Porsche is a brand that often comes with an expensive price tag. But is it really worth the money? Maintenance and repairs can add up, so today we’re taking a closer look at the cost of owning a Porsche.
Is Porsche expensive to maintain? Depending on the model of Porsche that you purchase, you may have to pay quite a bit over the course of the year to keep it maintained. Prices range from about $1000 per year to maintain a Porsche Boxster, while you’ll find yourself paying closer to $2000 per year for a Porsche 911.
There’s a lot more nuance to how much it will cost you to maintain your Porsche, and we’ll take a closer look at what you’ll have to pay over the course of this guide. This way, you’ll be able to decide whether a Porsche is a good fit for you or if you want to opt for a different car that’s a little more affordable.
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Is Porsche Expensive to Maintain?
One of the best things about Porsche’s cars is that they tend to be extremely reliable, even more so than a Dodge Ram. Comparing Porsche to other German auto makers, their vehicles do consistently better when it comes to testing their reliability, with this manufacturer aiming for the 300k KM mark in terms of reliability.
Keep in mind that these standards will also depend on the vehicle that’s being tested, as not all Porsches are built alike. After all, a 911 GT3 RS will do better in reliability testing than something like a Porsche Cayenne. This doesn’t mean that Porsches are cheap to maintain, however.
While you may not have to bring your Porsche in for maintenance very often, it’s still a good idea to maintain your vehicle regularly to ensure that it doesn’t end up getting to a point where it will get much more expensive to repair. This means that you’ll still probably have to deal with yearly maintenance fees.
Why is Porsche Expensive to Maintain?
The very same quality that means that Porsches don’t have to go in for maintenance as frequently as other vehicles also means that the parts are more expensive. Along with the cost of the parts themselves, it’s also a bit more challenging to find a mechanic that’s qualified to work on a Porsche.
While you may think that all cars are broadly similar to the point that you can bring your vehicle to any mechanic, that’s sadly not the case. If you’re going to get your Porsche fixed or maintained, it’s usually a good idea to make sure that you’re working with a qualified mechanic. Remember that a Porsche isn’t a Toyota.
Along with ensuring that the job will be done properly, working with a Porsche-certified mechanic will also ensure that you don’t end up running afoul of Porsche’s warranty policy. If a non-certified mechanic damages your vehicle, your warranty may end up being void, so be sure to stick with qualified auto shops.
Aftermarket vs. Official Porsche Parts
You may also be tempted to opt for unofficial or aftermarket parts if you’re going to bring your Porsche in for maintenance, but this is usually not a good idea. First, this may void your warranty, and there’s no guarantee that these parts will be as reliable as the genuine ones they’re replacing.
When it comes to the actual cost that you’re going to be dealing with when you maintain your vehicle, you’re going to be dealing with steep rates like $400 for an oil change. Of course, this is because Porsche is not meant to be an affordable brand. These are top of the line cars, after all.
Maintenance Cost by Porsche Model
As we mentioned earlier, it also depends on the Porsche model that you purchase, with high-performance cars costing more to maintain than their more casual vehicles like their SUVs. For example, a Porsche Boxster uses a 4-cylinder motor that’s easier to maintain, so that will cost you between $700 and $1100 per year to maintain.
On the other hand, if you own a sporty model like a Porsche 911, you’ll end up having to pay about $2000 per year to keep your car maintained. This is because these cars are designed to perform both on the roads and on the track, so you’ll need to maintain a good performance standard relative to the Boxster.
The cost of maintaining high-end Porsches can get even more expensive, like if you want to own a Porsche Carrera GT. These cars have been out of production for years, so getting your hands on their parts will be more of a challenge and be much more expensive than when dealing with current models.
You’ll also have to pay a premium to maintain something like a Porsche 918, but due to their considerable cost and very limited production run, very few people own these Porsches. Regardless, the cost of maintaining these cars can cost three or four times as much as maintaining something like a Boxster.
Regular Maintenance Can Save You Money in the Long Run
No matter what you do, it’s always a good idea to ensure that you service your Porsche regularly so you don’t end up in a situation where your car starts failing you and it needs a full overhaul. While it may be cheaper in the short-term not to service your Porsche, it will cost you a lot more over time.
Another thing to account for is what will be included in regular Porsche servicing, as not all services are included in your annual maintenance. For example, Porsche will not change your brake pads and hoses, they will not align and balance your wheels, and they will not test your tire pressure or replace your wiper blades.
If you want to make sure that your car is at 100%, you’re going to need to pay a little more than you would for the standard servicing that includes things like oil changes. This will ensure that your Porsche can reach the limits of its performance, like a high-end sports car should be able to.
