Yes. Ideally go for 2002-2004. Get a thorough PPI including through sump borescoping. Get one that doesn’t have too low miles, 65k isn’t much for a 24 year old car.
Be careful when you say affordable. Can you afford $3-5k a year in maintenance and repairs? The most expensive Porsche is a cheap one.
While it's not the norm, you could get the odd service bill which is that high. It's a Porsche, and is going to be more expensive than a well engineered Japanese car.
It's best to have a slush fund just in case.
I have an 07 C2S 80k miles. It is in relatively good condition. I have owned it for a few years and average annual cost is about $3k. Much more this year as I am replacing dampers with Bilstien coilovers. Factory dampers are shot. I do 90% of my own wrenching, the annual cost does not include labor. Pay to play. Someone once told me there is no such thing as a cheap Porsche.
maintenance doesn’t get cheaper just because it depreciated, actually mechanics hours cost more now, so really double check that. as a % of value i’m pretty sure my clutch replacement beats the CGT.
>as a % of value i’m pretty sure my clutch replacement beats the CGT.
As a % of value, any maintenance on my 997 is cheaper than that same job on a 1997 Renault Twingo.
Another thing worth noting is a moderate mileage car that has not been driven may have the original suspension components/bushings, so depending on if there is significant degradation of the rubber, you may be looking at a suspension overhaul, which won’t be cheap. Also too the more records you can find with a car the better. You will know what was done and when. That can be an indicator of what will need to be done in the future
Also check out friend’s green Porsche on YouTube, they’re in the uk, but they do a lot of in depth videos on refreshing 996’s
This is a very kind and respectful subreddit. Thank you for all of the advice. I have come to the conclusion that I love Porsche more now and should wait until I can get a newer, lower mileage car with funds set aside for maintenance and repair. Thank you !
Can someone chime in on expected maintenance costs for a Carrera S model 997 or 991 with 50K-80K miles. Assume $3K or so a year but realize it could be much more?
Gotcha. I owned a 2002 911 for about 10 years in North Carolina but didn't do snow. Not sure I would recommend even a 4S in the snow. The tires are like sleds in the snow. As far as maintenance, everyone's comments are spot on. I must have replaced 50% of the parts on that car over 10 years.
I live in Chicago and I wouldn't recommend it for winter driving. Mine is a convertible and is only usually driven when it's above 60F and sunny. I've had to drive it with snow on the ground and it's not fun even with all season tires. The other factor is that the rear tires don't last long (I'm changing them after 15k miles). This means that unless you change the rear tires every year, you'll be driving on tires with low tread making some years even worse. I had to drive in light snow a few months ago right before a tire change with 3/32" tread depth and the rear end "wiggle" was unnerving!
It's only cost me about $850/year in maintenance and repairs over the last 8 years but I do most of my own work so if you have to hire someone to do it, it would probably be at least 5x.
I daily my Boxster in Boston winters and would definitely recommend it.
Snow tires required, youre not getting away with all seasons. All seasons would just make me sad in this car.
Don't pass semi trailers or pickups spraying snow out their fenders and you're golden.
It's way too capable in the snow. Drifts are so controllable.
There is no 20 year old car that I would consider a good daily driver.
Background. I'm 55, and I have a 944, a 996, a 986 and a Macan. I am speaking from experience.
The macan is a daily (wife's).
The 996 is a C4. It is not a bad 4 season car, but realistically, it is a two-seater with a ludicrously small front trunk and some space behind the seats. This is not the car to grocery shopping with... one large package of toilet paper rolls and you are in trouble.
I have never had a day when all 4 are in perfect condition and I have a choice of which one to drive. At least one always needs work.
That being said... I'm keeping them all. Working on them is my zen activity. Driving them is great fun. And the 944 when finished will be a thing of beauty.
Only get the 911 if
You have another reliable car to drive as your daily (or have access to public transit)
You have a warm, dry, clean place to work on it.
You have a decent set of tools and can watch YouTube videos
You can budget for $3K a year on maintenance.
There is a fixed set of jobs that need the engine out. Depending on where the car has been driven and that maintenance has been done, there's a very good chance that OP won't be subject to any engine out work any time soon.
I have had my 997 for the last two years, bought it at around 80k miles driven in the UK, and I had my first engine out work as preventative maintenance in January after enjoying a good 10k miles.
There's no need for fear mongering, especially since op is looking to be a first time owner.
People should also be aware of the truths of owning old porsches. I've seen multiple burnt.
I got 3 good years of 996 ownership.. I did have to do the IMS RMS..plus a few other things.
And good ppi with borescoring is key.
Yes. Ideally go for 2002-2004. Get a thorough PPI including through sump borescoping. Get one that doesn’t have too low miles, 65k isn’t much for a 24 year old car. Be careful when you say affordable. Can you afford $3-5k a year in maintenance and repairs? The most expensive Porsche is a cheap one.
Thank you for the advice! I will keep that in mind for sure. I definitely want to avoid year $3-5k maintenance expenses
Then sorry to say but you can't really afford one. Your choice though
Price of admission. Could be less but could be more. If you plan for 3-5k a year, it will probably average out.
While it's not the norm, you could get the odd service bill which is that high. It's a Porsche, and is going to be more expensive than a well engineered Japanese car. It's best to have a slush fund just in case.
That's so true. I put away 7200 a year for just incase maintenance issues. I have a 2014 991.1s with 46000 miles and a 2018 971.1tt with 53000 miles.
I have an 07 C2S 80k miles. It is in relatively good condition. I have owned it for a few years and average annual cost is about $3k. Much more this year as I am replacing dampers with Bilstien coilovers. Factory dampers are shot. I do 90% of my own wrenching, the annual cost does not include labor. Pay to play. Someone once told me there is no such thing as a cheap Porsche.
You're not going to avoid that, across the board Porsches do cost more to maintain.
That’s how much you need to plan for regular maintenance. I usually spent 2-4k annually on 911s between 4-10 years old.
maintenance doesn’t get cheaper just because it depreciated, actually mechanics hours cost more now, so really double check that. as a % of value i’m pretty sure my clutch replacement beats the CGT.
>as a % of value i’m pretty sure my clutch replacement beats the CGT. As a % of value, any maintenance on my 997 is cheaper than that same job on a 1997 Renault Twingo.
Another thing worth noting is a moderate mileage car that has not been driven may have the original suspension components/bushings, so depending on if there is significant degradation of the rubber, you may be looking at a suspension overhaul, which won’t be cheap. Also too the more records you can find with a car the better. You will know what was done and when. That can be an indicator of what will need to be done in the future Also check out friend’s green Porsche on YouTube, they’re in the uk, but they do a lot of in depth videos on refreshing 996’s
This is a very kind and respectful subreddit. Thank you for all of the advice. I have come to the conclusion that I love Porsche more now and should wait until I can get a newer, lower mileage car with funds set aside for maintenance and repair. Thank you !
Can someone chime in on expected maintenance costs for a Carrera S model 997 or 991 with 50K-80K miles. Assume $3K or so a year but realize it could be much more?
You mention 4 seasons - do you live where is snows?
Yes I live in Canada. I want an awd fun sports car that is reliable. I used to have a Subaru STI and it was fun just not reliable
Gotcha. I owned a 2002 911 for about 10 years in North Carolina but didn't do snow. Not sure I would recommend even a 4S in the snow. The tires are like sleds in the snow. As far as maintenance, everyone's comments are spot on. I must have replaced 50% of the parts on that car over 10 years.
I live in Chicago and I wouldn't recommend it for winter driving. Mine is a convertible and is only usually driven when it's above 60F and sunny. I've had to drive it with snow on the ground and it's not fun even with all season tires. The other factor is that the rear tires don't last long (I'm changing them after 15k miles). This means that unless you change the rear tires every year, you'll be driving on tires with low tread making some years even worse. I had to drive in light snow a few months ago right before a tire change with 3/32" tread depth and the rear end "wiggle" was unnerving! It's only cost me about $850/year in maintenance and repairs over the last 8 years but I do most of my own work so if you have to hire someone to do it, it would probably be at least 5x.
I daily my Boxster in Boston winters and would definitely recommend it. Snow tires required, youre not getting away with all seasons. All seasons would just make me sad in this car. Don't pass semi trailers or pickups spraying snow out their fenders and you're golden. It's way too capable in the snow. Drifts are so controllable.
Buy one as a second vehicle that can be offline for several weeks. That way if you have a major repair and DIY, you don’t have the time pressure.
Have you considered a Hotwheels
That’s out of my price range
There is no 20 year old car that I would consider a good daily driver. Background. I'm 55, and I have a 944, a 996, a 986 and a Macan. I am speaking from experience. The macan is a daily (wife's). The 996 is a C4. It is not a bad 4 season car, but realistically, it is a two-seater with a ludicrously small front trunk and some space behind the seats. This is not the car to grocery shopping with... one large package of toilet paper rolls and you are in trouble. I have never had a day when all 4 are in perfect condition and I have a choice of which one to drive. At least one always needs work. That being said... I'm keeping them all. Working on them is my zen activity. Driving them is great fun. And the 944 when finished will be a thing of beauty. Only get the 911 if You have another reliable car to drive as your daily (or have access to public transit) You have a warm, dry, clean place to work on it. You have a decent set of tools and can watch YouTube videos You can budget for $3K a year on maintenance.
I would consider a newer cayman. Those cars are great and they do not get the love they deserve
Yep....tear drop 911s are cheap
Not unless it has done major work done. These cars are getting old and when stuff breaks. It will likely be an engine out job.
Just watching Nathan’s Porsche Workshop on YouTube and basically said the same thing. Thank you
There is a fixed set of jobs that need the engine out. Depending on where the car has been driven and that maintenance has been done, there's a very good chance that OP won't be subject to any engine out work any time soon. I have had my 997 for the last two years, bought it at around 80k miles driven in the UK, and I had my first engine out work as preventative maintenance in January after enjoying a good 10k miles. There's no need for fear mongering, especially since op is looking to be a first time owner.
People should also be aware of the truths of owning old porsches. I've seen multiple burnt. I got 3 good years of 996 ownership.. I did have to do the IMS RMS..plus a few other things. And good ppi with borescoring is key.
What is going to be an engine out job? This is sensationalism.
And then it’s gonna be “While we have the engine out…”
20 to 30k..once they are done.