Porsche 997 C2S vs. Honda Accord cost of ownership? (Financial and Mental)
07-19-2010, 02:29 PM
#31
Burning Brakes
One should never finance a luxury item if that is the only way you
can afford to own it.
Now, there may be benefits to creative financing rather than writing
a check for $100,000 plus dollars. However, you should be able to
comfortably pay cash for the P-Car and it shouldn't sting too badly.
07-19-2010, 03:56 PM
#32
This is my opinion as well.
One should never finance a luxury item if that is the only way you
can afford to own it.
Now, there may be benefits to creative financing rather than writing
a check for $100,000 plus dollars. However, you should be able to
comfortably pay cash for the P-Car and it shouldn't sting too badly.
One should never finance a luxury item if that is the only way you
can afford to own it.
Now, there may be benefits to creative financing rather than writing
a check for $100,000 plus dollars. However, you should be able to
comfortably pay cash for the P-Car and it shouldn't sting too badly.
07-19-2010, 04:04 PM
#33
Owning a 997 is expensive - but it depends on what disposable income you have. I am only a police sergeant so everyone assumes I could not afford a Porsche. But I am single - no kids - no ex wife to pay alimony to - don't drink or smoke. Don't like parties, don't gamble and only go on holiday to my apartment in southern Spain and I have made wise investments so virtually all my income can be spent on my favourite hobby - cars.
If you have other obligations like a wife and family id stick with the Honda.
Also what is it with the 'stupid question' police here recently.
The OP's question is perfectly valid. The prospect of owning a Porsche can be a daunting move for someone who has not owned such a car before so its sensible to try and work out the costs before the purchase is made.
If you have other obligations like a wife and family id stick with the Honda.
Also what is it with the 'stupid question' police here recently.
The OP's question is perfectly valid. The prospect of owning a Porsche can be a daunting move for someone who has not owned such a car before so its sensible to try and work out the costs before the purchase is made.
07-19-2010, 04:08 PM
#34
Rennlist Member
Also what is it with the 'stupid question' police here recently.
The OP's question is perfectly valid. The prospect of owning a Porsche can be a daunting move for someone who has not owned such a car before so its sensible to try and work out the costs before the purchase is made.
07-19-2010, 04:21 PM
#35
To the OP: With all due respect... if you have to ask about maintenance costs you do not afford a Porsche. This is not a snob reply. (i) A 911 is (even if used) far more expensive to buy than a Honda. (ii) even if it has no major issues, dealer maintenance costs more than Honda's. These are just facts. Draw your own conclusion.
With all due respect.... It is a snob reply... as are most of your postings when
someone questions the cost of repairs and maintenance... you infer that if you question you're not worthy of owning..
Walks like a snob, talks like a snob, posts like a snob..... sounds like a snob to me..
07-19-2010, 05:33 PM
#36
Are you planning on buying new? You can save 10's of thousands of dollars buying pre-owned one.
Also, LA is a rough place for using a 997 as a daily driver even though we see them all over the place. I use it as a DD and there are definitely times where I wish I had something a bit more plush to commute and bop around in. That said, the payoff is during the weekends where I actually get to take it out and exercise it in the canyons.
Maintenance is not at the same level as a 1980's Ferrari V-12 but getting charged $300 for an oil change from the dealer would not be surprising at all. Cut that price in half or more if learn to change your own.
Keep the Accord and buy a pre-owned 997, 996, Cayman or dare I say Boxter for fun.
Also, LA is a rough place for using a 997 as a daily driver even though we see them all over the place. I use it as a DD and there are definitely times where I wish I had something a bit more plush to commute and bop around in. That said, the payoff is during the weekends where I actually get to take it out and exercise it in the canyons.
Maintenance is not at the same level as a 1980's Ferrari V-12 but getting charged $300 for an oil change from the dealer would not be surprising at all. Cut that price in half or more if learn to change your own.
Keep the Accord and buy a pre-owned 997, 996, Cayman or dare I say Boxter for fun.
07-19-2010, 05:55 PM
#37
It makes sense because he owns an Accord and has no other point of reference in regards to vehicle maintenance.
07-19-2010, 06:03 PM
#38
This. Is. The. Funniest. Post. I. Have. Ever. Read.
please tell me you're not trying to do math to compare a high end sports car and a freaking utilitarian point a to point b commuter.
The math aint gonna work. [PERIOD]
Its about passion. Not numbers.
please tell me you're not trying to do math to compare a high end sports car and a freaking utilitarian point a to point b commuter.
The math aint gonna work. [PERIOD]
Its about passion. Not numbers.
07-19-2010, 06:16 PM
#39
Good decisive point. A guy who spends money on a new Porsche who has his kids' futures to be concerned about is by definition a/an [insert favorite expletive here]. 
07-19-2010, 07:21 PM
#41
This is my opinion as well.
One should never finance a luxury item if that is the only way you
can afford to own it.
Now, there may be benefits to creative financing rather than writing
a check for $100,000 plus dollars. However, you should be able to
comfortably pay cash for the P-Car and it shouldn't sting too badly.
One should never finance a luxury item if that is the only way you
can afford to own it.
Now, there may be benefits to creative financing rather than writing
a check for $100,000 plus dollars. However, you should be able to
comfortably pay cash for the P-Car and it shouldn't sting too badly.
That doesn't mean that you necesarrily will pay cash for the car (whether you do or not involves several other considerations).
I would say stick to the Honda.
07-19-2010, 09:48 PM
#42
Rennlist Member
To the OP: With all due respect... if you have to ask about maintenance costs you do not afford a Porsche. This is not a snob reply. (i) A 911 is (even if used) far more expensive to buy than a Honda. (ii) even if it has no major issues, dealer maintenance costs more than Honda's. These are just facts. Draw your own conclusion.
If you can't stomach $2k/month depreciation, or $500 per tire every 8k miles, or realize that over 4 years ownership you may be paying around $5/mile to own & drive the car then look elsewhere (much of this is just depreciation when buying new). Think of your daily route, count the miles, then multiply by about $5.
07-19-2010, 09:55 PM
#43
Three Wheelin'
Worry: Low, I don't worry about parking my Honda a the airport parking garage or in the street. People tend to leave them alone. Also, in Los Angeles the roads are littered with trash. So at least once a month I run into a tire retread or a box that fell of of a truck. (yes, this car will be my daily driver)
Fun: Medium; the V6 is quick 0-60 in about 6.5 seconds due to the high hp and low weight. They handle better then most domestic cars but it's not a BMW. It's easy to drive the car for 3-4 hours and not feel worn out. I drove a Mustang rental car and could not wait to get back to my Accord.
Tickets: This car does not attract attention. None. Zero.
The Honda warranty covers the car for about 50K miles; from 50K-100K miles they are solid. From 100K-200K miles Honda's usually requires about $300-500 of repair every 20K miles. (just misc stuff that adds up) After 200K it's better to just buy a new Honda to avoid trouble.
You have posts going back a few years or so on this - so maybe you gotta scratch the itch. CPO rather than new makes a lot of sense now - there's not a thing on a '10 or '11 that you can't get on a '09 - and that could save you $15K or so - that's a lot of gas, tires, and maintenance. With CPO, you have less depreciation and more warranty - hard to make a case for new if being any bit cost conscious.
As has been said, there's no logical reasoning behind getting a 911 - it is all about rationalizing away any trepidations you may have and jumping in.
I say go for it (CPO) - if you hate it, sell it, and don't do it again.
07-19-2010, 10:00 PM
#44
Drifting
newer Honda's have timing chains now, not belts.
07-19-2010, 10:21 PM
#45
All these people saying "if you have to ask you can't afford it" or "its about passion not numbers" -
get off your freaking high horse.
You're being ridiculous. Of course it's always about numbers. Why didn't you get a Porsche earlier in your life? Why do you have a 997 now instead of a Turbo or a GT3 or even a Ferrari? Of course it's about numbers.
Even if you have plenty of money, it makes perfectly good sense to figure out exactly how much it costs you and decide whether that expense is worth it for you right now in your life.
get off your freaking high horse.
You're being ridiculous. Of course it's always about numbers. Why didn't you get a Porsche earlier in your life? Why do you have a 997 now instead of a Turbo or a GT3 or even a Ferrari? Of course it's about numbers.
Even if you have plenty of money, it makes perfectly good sense to figure out exactly how much it costs you and decide whether that expense is worth it for you right now in your life.