EddierRo

My Porsche 996 is out of warranty and potential mechanical issues could equal lots of $$$. The car runs strong with no issues. iscuss:

norman52

I sold my 2001 996 and have no regrets. it was a great car and it fit me well but the parts and service was enough to keep me broke. What sold me on the Lexus is I went to the NAPA web site and looked up parts that are going to break during the average ownership period. Starters, alternators, airconditioning compressor. The prices for the SC430 were within 20% of regular Chevrolet prices and they were available at NAPA. I could buy very little for the Porsche there. Even factory parts don't break the budget.I can get the automatic transmission for the
SC430 R&R for just over $3,000 + or - a little but the Transmission in my 911 was almost $9,000! I do most of my own repair work having learned by keeping British and Italian cars running so now car repair is a hobby not a chore.

EddierRo

My thoughts exactly..

Lexiss_sc430

iTrader: (2)

Pardon me for going off topic,

My best friend is looking into buying a 05-06 carrera in the next few months,
since you two gentlemen have had first hand experience I wanted to ask your opinions on weather or not it’s a good move.

Would you recommend that year carrera? What are some typical problems they have?

I had heard that older carrera’s (98-02?) has a rear main seal issue. Do these models have similar problems?

norman52

The cost of the car is never the problem. It is the maintenance that kills you.
I don't think I ever had my car in for service where something was replaced after it was out of warranty that the bill wasn't over $1,000. labor rates were about the same as the Lexus dealer but the parts cost was through the roof.
Wonderful car and to be honest the engine/transmission/clutch was as good at 100K as it was when it was new. How does 6 spark plugs, new wires, air filter and oil change for $1,264.86 and only $300 was labor!
For a Sunday toy that you put very few miles on it would be a wonderful car but as a daily driver the maintenance forced me to sell it. Heaven help you if you blow something up like the transmission or engine!
Now you know why you can buy used ones so cheap compared to their new prices (Anyone price a bargain Boxter)

norman52

Just an example so you know what you are getting into.
How about a simple brake job? new calipers,rotors and pads. nothing else.
Front Calipers 2 @ $583.25
Rear Calipers 2 @ $481.00
Front Rotors 2 @ $142.00
Rear Rotors 2 @ $148.50
Front Pads $139.50
Rear Pads $ 85.25

Total $2,934.25 plus your labor!!!

just brakes nothing else! And those are discounted parts prices too! Not even factory list!
And add 25% if you buy a Turbo or GT3

SweetS160

Since it is no longer under warrantie I would sell the 996 cab and keeping the SC430. It is like you said how parts cost will come to get you later.

Lexiss_sc430

iTrader: (2)

Thank you Norman,

Now another question, Do you think the parts can be sourced else ware (online, wholesale dealers, ect) cheaper or is it just that expensive all across the board?

norman52

Those prices weren't even dealership prices! let's say you save 1/3 by doing some shopping and finding some off brand rebuilt stuff off of Ebay.
You are still looking at $2,000+ for a basic brake job plus your labor.

Just out of curiosity I looked up the headlight assembly as many SC430 people upgrade theirs to the 2006 look.
Well the Porshce part costs $1062.25 each. And we hate paying the Lexus price!

Gojirra99

Yeah, I think keeping the SC430 is the more sensible thing to do

norman52

Don't get me wrong, they are wonderful cars but you need a bag full of money to maintain a used one. And the older ones 70's and 80's that are cheaper to maintain (Until the engine lets go) will rust away before your eyes. I have no solution. If you have $500-$750 a month to set aside and save for the eventual repairs then go for it.

kit cat

iTrader: (6)

how often does a caliper go bad? spark plugs...I don't even wanna know how they do that. through the wheel?

I thought about adding a 996 but hmm...

paul_k

996s are known for rear main crankshaft seal failure and various engine issues.

My brother loves his 996C2 but has has 2 seal failures in 30,000 miles.

Check this link for engine reliability data:

http://www.pistonheads.co.uk/gassing...t=400915&i=280

To summarize, the mean car in this dataset is a september 2000 996, that has a 51.2% chance of an rms problem at 38,250 Miles and a 13.95% chance of an engine failure at 48,200 Miles.


RMS distribution:
1998 5 RMS out of 8 cars in survey
1999 8 RMS out of 15 cars in survey
2000 4 RMS out of 11 cars in survey
2001 6 RMS out of 9 cars in survey
2002 10 RMS out of 15 cars in survey
2003 6 RMS out of 12 cars in survey
2004 0 RMS out of 5 cars in survey

2001 and 2002 are the worst years for RMS cases (the more frequent availability of a warranty being the the reason?).
2000 is the best year.
11 entries in the stats didn't specify the year, 5 of which were affected by RMS.

engine failure distribution:
1998 2 failures out of 8 cars in survey
1999 5 failures out of 15 cars in survey
2000 0 failures out of 11 cars in survey
2001 1 failures out of 9 cars in survey
2002 2 failures out of 15 cars in survey
2003 0 failures out of 12 cars in survey
2004 1 failure out 5 cars in survey

1999 is the worst year, followed by 1998. 2003 and 2000 are the best years.
11 entries didn't specify the year, 1 with a failure




Paul

Lexiss_sc430

iTrader: (2)

Thank you paul,

I will forward this to my friend!

norman52

The Twin Turbos and GT3 don't have the problem because their seating area for the RMS is machined in place instead of cast. Having the seal replaced doesn't cure the problem it just means it will happen again in 50K miles or less.
Remember it takes out the clutch too when it goes!