I've got a 964 now... how reliable really?

[Guest]

Hi all,

last week I took the plunge and picked up a 1992 C4 with 100k on the clock, full engine and gearbox overhaul at 64k miles. This car was kept beautifully and the ex owner even won a concourse in Northern Ireland with it!

However, I am coming from driving a Honda S2000 for nearly 4 years and not one single thing went wrong with it... it was ultra reliable. I have this underlying feeling that MIGHT be taking away from my huge pleasure of owning and driving the 964... will it let me down as it's 15 years old with 100k miles clocked up.

From your expereince, will a well looked after example keep going and going on maintanence alone or should I be putting cash aside for inevitable problems? I am not using it as a daily driver... only 3 days a week to and from work and then at weekends....

In short.... how reliable are good 964s?!

 

[Guest]

Impossible to generalise as each car is different, however, I would budget £1500 a year for servicing and repair. It pays to get it looked at twice a year for any preventative work to be carried out.

I've had my car for 18 months and have had no major worries. A heater fan packed up (common) and the rear lights played up a little. Other than that it's been like clockwork. Just a couple of fluid and filter changes (I track my car) and full service once a year.

All I will say is it will need much more care and attention than your Honda. Mind you the Honda would be a tough act to follow for any car, let alone a 15 year old with 100k miles...

Good luck

 

[steve_964]

Well, I've had my 1990 C2 for over 5 years now ,it is my second car and therefore has only done around 20,000 miles in my ownership.I bought it with full service history and 72,000 miles on the clock.It has been maintained to the service manual by well known and reputable independant Porsche technicians.It has failed only once when the regulator in the alternator failed early this year.The alternator had never been out of the car so it hadn't done to badly i reckon.
The car starts first time every time and hasn't given a moments concern, so speaking personally its been the most reliable car I 've ever owned ,not to mention the oldest !!

Steve

 

[epoch911]

135K on the clock. Daily driver. My only car, come rain or shine. Get the odd niggle (the odd warning light comes on from time to time, but I'm sure that's just to tell me the bulb is still working!) but it always starts, it has never let me down or, more importantly, left me stranded. It is the BEST car I have ever owned. Not the fastest, not the most expensive, not the smoothest. But the Best

And anyway, you've bought it now so it's a little late for worries..!

 

[Gordon Attar]

Had mine for 3and half years average £800/pa including tyres in maintenance Only a fan bearing went rest was wear and tear items like brwake discs, pads. If you have a bit of car DIY about you a lot of basic problems are fixable by yourself with the help of this forum, porsche964@yahoogroups.co.uk, and rennlist and Adrian Streathers book.
But you need to find a good specialist like Northways as back up and budgeting £1500pa is a good thing to do as it will build up a fund for when something more obscure goes or a clutch @£800.

 

[turbo jonny]

£1500 or more is little compared to the depreciation each year of the Honda.
When repairs come round it can be a good opportunity to upgrade- shocks, exhaust etc
964s rule !

 

[ian c]

1500 pounds a year ???
ARE YOU MAD ?????????????
i do basic servicing and thats it (apart from mods , that total well over 1500 p.a. )
this is a super car . but a super car that is reliable and economic to keep on the road . WHY DO YOU THINK PORSCHE WINS FERRARI SO OFTEN IN THE MAGAZINE TEST ?? )
YOU SHOULD ONLY BUDGET FOR THE worst THING THAT COULD HAPPEN TO A 60-70-K , CAR WHEN IT REACHES 25 YEARS OILD (sp?) and then halve it , because this is a reliable porsche we are talking about !!!!

i have friends that own cars of the similar ilk , that cover similar miles , yet it costs them double what people here are saying !!!
i spend half of that and still have a car capable of striking 0-60 times and stupid top speeds . ( adrian , i have a mobile phone video or 0- 165 from the toll of the M1 to belfast )

you are hopefully a car enthusiast , and not just one of the many " i've got a porsche " brigade , and you will then realise just what a jewel you have .
spend as much as you want .
spend as little as the car needs .
ignore the hype of internet experts with no experience .
AND YOU HAVE THE BEST PORSCHE 911 EVER MADE , THAT WILL OUTLIVE YOUR LIFETIME !!!!
thanks