Crystal Ball Question

[Muskoka Minute]

Originally Posted by Steve Tinker

Its not just the engine that wears out - lots of money will have to be spent to get suspension, cooling system, brakes and engine / gearbox ancillaries up to spec.
Just getting a suspension overhaul will run into several thousand $$, plus tyres, clutch, fuel & coolant pumps, wheel bearings etc etc just add to the pain......
"A couple of grand" saved up won't go far even for routine maintenance costs, let alone unknown gotcha's.

So are you saying to stay away from a high miler and spend the money on a new low mileage car?

[Steve Tinker]

Originally Posted by Muskoka Minute

So are you saying to stay away from a high miler and spend the money on a new low mileage car?

Personally I would say yes, leave the high mileage cars alone unless you are buying it for a project.

I bought my 2001 S back in 2008 from a Porsche Dealer - it came with a 12 month factory warranty and had 62,000km (38,000 miles). I have now 105,000km (65,000 miles) and have spent in the region of $US22,000 in upkeep in the 7 years of ownership.
Granted, some non essential's are included in the cost (Bilstein PSS9 suspension, 997 shifter, SS headers and cat delete pipes) but the vast majority of costs are maintenance items - and I do the maintenance myself, so labour is - er- free.
I did farm out the LN ceramic IMS bearing / clutch / crank seal to a professional ($4000) back in 2009 and a top repair / chain tensioner replacement to the Porsche Dealer, but all other repairs & maintenance was done by myself.

Last count, maintenance was +/- $US14,500 or about $US2,400 per year and that's with a low mileage car and the first year was under Porsche warranty.