Maintenance Costs Insane?

[mikefocke]

I owned a Boxster (2 of them) over 6 years and aside from the expense of the tires (going highest priced was my choice and not necessary) my expenses were much less than owning a Hoda and an Acura over the same period. It was my daily driver for all but the snow days (and I did sneak out on some of them..I recall scraping 8 inches of snow off the car cover just so I could take it out as soon as the roads were ice free).

Others have had less happy experiences.

I attribute mine to several items: good luck buying and a good PPI. A great mechanic who took care of all the potential issues via a 60k service plus I had at about 42k just after I bought it. And thereafter, I did some of my own work, did some via cheaper mechanics (O2 sensor change at a muffler shop, for example...oil changes at a quick change place with me bringing the parts and oil), used original equipment parts and independent mechanics where needed (and it wasn't needed even once a year on average).

[stephen wilson]

In looking at your older posts, it seems that most of your expenses were self-inflicted.

[The Radium King]

i've found a new way that the mechanics get you as well. i needed to replace the oil filler tube. very simple job - two spring clamps; 1/2 hour work max. unfortunately, one of these clamps is completely unaccessible to pliers or normal spring clamp tools; a special cable-operated spring clamp tool is needed. i didn't have this tool, none of the local parts suppliers had this tool, and ordering one would not have got it to me in a timely manner. so, quick trip to the local indie mechanic. confirm - does he have the tool - yes. right on, have at 'er.

job complete 3 hours later!!! why? because the porsche maintenance manual that he was using stated that, to change the fill tube, the entire oil fill/coolant tank apparatus had to be removed from the rear trunk. instead of reaching in and releasing the clamp, he disassembled half my car. what can i say - he was following the manual. these guys are porsche specialists, but obviously not m96/97 specialists. all my fault, i understand that, but will never use european specialty in nanaimo again regardless.

lesson - do it yourself. it will cost you as much or more initially because you have to buy all the tools needed, but at least you get to keep the tools when you are done.

[Ghostrider 310]

I'll bet I know why they tell you to disassemble the oil system, that oil tube and it's associated connectors are made of legendary Porsche polymers. You get one chance to seat it right, get it wrong and the chinzy clip disintegrates in your hand. Beyond that, the tolerances are such that installing it is not anywhere as simple as it should be, I found myself longing for a flexible tube and some hose clamps!! I did not encounter any special clips that could not be taken apart by hand. The issue I had was the piece is easier to service from the top and bottom so you have to access it from two service points.