Any Porsche exec's listening?

[senna21]

Originally Posted by Jeph

If one can't afford the maintenance on the car, they can't afford the car. If one can't afford the car, then your statement would be accurate. Otherwise, what makes it not so great? The chance that the engine might fail?

The issue isn't the cost of repairs. The issue is the cost of a $10K engine failure on a car that's currently depreciating like a rock. Maybe you think a total engine replacement is a "normal" repair I certainly don't. Window regulators, torn rear windows, ignition components, rear wheel bearings and even having to replace 4 catalytic converters before 100k miles I would consider general maintenance but certainly not complete engine failure.

As far as the abuse question goes I'd say if Porsche isn't engineering its cars to test out the rev limiter at least once a day then they certainly don't deserve the price tag they've got. My little Toyota's got a redline of 7k. It's widely known within the MR2 community the actual redline is closer to 8.5k. It came with 200hp but the stock internals have been proven to hold up to 500hp. The turbo is set to run at 10psi while it could be run to 17 safely. My point? Toyota over engineered the car and then detuned it to be reliable. I'm sure Porsche does the same. If you read the article about the engine failures I'd posted one point they make is none of the track cars they have have ever had an engine failure. Porsche designs cars that will have to be driven on the Autobahn on a regular basis, do you really think they would factor that in to the engineering?

But, as we all know they made a mistake. Either in the design or the manufacture of the engine. I've only driven a few but I can tell you that I do believe they're wonderful little cars. I know an owner with over 150k on his odometer and has never had any problems. And he has no hesitation to hit the rev limiter every now and again. I also have a coworker who's got over 60k on theirs and I doubt it's ever been brought above 5k. Their only issue was with the top not working at one time.

Like I said I'd love to have one. But, I'm not happy about having to roll the dice on whether or not I might have to replace the engine before 200k miles. If there were a rebuild option like Autofarm's here in the US I wouldn't have a problem at all. But when the option is $10k to Porsche or $3,500 for a used motor that might also take a dump on a car that's depreciating quickly that's not a good financial option. Whether you've got the money for the repair or not.

[Jeph]

I don't think engine replacement is "normal." Nor do I think the occurrence of this problem is "normal."

Many of you make it seem like it's 50/50 -the car may or may not explode. That's annoying. Debbie Downers...

Mail to:

Porsche Cars North America
Attention: Customer Commitment
980 Hammond Drive, Suite 1000
Atlanta, GA 30328

[Paul]

Air cooled 911s require a lot more regular maintenance than the motors Porsche sells today. Some air cooled 911 owners pull their motors every 15,000 miles to adjust the valves.

Today's motors make more horsepower per cubic inch, get better mileage and in LA actually clean the air.

IIRC, Porsches used to have a 1 year 12,000 mile warranty.

Yesterday's Porsche 911 motors leak oil. Today's owners go ballistic when a rubber seal on the back of the crankshaft allows oil to drip on their garage floor.

I encourage every Porsche owner to do their own maintenance, most of it is very simple. Even the 60,000 986 service is easily doable by anyone handy with basic tools.

Bottom line, we've bought a toy, enjoy it anyway you like, replace it if you break it. If you can find more fun, for less cost or financial risk, buy another toy.

I haven't shifted mine above 7000 yet today, but the wife just asked if we are going to later this evening.....

[ky944s]

Originally Posted by Paul

I encourage every Porsche owner to do their own maintenance, most of it is very simple. Even the 60,000 986 service is easily doable by anyone handy with basic tools.

Bottom line, we've bought a toy,

I do my own maintenance. 60,0000 miles would be great if the engine makes it that far.
A toy? I'm glad you think of it that way. I know it's not an investment but, when you finance or lease $30-$50,000 and for a new one more to me it is no longer a toy.
At the cost of parts (new or rebuilt engine) they should "almost" be bullet proof.

[Paul]

IMO any two seat sports car is a toy.

So how much should a factory provided motor cost in a $50,000 car? I wonder how much a factory supplied motor costs for a Corvette which has a much less sophisticated motor? Remember Porsche ships them with most of the accessories but GM sends a long block that doesn't have the fuel injection, water pump, manifolds, etc.

No Porsche motor has been bullet proof. Cars are an expense, not an investment.

[blinkwatt]

If you guys want to do something about this talk to 996 owners. It seems like the early 3.2L & 3.4L from the 996 all have the same exact design flaws;i.m.s. failures and cracked heads,both resulting in totaled engines. I'd recommend getting receipts and diagnosis from shops together,copy them, mail them all to one party,have them present it to Porsche and I'm sure it will get much more then 'no response' from Porsche.

When I was searching for a 986 S one my main factors was that the mileage couldn't be too low...I was afraid it blowing an engine. Now that I look back on that it's kinda sad(on Porsche's part).

[Brucelee]

Originally Posted by Paul

IMO any two seat sports car is a toy.

So how much should a factory provided motor cost in a $50,000 car? I wonder how much a factory supplied motor costs for a Corvette which has a much less sophisticated motor? Remember Porsche ships them with most of the accessories but GM sends a long block that doesn't have the fuel injection, water pump, manifolds, etc.

No Porsche motor has been bullet proof. Cars are an expense, not an investment.

3-5K new for a chevy v8. Less for a rebuiltversion.