How does Porsche get away with it?
Discussion
I am intrigued and not trolling!
I would love to buy a Porsche and very nearly did so about6 months ago.
What stopped me is the fact that while I could afford to pay £10k to rebuild a bore scored engine, why the hell should I take that risk????
If I spend £30-£40k on a used car, I expect to get a good solid performance car that will do what it is supposed to do. I don,'t expect to be worrying about whether the engine will need to be replaced or rebuilt or whether Porsche will honour a warranty and be poring over over-rev data. You expect to pay running costs for a £70k+ car but a £10k plus bill for a new engine??
Porsche was always the sensible super car - Ferrari etc would bankrupt you, but a Porsche was a useable everyday alternative. All the plus points of an Italian car but it was also reliable and dependable.
I have got to the point now where I cannot imagine any scenario that would make me actually buy a Porsche despite the fact that I lust after one. I simply cannot take the gamble that I "may" get away with it! (Sorry kids, no holiday this year as dad's car has blown up)!
If I knew that there was a Porsche that I could buy that did not have a potential massive engine rebuild hanging over it, then I would buy one, but that car does not seem to exist. I am not including things like a 996 Turbo - I don't want a turbo, just a naturally aspirated performance car.
Is that too much to ask?
I would love to buy a Porsche and very nearly did so about6 months ago.
What stopped me is the fact that while I could afford to pay £10k to rebuild a bore scored engine, why the hell should I take that risk????
If I spend £30-£40k on a used car, I expect to get a good solid performance car that will do what it is supposed to do. I don,'t expect to be worrying about whether the engine will need to be replaced or rebuilt or whether Porsche will honour a warranty and be poring over over-rev data. You expect to pay running costs for a £70k+ car but a £10k plus bill for a new engine??
Porsche was always the sensible super car - Ferrari etc would bankrupt you, but a Porsche was a useable everyday alternative. All the plus points of an Italian car but it was also reliable and dependable.
I have got to the point now where I cannot imagine any scenario that would make me actually buy a Porsche despite the fact that I lust after one. I simply cannot take the gamble that I "may" get away with it! (Sorry kids, no holiday this year as dad's car has blown up)!
If I knew that there was a Porsche that I could buy that did not have a potential massive engine rebuild hanging over it, then I would buy one, but that car does not seem to exist. I am not including things like a 996 Turbo - I don't want a turbo, just a naturally aspirated performance car.
Is that too much to ask?
Quick replies!
A GT3 does not work for me - I have got a family and just want a standard 996 or 997 C2S.
I understand that warranties are available, I am just staggered that there seems to be an acceptance that 5% of engines will let go and the attitude is that, well this happens just get a warranty.
Why would I buy a Porsche rather than getting another M3?
Porsche was always different. There was always a chance of a big bill - goes with territory of a premium sports car. But the idea that a good proportion of those cars would go pop just does not seem very Porsche - it just seems to have been accepted though. That is what I find so surprising.
A GT3 does not work for me - I have got a family and just want a standard 996 or 997 C2S.
I understand that warranties are available, I am just staggered that there seems to be an acceptance that 5% of engines will let go and the attitude is that, well this happens just get a warranty.
Why would I buy a Porsche rather than getting another M3?
Porsche was always different. There was always a chance of a big bill - goes with territory of a premium sports car. But the idea that a good proportion of those cars would go pop just does not seem very Porsche - it just seems to have been accepted though. That is what I find so surprising.
Have had very long term experience with BMW as well as Porsche. No doubt a major engine rebuilt is extremely expensive on a Porsche, but its not mice nuts on a BMW. In terms of reliability proper service history is essential and Porsches do not seem any more unreliable than just about any other car I have owned. If the cost exposure is of real concern, probably best to avoid the car as you will end up worrying about every creak instead of enjoying the car.
OP - I share your frustration is principle, as one of the first things that attracted me to these cars was the bullet proof nature of the aircooled engines.
However, in practice you can steer around the problem as Rob has said above, either go aircooled or turbo if you need the small rear seats or buy a warranty.
Bear in mind that many of us who absolutely don't believe their engines are likely going to go bang still run a warranty anyway and there are so many other potential bills on any care like these.
However, in practice you can steer around the problem as Rob has said above, either go aircooled or turbo if you need the small rear seats or buy a warranty.
Bear in mind that many of us who absolutely don't believe their engines are likely going to go bang still run a warranty anyway and there are so many other potential bills on any care like these.
Many, perhaps most, like me have had no problems.
I have had Porsches since 1984. The ONLY one that has lunched itself was the famed 73' RS which did it twice (under provocation). The Boxsters and GT3 had NO mechanical problems except for a wildly overdone RMS oil leaks, fixed under warranty. I didn't even replace a clutch on any of them.
But if like many, a £10-20k depreciated Porsche comes into your price band but you cant afford the costs of a £70-80k new car, then you should steer clear.
Btw, I have been put off buying an M3/Audi RS many times because of the well publicised costly issues and potential thrashing by previous owners.
Nic
I have had Porsches since 1984. The ONLY one that has lunched itself was the famed 73' RS which did it twice (under provocation). The Boxsters and GT3 had NO mechanical problems except for a wildly overdone RMS oil leaks, fixed under warranty. I didn't even replace a clutch on any of them.
But if like many, a £10-20k depreciated Porsche comes into your price band but you cant afford the costs of a £70-80k new car, then you should steer clear.
Btw, I have been put off buying an M3/Audi RS many times because of the well publicised costly issues and potential thrashing by previous owners.
Nic
Was recently talking to a small independent dealer with 20+ years experience. He's had a sale car go bang plus his own new car let go at very low miles and required a new engine.
See also an article elsewhere on this forum where Porsche have recently lost a legal case in the US on this very subject.
OK the majority of cars won't go bang, but that's not much consolation if yours does,you don't have warranty and are on a limited budget.
Hence the low values for those cars potentially affected.
It's not an Internet phenomenon, it does happen.
See also an article elsewhere on this forum where Porsche have recently lost a legal case in the US on this very subject.
OK the majority of cars won't go bang, but that's not much consolation if yours does,you don't have warranty and are on a limited budget.
Hence the low values for those cars potentially affected.
It's not an Internet phenomenon, it does happen.
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