I picked up the car with 9K miles. No repairs other than a premature throttle body failure and a parking brake switch ($5 part $150 dealer labor
)
... until major maintenance time rolled in at around the 60K mile mark (when it was 9-10 years old).
EDIT
add front control arm/tr's to list $1,650
1. coolant tank
2. alternator
3. starter
4. AOS
5. O2 sensor (decided to replace all, not cheap)
6. ignition thing that everyone gets sooner or later.
7. catalytic converters (replaced full exhaust including headers)
8. clutch
9. flywheel (OEM)
10. RMS (upgrade, original did not rip)
11. rear axle boots (both torn)
12. IMS (upgrade, original pristine)
13. shocks (haven't done rears yet, maybe after winter)
14. wheel straightening from two dented wheels.
15. replaced broken HID bulb (ebay $75, replaced both sides)
16. replaced serpentine belt (why not)
17. brake pads (only one set in 7 years, remarkable)
18. plastic window has 1" tear, do not want to replace with aftermarket due to stretching issues.
19. spark plugs at 50K miles.
20. at least one battery.
21. windshield (Safelite - Sekurit)
22. *Upgrades (Carrera 18" wheels, 18" 997 Turbo style for winter, GT3 seats, Litronics, GT3 I aero, Fabspeed, carbon Tequipment shifter, painted center console)
No matter which Porsche you buy, if you intend to keep it long term:
you will end up paying for it twice on repairs, maintenance and upgrades<--due to high cost of OEM parts. Add another 20% if you drive it in winter.
The nature of sports cars....these are not pickup trucks.