997 reliability, costs of ownership, tips for buying
08-15-2009, 04:30 AM
#16
Poseur
Rennlist Member
Rennlist Member
Mechanical costs related to owning a 911 can be high. Don't kid yourself. Once off warranty that alternator or any 997 part number will not be inexpensive.
Basic operating parts are not cheap. Is your friend prepared to buy name brand tires (i.e.g, Michelin, Pirelli, Bridgestone) when it needs them? Or will he attempt to buy on the cheap side to save money? If that is the case he should forgo a 997 Carrera for the time being. I know a guy who has money who wound up putting some sort of off-brand tires on his 996 turbo to save a few bucks. It wound up creating a handling nightmare (he only replaced the rears and they were wholly different than the fronts). Ultimately, he had to go back to his tire dealer, hat in hand, and spend the bucks.
If you friend knows how to work on his cars he can save money there.
I just would suggest against this car as first manual, first sports car, and first Porsche. He should go learn to drive a stick on something much less expensive, and screw that one up a bit before he does it on something expensive to fix.
Basic operating parts are not cheap. Is your friend prepared to buy name brand tires (i.e.g, Michelin, Pirelli, Bridgestone) when it needs them? Or will he attempt to buy on the cheap side to save money? If that is the case he should forgo a 997 Carrera for the time being. I know a guy who has money who wound up putting some sort of off-brand tires on his 996 turbo to save a few bucks. It wound up creating a handling nightmare (he only replaced the rears and they were wholly different than the fronts). Ultimately, he had to go back to his tire dealer, hat in hand, and spend the bucks.
If you friend knows how to work on his cars he can save money there.
I just would suggest against this car as first manual, first sports car, and first Porsche. He should go learn to drive a stick on something much less expensive, and screw that one up a bit before he does it on something expensive to fix.
09-17-2018, 05:45 PM
#18
Burning Brakes
As long as the car was maintained in accordance with the recommended time schedule, as opposed to the mileage schedule, and it was driven on a regular basis so as not to sit still for months at a time, I think it would be fine. What you don't want is a 12 year old car that has had 1 or two oil changes in its entire life, based on mileage intervals. Or a car that was driven 3k miles one year and then sat in a garage for the next year.
09-17-2018, 11:07 PM
#19
Three Wheelin'
Oh you naysayers. Tell your friend to buy and enjoy! Chances are he won't screw the clutch if first manual. If shortens life some so be it, with proper guidance with friend showing him, it'll be minor. Any euro marquee maintenance done right out of warranty is high. If drives 6-7k/yr will average $2-3k including tires on avg. Front tires every 3-4 and backs 2-3. And includes brake fluid every 2 yrs. Regular maintenance every yr with big one every 60k or 6 yrs (the big one). if does work himself saves 1/4. Brakes can run 1k per axle but only need at 50k miles or so and easy diy.
Yes if something breaks then could be oh gasp. But very reliable cars.
Can really save on maintenance if buys with new tires and major service (plugs, coils, all fluid chgs), and all new tpms sensors. Damn sensors will drive you crazy replacing. Fairly cheap but pia as they go out 6-7 yrs one. At. A. Time.
But tell him buy. Now. Enjoy. And never sell.
Yes if something breaks then could be oh gasp. But very reliable cars.
Can really save on maintenance if buys with new tires and major service (plugs, coils, all fluid chgs), and all new tpms sensors. Damn sensors will drive you crazy replacing. Fairly cheap but pia as they go out 6-7 yrs one. At. A. Time.
But tell him buy. Now. Enjoy. And never sell.
09-18-2018, 01:03 PM
#21
Rennlist Member
Oh you naysayers. Tell your friend to buy and enjoy! Chances are he won't screw the clutch if first manual. If shortens life some so be it, with proper guidance with friend showing him, it'll be minor. Any euro marquee maintenance done right out of warranty is high. If drives 6-7k/yr will average $2-3k including tires on avg. Front tires every 3-4 and backs 2-3. And includes brake fluid every 2 yrs. Regular maintenance every yr with big one every 60k or 6 yrs (the big one). if does work himself saves 1/4. Brakes can run 1k per axle but only need at 50k miles or so and easy diy.
Yes if something breaks then could be oh gasp. But very reliable cars.
Can really save on maintenance if buys with new tires and major service (plugs, coils, all fluid chgs), and all new tpms sensors. Damn sensors will drive you crazy replacing. Fairly cheap but pia as they go out 6-7 yrs one. At. A. Time.
But tell him buy. Now. Enjoy. And never sell.
Yes if something breaks then could be oh gasp. But very reliable cars.
Can really save on maintenance if buys with new tires and major service (plugs, coils, all fluid chgs), and all new tpms sensors. Damn sensors will drive you crazy replacing. Fairly cheap but pia as they go out 6-7 yrs one. At. A. Time.
But tell him buy. Now. Enjoy. And never sell.
09-18-2018, 06:04 PM
#22
Rennlist Member
Have a dealership go over all records with you.
From here, depends who you talk to, regarding time based vs mileage based service recommendations.
I'm conservative, so I'd make sure all time based services are up to date. I haven't heard of plugs seizing in but wouldn't want to find out, rubber belt could dry out etc. Make sure the tires are not from 2005.
