993 vs. Boxster maintenance

[Flavor 987S]

Originally Posted by woodsman

I've decided I need to get a 993 before they skyrocket in price. Does anyone have experience with one of these? I've read that they're more expensive to own. True? I plan on driving it 5 000 miles per year-summer only.

993 pricing really took off the past 12-18 months. A quality, documented, no-stories widebody (C2S or C4S) with low miles (<20) is easy +$60. Mid mileage cars are +$45,000 all day long.

I owned a 1997 993 Turbo for 4 years and drove it 40,000 miles. Maintenance and tires costed me about $7,000 per year. I sold it this summer for +$35,000 MORE than I paid for it. So, I drove one of the greatest air cooled cars for 4 years and 40,000 miles for free!!:dance:

The 993 market is very-very hot.

[urban]

Originally Posted by Flavor 987S

I owned a 1997 993 Turbo for 4 years and drove it 40,000 miles. Maintenance and tires costed me about $7,000 per year. I sold it this summer for +$35,000 MORE than I paid for it. So, I drove one of the greatest air cooled cars for 4 years and 40,000 miles for free!!:dance:

Nope, I believe you got paid for driving that 993 Even if you take into consideration the gas!!!!

You're a lucky guy!!

[coreseller]

If a 993 and 986 are on par with each other mileage and maintenance wise, I'd honestly give the 993 the edge as far as being cheaper to own / drive / maintain. The real problem is that they are older than 986's and as a result more incidental / ancillary items will need addressing. I bought mine (1996 C2, not a wide body....damn) from a very nice early 60's lawyer who was not mechanically inclined at all whereas I am. My guess his independent mechanic told him it was on the verge of needing many small items to be dealt with, they would of run a few grand dollar wise for the shop to perform and I did them (hood struts, spoiler bearing, F & R bumper resprays, radio, suspension, replace / touch up some interior bits, etc.) myself for a fraction of what he would of spent.

From browsing this forum since selling my 986 I get continually amazed at the new "failure modes" exposed by Jake and others outside of the IMS bearing (water pump, intermix coolant tank, broken chain paddles, etc.) that would of concerned me. 2 biggest issues for the 993; replacing valve guides as someone else mentioned and SAI issues which can be addressed on a DIY basis. If seriously thinking about making the move I highly recommend Rennlist Forums, they are the 993's version of what this forum is to the Boxsters; the best resource.

[woodsman]

Originally Posted by coreseller

If a 993 and 986 are on par with each other mileage and maintenance wise, I'd honestly give the 993 the edge as far as being cheaper to own / drive / maintain. The real problem is that they are older than 986's and as a result more incidental / ancillary items will need addressing. I bought mine (1996 C2, not a wide body....damn) from a very nice early 60's lawyer who was not mechanically inclined at all whereas I am. My guess his independent mechanic told him it was on the verge of needing many small items to be dealt with, they would of run a few grand dollar wise for the shop to perform and I did them (hood struts, spoiler bearing, F & R bumper resprays, radio, suspension, replace / touch up some interior bits, etc.) myself for a fraction of what he would of spent.

Hey cheaper to maintain would be great! And yes the many problems with the 986 seem overwhelming at times- than I drive it and I'm worry-free again! I'd think of the 993 as a classic and wouldn't be surprised when something fails, unlike with my Boxster. Thanks for the info.

[woodsman]

Originally Posted by Flavor 987S

993 pricing really took off the past 12-18 months. A quality, documented, no-stories widebody (C2S or C4S) with low miles (<20) is easy +$60. Mid mileage cars are +$45,000 all day long.

I owned a 1997 993 Turbo for 4 years and drove it 40,000 miles. Maintenance and tires costed me about $7,000 per year. I sold it this summer for +$35,000 MORE than I paid for it. So, I drove one of the greatest air cooled cars for 4 years and 40,000 miles for free!!:dance:

The 993 market is very-very hot.

yes I know the Turbo's are already rocketing in price- I hate to say it but you may have sold it too soon! $7000 for 10 000 miles is more than I want to spend and a turbo would be so 'special' that I'd never drive it. It's got to be a wide-body car though.