rtagaras

I'm interested in purchasing a 997.1. I've been looking at how much I need to budget, and the last thing I need is the amount to spend on potential initial repairs (new clutch, water pump replacement, etc.). What sort of items can I potentially need to replace or fix, and how much can I expect to spend at an independent shop?

Balr14

I budgeted $ 7k for replacement of normal wear items, maintenance and repairs. I expected to need new tires, transmission servicing, AOS replacement and an ECU tuner. I am still mulling over buying an extended warranty... $4000 for 30k miles. I have heard the clutch and water pump are very expensive to replace, so $7k would not cover it.

TheBruce

Welcome! 997.1s are very reliable and where they are on the depreciation curve makes them an excellent buy today. That being said they are a 12+yr old car so you need to budget for regular wear and tear. Here is what I spent in my first year: https://rennlist.com/forums/997-foru...e-numbers.html

One of the biggest variables is if you are comfortable doing the work yourself. If you want dealer service get a Fidelity aftermarket warranty for $3-4k.

Typical things you will run into:

1. Water pump every 10 years. I think <$200 part. Not sure cost to replace. Its an easy job though so I dont think an indy would charge more that a couple hours of labor.
2. Coolant expansion tank cracks with age. Part costs $100 but its a pain to replace. Dealer would charge $3k. Indy $1k.
3. Starter/alternator cable goes bad leading to slow cranks. Part costs $85 but its a pain to replace. Dealer would charge $3-4k. Indy <$1k
4. Clutch life is typically 50-100k depending on if the car was driven in the city or highway. Parts cost $600 (not including flywheel). Dealer would charge $3-4k. Indy would charge <$2k. While replacing the clutch they will check the RMS to make sure its not leaking. Thats only a $30 part and takes a few minutes to install when clutch is out.
5. Gap cap seal goes bad. $30 part
6. Tires $1200. Your fronts will last twice as long as rears.
7. Oil changes every 5k. $100 if you diy, $150 at your indy.
8. IMS replacement on a 2005 model year will run ~$1500 when you replace the clutch. Not required for 2006 model years or above.
9. Brake flush every 2 years.
10. Budget 18mpg on premium fuel. In California thats $50 a tank.
11. Insurance is cheap on these cars. I think it costs me an additional $20 a month.
12. New AC buttons if yours are gummed up. $150

4Driver4

I've spent north of $10k on my 997, but I bought it as a roller. ;-)
Still working out the bugs too, so the meter is still running...but at least the car is too.

I am the Walrus

ronvanr

When I first got the car, I took it to the dealership for a free inspection. There only recommendation was an alignment, and they were running a special on those. So the first year cost me around 150 bucks.

I've heard to budget about 1,500 a year (average for maintenance.) I think my car has been pretty close to that, some years have been a bit more others less. Of course if your are doing several repairs or maintenance items year one of your ownership, it could run much higher for that year.

voiceprint1

I think it depends on the car you select, if you are looking into this a first sports car you will not be very happy if budget is your first question, there is plenty of options with Porsche's but "bargain" cars are not advised.

captainbaker

Service records are your friend. Water pump, coolant tank and ignition coils are the first things that pop up in my mind. Clutch and other wearable items vary upon useage and individual car. Price accordingly and set a few bucks in reserve to take care of the 'Oh by the way'. A competent PPI should weed out most deferred maintenance.

jamesinger

I talked my car down a bit when I got it after getting the PPI because I know I was going to dump that right back in to tires and a major service. The car was 12 years old with 16k on the odo rolling on OG tires. The previous owners had kept up the services but it had been sitting for over a year since its last service, so I opted to swap out all fluids and etc. 100% worth it though!! I love the car!!

karl1672

Don't forget to add in some money for all the "things you'll want to do", that aren't maintenance related I have little self control and spend way more money on that kind of stuff

Fined

As Karl1672 mentioned above... there are other things that aren't maintenance related. I'd say it depends also on who had the vehicle last. I bought a 987.2 S over the weekend, and while it had exemplary service records with nothing missed and all services done at the Porsche dealership there were a number of small things need attention.. headliner falling down, NAV malfunctioning, a blown speaker.. none of this stuff is big ticket, but it needs immediate attention.

sandwedge

Great point. My current GTS serves as a good example. I always buy high quality forged after market wheels. This one already had Forgeline wheels on it. Not a wheel/model I was familiar with but I really liked it so there was a $6,500 savings. Then I had really become addicted to to the GT2 bucket seats having put 40,000 miles on the -09 C4S launch car with those seats so that was a must. Was prepared to pay $6-7K for a used set which are next to impossible to find so was ready to buy from the dealer. Already installed in the GTS so another $10K savings.

Lastly, the center muffler has no biz being on that car (or any .2 car for that matter imo) so $1K for a Skarkwerks bypass kit, already installed too. Final tab. I bought the car at fair market price for a bone stock GTS with after market items I had planned on buying already installed worth around $17,500. May be the best example I've seen so far of how after market parts, no matter the quality and condition return next to nothing in terms of resale.

erahm

You can soak those sticky buttons overnight in rubbing alcohol and they will be like new.

TopKatz

I bought a 08 C4s in May with 65k on it. After purchase I changed all fluids and did the plugs and coils, that was 2k. Car had a oil leak at the RMS/IMS. Then a CEL came on that tired out to be the secondary air pump. Long story short the car is in the shop now having the motor dropped to do all repairs. I’m anticipating around another 7k in parts and labor. These cars are not for those on a tight budget.

bgoetz

The big thing with any 911 is that a simple repair can turn expensive in a hurry because the engine may have to come out. Fortunately Porsche realized this and made dropping the engine easy as heck, but it still will add $1-2k to any repair.