chambej

I bought a 2004 C4S almost 2 years ago, with 30k miles. The car was pristine, and had been driven pretty regularly, but not many miles each day. This car is my daily driver (60 miles each day). And I have been absolutely loving it. Last year, I began doing all of the Peachstate PCA auto-x events in Atlanta, which has really done a lot to teach me how to drive my car. I am proud to say I won 4 of 6 events last year in my class, and 2 of 6 in the overall stock category. So I have been helping a buddy look for a 964, and have been looking for maintenance history in these forums for that car. I figured that it would be a good idea to post my experience with my car. I have not added all of this up yet, but I can tell you, from an emotional perspective, I dont feel like maintenance costs have been beating me up. I use a local inde guy here in Atlanta, Bob at RWL.

6/15/09 - 31,639 - $100 - PPI
2/26/10 - 44,158 - $967 - new rear Bridgestones tires (fronts were new when purchased, and have not yet replaced!!)
3/2/10 - 44,280 - $778 - 7500 mile maintenance (oil and filter, cabin filter, e brake tested, new wipers, noise in passenger door - screw loose in speaker)
7/16/10 - ?? - $238 - drivers side window regulator (I installed)
9/14/10 - 52,689 - $173 - oil change
11/1/1- = 54,000 - $150 - battery
3/9/11 - 59,586 - $952 - 60k maintenance, spark plugs, drive belt, air filter, cabin filter, new wipers

So a grand total of: $3,358 for 30k miles or $1,679/year over 2 years.

I am about to need a full set of tires, and brakes are apparently getting pretty close.

2K7TTMIA

now that you're thoroughly enjoying the ride...the expenses are on par. If you prefer your indi doing some work, fine. If you do the oil change yourself, you can save approx $80-100, unless you value your 30-minutes -1 hour time at that rate. changing spark plugs require some more time, but you can save a few $ DIY there too.

If you have to drop the engine/trans, or DME issues, then the expenses can mount. otherwise, keep a good relationship with your indi.

Shop around for tires, I have heard some good reviews on Hankook evo V12, Sumi HTRZ III's, depends on how many auto-X, DE's you participate in that will start to put a dent in the tire expense dept. also remember brake fluid and rotors/pads.

larry47us

If you're really looking for tires, you should check the data on Tire Rack, but then also double check their pricing against On Line Tires. I found a set of Sumitomo HTR ZIII for $711.69 including shipping to Chicago. Sales Tax and installation not included.

Actually, I went to NTB, and they matched the On Line Tire Price. The problem is that they are real buffoons about getting the tires. They ordered them late, so I missed a week, and then they got the wrong size in, so I have now missed a second week. I don't know if this ends up being worth the hassle, but I am getting them well below retail price.

Of course, there are people that feel you'd be better off with the Hankooks, or the Kumho. In the end, it's your call.

larry

chambej

I have really like the Bridgestones on my daily drive, and they are pretty sticky at the track. Given that I have gotten 15k per front and 30k per backs, they are pretty good on the longevity tip as well. But I am leaning heavily towards the Sumi's b/c of the price.

redridge

and.... IMHO, if you can do the window regulator, you can do 95% of what your indie has done to maintain your car.... these cars are so easy to work on. Its great you are learning to drive your car, doing some diy will just take that experience to a diff level.

AspenSTI2010

I just did my rotors and pads over the weekend, very easy to do. order the parts from vertex and pelican and it took me about an hour. the hardest part was getting those little pad sensors out of the old pads. there's a great DIY on youtube
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CC16WXBcE7Q

francars

Great review/summary on your last 2 years of ownership. Agree, some DYIs will save you some $$$. You will learn more about your car and yes, these cars are easy to work on (Well, the basic stuff).

ivangene

actually those are really good prices IMO....$173 oil change is only $70 more than I can do it for and at $140/hr in my area, that's 1/2 hour so really right on par.

as others have said you might be able to learn some of those things but there is comfort in knowing your indy is checkig the car out too. I do my own work AND have my indy work on my car. I try to do two things....get a second set of eyes and feed his business since I get SOOO much from him. Its a good relationship and I value it over the few bucks I spend.

Thanks for posting #'s

Optical TDI

+1. The 60k doing it yourself is about $250-300 in parts including the oil change. That alone would have saved you about $700 depending on your tool inventory.

ivangene

I dont think the OP minds:

"I dont feel like maintenance costs have been beating me up."

I see everyone trying to save him money, (a good thing) but he's good with it. And I get that. Many people dont want hot oil running down thier armpits....

Optical TDI

Good point. I think some of us missed that. What's wrong with oil in your armpits...better than the BO.

redridge

I hear you Ed, things like alignment... something I like to do every 2-3 years. Nothing like an experienced eye to look over the work you've done or in general. I guess its a matter of your comfort level..... at some point you know that you can do the brakes just as good as the pros... and you gotta admit you get to know your car in a more intimate way.

chambej

Yeah, saving 50 bucks on an oil change is not super high on my priority list. But given the research I have done at this point on the break job, it seems like something that I can pretty easily do, and save a boat load of money. So I will likely do that myself. How do you determine the life on the pads and rotor? My front rotors are pretty grooved on the outside edge, seems like a telling sign.

larry47us

Ferdie:

I'm surprised that you only get an alignment every 2 - 3 years, unless your tires are lasting that long. I have always gotten an alignment every time I bought new tires. Considering that tires will hopefully last 15K miles, that means new tires and an alignment every year. Are you putting so few miles on your car that you only replace your tires every 2 - 3 years?

Where's the fun in only driving your car 5,000 - 7,500 miles a year? GET OUT THERE BRO!!!!

larry

redridge

actually, I have 3 sets of wheels that I go back and forth with... as for buying sets, the front just lasts forever and the rears last about 7K for me. I dont really have a method for when I should do alignment (not based on mileage or change of tires) but rather just do one between 2-3 years. But you are right... I do need to drive her more often. Planning to go on a road trip with the family and tour Canada for about a month in june. In the process of putting the p-car back to family mode...