[Ckrikos]

I haven't owned a 981 but bought a new 986 in 02. Unexpected car maintenance only cost me about $1000 out of pocket for an alternator change but was trouble free for 10 years and 50k miles. All I did was change the oil tires and brakes. After 10 years I spent some cash on it for preventative maintenance, but even then I probably could have delayed that service for another 2-5 years as I drove the car infrequently at that point. These cars are very reliable when new. When old well that's another story. I bout a 996 turbo and sold the boxster after 12 years of ownership, but I have some tolerance for maintenance although less and less as time goes by.