difficulty maintaining 996TT from noob

[lilx10]

Hello All, Im trying to get a 996TT and my biggest stipulation for the purchase is knowing how difficult it is to work on these cars since they are rear engine. My background: I have worked mostly japanese cars with front engines (changing pulleys, starter, radiator, fuel/water pumps, suspension work, and other basic "engine out" type of work) and not really a big fan of bringing this type of car to the stealership. How difficult is it to maintain 996TT? (do you have to drop engine on almost everything that you due to lack of access?) imnot just talking simple maintenance such as plugs and oil change but more complex "engine out" maintenance. thanks in advance and a great new year 2009 to all!

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[Steve Theodore]

I come from a similar background and have similar concerns, so will happily be following your post in case some good responses come up.

From what I understand so far, assuming a properly maintained car, these are very well made and rarely have major problems. That being said, I've also read quite a bit indicating that they are a completely different ball of wax when serious maintenance items or repairs are needed, and I think most owners do entrust that type of work to professionals with the proper equipment, experience, and tools.

I'm personally not opposed to taking my car in for regularly scheduled maintenance but, like you I'm guessing, would want to have the knowledge about what is required up-front before shelling out my hard earned cash. I just hate being taken advantage of, and want to avoid the dreaded Porsche tax wherever reasonably possible.

[lilx10]

Originally Posted by Steve Theodore

I come from a similar background and have similar concerns, so will happily be following your post in case some good responses come up.

From what I understand so far, assuming a properly maintained car, these are very well made and rarely have major problems. That being said, I've also read quite a bit indicating that they are a completely different ball of wax when serious maintenance items or repairs are needed, and I think most owners do entrust that type of work to professionals with the proper equipment, experience, and tools.

I'm personally not opposed to taking my car in for regularly scheduled maintenance but, like you I'm guessing, would want to have the knowledge about what is required up-front before shelling out my hard earned cash. I just hate being taken advantage of, and want to avoid the dreaded Porsche tax wherever reasonably possible.

i agree with you Steve. some Porsche owners might think that if you cant afford taking it to the dealer, you shouldnt own a Porsche in the first place (the demographics will tell that Pcar owners are either too wealthy or no time to fix their cars).

I just think that my driving skills (oposite locking, under/oversteer, heel-toe, etc...) dept have improved but something in me believes that being a good driver should also require knowing the vehicle itself (not necessarily get a degree in engineering or reparing) but being "one" with the car

Also, I have seen so many dealerships and indie shops solving vehicle issues by replacing every single item they can think of rather than taking the time and asking WTF is wrong? (same analogy as going out to eat and never know the chef who prepared your entree just picked his nose )

Im sure the engines are robust enough and require very little issues but when that "time" comes, is it going to be like a downpayment for a house when it comes to the cost of repair? like you said, I just want to know before I empty my pocket.

[Onetime]

There is no engine out maintenance unless something seriously goes wrong with your car, and that is extremely rare and often owner induced. All you need are tune ups, oil changes and plugs every 15k or so.

[lilx10]

Originally Posted by Onetime

There is no engine out maintenance unless something seriously goes wrong with your car, and that is extremely rare and often owner induced. All you need are tune ups, oil changes and plugs every 15k or so.

first, a happy 2009 to you. im not just referring to maintenance but repairs. Im not in the market to just hold a 996tt for 1-2 yrs, but plan to hold on to it fo as long as i can so this goes back to my question that this is just not looking for info regarding oil change, plugs but more complex and expected on all cars as "wear and tear" (i.e. fuel/water pump, timing chains, gearbox exchange, clutch, radiator, starter, alternator, etc (these are just examples and expected "maintenance" as any vehicle ages).

p.s. you maybe giving me the impression that the engine is very robust but theres also so many instances that "driver induced" can be just owners who drive their cars more frequently than a sunday drive.

[Steve Theodore]

Sort of off-topic, but I liken my anticipated purchase of a 996TT to when I bought my first Supra TT in 1999. I was only just able to afford the price of the car, having never been able to buy a car that costly up until that point in time. With the 996TT, seeing other former Supras upgrade to them and seeing the prices come down to a level (high $30k, low $40k) range where I might be able to take the plunge makes all the difference to me. I've always loved Porsche 911s, and really fell in love with them for good when I drove a 1977 911S Targa while I was in college. Now, having been through a few powerful and turbocharged cars, nothing else will do.

Lest anyone wonder, I am very keen on the concept of "you get what you pay for", having learned that well through my 9 years of Supra ownership. I started with high mileage, below average condition cars, and gradually worked my way up to low mileage, above average condition cars...and definitely appreciate what you get for the money. Unfortunately for my situation, I'm not going to be the guy able to spend $50k+ on a pleasure driven car at this point in my life, but still feel that I might be able to get a decent 996TT if I'm careful with the PPI and research up front.

As any cars like these continue to fall in price, they obviously start falling into the hands of younger and less affluent enthusiasts than when they were new. I was one of these younger guys myself 10 years ago in the Supra world, and it looks like I'll be in kind of the same boat again soon in this community. But, that is kind of fun in a way, and hopefully the well respected long-time owners also see that newer owners tend to bring fresh ideas to the table too. I guess I should be thanking the ailing economy when it comes to this opportunity too, because I'm pretty sure I wouldn't be in this position had the cars held their values from early 2008.

Obviously I'm just rambling now. I'll just shut up, sit back and enjoy the thread!

[justinn]

I hope your search goes well Steve

having come from a background of Toyota Supras myself(among other cars), I can tell you that although the Porsche is a very well built, all around car, don't expect the ease of upgradability we've come to expect with the Supra. As a well respected member of the supra community, you have undoubtedly done your research here as well

Good Luck in finding a Turbo, and have a great '09

justin

[art4iza]

Very easy to maintain. Engines are much easier to work on rather than the old ones. Very reliable cars.

[Soundeffects]

I'm from the Honda-Supra-now 996TT world... My research has told me basic tune up stuff, change fluids, watch out for 2nd gear pop outs, clutch slave, then it's a great car!

Recently since I've had the car for 2-3 weeks now, I've changed the air filter, changed the front pads, installed a short shifter, changed the oil/filter, a couple other little things on the inside of the car...It's really a well made car and I've learned a whole lot about it just by doing these little mods. I'm much more comfortable then when I first bought it.

[dublinoh]

Bought mine with 15K miles, now 29K and two years. Oil changes, 30k service, battery, and tires. There is a guy on this forum with 200K miles. Very strong reliable cars. Great GT car...a bit heavy. Drive before you buy...consider buying with Pss9 or pss10 suspension upgrade. Good luck with the search

[lilx10]

Steve,
me too im trying to research as much as i can and actually anticipate that more bargains are coming this yr (2009) as the economy deteriorates. So I am no hurry to run to the bank. maybe see some Madoff's ex-996TT?

Im sure that the motor is robust but just going back to the topic, that we are really concern on how difficult doing the "wear and tear" (i.e. fuel/water pump, timing chains, gearbox exchange, clutch, radiator, starter, alternator, etc) These are just examples and expected "maintenance" as any vehicle ages).

we plan to keep this vehicle for as long as we can

[Onetime]

Let's see. You don't have to worry about exchanging the trans unless it has 2nd gear pop out, and even if so, you can still live with that. It only does it under certain conditions. You're in LA so stop by a couple shops and ask a few questions. Call Fast forward performance (626 289-1462) in Monterey Park, they have excellent service rates and I personally vouch for them. If you're in LA call Lucent, their rates are good also.

Radiators, nah, don't worry about them. Timing chain? Good question. Never heard anyone say it needed to be changed. My car has 50k on it and I've never changed any of the parts you mentioned. Hopefully someone who has will chime in.

[s14roller]

I also have only owned Japanese cars prior to my first 911...the only thing I ever needed to do was oil changes, which was the easiest oil change I've ever done...

[orlando333]

I have owned various tuned cars.

Without a doubt, my Turbo S has been the easiest to maintain.

The car is bullet proof.

[lilx10]

Originally Posted by Onetime

Let's see. You don't have to worry about exchanging the trans unless it has 2nd gear pop out, and even if so, you can still live with that. It only does it under certain conditions. You're in LA so stop by a couple shops and ask a few questions. Call Fast forward performance (626 289-1462) in Monterey Park, they have excellent service rates and I personally vouch for them. If you're in LA call Lucent, their rates are good also.

Radiators, nah, don't worry about them. Timing chain? Good question. Never heard anyone say it needed to be changed. My car has 50k on it and I've never changed any of the parts you mentioned. Hopefully someone who has will chime in.

no offense but like i said im no fan of shops and plan to repair them myself (hence the thread). if i wanted to talk to a real "porsche mechanic" i couldve done so as i live less than 5miles away from a dealer.

im getting a lot of repsonse that the 996TT does NOT require a lot of maintenance but "wear and tear" (such as timing chains, clutch, gearbox, starter, alternator, fuel/water pump, etc...) are expected especially if i plan to keep this vehicle for 10+ yrs and really drive it (not 1K/yr).