Porsche is one of the most recognized car brands in the world. In the United States, Porsche cars are associated with German engineering, iconic sports cars and unbeatable luxury. Not surprisingly, Oliver Blume, Chairman of the Executive Board of Porsche AG, said: “We are 100 percent sports cars and 100 percent luxury.”
In 2022 alone, Porsche sold 70,036 vehicles in the United States, and in the first quarter of 2023, 17,442 units already ended up with consumers. But as a premium brand that is known for great sports cars, Porsche got a bad rap that its cars are expensive to maintain and repair. And this reasoning has some validity. RepairPal gave Porsche a below-average reliability score of 2.0 out of 5.0, ranking the German automaker 32 out of 32 for all auto brands.
If you’re a Porsche fan looking for a used model, this score might scare you, but there are some pre-owned models with surprisingly low maintenance and repair costs (expressed in average annual costs). So, read on to find out which one used Porsche models should be on your wish list.
10 Porsche 912 – $414
Your mechanic estimates that the average cost to keep this vintage Porsche in top condition is $414. Just for context, Upper Left Control Arm Assembly Replacement for a 1966 Porsche 912 costs an average of $688.30, while a 1965 Porsche 912 Outer Door Handle costs an average of $688.30 of $394.43. Considering that we can find this vintage Porsche for as little as $3,500, this would make an excellent vehicle for a restoration project. Especially now that 912 prices are rising and younger generations are discovering this classic car, the 912 looks like a good deal.
9 Porsche 914 – $416
According to Your Mechanic, the estimated average cost to repair and maintain a Porsche 914 is $416. For example, the lower right front control arm assembly replacement on a 1970 Porsche 914 has an estimated cost of $1814, while the front wiper motor replacement has an estimated cost of $459.47. Meanwhile, replacing the car’s air filter on a 1974 model has an estimated cost of $145.55 and for a 1970 model it goes up to $211.61.
8 Porsche 968 – $720
RepairPal estimates the annual cost to repair and maintain a Porsche 968 at $720. Considering that the most common problems associated with this Porsche model are manual transmission noise, engine oil leaks and dual mass flywheel failure, the 968 is incredibly expensive to maintain and repair. down
7 Porsche 924 – $800
Who could forget the 924 World Championship Edition created in December 1976 with the cool colored stripes? How about the “limited edition” M426 sold in the US? The Porsche 924 is a legend. This vehicle is famous for being the “first road-going Porsche to have a front-engine, rear-wheel-drive configuration.”
“If you asked me for a list of great entry-level collector cars, this would be on it,” Hagerty spokesman Jonathan Klinger told Bloomberg. “They turn heads on the road, but they’re drivable in modern traffic. The brakes are good, they’ve got plenty of power. They’re good cars.”
According to Hagerty, the lowest sale for a Porsche 924 was $540, while the most recent sale reached $4,600. These prices make the 924 an excellent vehicle for a restoration project, so gearheads are probably wondering how much it costs to repair and maintain this car. RPM Specialists Cars estimates that service prices for a 924 at 36,000 miles are £299.00 ($372), while at 48,000 miles they are £329.00 ($410). Meanwhile, the maintenance costs are also quite decent. For example, a brake fluid change (every two years) costs £65.00 ($81), a coolant change is the same price, while a balance belt (every 4 years) is £399.00 ($497). Elsewhere, an automatic gearbox oil change (24,000-mile intervals) costs £115 ($143). In addition, the annual MOT test costs £54 ($67). Considering that the Porsche 924 is a reliable vehicle, you won’t have too many problems with it.
In general, owners should budget $800 per year for the maintenance of this vehicle. American gearheads seem to have come to a similar conclusion when discussing the maintenance costs of a 924. “Best case scenario: You have one in really good shape and it ends up averaging $800 a year in maintenance. A year can be $200 and a year can be $1,000,” says one Rennlist user.
On a different forum, users report similar costs: “I’ve had my 924 for about 15 years. Has it been what I refer to as a rolling restoration…? I have spent between $500 and $1000 each year to replace, repair or upgrade something on the car. I do 90 percent of the work myself and have slightly above average mechanical skills,” said the owner of a 1988 924.
6 Porsche 718 Boxster – $836
CarEdge estimates that the repair and maintenance costs of a Porsche 718 Boxster over 5 years would be $4,180. That means homeowners would have to set aside $836 a year for repairs. Costs include expected repairs, normal wear and tear items and expected maintenance. These costs do not include any warranty work that is offered for free, according to CarEdge.
5 Porsche 944 – $948
RepairPal estimates that the average annual cost to repair and maintain a Porsche 944 is $948. Owners should expect to pay between $201 and $223 for the oil pressure sensor replacement and between $119 and $150 for the AC diagnostic. On the more expensive side, replacing the AC evaporator will cost between $1,506 and $2,482. This is a reliable Porsche, so millennial gearheads should consider it if they want a car that reminds them of their childhood.
4 Porsche Boxster S 986 – $949
In 2016, Road and Race wanted to know how much it really costs to own a Porsche Boxster S 986. In the end, after adding it all up, it came out that the annual expense of this spectacular vehicle was $756. If we factor in inflation, it would come to about $949 in 2023. It is not a high investment to own a Porsche Boxster S 986.
3 Porsche Boxster – $952
The Porsche Boxster has an average annual repair cost of $952, according to RepairPal. However, owners have reported 42 problems for this performance car, including oil leaks in the oil separator and problems with the power windows. Just for context, owners should expect to pay between $59 and $75 for a power steering system leak inspection and between $1,594 and $1,625 for an airbag control module replacement. Elsewhere, brake master cylinder replacement costs between $496 and $739, and water pump replacement costs up to $1,646, according to ReparPal.
2 Porsche Macan: $1,057
Porsche Macan owners would spend about $5,289 on repairs and maintenance over 5 years of ownership, according to CarEdge data. In other words, homeowners would need to set aside $1,057 per year for repairs and maintenance.
1 Porsche 911 – $1076
According to CarEdge, the Porsche 911 fan favorite has a 5-year maintenance and repair cost of $5,380. That means homeowners should budget $1,076 for repairs and maintenance each year. It’s worth noting that RepairPal’s estimates are slightly higher compared to CarEdge, with the website putting the annual cost of repairing and maintaining a Porsche 911 at $1072.
Sources: Porsche, Good Car Bad Car, RepairPal, Your Mechanic, Classic.com, 912bbs.org, RepairPal, Bloomberg, RPM Specialists Cars, Hagerty, Rennlist, Pelican Parts forum, CarEdge, Saving, Road and Race.
