Costs for my 996, since purchasing it....

[Darkbeer]

going on 2 years, now....and she has asked (politely) for a few things. First (and cheapest) was the gas cap, that fell to the ground when the line bloke one morning at the gas station. Next up, (and more $ ) was the oil tube to case line. The 996 version has a bellows so you can flex it up to add oil, which is OK, BUT, this same bellows is right above the serpentine belt, and, if you happen to push down on it, when the motor is running, the belt will "machine" of the bottom of the bellows and, the next time you add oil, it will leak out over your motor. Changed it to the 997 version, that fixed this glitch by placing the bellows farther back (or forward, really), away from the possible contact with the belt. THEN....the expansion tank began to weep. I was never sure why, but, suspect it was the fact, it was NOT an OEM tank, and, the other OEM motor components were always dissing it. So, got an OEM tank installed (which requires dropping the motor a few inches...not for the weak of heart). Everyone seemed happy for several months, then,,,,I came out to the garage one day, and, there was a wee puddle leading from the left side of the motor...it was greenish ???? I knew it was NOT the new expansion tank, so, that leaves a hose ($) or the water pump ($$$), and, you guessed it, the water pump it is !!!! OK sweetheart (I say) let's us take a break here, and just have some fun. Oh, BTW, the DMV renewal just came, and we get to visit the Smog Boyz....No worries, right??? WRONG...she can't pass smog, because the Catalytic converts aren't on speaking terms with the on-board computer. I do the routine to "reset" it....50+ mile drive at 58 MPH on the freeway (3K RPM maintained). I get more then my share of surprised looks and even the occasional smirk, from all those cars PASSING me, while I'm IN THE SLOW LANE...(damn) and no avail, go to the shop and find out the CAT's are dead. I have a 16 year old cat at home, and she still just fine, by the way. SO....the only "good news" I could garner from this.....California Air Resources Board (CARB) has approved an after market CAT, and, in went 2 of them ($$$$), BUT, WAY cheaper then OEM ($$$$$$) CAT's. So now, with smog successfully "passed", showed her at a PCA event on Saturday, and all's well (I HOPE)