5 Reasons Why a High Mileage 911 Isn't Necessarily Bad
Follow these simple rules and you'll likely be able to enjoy your pre-owned 911 for its second 100,000 miles.
1. A Documented Service History
Most Porsche enthusiasts are meticulous about compliance with factory maintenance schedules. So, of course, you should only consider cars with a known history and owners who have driven their cars for enjoyment on the road and not the track. Also, request all service documents.
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2. A Pre-Purchase Inspection is a Must
If there is one non-negotiable rule for buying a high-mileage 911, it is to obtain a pre-purchase inspection (PPI) from a Porsche dealer or independent 911 specialist. Although most 911-series cars are very reliable in service, most repairs, especially major ones, are quite expensive compared to more mundane vehicles.
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3. Obtain a Digital Motor Electronics Report and Analyze Results
Later 911-series vehicles are equipped with a Digital Motor Electronics (DME) system that keeps a record of the number of shifts that have been made within six increasing engine RPM ranges. Be sure to ask your PPI tech to get a DME report and interpret the results for you. The numbers will give you a good idea of how the car has been driven, and if it has seen any situations where the driver exceeded the recommended RPM red line.
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4. Purchase a Certified Pre-Owned 911
If your car qualifies, purchase a Certified Pre-Owned 911. Porsche's Certified Pre-Owned program has fairly broad limits: 6 years from the date of initial purchase or 100,000 miles, whichever comes first. If you buy a 911 that is within these limits, you will be covered for a long enough time to get a feel for what the car may need as you continue to drive it in the years to come.
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5. Maintain a Budget For Routine-Wear Items and Reserve a Fund For Longer-Term Replacements
Experts recommend maintaining an annual budget of $1,200 to $1,500 for routine-wear items (e.g. brake pads, oil and filter) and building up a reserve fund for longer-term replacements. The latter can run from $500 for ignition coil packs to $3,000 for a clutch replacement. If you have realistic expectations about your pre-owned 911's maintenance and repair costs and observe these guidelines, you should get tens of thousands of satisfying miles out of your purchase.
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For information on maintenance and repairs, head on over to our How-To section by clicking here.