Considering 996
#31
Porsche or no Porsche, the OP's issue is that he is buying a car but can't afford the maintenance.
996's are cheap to buy but can be very expensive to maintain. Forget about the IMSB. My 2003 with a great PPI needed an AOS, water pump, serpentine belt and a few assorted small repairs. All in the first year.
It doesn't make financial sense to buy a car that has the potential to break your bank. Also, worrying about the potential costs will surely dampen your ownership experience.
996's are cheap to buy but can be very expensive to maintain. Forget about the IMSB. My 2003 with a great PPI needed an AOS, water pump, serpentine belt and a few assorted small repairs. All in the first year.
It doesn't make financial sense to buy a car that has the potential to break your bank. Also, worrying about the potential costs will surely dampen your ownership experience.
#32
Porsche or no Porsche, the OP's issue is that he is buying a car but can't afford the maintenance. 996's are cheap to buy but can be very expensive to maintain. Forget about the IMSB. My 2003 with a great PPI needed an AOS, water pump, serpentine belt and a few assorted small repairs. All in the first year. It doesn't make financial sense to buy a car that has the potential to break your bank. Also, worrying about the potential costs will surely dampen your ownership experience.
#33
Maybe the OP will return and advise us on the details. But, if paying cash(no payment), I can't think of more bang for the buck. Know the repairs and costs, know a good mechanic or be one. And research the specific model. Set your car payment money in the "repair fund" and drive the life into the car. From my experience , these cars are for the most part, dead nuts reliable. And then there's the fun, unquantifiable.
My is a 2001 C4 Cab. with 54,000 when I bought it. I had it looked over as I had it looked it over by my mechanic for fleet trucks as he owns a 911. 2 things were needed right away, tires($1300) and a BBS 2 piece rim sealed. It has been my daily driver for a while. I would rather spend $3000-5000 a year, when it comes, than drive anything else. I think if you pick the car right, take care of it as recommended, How could you go wrong?
Although if the OP is not prepared for a $5000 repair out of the blue, its probably not for him.
My is a 2001 C4 Cab. with 54,000 when I bought it. I had it looked over as I had it looked it over by my mechanic for fleet trucks as he owns a 911. 2 things were needed right away, tires($1300) and a BBS 2 piece rim sealed. It has been my daily driver for a while. I would rather spend $3000-5000 a year, when it comes, than drive anything else. I think if you pick the car right, take care of it as recommended, How could you go wrong?
Although if the OP is not prepared for a $5000 repair out of the blue, its probably not for him.
#34
I've had my 2000 C4 ME for 4 years and put 20K on it. Now at 80K with original IMS. Only issue I've had is the water pump which is known. Just had oil change and inspection done and the car remains flawless and reliable. Highly recommend!
The advice about having money for repairs applies to any car you own especially any high performance. Enjoy! There really is no substitute.
The advice about having money for repairs applies to any car you own especially any high performance. Enjoy! There really is no substitute.
#35
I'm ~30 days and 2.5k miles into ownership of a 2003 C2 manual/73k, new front tires ($450 for Mich PS), PPI ($288), annual service ($375), and driving to Colorado next week to have the solution installed ($3500). This is all expected and happily paid for as I knew there would be a hurdle to clear to get the car in proper shape. Did the pedals this past week and like the feel of the new ones. These cars are too much fun not to tweak them a bit to your liking. There's a cost for the platform though, without question.
#36
After 9 months and 25,000 miles (including a recently completed cross country road trip) on a 1999 C2 6 speed manual coupe with 57,000 miles when purchased that cost around $21K, my thoughts are:
1) I had budgeted $5,000 per year for maintenance and repairs. The cost so far has been $1286.
2) Gets amazing fuel economy on the road (27 to 29 mpg). Not to mention it being a conversation starter at most fuel and meal stops.
3) Can you think of any other car that can rack up tens or hundreds of thousands of miles of that many smiles?
There are so many 996's for sale, I will just get another if this one explodes. Or after it's racked up a quarter million miles.
Which at the rate I'm driving might be sooner then later?
1) I had budgeted $5,000 per year for maintenance and repairs. The cost so far has been $1286.
2) Gets amazing fuel economy on the road (27 to 29 mpg). Not to mention it being a conversation starter at most fuel and meal stops.
3) Can you think of any other car that can rack up tens or hundreds of thousands of miles of that many smiles?
There are so many 996's for sale, I will just get another if this one explodes. Or after it's racked up a quarter million miles.
Which at the rate I'm driving might be sooner then later?
#37
#40
#41