Wachuko

Not really... just find one with great service history, do a pre purchase inspection (PPI), and enjoy it.

We are not trying to scare you, the 911 is a pretty reliable car. But it was a car that was very expensive when new and service cost are on par with that. IF you do most of the work all you have are the cost of the maintenace items.

A 964 C2 Coupe will be, potentially, less likely to cost more than a 964 C4 Cabriolet. But those with C4 will tell you that the awd in these cars are pretty bullet proof... still the potential for costly repairs if it goes wrong is always there.

So go find that C2 Coupe and post photos when you get it

dfinnegan

I've had my car for 4 years and am running about $2.5k per year on required maintenance. And I have done almost all of the work myself.

I compare this to the depreciation ($4-5k /year) on the new car I was driving before the C4.

Of course, I use the we word "compare" rather loosely!
There really is no comparison!

Henry964

I spent a lot in my car the first year and a half of ownership because of "delayed maintenance items" that were not done in due time by the PO.

After that the expenses were normal, normal for an expensive german sport car.....

I advice you to choose very carefully or be prepared to spend a lot of money in the first months

elbeee964

[virtual ruler smacking the back of dfinn's hand]
[my eyes close, rubbing the bridge of my nose]

craig001

Whenever I get a new to me p-car, keeping in mind that I don't purchase garage queens, it seems like I always end up dropping between $2k and $3k shortly after getting the car home.

I change all fluids, belts, plugs, wires, distro caps & rotors, brake rotors and pads (that way you can paint the rotor hats so they look nice before installing), factory shop manuals and an alignment and on my 964 I had to replace the alt. fan due to cracking at the hub. The PPI missed that which I why I will never recommend EuroSport or whatever their name is down in Houston.

Average annual expense is around $1k - oil change, general tinkering and so help me god, eBay as I buy parts for the JIC shelf which is how I end up with a rack full of parts I may never need. LOL

Nine11

I had the PO do some 'fixes' before I bought that cost him in the neighbourhood of $3k...then after that it was good that first year as all that was needed was a set of tires and oil change. Then in the second year the HVAC CCU and rear blower fan went....these classics aren't new anymore and the potential for costly repairs do exist. These cars were expensive new so the maintenance/parts for such a car remains...even if the cost to buy is low.

dfinnegan

Right, RIGHT! There is no Substitute!

And, . . . The hours a Porsche spends parked? You don't get those back! :-)

BlueHeeler

We have a winner.

To evaluate the cost of ownership, you have to consider ALL costs involved including parts, labor, mpg, and the big expense of depreciation.

The pcar has some age so things like window switches are going to break. The maintenance costs are higher than a standard car, but the depreciation or lack there of more than compensates for this. Even if you draw the short straw of engine rebuild, after 3 years you will have covered that cost by the car not depreciating much.

The people I work with all drive new cars and do not understand how I afford a Porsche. I do not understand how/why they pay $4K per year in depreciation on a soulless ****box.

I am not even going to address the smiles per gallon. If that was considered, everyone would have a Porsche.

Brentflyfish

Great feedback guys. I have been using the depreciation logic myself.

Different question. I have a two year old and another on the way - can child seats be installed on these cars? Seems like they would be tight but secure once in? I am sure a booseter seat would be okay.

Wachuko

There are a few options now from Porsche.

This is a photo of the old seat I had...



Back in 2006 I found a car seat that fits both the 964 and 996TT: FisherPrice Safe Voyage Booster Seat -Model EF35B2A



With cup holder that fits (not sure why I would want to keep that option in the car... but it works for putting a small toy in there... )



Update June 18, 2009

There is a Porsche option now:





The part # is 955 044 800 39 or click here http://shop1.porsche.com/usa/car/911-997/95504480039/

Or this one:



The part # is 955 044 801 03

Brentflyfish

you just made my day! thanks for the pics too - that really helps.

Cute kids!

danburke

I've owned my C4 Cab for less than 6 months and I already have 5k into it: UG!

Parts
3/2/2009 Kragen #San Rafael Ca 2434 Oil for Porsche -45.4
3/13/2009 CCU Rebuild -505

Service
1/29/2009 Bumper c -500
1/29/2009 Read Lights and seals -600
2/20/2009 Axle Boot c -435.65
3/19/2009 Check up and heater CCU c -378.22
5/14/2009 Top, Trunk, exhaust c -1,242.28
6/10/2009 Porsche Brakes -1,300.00

Brentflyfish

Looks like many of yourr items were things you would have known going into the purchase. Items like bumper, lights, Convertible top, trunck and exhaust. Were those not disclosed?

klr10

Had my 964 two years. I knew it wouldn't be cheap, no probs last year but spent about £7K this year. The difference is that whereas you will lose that amount in depeciation on almost anything else decent in that time you are actually improving a genuine classic and bonding with a beautiful engineering legend. Just my humble opinion.... I'm more than happy although the emotions can be a bit extreme.

911Jetta

I bought my car with kids at a similiar age. Do it now while there's no question that they will fit. The car is for you, but they grow up with it in their lives and they end up loving it just like you do... if your wife doesn't like/understand Porsches, she'll soon be out numbered in your house.

Regarding safety, I can say without a doubt that if you follow something similiar to what I did, they will be VERY secure! Plus, where they sit is probably the absolute strongest part of the car?

You have to do the upper tether mount though, locks the seats in place.
https://rennlist.com/forums/993-foru...ferrerid=19642

(the orginal source for this mod - finding and securing the mount - came from another very helpful Rennlist member, Bates.)