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    Fun to drive but not to own!

    Around 4 months ago, I posted a story about my 2004 986 requiring a new engine. With 31,996 miles on the car, the engine ejected part of the valve train right through the valve cover and circulated metal bits throughout the engine. Porsche installed a "new" engine. Shortly thereafter, I noticed a moaning noise from the steering when the car was cold. The dealer determined it was low on power steering fluid and did the necessary repair. About a month ago, the car started requiring oil. It didn't seem to be burning any and I didn't see any leaks on the garage floor. Apparently, it only leaked out when running. The car went back to the dealer for repair. This time it was a cam chain tensioner seal (if I remember what they told me). Last week, the car started moaning again only much louder. Within minutes, the power steering fluid had all leaked out and the moaning stopped. Of course it was much more difficult to turn the steering wheel. I didn't mention replacing the headliner twice nor did I mention replacing the driver's side window track twice, because they were trivial problems that wouldn't influence my next automobile purchase. But the mechanical problems are mind blowing. The girl at the car rental desk is very cute but I'd really prefer driving my Porsche.
    I absolutely love driving my car. I started configuring my next Porsche within a few weeks of getting this one. I was certain my next car would be another Porsche. The only question in my mind was which model would I get. Now I'm not sure. When the engine failed, much of the thrill was gone for me. It gradually came back but each time the car has a problem, it takes longer for the thrill to return. Perhaps I should use the logic conveyed by Robin Williams in "The World According to Garp". Williams' character decides to buy a house immediately after watching a small plane crash into it. His logic: What are the odds this will ever happen again?

    Re: Fun to drive but not to own!

    Quote:
    LowPolarMoment said:
    Around 4 months ago, I posted a story about my 2004 986 requiring a new engine. With 31,996 miles on the car, the engine ejected part of the valve train right through the valve cover and circulated metal bits throughout the engine. Porsche installed a "new" engine. Shortly thereafter, I noticed a moaning noise from the steering when the car was cold. The dealer determined it was low on power steering fluid and did the necessary repair. About a month ago, the car started requiring oil. It didn't seem to be burning any and I didn't see any leaks on the garage floor. Apparently, it only leaked out when running. The car went back to the dealer for repair. This time it was a cam chain tensioner seal (if I remember what they told me). Last week, the car started moaning again only much louder. Within minutes, the power steering fluid had all leaked out and the moaning stopped. Of course it was much more difficult to turn the steering wheel. I didn't mention replacing the headliner twice nor did I mention replacing the driver's side window track twice, because they were trivial problems that wouldn't influence my next automobile purchase. But the mechanical problems are mind blowing. The girl at the car rental desk is very cute but I'd really prefer driving my Porsche.
    I absolutely love driving my car. I started configuring my next Porsche within a few weeks of getting this one. I was certain my next car would be another Porsche. The only question in my mind was which model would I get. Now I'm not sure. When the engine failed, much of the thrill was gone for me. It gradually came back but each time the car has a problem, it takes longer for the thrill to return. Perhaps I should use the logic conveyed by Robin Williams in "The World According to Garp". Williams' character decides to buy a house immediately after watching a small plane crash into it. His logic: What are the odds this will ever happen again?


    Garp has the right idea.....

    Re: Fun to drive but not to own!

    139 people read my post and only one person had something to say. I'm crushed!

    Re: Fun to drive but not to own!

    Quote:
    LowPolarMoment said:
    139 people read my post and only one person had something to say. I'm crushed!


    You got it tough
    I think you got a simple choice:
    1) Believe in the Porsche "myth" or brand if you will. Believe that Porsche as a rule builds excellent automobiles and that yours was one of the few that didn't work the way it was supposed to. A matter of tough luck. The engine destroyed itself, basically - and that is more than unlucky. On top of that you got mechs that don't cover all the bases and don't make sure everything is OK. Bad luck again. The 986 Boxster was rated the most fault-free car of ANY car! in 2004 by german TÛV.
    Get another Porsche knowing that lightning won't strike twice.

    2) Go behind the myth and call it the way you see it.
    You didnt buy a legend. You bought a car, and cars have technology that fails now and then. Porsche technology also fails. You found out the hard way.
    So be realistic: Maybe the Porsche brand is stronger than the car itself? Maybe the myth doesnt materialize in the mech shop? Maybe the TÛV test is only nice on paper?


    IMO you need to make a clear decision here:
    Either put the bad experiences behind you 100% and enjoy that new Porsche - that I know you wanna buy
    OR you admit to yourself that you won't let yourself trust a Porsche 100% again...in which case you need to let it go - for your own sake.
    Buying an top drawer car that you are not 100% comfortable with at the get-go is a surefire way of wasting money. You will NEVER be happy with a car like that. Every single noise, sound, tic or flaw will be magnified a thousand times in your head -"oh, no! This POS car is breaking down too!!" - and you wont be able to relax and just enjoy your car.

    There...I said my part

    Re: Fun to drive but not to own!

    Thanks for your comments Doc. If there were another brand I was passionate about, it would be a simpler choice. But since there isn't, I'll probably get another Porsche when the 2007 cars are available. Besides, I like this board too much.

    Re: Fun to drive but not to own!

    Quote:
    LowPolarMoment said:
    Thanks for your comments Doc. If there were another brand I was passionate about, it would be a simpler choice. But since there isn't, I'll probably get another Porsche when the 2007 cars are available. Besides, I like this board too much.



    Yeah, well...ure pretty much between a rock and a hard spot here..
    You can pick between sticking with Porsche and endure my fabulous comments - or go for an F-car....and listen to Nick and his trollings.
    A tough choice indeed!

    Honestly, I'd categorize this as pure bad luck.
    Apart from this being a pain in your a55, look at it rationally.
    How many P-owners in here have severe problems with their car?
    Does a P usually work well or not? Will you have problems no matter what car you pick in the future?

    U probably know the answers already.
    be practical about it. Cover your a55 financially and insurance-wise as best you can. Count the beans and do the math.

    ...having said all this, I am pretty certain youre looking for affirmation - not pros and cons

    Re: Fun to drive but not to own!

    Well, I guess I was hoping I'd hear, "Man, that's one in a million. Don't let it stop you from doing it again." I was hoping I wouldn't hear, "Yeah, that's more common than you think." In my dreams, PCNA reads my post and offers me a big financial incentive to buy another Porsche. I've had minor problems with many cars and I don't expect a machine to never break. But problems that leave you stranded are outside my range of tolerance. I have the strength to drive the car without the power steering but a lady would have been stranded four times in the last four months. That sucks.

    Re: Fun to drive but not to own!

    Look at it this way: All things considered, if you do NOT pick a Porsche next time, who will you be punishing? Porsche...or yourself?

    If this was a regular event, Porsche would never have made it.

    Re: Fun to drive but not to own!

    I'm not trying to punish anyone. It's just that I'd feel pretty dumb if it happened again with my next Porsche. You know the saying, "If you fool me once, shame on you. If you fool me twice, shame on me".

    Re: Fun to drive but not to own!

    I have had 2 986's now and the first was excellent reliability wise, the second less so. However, they were both paragons of virtue compared to Lotus and Ferrari. My advice is to stick with Porsche as yours does seem to be a particularly bad one.

    Re: Fun to drive but not to own!

    Try another OPC / service garage.

    I don't think it's common, just seems to be one of the few "bad" ones. Sorry to hear but other than a) have your OPC fix the problems or b) push for a replacement car (even this "late" in the game, with the 987 on order), there is not much you could do. It's certainly the right way to raise every issue you find and push for resolution opne way or another, and not just take the hits and decide never to buy another Porsche. Make Porsche work for their money and see that you end up with an acceptable car in the end, or compensation somewhere around your new 987 order (free options etc). It's not just cosmetic issues we're talking here after all, but engine essentials.

    If it doesn't feel like they can accommodate you, cancel your 987 order with that dealership and order somewhere else.

    Re: Fun to drive but not to own!

    I picked up the car today and found out this most recent problem was a fault of the dealer, not the manufacturer. The when they fixed the power steering the first time, they didn't tighten a hose clamp. I can't hold that one against Porsche.

     
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