running costs

[spe]

hi i am looking to purchase my first porsche been saving for quite some time now, the thing is i like two models the 993 targa (i know its not the sort after model but its in my price bracket) and also a pre 74 model probably a T.
The thing is i dont have a bottomless pit of money and would like to know the running costs of owning a 993 as in mpg? servicing? (i live in the north west), tyres?, and any other costs i should be looking at!
I do like the classics but would i be having to fork out money all the time with a classic car? and also not reliable motoring?
any reply would be greatly appreciated.
thanks.

 

[mmylonas]

I seem to get about 300 miles of a tank. Depends on the driving obviously. other servicing costs have all been very reasonable (from an independent and not Porsche main dealer). no more than about £300 a year on standard servicing. Even discs and clutches are very reasonable. 4 wheel alignment was very useful (I think about £300) and you need to get the HIDS (or similar) light upgrade. I think the targa may have had some problems with motor reliability but others on the site will let you know. 993 is brilliant car and sensible for reasonable annual mileages. I had an old 1985 targa and that was much less of a sensible proposition so i suspect your thoughts of a'74 would result in a lower annual mileage (but perhaps no less fun). Good luck Michael

 

[dereksharpuk]

ORIGINAL: spe hi i am looking to purchase my first porsche been saving for quite some time now, the thing is i like two models the 993 targa

I have a friend who owns a 993 Targa. I owned a 996 Targa. I do know that he had great trouble replacing the glass roof when it cracked. Maybe a good idea to check availability from your local OPC. Check the cost too ! As for a Targa, not a good idea in my opinion. It is very top heavy because of the high centre of gravity (not good for roadholding), the car weight increases by about 80 kgs, and with the roof open is it noisy. Moreover, the view through the back window is not good if the roof is open (two lots of glass)

 

[Porker993]

993 Targa ? Lovely looking car. In yellow preferably, with a black interior. If it's the one you love, go for it. I can't see any reason not to. They are all varioram, so they have that bit of extra oomph to make up for any extra weight.

 

[spe]

thanks for the replys guys, starting to feel that the targa wont be a good proposition! maybe save a bit more for a tin top !!!!!! .

 

[Johnny C]

If you're in the North West there's some good indies out Warrington way - 9M and Unit 11. Costs depend on how much you and where will be using it. Most people seem to get about 300miles on a tank, which on mine is about 65litres, with Shell Formula 1 (99RON) that's near enough £80 at the moment. I drive from north of Liverpool to Manchester every day along the M62 which isn't much fun at the moment with the roadworks - my left ankle is about twice the diameter of my right at the moment. If you're going for a 993 and do a daily commute like me with plenty of traffic jams consider a tiptronic. A HID upgrade as mentioned above is a must, you can get a set for about £100, it's the best £100 you'll spend on it, the stock lights are pants but perfectly fine with the HID upgrade. Another number worth keeping in your wallet if you geta 993 - Event Tyres. They've got a mobile tyre service across the North West and are very reasonable, cheaper than Black Circle for pirelli P0 Rosso's. If you have a puncture on your way to work they can usually get a tyre out to you by 11am. If you do buy a car and haven't got bottomless pockets, pay as much as you can for a decent service history. Engine-wise not much goes wrong with these cars, but aircon, door-stays and heater system are prone to go wrong and can all be pricey to fix.

 

[jboult]

Tuppence worth from a Targa owner... Nothing wrong at all with the Targa option provided you check a few things first (in addition to all the standard checks): - Does the glass roof operate correctly/smoothly, no noise from the motors, etc. - Does the roof seal correctly (and no leaks)? Check under the front foot well carpets to see if the foam underlay is damp. This is usually a very good indicator, and there can be a lot of water in there in the worst cases. If it does leak, you'll need to find someone who knows what they're doing to realign the roof. - Does the sun blind work? Operate it backward/forward quite a few times to check. Whoever designed that mechanism needs some serious help... - Does the air con work? Important if you're sitting in a glasshouse! However, if all the above checks out then the Targa can be a great option (which is why they often attract a slight premium). I've been perfectly happy with mine (since having the roof rebuilt ~£150 to stop wind noise and a slight leak), and the noise really isn't bad at all with either the front flap or the roof open. Far better than my wife's convertible, which requires deflectors etc. to make it bearable. Yes, the weight may be a little above standard, and the chassis slightly more flexible, but how often will you be on the track - and how often will you be motoring along on sunny days with the roof down listening to the engine...?! Running costs are what they are with this type of car. Get a good car with solid history and no major work coming up (brakes, clutch, rusty screen scuttle, etc. etc. etc.) and yes, you can run it for around £300 - £400 a year. Personally I would budget more because with a car that's getting on, there are always going to be a few things that need doing, whether cosmetic or mechanical. And like most 993 owners, you'll end up going down the same path. "Well, the car's pretty much sorted now. Although, those seats, aren't quite up to scratch. Maybe I'll get them re-dyed. And while I'm at it, the dial surrounds would look better in chrome....". Have fun choosing. Cheers/John

 

[John Maddox]

I have a spreadsheet on all my repairs/servicing and renewals (Tyres etc). Over 14 years my 993 has cost on average £1300 per year - ie £18,000 + total. Don't be fooled into thinking they are cheap to run, they are not. Yes, in a good year I have spent £200-£300 but when a clutch needs replacing plus a new set of tyres and brakes it can easily cost £3k if you use an OPC.

 

[Johnny C]

I guess it could cost you not much if you don't do many miles a year and you do the repairs yourself. This last year has been relatively cheap, round about £1,000 for two services and no major work (service, pollen filters replaced, oil cover replaced, few miscellaneous bits and bobs), plus as I do about 15K miles/year that's a set of tyres all round (£500 for pirelli zero rossos). This year it will a 24K service as well as a standard one, it will need brake pads and disks all round (about £800 IIRC), the aircon needs sorting out (anywhere between the cost of a refill and new parts - £1K?) plus about £2K ror a front end respray and all round touch up (all the little motorway chips are starting to join up and people will insist on banging car doors into it in ca parks). That's what I know of already, £3-4K this year. This is an expensive year, the paint job and aircon will last the life of the car in my hands (about another 3 years, when it hits the 200K mark). Some minor things (wheels and drivers seat need a refurb) will wait until next year. As John says, it can be costly.

 

[Ashley Palin]

Hi Gents I have to agree with John M, When I bought my first Porsche (a 964), I remember Jonas at JZM telling me to budget £1500.00 a year to run a Porsche and it has been about that to maintain the car in tip top nick. I oil service it every 9 months or so regardless Driven daily, you'll get through a set of rear tyres once a year and I find a full set every two years. I can't seem to manage more than 20mpg (C2 Manual) and with our shitty government £70-80 a fill I do look after my 993 and it has been very reliable and very solid, I do a certain amount of work myself as well, nice car to work on good build quality. I have done some mods on my car which also increases costs HID's Biisteins RSC/LWF 996 3 spoke Aluminium valve covers. It's not a cheap car to run or, in my opinion a great daily driver, but the best car I've ever had

 

[Johnny C]

Hi Maurice I try and service it about every 10K miles, but if I need something fixed quickly and it's within 2K miles of a service I get it done.

 

[spe]

thanks again for your honest replys on owning a 993, this has been very informative for me! I dont want to end up with a fur coat and no knickers scenario!!! The 1500 pounds a year running costs? are they on top of the insurance or is that all in? with fuel being as and when and hard its driven.

 

[John Maddox]

My running cost figures did not include any standing charges such as Insurance/Road Tax.

 

[MrHappy]

Did someone say 'speed yellow targa with black interior'? Couldn't agree more! [] Bought mine nearly 5 years ago and haven't regretted it for a moment. Sure it has its quirks and one or two weaknesses but there's a wealth of information out there to make many things diy-able. Plus it's a firm favourite with my kids, the glass roof makes it light and airy in the back and gives them a bit more headroom.

 

[Porker993]

ORIGINAL: MrHappy Did someone say 'speed yellow targa with black interior'? Couldn't agree more! []

Very nice. Not many about though.

 

[David Russell]

Mine is on the maintenance plan at Hartech in Bolton which covers routine servicing and labour on anything else - it does take away some of the concerns about running costs. Sports and Classic near Knutsford do one as well. I reckon I spend about £2/2.5k a year including maintenance, tax, insurance and fuel for 6k miles. Tyres are cheaper than the ones for one mate's Volvo and far less than another one's bikes. Long motorway runs will see about 29mpg; short or faster journeys are much worse and I've got this thing about not starting it up unless it's going to do at least 10 miles. It's not used daily and I'm sure that makes a difference but I have to say it's been pretty painless in 3.5 years (Lord knows what'll happen now I've gone and said that) and I reckon depreciation is less of an issue than with a price equivalent new car. Hope this is helpful.