I read where the 2.7 motor blows up for no real reason...

[pecivil]

I am not a "Porsche Expert" by any means, but as I recall, they have problems with many of their engines

older air cooled 911's have the head studs issue, cooling fan issue, etc. I think only the 3.2l SC engines are considered "bulletproof"

the water cooled front engined cars have the rubber timing chain which if not meticulously maintained lets valves hit piston crowns, and the 968 also had the pinion gear problem.

now the rms & intermediate shaft issue with the water cooled flat 6's

nothing is perfect, for sure Porsche isn't. But hey, its the price of admission.

You play, you pay. I love my boxster, bought it knowing full well about the problems. I love the damn car, and the smile it puts on my mug everytime I drive it. Theres no way I would trade it for a S2000, or anything japanese.

Drive it like you stole it, baby!!

I HAVE always had my eye on an esprit though. But the 8 Cyl turbo version. That car is just ********************in. I would take one of those over ANY 911.

[Perfectlap]

I agree the 996/7 and 986/7 are no S2000 (which ain't cheap anymore either) in reliability and every prospective buyer should know that this fine German car is going to require specialized labor and seriously marked up parts

BUT>>>>>

The engine issues are a different matter. Its not like its replacing a throttle body or a alternator. Its a BIG potential disaster that the company know about.
Can anyone name another fairly large company that knows that 1/3 of its engines can potentially go at any moment and its out-of-warranty owners are basically SCREWED? And the in warranty costs must be big too, replacing a GT3 engine is about $35K all because of a problem they are well aware of. Nope, I can't name another car maker who overlooks a major engine defect either.
At the end of the day its good to whine because believe it or not allot of buying decisions are made by people reading about our whining. And Porsche actively read the Porsche car forums like Rennlist. If not for the whining Porsche would thing it was all peaches and cream because they are making allot of money in a sluggish car market.

[z12358]

perfectlap:
"Can anyone name another fairly large company that knows that 1/3 of its engines can potentially go at any moment and its out-of-warranty owners are basically SCREWED? And the in warranty costs must be big too, replacing a GT3 engine is about $35K all because of a problem they are well aware of. "

I think you just answered your own question. Let's just focus on the waranty years. If those defects are so frequent and severe, Porsche would have hard time breaking even on each car it's selling purely because the waranty claims would exceed any profit margin they could impose on the market. And that, obviously, is not the case. The conclusion is that the frequency and the severity (thus the costs) of the defects must be SMALL enough to allow Porsche not only to make money on each car but to maintain the HIGHEST profit margins in the industry.

Z.

[super66]

Originally Posted by z12358

perfectlap:
"Can anyone name another fairly large company that knows that 1/3 of its engines can potentially go at any moment and its out-of-warranty owners are basically SCREWED? And the in warranty costs must be big too, replacing a GT3 engine is about $35K all because of a problem they are well aware of. "

I think you just answered your own question. Let's just focus on the waranty years. If those defects are so frequent and severe, Porsche would have hard time breaking even on each car it's selling purely because the waranty claims would exceed any profit margin they could impose on the market. And that, obviously, is not the case. The conclusion is that the frequency and the severity (thus the costs) of the defects must be SMALL enough to allow Porsche not only to make money on each car but to maintain the HIGHEST profit margins in the industry.

Z.

I'm on board with Z......

[Brucelee]

" Let's just focus on the waranty years"

That is EXACTLY what Porsche IS focusing on.

After that, well, gee, that is too bad! Just give me 12-15G for a new engine please.

I will go back to my Chevy V8 analogy.

You can run those bad boys for over 200K easy if you simply keep the oil clean.

Why would that be so much to ask of a Porsche motor?

These Germans are smart folks. Charge much, keep expectations low.

[z12358]

" Let's just focus on the waranty years"

That is EXACTLY what Porsche IS focusing on.
After that, well, gee, that is too bad! Just give me 12-15G for a new engine please.
I will go back to my Chevy V8 analogy.
You can run those bad boys for over 200K easy if you simply keep the oil clean.
Why would that be so much to ask of a Porsche motor?
These Germans are smart folks. Charge much, keep expectations low.


You missed my point. If the cars were really that defective Porsche couldn't afford to offer 4yr bumper-to-bumper waranties. It'd simply go bankrupt. The reality of HIGHEST profit margins is suggesting quite the opposite. Unless you're inferring that the "smart" Germans specifically designed the Porsches to start breaking down in hordes right after their waranty expires -- just for the fun of it. So smart AND sinister indeed. Dr. Evil material.

Z.

[super66]

Originally Posted by z12358

" Let's just focus on the waranty years"

That is EXACTLY what Porsche IS focusing on.
After that, well, gee, that is too bad! Just give me 12-15G for a new engine please.
I will go back to my Chevy V8 analogy.
You can run those bad boys for over 200K easy if you simply keep the oil clean.
Why would that be so much to ask of a Porsche motor?
These Germans are smart folks. Charge much, keep expectations low.


You missed my point. If the cars were really that defective Porsche couldn't afford to offer 4yr bumper-to-bumper waranties. It'd simply go bankrupt. The reality of HIGHEST profit margins is suggesting quite the opposite. Unless you're inferring that the "smart" Germans specifically designed the Porsches to start breaking down in hordes right after their waranty expires -- just for the fun of it. So smart AND sinister indeed. Dr. Evil material.

Z.

that's how I read it.....and still on board with Z on this one.....if it is that much of a crap shoot with the engine.....I would figure I would see A LOT more posts of this occurence where as right now we see warning posts and friends of friends...and I know some have gone bad on this board but not enough.....

so if it was that much of a crap shoot, then Porsche would be broke on replacing motors under warranty..........

so unless there is a program this sucker to go at anytime after 60K miles button....not sure how they could be that unstable

[Sammy]

Originally Posted by z12358

" Let's just focus on the waranty years"

That is EXACTLY what Porsche IS focusing on.
After that, well, gee, that is too bad! Just give me 12-15G for a new engine please.
I will go back to my Chevy V8 analogy.
You can run those bad boys for over 200K easy if you simply keep the oil clean.
Why would that be so much to ask of a Porsche motor?
These Germans are smart folks. Charge much, keep expectations low.


You missed my point. If the cars were really that defective Porsche couldn't afford to offer 4yr bumper-to-bumper waranties. It'd simply go bankrupt. The reality of HIGHEST profit margins is suggesting quite the opposite. Unless you're inferring that the "smart" Germans specifically designed the Porsches to start breaking down in hordes right after their waranty expires -- just for the fun of it. So smart AND sinister indeed. Dr. Evil material.

Z.

In keeping with your point, if these defects were few and far between why doesn't Porsche step up and help their customers out with an extended warranty or something of the sort? If these are truly a drop in the bucket than this would be a small price to pay for happy customers? How many people on this forum have this in the back of their mind and will affect their next purchase? How many people will tell their friends about what they read on this forum?

[Sammy]

Originally Posted by super66

I'm on board with Z......

Porsche is doing what is good for Porsche, but at the same time they are losing customers whether they be new or repeat. With the increasing popularity of forums such as this one, the flaws are coming to the surface and being broadcasted in a public forum whether they be widespread issues or not. This can and will be perceived by some as a company that could give a rats rear about its customers. As was mentioned below, this is not an alternator or head gasket, etc... this is a CATASTROPHIC ENGINE FAILURE that seems to be traced to a design flaw.

Imagine if the buying public knew before hand, that the car they were about to buy had the potential to implode regardless of how they treated or serviced it? What if they knew that unless under warranty, Porsche would tell them to go pound sand and deal with the $12k-$15k repair bill on their own despite it being a design flaw?

BTW - Does anyone have the last 3 years of Porsche's profit, net revenue and number of vehicles sold? I would be curious to see how fast their products are moving off the lot?

Disclaimer: I don't know if this is a design flaw or not, but it sure sounds like it...