defurr

I am looking at buying a gently used (20k miles?) 911 as my main commuter vehicle (25 miles each way), but I feel I should keep my old "normal" sedan for practical reasons: having an old banger that I can use to haul gear, bicycles, home improvement materials, etc. Front wheel drive when it ices; four doors when I'm being social; you get the picture.

I currently own a 2006 Acura TL, of which I am the sole owner. It is paid off, and just costs me insurance. It has 105k miles, and I've already done the timing belt on it. It's a six-speed and will need a new clutch in the next 10k miles, but other than that, it feels pretty solid. I figure at some point, the suspension will need work, but it seems okay for now.

Am I setting myself up for a maintenance nightmare? If I start driving the 911 regularly, that should ease up on the aging of the TL considerably. Does this make good financial sense, or am I headed off a financial cliff?

justnspace

iTrader: (1)

the 911 would be the money pit.

Undying Dreams

iTrader: (3)

Financial cliff lol unless you really can afford the cost of upkeep on 2 vehicles and pay for the 911.

RaviNJCLs

iTrader: (4)

I can't speak for the 6 speed but I'm closing in on 122K and my 08 is still running strong. All I have had to do is normal maintenance stuff. Later this year I will replace the original suspension and will need to do the brakes. Nothing out of the ordinary.

erdoc48

The 2006 is past 100k, so depreciation wise, it's far better to keep it and use as the DD you won't get a whole lot for it whether you sell or trade it in. The 911 if you get it should be used more as a recreational car, not as a DD. Porsches are great cars but ridiculously expensive to repair and maintain. The TL is generally very inexpensive to maintain. If you're thinking that the TL won't last the next 100k miles, you've already done the 105k service, so you're good for quite a while. The TL should be good for at least 200k if not more.

defurr

How bad are we talking? For example, my 100k maintenance cost like $2500 and included the timing belt, the clutch master cylinder, and some kind of tie rod or bearing thing in the front. Would it have been 2X that amount on a 911?

erdoc48

Unfortunately, it's like comparing apples to oranges. I can't give you any exact quotes, but a friend of mine owned a Boxster and even if it needed non major work, it was typically $3000 or so every time he took the car in. In some cases, depending on the service needed, the engine has to be lifted out of the car (for the Boxster, I can't say for the 911). A 2x estimate for work on the Porsche is probably pretty accurate. It also depends on who is doing the work. Plenty of people here use Honda dealerships to get their TB done as its typically a lot less expensive than Acura and the TL is essentially the same as an Accord when it comes to doing the suspension and TB type work. You could probably find a Porsche independent shop that's cheaper than the dealer, but I doubt it would be as inexpensive as maintaining a Honda product.

Jakes_tl

$2500? sounds like you got raped buddy. I think that shouldn't have been more than $1500.

imakeholesinu

I have a 5AT 06 TL that rolled over to 130K when I purchased it in June. Runs like a dream.

i_love_cars

iTrader: (1)

I would say stick with the TL especially because it's a 6mt, but in the future you should be more weary of where you take it for maintenance. 2500 bucks for 105k service + a bearing + clutch master cylinder is a ripoff, bigtime.

the biggest risk factor in a TL long-term is usually the automatic trans, and you don't have one of those.

Porsches are a pain in the ass to work on. I used to own an older 911 and it was near impossible without pulling the motor because it's located in the rear of the car and it is super-cramped in the bay. Just an awful car to work on, through and through. I can only imagine what a service shop would charge to do it. If you put DD miles on it, you will pay out the ass, of that I am sure.

truonghthe

I wouldn't use the 911 as DD, OP you remind me when I was down in Houston one of my buddy want to buy a 911 for DD. he call up all friend and ask which one should he get Porsche or Lexus LS460 every body who doesn't own a 911 told him to get Porsche, but only one guy told him just stick with the LS460 since its DD. This coming from a guy who own a 911, 94 Supra TT with single turbo conversion, Maserati Quattroporte and LS460 as DD.

ez12a

I'd say you paid at least $800 more than you could have on that repair, including the cylinder and misc suspension part. the timing belt job/105k service is around $1200 and that's talking dealer prices.

ResistaNce

stick wit TL bro, ud save $ imo.

i have 5AT, 2005 TL with 162k miles still running fairly good with maintenacen u got a 6 speed, so ur def good

Carriers

Could have gotten your flywheel, Clutch, release bearings, TB service and the coil replaced for that price, but live and learn.

In regards to the 911, a roadster is so impractical. I had a S2000 (I realize it is not the same car but its a decent comparison) and a Acura TSX. My Acura TSX had about 140000KM and I purchased the S2000 for the same reason you are, to preserve mileage and wear on the TSX and in turn the S2000 with usage of the TSX in winter. The S2000 was fun and raw as a race car but the impracticality ruin the experience for me. I run a lot of errand in my life and the S2000 wasn't doing it for me. Plus the maintenance of both vehicles was such a headache. First time owning two motor vehicles for myself (excluding my motorcycle) and it was a headache organizing everything for maintenance and budgeting finance etc. I was not hurting that much from having to pay for the maintenance and parts; but it was more money then I would have liked to spend. Luckly for me, I never buy anything on credit so all my vehicle are paid for (Except my Condo which I have a mortgage for.) Parts are to be worn out regardless how little to many usage the vehicle is. Parts will diminished in its durability with age even if the vehicle just sits there.

The s2000 cost will never match the amount of a 911, but you get the point. Your issue is finance at this point, if thats the case; 2 vehicle is not the option for you to go. Specially if you need the vehicle for when you need the social; you will find yourself driving the more practical and comfortable car anyways. ( I know I did)

I sold both vehicles and just upgraded to a more powerful practical sport luxury sedan with less mileage. (87000KM) Now I am worry free. I will never own 2 vehicles again, too much stress. (Not including my motorcycle as I will always own one along with a car)

Good luck,

Ben

Bearcat94

My 110,000 mile Journey, cost, issues and beyond....


Hit the 200,000 mile mark in my TL today!!


So it ends...MMADE22 Sells the TL and moves into a GS..THANKS FOR EVERYTHING AZINE!!!

defurr

Since everyone is so concerned about my 100k mile maintenance, I retrieved the records on that. Here is what I had done:

-Timing belt
-Wiper inserts
-Air filter
-CV Boot
-Power steering pump
-Interior detailing
-Spark plugs
-Master clutch cylinder
-Front/side motor mounts

The bill was for $2400. It was at the dealership, and of course I got a "free" loaner MDX for a week. (There was no way I could have lived without the extra set of wheels; Dallas does not have passable public transport when you work in the suburbs and live downtown.)

RaviNJCLs

iTrader: (4)

^^^^

Ouch. If I just spent $2400 on a car I will not be getting rid of it.

lilsid112

iTrader: (7)

I would keep the TL since its already up to date on all maintenance. Personally I would use the TL as my DD and keep the 911 as a weekend toy. Of course try find one with warranty for any issues that arise.

mig0s

Usually timing belt/water pump changes are around $500-$700 bucks. Why would you change your clutch master cylinder? Is it written in the manual? Do you see a leak or a decrease of fluid in it? Correct me if I'm wrong but usually you change your master/slave cylinder when it breaks, when you're losing liquid or when clutch's friction point is going lower and lower. And I've seen lots of Master/slave cylinder last like 200k...

truonghthe

either it really broke on OP or some body just trying to scooping up extra $$$ while the car in the shop.

Aman

I would hardly consider an 06 TL 6MT "an old banger", but it's all relative I guess. I think it makes for a great DD, and from the OP I see no real reason to buy a 911, unless you just want a 911.

defurr

Because the car was undrivable, clutch pedal just went straight to the floor.

justnspace

iTrader: (1)

911 turbo of GTFO.

lilsid112

iTrader: (7)

Which range of years of 911s are you looking at?

Undying Dreams

iTrader: (3)

There's different model 911's? I thought they were all the same?