Newbie - advice!

[Guest]

Hi all - am a newbie looking for some advice.........apologies if these are dumb questions, but haven't found conclusive answers to some of my questions looking through the old posts.

I'm currently driving a 54 plate Celica T-Sport and looking for something sporty, quick and with no roof! Currently pondering over a Boxster or a Honda S2000.

I've got about £20k to spend and just a quick root around on Autotrader reveals plenty of 2.7's with lowish mileage (from 51 plate and older).

Question really is: are there any major/minor problems with the 986's which crop up regularly or cost alot? Plus, what are the running costs like? Insurance shouldn't be a problem, but I'm thinking more about the ongoing maintenance costs.......i.e. how much is a standard 10k / 20k service........do the bills get significantly bigger as the cars get older (5yr mark)?? What seems to be the average bill most people are getting for a 5yr old car?

I've always hankered after a Porsche and really think it'd be exactly what I'm looking for (comfort-wise, speed, practicality, residuals), but if the running costs are extreme then I'm afraid the S2000 will be my only choice........

 

[russtbird]

Duncan - OPC Service Costs:

 

[Guest]

Hi,

The thing you'll probably read most about is the RMS failing. Although you've got a good chance of that being fine, if it does go £600-700 usually sorts it. Servicing at an OPC can be pricey, go to an independent.

Annual service from one of the many well respected independents is £150-200 and that includes an oil change.

There is a slight issue with brake discS corroding quicker than normal, but if the cars used frequently this isn't a problem. If it's going to sit in the garage Monday to Friday (Like mine[]) you may end up having to get them skimmed or replaced more than you'd like.

There a great car, it's not to magazine babble. They really are fantastic to own and the running cost aren't that bad when you hear that gorgeous Boxster war cry down a good country road.

 

[THX911]

Have you got any details on the running cost of an S2000, as we then give a comparative running cost. My brother has a Honda Accord Type R and he goes through oil like petrol (and apparently this is normal) also his car (assuming it is the same for S2000) will only take RON 98 fuel whereas Porsche recommend 98 but they will run okay on 95.

 

[Dapster]

My old 2001 2.7 was a very reasonable car to run given the nature of the prodcuct. Menu pricing servicing makes the costs reasonably easy to forecast, and on my car (bought new in May 01, sold in June '05 with 55k miles) NOTHING broke, failed, fell off or wore out other than normal consumables.

I had Continental Sport Contact tyres which went on forever - I think I got 30k out of the first set of fronts, there was still life in the clutch, and the whole thing felt fantastic and nicely run by the time I got shot of it. I replaced the disks and pads for about £500 (Porsche specialists at www.camtune.com) but you can do that yourself for buttons if you can hold a spanner.

There's a big service at 48,000 but even though I always got mine serviced at the Porsche OPC I don't remember it being a second mortgage job.

Bear in mind it's a Porsche and not a Nissan Micra and you'll realise what fantastic value they are. Despite the stories of sliding residuals remember that they hold their value better than the Z3/Merc SLK/Audi TT brigade which makes a massive difference to the ownership costs.

My top tip is to get the car serviced at your local Porsche Centre and then use any of the plethora of reputable Porsche specialists to get any non service items looked after. You will be surprised by how reasonable costs will be.

 

[Black80XSA]

The big service is 48k or 4 yrs..

Normal service + polyrib belt (for aircon/pas/alternator) + spark plugs + brake fluid (every 2 years)

RMS leaks are more an annoyance than a big problem, one or two engine failures reported too so a warranty is advisable (£725 pa form Porsche) but better than 8-10k for a new engine

Try to find a facelift car as this have the heated glass rear screen, a glovebox !! and a few other improvements.

Part leather, 17" alloys, wind deflector, air con and a audio upgrade are pretty much essential for resale.