How do these compare? I've been getting excited about the 924S and 944 but started thinking... If I'm going to pay Porsche maintenance costs, I might as well have the real deal! 911SCs are in the $12,000 to $16,000 range. Thoughts?
Parts are a little pricey for all of them (and generally ordered online) but 911's are easy to work on yourself.
brakes (non-turbo) for the 911 were cheaper than the e28's. Windshield is $300. I've had an 85 targa for about 5 years, with minimal running costs. As long as you're willing to do your own work it's not much different than a lot of other cars. Then again, I'm only adding about 1,000 miles/year.
yes, maintenance costs are about the same for all three, and only the 911 will get you "cred". Though, I would prefer a 951. Ask Pigeon about the 951 ownership experience, I am sure he can provide more insight than I can.
I've never owned or even driven a 911. The 944 and 924S are the same car under the skin so maintenance there should be the same. My 951 has needed a lot of TLC but the buy in was cheap enough to make it a worthwhile project for me. If I had more money in the purchase budget I would have bought one in better condition with records.
I guess it depends on what you consider to be maintenance. On my turbo I've done brakes all around for around $500 for pads and rotors, a non-turbo will likely be a bit cheaper. Basic maintenance - oil and plugs - are cheap and easy, and the 944 requires only 1/2 or less the oil of a 911 so that's one spot its cheaper. Transmission gear oil change was another easy one. Timing belt service is as noted above; I'll probably do it over the winter since I don't have any record of it being done. Drive axles with CVs, rebuilt were $130ish at NAPA and an hour each to swap, but shouldn't be a common "maintenance" item. On 944s "late" cars (86.5+) have aluminum control arms that incorporate the ball joints are aren't easily rebuilt. I'm not sure what else to add - you can look at my running rebuild thread to see what I've been doing.
For $10-12k you should be able to get a 944 Turbo with full service records in excellent condition, or perhaps even a Turbo S or a 968, which is a 3 liter updated n/a 944.
Agreed that you won't get near the cred in a front engine water cooled Porsche as you will in a 911. My understanding is they are very different cars to drive - you may want to decide what you want on a driving experience and then figure out if the maintenance is worth it 
Everything pigeon said. I loved my 951, more so than comparable year 911's, it's faster and drives better. But I too bought a poor one and spent many dollars and lots of time getting back in shape. By the best you can afford. $10 to $12k should put you in one of the best.
I've also had an '89 non-turbo 944 with the 2.7. Although it was a nice car, given the choice, I'd only go with the 951 if I had to do it over (I had the 951 first). It really is that different. I don't know that maintenance is really any cheaper, but there is less to go wrong in that there is no turbo, plumbing, coolers, etc. to break.
That said, the entire 944 range will cost more in maintenance I believe as they have the big belt changes that 911's don't have. Of course they have other issues that can be difficult if needed. On all of them, you should be able to do the work yourself if you take your time and have a manual. They're pretty straight forward really.
If you do go with the 944 I have one suggestion. I replaced the throttle cam on the NA (turbo doesn't need it, it already has a round one) to one that is round instead of the oblong shape, and it was the single biggest improvement I've ever done, on any car! For a few bucks it will transform the car and have a linear throttle response.
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