Actual Operating Costs for a 914 Options

[ericread]

I posted this the other day to the "How Much Do You Have Into You 914 So Far" thread. It is buried back on page seven of the topic, so I thought I'd re-post it under a new heading.

I keep hearing how expensive it is to own a 914, and I wanted to provide an actual accounting of my expenses after 1 year. Please note I do not race, or really put my teener in stressful situations. I have yet to paint it (it's a good fair 50 foot paint job right now), and I have not spent much time on the exterior looks ( I will work on this in late 2008 according to my schedule of work).

So no, it is not a status symbol, a garage queen or an amazing racing machine like many of the cars described in this BBS. However, it is a steadily improviing, very reliable daily driver, of which I am proud to own and drive.



Eric Read

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Ok. I picked up my 74 2.0L FI on February 25, 2007. Purchased for $3,500.00. Very little rust (no structural problems) Lots of "weird" stuff, like a totally odd (non porsche) alternator on a broken mount. Lots of little items to fix. Bad paint. But very good fundamentals. I drive the 914 to work (and back) every day - it is my daily driver.

One year later, here are the numbers:
Miles Driven: 15,880
Maintenance Professional Services: $2,088.40
Maintenance Parts: $ 1,093.08
Auto Insurance (12 months, Unlimited Miles, Dailyn Driver): $1,200.00
Gas (690.44 Gallons @ Ave $3.20/Gallon): $2,209.41
Oil (30 Qts @ $3.50/Qt): $105.00
Total Amount Expended: 6,609.89
Operating cost per mile: $0.4217

Notes:
1. Cost of car is not included in operating expenses or Operating Cost per Mile.
2. I am a noob to turning a wrench. Prior to March of 2007, I hadn't worked on a car since probably back in 1975. I am a computer geek, so wrench skills were not in my repertoire. My experience is that through the BBS's and the tech articles, there is plenty of step-by-step instructions which makes most maintenance fairly easy. I am performing almost all of my wrenching myself lately, and thoroughly enjoying it.
3. Knowing what I know now (2/25/08) I would have performed all of the professional services myself. I really do not feel I got $2,000 worth of work performed.
4. I have recorded times where I have achieved up to 29 MPG. However, my heavy foot keeps my combined driving at between 23 MPG and 25 MPG.
5. I keep every expense documented in several tabs of a dedicated worksheet.
6. All work is performed via cash - no expenses are being placed on a credit card. This makes my work spread out but financially manageable. I have budgeted about $200.00 per month for parts through December of 2008.

I hope this helps to dispell the "high" cost of owning/maintaining a 914. If you are patient, it can be done on a budget.

[messix]

short answer is .....

your soul! (IMG:style_emoticons/default/happy11.gif)

i have mine insured with a classic car insurence co and i bought a refreshed tranny at a swap meet for 400 and some interior parts and tune up stuff a body panel bought from club members, all together i've spent way less than you in the three years i've had my car.
prolly about 1500 in maintenance and fixin up stuff.