Hello All,

I'm getting ready to take the next step in my auto adventures (currently, my fun ride is a 2006 STI that I rally race - won my class last year ). I've tracked it once and fell in love and am looking for a fun weekend sports coupe next.

My candidates have been:

Lotus Exige S - Looks and handling, love the crowd, all genuine auto enthusiasts in the community
M3 - Legend and Luxury
Corvette Grand Sport - Like it more than the Z06, great bang for the buck.

Recently, a Porsche owner friend suggested a used 996 Turbo. I can afford it, and love and respect the cars, my one hesitation is maintanence costs. Assuming, I don't get ceramic breaks, just normal maintance costs would run about what? Oil changes, "big" services, etc? I know tires can be expensive, but looking for the overall experience and related costs.

I'm a responsible driver, no accidents, 33, married, so my insurance should be fine.

Thanks all!

 

either exige s or m3 (e46) for the track will be a hella-fun time.

 

M3 is probably your next step. Get a convertible. I had one, they are fun.

 

My Experience; I recently had a chance to ride in a friend of mine's M3 with minor modifications, it was nice but not as exciting as my modded 996TT cab. I know the cab is very heavy but with a few mods and right exhaust the ride is intoxicating!! I took him for a ride in mine and now he is looking for a GT3 or TT But this is just me...

 

Maintenance really is not a big deal on the 996 turbo. Make sure to get a PPI and ask about third gear popout. Some cars the auto rear wing goes bust and that can be expensive.

I bought mine new in 2002 and have 46,000 miles and no major issues.
It is an incredible car with the right modifications.

I track mine about twice a year and other than all out race cars no one can touch me.

Good luck!

 

It's a turbo car and one you'll drive hard. Your maintenance schedule will be about the same as your STI. Since it's a heavy German car, rubber parts die much earlier than Jap rubber. (bushings, mounts/etc) Electronics have their share of issues, but nothing obscene. I've replaced a headlight switch on my 02 and my 01 had an ignition switch and brake light switch get replaced.

Oil change will be around $100.00 if you do it yourself. Around $280 if you take it to a dealer. (but they do a couple other things) If you take the 'big' services to the dealer, it will be expensive. (4-6k) If you do it yourself, the service will be reasonable.

Labor is the big killer on cost. I do all my own work. Parts can be expensive, but no more expensive than any 'high end' part. A set of coil-overs will run you as much as a good set of Rally coil-overs. I've found Porsche interior bits at discounted prices to be on par with Lexus retail prices; less in several cases. We have Sonnon, Sunset and Suncoast Porsche dealers that sell at discounted prices; I'm sure there are others, but these guys are active here and Rennlist.


With all said, it's a very complex car and easy to screw up if you're not particular when working on it. Good/creative trouble shooting skills save you a bunch of money. When a shop is trying to tell you it's voodoo magic, keep keep grounded and remember that it is just a car. At the end of the day, just like any other car nuts and bolts are all that keep it together.

Personally, I think now is the perfect time to get into ownership of the car. The car is 9 years mature. It's as inexpensive as it will ever be. There are more parts available than ever and big names that have been here since the beginning are starting to share their secrets. Competition is getting more plentiful and parts are going down in price a little.


Beyond that, M3 is a great car. Of course, zo6 is a great bang for the buck, and a really fast car...

 

All the cars you've mentioned are going to be a lot of fun. I don't think the maintance costs will be much, if any, higher with the Porsche vs. the M3. The Lotus is really fun and handles like a go cart but doesn't have much power unless you get the supercharged one. I've also got C5 ZO6 Corvette and they are a lot of fun too with minimal maintance. I don't think you can make a bad decision with any of the cars you've mentioned.

 

vette is a lot cheaper to run...

 

Spot on post.

Not a thing to add.

 

Ill start with i Love my 996tt no other car can touch the feeling ive got when i drive it and look at it. The bang for the buck is great.

i would becareful about buying a modified car if you do take it to someone who specializes in modding these cars to look for issues.

these cars are all about history where its been what has happened.

service costs oil and changes and regular things are no big deal to be worried about but larger items like head gasket, transmission issue etc. get VERY pricey so make sure the car is checked out beyond throughly.

dont use the dealer for PPI's or work if you can avoid it their labor rates are sky high upto 250$ an hr some places.

its not uncommon to have a car shipped to somone for a PPI to be done proper

and dont fall for the its a CPO car its been checked out by our dealership, check it yourself