I've only had my 2000 S for one year and 4000 miles. Bought it with 10,800 miles and the only maintenance I've done to it has been an oil change before putting it into hibernation.

My other two cars, a 2001 Acura CL-S and a 2004 Volvo XC70 were bought with about 48,000 miles and today have 201,000 and 224,000 miles. Both have been maintained "by the book" while I've owned them. The Acura has averaged $1400 per year in repairs and maintenance (transmission was replaced in a recall @ 60,000 @ no charge); the Volvo has averaged $1375 per year.

These numbers include tires, brakes, etc. Both cars look like they have one quarter the miles and both drive very well with just a few little issues (noisy heater fan in Acura).

I doubt I'll get the same reliability and longevity from my 986, but while both the Acura and the Volvo are wonderful, neither puts an ear-to-ear grin on my face when I look at them or drive them as I get from the Boxster.

One more week before it comes out of hibernation.

Larry (the Bald Eagle)

I tell my friends and my customers with old cars...

Its either the monthly car payment or the infrequent car repair payment, The car repair payment can sometimes cost more than a monthly car payment but it does not happen every month. regular maintenance will always be required on either. which do you want to do?

+1 This is kind-of how I've always looked at it.

Hello friends, my name is Tom Stone and I am an addict. Isn't that Step 1?



Hard to say how common failures like I experienced are. Most racers don't like to share a lot of inside info for fear of losing competitive advantage.

My Boxster was 64K Euro when i bought it new. Never expected that a Porsche, or a car in this price range would be very reliable when getting older. What do you expect? If you buy a Ferrari would you think it is a maintenace bargain?

A cheap used sports car doesn't mean that it's cheap to maintain.

Besides of that Porsche has decided to put parts for cars that are older than 10 years out of the spare parts depot. So prices for spare parts have raised enourmous in Germany.

I'm counting on these cars being reliable as I just bought a 2008 S with 190,000 KMs (120,000 Miles) and its all original, even the brakes, except the tires..."he says pounding on the wood table"! A friend has a 2002 with over 250,000 KMs (155,000 miles) and his is all original except for brakes and tires. Both cars have all regular maintenance performed but my car has seen mostly highway miles and thus the brakes which I will have to do this summer. I will keep a close eye on things such as the alternator and water pump and cam prepared to replace parts before they become an issue.