Captain_Slow

Lots of good comments and perspectives. I've found that it's possible to buy and enjoy a 928 that isn't perfect, but is mostly healthy where it counts. To me this means mechanically sound, a few slow leaks, with a good body with decent paint, and a VERY nice interior (not perfect...but close enough). Then the key to enjoying the car on a budget is prioritizing repairs vs. upgrades, and functional vs. cosmetic. And...of course...doing most or all work yourself. One can enjoy a decent 928 for about $200 - $300 per month. Treat it like a car payment and remind yourself what a new Mustang GT payment would be....while depreciating...can't work on it yourself...property taxes...higher insurance...etc. Don't go nuts buying new wheels/tires, getting fancy under the hood, high-end stereo, etc. and you can keep a decent 928 running fine while identifying and saving for big ticket items down the road (and this is why it is ALWAYS a must to treat it like a car payment...saving for the BIG ones...transmission rebuild, torque tube rebuild, etc.). But all the avoided new car expenses above (and lower purchase price) will pay for the rebuilds and other big services. Go slow...and take a broad relative view of true costs to own. It just is not the nightmare people think it is - unless they put thousands into "upgrades" and now it's time to rebuild the transmission. The pitted nose on my car has ben begging to be painted for three years....and it may wait even longer still. Patience...priorities. We all know a refurbishing a 928 is almost an infinite project...but even if I look at my list of known needs and a few wants, it will be 10 years until all items on the list are crossed off. $200 x 12 x 10 = $24,000. Seems like plenty to improve it and keep it healthy over a decade.

hacker-pschorr

For starters it's such an easy engine to remove, it's a moot point (you have to remove the engine / trans in a 911 to do a clutch.....yet that never gets mentioned).

Every other year? Slight exaggeration, we were pushing 7 years with my fathers with no plans on changing it when he sold it.

Mongo

You also have to remove it for valve adjustments IIRC.