I have been trying to search for the right 911 for a while now. First, I was going after a brand new 997 base coupe, but can't get the deal I want (dealer says they don't have pressure on moving that car, this is Canada, so) I started to wonder if I should just go ahead and order a base 991, but recently, the pre-owned market has being filled with many Turbo of years from 07-10 and they are priced similar to a base 991 (assuming a very very base car with so little options) and some are even for much less. The best about it is that a pre-owned 911 TT has being hit by the depreciation already and they seem to retain their value pretty well. In the past, I have never owned a turbo engine vehicle long enough to make me worry about its warranty/reliability/maintenance problem. I thought it'd be the best for me to come here and ask for your suggestions.

Obviously, 911 turbo is out of ordinary and I wonder the cost to keep one will go very wild. On the other hand, porsche has been also famous about making tough cars and many people I know are telling me not to worry because they don't really go wrong, but my doubt is because of the cars nowadays are so filled with the computerized things. Those are, to me, the ones that get expensive and troublesome when a problem occurs. Anyway, sorry for being annoying, but I really appreciate if some of you guys can share the experiences with me.

 

2007 - 2009 has the Mezger. Get this if you want manual.

2010 - new DFI - get this if you want PDK

The Mezger is a race proven engine. Some say the best Porsche ever made. Do some research on this forum...

 

What exactly are you looking for in the car? Reliability for most 911s is high when they are maintained per the manufacturers recommnedations.

I'd set a budget and then determine what you want...what will make you happy...and content for several years.

You're comparing three very different cars - base 997.2, base 991 and a 997 turbo. If you're content with the look, feel and performance of a base model 911 then save some cash and find a good deal on one.

The price for annual service shouldn't vary that much from model to model. If you purchase CPO, which I would, then you're safe from the unnknowns.

Go test drive them all
Spend some time researching the difference between the models (base, S, turbo, etc.)

Finally, if you're asking for my opinion on what to buy with 90-100k...I'd get a low mileage '09 turbo.

 

It's always good to learn something new. Thank you. I will continue my research.

 

Very good points there. Thank you. My budget for the car is somewhere between 90k-100k before tax. In this price range, I can get a somewhat well equipped brand new 997.2 C2 or a very basic 991 C2 or a 07-08 997.1 Turbo. (in canada)

I don't track or autocross, but I wouldn't mind to try a few times in the future if my cardiology specialist says OK.

I worry about things like because it's a TURBO, so the oil change will be $300 more than any regular 911. Hopefully, this part is not real.

Like you said, I better go drive them all first before I go any further. Maybe I can also get some maintenance cost quotes from the service department.

 

In comparing maintenance costs, consider doing things DIY. Are you handy with a wrench?

If so, maintenance is cheaper than most cars. The only job that is too time consuming for most owners are the plugs, which need changing every 4 years on a stock 997TT.

 

Are you really into cars? Speed? Once you go turbo you'll never go back.

These cars are built like anvils (literally). You would have to really be trying if you can break it on the track, let alone the street.

 

If on a 100k vehicle you worry about a 300 bucks once-a-year oil change, than maybe this car is not for you. Turbo is probably very reliable (anything can happen though, it is merely a machine), but the (official) service costs are high. Big service, where they take the engine down to change spark plugs, and also clean the intercoolers in the rear wings and things like that (change of belts at 60k miles or 6th year) will cost a pretty penny (> 300$).

Then there are those radiators in the front that can spring a leak, that will cost more than 300 bucks to repair.
Stock clutch replacement (on manual cars) at Porsche center at 40k miles (which Porsche told me is not unusual) is several thousand bucks. If flywheel has to be changed that is another couple of thousand.

Then tyres, then front lip that catches on bumps (especially if car is lowered)...things like that.

This is not a Fiat Punto, either in purchase price, or in maintenance costs. Also, DIY is nice (if you know what you are doing) and saves money, but if you try to sell the car, I think having a Porsche stamp in the service book is an advantage (at least it is an advantage where I am at).

Oh, and they are not collectible cars, so will continue to depreciate at the rate of 10-15k a year, imho.

Good luck with your search and decision! :-)

 

I frequently have to remind myself that despite the fact that these cars, previously enjoyed, have become attainable for the average guy like me they were originally way north of $100k. They can be expensive to repair. My personal experience is that from a purely PM perspective the cost of ownership isn't much different than my Duramax truck. Consumables? Well that's another story.

 

Even 300$ for oil, my dealer in DC charges 250$, its not that big of a deal when you are talking close to 100$ in parts, not to mention the pain of disposing it. I'll pay the $ till the CPO runs out. If I cant swing 150 for the job maybe i should have gotten a 318i

 

I like DIY and I certainly wouldn't mind get my hands dirty. However, I can't consider myself as skillful when it comes to working on cars. Sometimes, I have to spend hours in the garage for something relatively small, but it's quite enjoyable. Changing oil shouldn't be a problem to DIY if I buy my neighbour a couple bottles of wines/beer, he probably wouldn't mind if I borrow his lifter in his garage.

 

I love cars, but not the kind of guy who's really into mods. I had bought some aftermarket parts mainly for look(wheels, spoiler) and sound(muffler, intake), that's all. However, I spend lots of time making them look good and really go out and drive them. At once, I was putting down 50000km per year on a car. My buddies used to joke about that I work as a part-time taxi driver.

 

Thanks for the info. This is the support I need as of my research goes.

$300 oil change sounds acceptable for a car that originally wroth $150K+ and I have no problem with that. I only worry about if the shops will charge $600 or more which doubles what you pay for a non-turbo 911. From my own experience in the past, some shops are tricky on this. Years ago when I took my M3 to do a winter/summer tire swap, I got quoted from first shop $280(on the phone I told them it was a M3). Then I phoned the 2nd shop and got quoted $145(told them I had a 3 series with 18" wheel). This is what I hate about it, just because you have bought/used a more pricey vehicle, you have to pay double or more for the same parts/job/work. If that's the case for a 911 turbo, no, I don't think that's the right car for me.

Other than that, whatever job/work need to be done in order to keep the car happy and running properly, I will be glad to participate.

 

Sucks to hear that story about different quotes for M3 vs. 3 Series. From everything I've seen on the turbo it all comes down to the basic cost of parts plus hourly labor rate, and doesn't involve any additional markups from carrera to turbo.

 

I pay $138 for oil changes at a local dealer in Minnesota: $59.95 in labor, $67.86 in parts and $4.94 in sales tax. Independent tuning shop charges just over $100 for the same thing and they wash the car by hand while they are at it. An oil change cannot cost $300 - it's a rip off, I am sorry.

The 997TT is a lot cheaper in maintenance than our ML63, so there you go.