911Dreamer

Hear me out guys and I love my 996,2 Targa. But I am projected to hit 997 and beyond money in the next few months, My 996.2 is 20 years old and looking back at PO work on the car, its hit 997 money a couple of times, which means its been taking care of. In comes me $32k Purchase, shipping, insurance, fee's, etc Im at $38k. Recent oil change, Rear Tires, Coolant tank, Fuel Pump and Sender I'm at $41,436. I amazed I am already here, didnt expect it.

Still the need the following:

Suspension refresh
AOS or UAOS
Clutch
IMS
RMS
While im in there stuff

And add a Hartech engine? Damn we in very deep

By the time I am done, I see 997 cars all day...Ownership is not for the faint of heat I know this .....Anyone else have thoughts like this

theJRUHL

Your thoughts are similar to mine, but I tell myself that I would still do all the stuff to a 997 that I did to my 996. Which means at that point I would be in 997.2 or 991 territory. Kind of a slippery slope of what if that I have certainly done in my head.

I could have purchased a 997 but I liked the 'underdog' image and the low price point of entry into a P-Car.

Edit- I also believe that lots of the 997's out there need as much love (or will need it soon) as the 996's, in terms of maint/refresh on key components.

911Dreamer

The low price point is gone, I remember when you get an Aero Kit 996s for under $20k, now damn dealers want $40k+

Teekster

I am well into 991 money on my 996 c4 cab. The $30k 4.0l LNE engine rebuild pushed me well over the edge. I got some Fuchs while I was waiting to add to the mess, then resprayed and PPF’d the frunk lid after a rock hit it. Nothing left to do but enjoy it. I tell myself that the analog feel of the 996 is more enjoyable. Hopefully it’s true.


FWIW, my V12 Vantage S has been much more economical to own.

diddy2003

I just don't think about it because I like my car. I've certainly doubled my initial investment of the cost of the car. I'm probably around 60K ish at this point. But f uck it. I like it.

996-CAB

You are indeed at a tipping point with another possible $10K-$20K to spend depending on labor rate. On the other hand if you try to sell it now needing those things, you will be lucky to get $30K for it. I think from the sound of it, you should get your $30K and move on.

SoCal911t

Same here.
I've been fortunate that in my 7 years of ownership I've never had any large expenses. If/when I do (like an engine), I'll probably sell it as a roller and move on while cherishing all my fond memories of it. ​​​​​​​

EVOMMM

Your $$$ graph would move in parallel the difference is the 997 has a higher initial buy in
but the same money could be spent on maintenance and modifications
just drive it enjoy it
I love mine more then my 997.2 Turbo S

GC996

Your entry cost into a 997 is higher and they suffer from the same issues, so your service and parts costs will be the same. Bottom line is you will have more money tied up in the 997.

In the grand scheme if Porsche ownership you got a pretty good deal so far. But it's a 20+ year old 911, so you will have to spend money on parts and service to keep it running.

If it makes you feel any better, I bought my 2002 in 2002. Over the past 22 years I rode the wave down in price and the beginning of the wave up. Oh yeah, i spend over 1.5x my purchase price over the last 22 years on parts, service, oil, tires and brakes to keep it running in top form on the street and track. Quite frankly, it's been a hell of alot cheaper than constantly flipping for newer models and a hell of alot of fun owning the car.

I am 59 years old and figure I have another 20 years that I can climb in and out of the GT3 seats. Then my son gets it. In the meantime, I do a project every year to refresh and enhance it. The enjoyment of long term 996 ownership has been worth price. I have had too much fun with it over the past 22 years.

But you may feel differently. No harm in that.

philbert996

Exactly
The price of a 997 is at least 20K more than a comparable 996.
And that’s for the.1, the .2s are higher.

996love

Never. I don’t have much interest in the 997. The 996 has less nannies and weighs less. I admit I’d like to have a Metzger engine, but it’s also not necessary. The interior is simpler than a 997, which I really appreciate. New cars tend to stuff too much electronics that are really unnecessary, and are an eyesore at night.

Sometimes, while driving my car, I can almost fool myself into believing I’m still in the early 2000s.

circuit.heart

The premise of this thread doesn't make any sense - you own a car for long enough, you will eventually sink numbers into it that could have bought you something else. Try buying that something else, it'll have its own running costs as well and bump your head into the next price tier up.

wdb

Stuff that costs me money:

• Initial purchase price
• FSI engine
• "While you're in there" engine-related stuff
• Full suspension refresh
• Full brake refresh (coming right up)
• Usual maintenance items

Stuff that pays me back:

• FSI engine
• Full suspension refresh
• Wearing out those expensive tires in next to no time
• The looks it gets when I take it to the food store
• Just looking at it
• Just driving it

yelcab

Any old Porsche will cost the same amount to keep, to own, and to drive.

911Dreamer

Seems others had the same thoughts, you can always move on