Hi i currently have a 2000 audi s4, and it has been extremely expensive and unreliable, most b5 s4's are this way. Anyway, ive always loved older 911's and now that im thinking about selling my car, im pretty serious about getting a 911. but my biggest concern is reliability, ive heard 911's arent great, but im guessing it will be better than my s4. for example, over the past 2-3 years, ive spend about 9000 just in repairs, and alot in regular checkups. what do most of you spend monthly or yearly on yours? im either looking at a late 60's to early 70's 911, or a late 80's to early 90's.
I dont know alot about 911's so any help you can give me with picking one would be great. im looking to spend around 20,000. either just on the car itself, or the car plus some restoration/ upgrade work.

 

Hi from 40+ years in the Auto industry mainly in manufacturing, I have owned and run a wide range of cars.
A Porsche has always been what one might loosley call a "super car". When you compare Porsche reliability over the years to other marques providingequivalent machinery, like Ferrari, Maserati, Aston Martin, De Tomaso, Lamborghini, Lotus, Jaguar etc etc, I think they stack up as one of the best, especially as they can be used as a daily driver. Being in the UK I have not had enough exposure to say Corvettes, Vipers etc so cannot say on the US super car brands.
Yes I think you will not be dissapointed with Porsche Ownership.
I run a 2003 996 Carrea 2. It costs me about $2600 per year to maintain and for my annual extended warranty from Porsche.
Regards Big Bob

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They have great reliability

 

alright thanks for the help.
also, i need some help choosing a year and model. i was thinking if i go for an older one, a good choice would be a 72+ 911s, mostly because i love that old round look they have, and ive heard that its one of the best years for classic 911's.
if i go for a newer one, i was thinking a early 90's carrera 2, its the only 911 ive driven, and i loved everything about how it drove. my biggest concern about getting an older 911 is that it wont be as solid, nimble feeling, etc as a newer 911. if im wrong please correct me.
i was also thinking about a turbo, pretty much any model imbetween 75 and mid 80's, the only thing i dont like about it is its looks, the black plastic all over the place isnt my style, though ive seen alot that have just replaced all those plastic parts.
so if you could give me some help choosing a model that would be great.

 

For the low 20s you could get an early 90's model. I had a 90 Targa and loved it. Now have an 02 Targa.They are very reliable!!

 

I have owned several Audis, good cars that were not durable and needed lots of attention overtime, to the point that I have an iron-clad rule: never own an Audi that is not under warranty. Even then there were annoying - minor trips to the shop, etc., even when new.

Porsches have a reputation for durability if they are well maintained. Mine has been looked after by the book except that I change oil and filters twice as often as recommended. So far (3 years, 30K miles) nothing has gone wrong with it.

 

I agree

 

You can't go wrong. Do the PPI though

 

so far after a year I've only spent $110 on an oil change, then again I only drove 3K miles. I plan on doing the fitlers myself. I only have 49k miles right now and will take it in for a big check up at 60k miles. You'll have your regular brakes, tires, etc...which is more costly than other cars. I din't buy an extended warranty (hoping nothing major occurs). The extended warranties I looked at cost around $4-5K for 2 years. After one year (knock on wood) no issues. If something were to happen now, $4-5K would be a serious repair, unless I had engine failure. I had good luck on my 90 Tara. I did all of the regular maintenance myself, drove the car for 5 years and never had any issues. Just make sure you have a reputable dealer do a PPI.

 

I don't do any of the maintenance on my car myself anymore. As I've mentioned before my son manages the service department at the local (very large) Ford delaership and he has a Ford GT - qualified mechanic do all the maintenance.

Jeep inmind that certain maintenance items on Porsches are very expensive. I recall hearing that changing the plugs on some Turbo models requires removing the rear fascia. True or not I do know some exotics hyave extreme maintenance needs, on a Ferrari 330GTC (along with the 275GTB, my favorite Ferrari),you had to loosen the engine and remove the transmission to change the U-joints on drive shaft (I know too well): designers have to make sacrifices for all that performance and ease of maintenance is often one point they give away.

Regardless, do the maintenance and service religiously even if its costly, and it will last and last.