[thstone]

Everyone here is right on in terms of maintaining a Porsche - not cheap.

Here is what I've done to my $11,000 1999 Boxster with 80K miles (and almost no repair history) in just two months since I bought it.

The good news is that I was planning to spend $25K for a Boxstger so I have lots of money left over for all of the maintanence/repairs/udpates (or even a replacement engine, worst case).

Also, note that I can do almost all of my work myself. The cost would be more than double my DIY costs if I had to pay to have the work done.

1. Oil/filter change ($180 dealer - wanted it done right away)
2. New Porsche logo floor mats (no mats in car) $120
3. Replaced battery cover (missing from car) $25 used from eBay
4. Replaced air filter/pollen filter (DIY $50 Pelican Parts)
5. Replaced fuel filter (DIY $30 Pelican Parts)
6. Replaced wiper blades (DIY $28 Autozone)
7. Red clip for alarm with top open ($8 eBay)
8. Replaced top microswitch (DIY $38 Pelican Parts)
9. Replaced all four tires (stock Pirelli PZero Rosso rear tires worn out) with Michelin PS2's in 225/45/17 front and 255/40/17 rear ($950 Discount Tires)
10. AUX Audio input (for iPhone/MP3) (DIY $85 Discount Car Audio)
11. Rear speaker kit (DIY $250 eBay Harvey PNP). This was something I wanted, not a must do. Stock CDR-220 sounds much better now.

TOTAL = $1,726

To be done in January-February:
1. Spark plugs and ignition coils replacement ($60 plugs, $250 coils DIY)
2. Coolent flush and replacement ($150 Indie shop)
3. Brake fluid replacement ($100 Indie shop)
4. Brake pads and rotors replacement (all four wheels) with EBC Redstuff pads and drilled rotors ($250 pads, $280 rotors, DIY)
5. GT3 brake cooling ducts (DIY $50 eBay)

TOTAL = $1,140

Not needed:
1. Battery (replaced by previous owner in Aug, 2010 $120)
2. Belt/tensioner/rollers (replaced by previous owner in July, 2010 $550 Indie shop)
3. Top (replaced by previous owner in April, 2010, $1,200 Indie shop)


So, I'll be in for $2,866 in 3-4 months time just to repair/update/maintain my "cheap" Boxster. If I had to do the items that the previous owner did, this would have added $1,870 to the $2,866 for a possible total of $4,736.

This is the real cost of getting a well used Boxster back up to par (~$5K). This is ONLY if you do most of the work yourself. Do most at a shop and you're looking at more than $10K.

And this doesn't inlcude the following repairs/updates that could come at any time:

When clutch needs replacement:
1. Clutch
2. IMS/RMS update
3. Water pump/thermostat replacement