driver status. For an S4, that first-year cost is going to be $15-20k. Sure, you can buy a ratty S4 these days for less than $10k, but it will chew through another $5k in parts and pieces just to get all the normal maintenance stuff up to baseline condition. You'll probably want to bring the cosmetics up to snuff too, and that will take another pile of money. Or buy a premium well-maintained car for mid-teens and spend less on it to get it where you want it.

You can poll a few of the more fanatical owners here and find folks that are in pretty deep, especially those who spend on new paint and/or new leather pieces for the interior. Or on supercharging, stroker motors, suspension, tires and wheels. The sky is the limit.

As Greg thoughtfully points out, these are cars that were at or near the top of the price range when they were originally sold. I am maintaining that same twenty year old $84k car, so I expect the today maintenance costs to be related more to the age and original purchase price, than to the artificially low market value buyers enjoy today.

As always-- Find and buy the best possible example your wallet can swing. Plan on spending heavily the first year to get the mechanicals to where the car is safe and reliable to drive. This is generally a minimum of $5k in parts. Have a separate war chest/toy fund for incidentals and cosmetics, and another $1-2k for annual upkeep if you plan to drive it regularly.

 

It depends about which car you buy, your knowledge base, mechanical aptitude and abilities, garage and tools, and what you expect out of the car.

Just to give you a idea...

My son is driving one of my hand-me-downs.
A '78 (yes- a REAL OB) 5spd Euro that I paid $1,000 for - a couple of years ago.
I changed fuel pump and relay, new tie rods, suspension bushings, fuel and brake hoses, brake pads, rebuilt the clutch master and slave, TB, WP, and changed the A/C over to R134 - and then added new tires - total investment to date is still <$2,250... Car included!
The car is a daily driver and we have put over 25k on it in the last two years - with nothing more then oil changes and adding fuel.
It isn't pretty - the body is straight and the paint is faded, and the old Pascha seats need recovering... but it is quick, fun, and dependable!

And yes - there is the other end of the spectrum.....

My old '86.5 joins in with the guys list.
In the last 3 years I have invested well over $20k - over and beyond the cost of the car - and will probably invest another $10k before it leaves the garage - yeah - over $40,000 into a $5,000 car that is still in parts and pieces....

Buy the best car you can find - and I have found it doesn't have anything to do with the initial cost of the car - there are some serious money pits going for high dollars - and there are cars that have everything replaced - and when the last bit needs doing, the owner just gives up....
Take your time - those are the ones to look for.

 

+928

Speaking of which, what's Jay Kempf up to these days?