Realistically, how reliable and expensive to maintain a Porsche 981 S?

FMB42 said:

Everyone has a right to voice their opinions and/or disagree strongly with what someone else says or thinks. And yes, sometimes things can get to be pretty heated. But that's just how life is. I'm OK with this. And I don't think anyone should feel that they need edit or remove a post that expressed their opinions (no matter how blunt).

That said, Consumer Reports has, for many years, rated typical 'wear and tear' parts prices (i.e, alternator, starter, etc, etc). Meanwhile, I've seen some fairly well off customers that simply could not afford the costly routine and/or scheduled maint. on their German vehicles. And Roll-Royce, Jag, and R. Rovers were, unsurprising, even higher.

This is your 3rd post in this thread implying I won't be able to afford a 981 S because I asked other owners experiences. Are you done speculating on my income, car budget, and ability to DIY maintenance? 

You've made your point. 

Too bad he asked for actual experience and factual answers, not opinions.

I edited my 2nd post because Yourself removed his post with the dig at me, so there was no point in leaving mine up. 

I stand by assertion that the "If you have to ask..." statement is asinine.  It's insulting.  FMB42, you're absolutely entitled to your opinion...but based on multiple responses from several people here who have actually owned and maintained Boxsters and Caymans, your opinion is also incorrect, at least in the context of someone doing their own maintenance.

FMB42 said:

Don't ask questions if you're too thin skinned to handle the responses. If you're insulted, then ignore the comment.

And don't assume that everyone who owns a car pays $500 to get a $20 air filter changed. 

$500 to change a $20 air filter is nothing but forum baloney. Again, if you're thin skinned, then ignore the comment.

FMB42 said:

$500 to change a $20 air filter is nothing but forum baloney. Again, if you're thin skinned, then ignore the comment.

I suspect most on this forum would say I'm anything but "thin skinned."

This is now your 5th post in this thread, nearly 1/6 of the total posts, with exactly ZERO relevant information. Do you really have nothing better to do? 

You are now frenchy Jr. 

FMB42 said:

$500 to change a $20 air filter is nothing but forum baloney. Again, if you're thin skinned, then ignore the comment.

I'm speaking from experience on other cars.  I've never actually paid that, but I've seen plenty of cases on my own cars where it's 2 hours of labor to change a $20 part.  So $500 may be an exaggeration, but the idea is there.  The difference between paying for labor and DIY can be absoultely huge on some cars. 

Maintenance on my 987.1 was very DIY friendly (heck, oil changes are much easier than an NA/NB miata) and car needed nothing more than routine stuff.  Yes, engine takes a lot of oil bringing up the cost but it was once a year. Avoid the dealerships exorbitant rates and you'll be just fine. 

I've just done normal maintenance on my 996 Turbo.  Getting at some of the stuff takes longer, but Porsche put a decent amount of thought into access to the maintenance items, so everything just unbolts and you take large assemblies out of the way.

The Porsche tax is in effect, parts from FCP Euro or RM European are more money than a Chevy/Ford part but I wouldn't say that they're stupidly expensive.  Aftermarket upgrade parts, as mentioned, can be.  Average price for an exhaust for my car is over $4000 for instance.

91 octane will be fine in the car, even if you use it on track.  These are generally very durable cars as long as you don't get one that's been neglected.  A neglected example will quickly cost you more money than a much nicer example.  Buy the nicest one you can find that has service records.

In reply to docwyte :

Good to know. I knew that Porsche has been atop the reliability rankings for a long time, but still thought it was a relevant question to ask.

I need to go drive one. I can't imagine not liking it though. The only thing I've noticed so far that I don't like is the push button shifters for the PDK vs flappy paddles like I had for the DCT in the 135i.

z31maniac said:

You are now frenchy Jr. 

I don't have Porsche money and don't care for the brand, thus don't have anything to contribute on P car knowledge on this thread

but wanted to say, THIS is Best post on this forum in a long time! I am going to use it moving forward!

good luck z31, and good riddance on the NC. Day I got rid of my wife's Nc2 bought new, was one fo the happiest day of my life.

Hope  all is well with you my friend 

z31maniac said:

In reply to docwyte :

I need to go drive one. I can't imagine not liking it though. The only thing I've noticed so far that I don't like is the push button shifters for the PDK vs flappy paddles like I had for the DCT in the 135i.

I mean there's an easy way to avoid that problem...

But also the sport wheel has normal paddle shifters instead of the stupid buttons.

In reply to mr2s2000elise :

Haha, thanks! And yes hope so for you as well! Like I said, I don't if I'll ACTUALLY do it, but I want to research it thoroughly. There are just so many cool options new and used in the $30-45k range, especially with the new BRZ, STi, and 400Z coming soon.

dps214 said:

z31maniac said:

In reply to docwyte :

I need to go drive one. I can't imagine not liking it though. The only thing I've noticed so far that I don't like is the push button shifters for the PDK vs flappy paddles like I had for the DCT in the 135i.

I mean there's an easy way to avoid that problem...

But also the sport wheel has normal paddle shifters instead of the stupid buttons.

This is true. But I do enjoy the flappy paddles. And it would also allow my lady to drive the car as well. She absolutely LOVED getting to drive the 135i and was disappointed when we had to get rid of it. 

In reply to z31maniac :

Agreed 100% 

to me buying and searching is half the fun - hunt is what my life is all about 

enjoy the journey my friend - maybe the guys from "big city Spokane" will be jealous ;) ;) LOL 

@the OP.
 

I say do it. Porsche makes great cars no matter what point in there line up you buy in to. Yes they cost  a bit more but it is not going to bankrupt anyone. And I am sure you know this.  You 135 experience can happen with any car. Just be smart do your homework and learn the good and bad years or options or what ever. Then get the best example of what ever you decide on. It has been said thousands of times but a car with a complete service record and higher millage is better than a lower millage one with a sketchy history. 

In reply to mr2s2000elise :

Don't avoid a car because of wheel buttons instead of paddles. My 911 has a multifunction wheel which came with buttons(which I didn't want) instead of paddles. Car was a good deal so I bought it. The buttons aren't as bad as I thought but I usually use the lever to shift. I also used the lever on my son's 981 Cayman S more than the paddles. Don't avoid a good car because of buttons instead of paddles. Also with the buttons you can use either hand to up and down shift since each button does both. 

They make "conversion" kits to make the buttons into paddles. Expensive but kinda cool

In reply to JimS :

It should be pretty much trivial to swap wheels as well. If you just swap to the 981 sport wheel you should be able to reuse the airbag too which keeps the cost down.

After driving both I personally don't think it's worth the money or the effort giving up the multifunction wheel for the paddles. That's only my opinion. They are great cars no matter the equipment.