Faults:

Replaced the brakes about 4-5 times in 220,000 miles.

Replaced the heater core with a rebuilt one at 50,000 miles. No problem since.

Covered driver's seat with a fake lamb thing at 200,000 miles.

Some other small repairs I can't remember under the hood. One was slightly over $1,000. A few others much less.

Cost of parts always surprises mechanics. Always double what they quote.

General Comments:

I bought my 929 brand new in 1989 solely on the advice of Consumer Reports after owning a gorgeous Audi 5000 that I almost never got to drive (always in the shop). So I wanted something reliable and I got it.

20 years later we are still together, my 929 and I. It is true, parts are ridiculously more expensive than most other auto parts, but since my car never (almost never) breaks, parts have not been an issue. I suppose that since I'm a woman, you would say I have been easy on her. I am not a speeder. I also am a nut about changing the oil... every two or three thousand miles. But other than that, I've been pretty negligent. She's not been garaged. Not been pampered. For 16 of her twenty years, she was home to my English Shepherd who went everywhere with me.

Still, everything, including the paint (except the fake chrome on the interior door handles and the thin strip of it around the gear shift console... oh and the logo on the trunk that says 929... all that has peeled. I think in later years they got that better) but everything except that and the driver's seat looks and sounds way better than I could have hoped for in 20 years.

She's still solid, the engine is still powerful (going up steep hills is not a problem). The overdrive feature is great for that. And speaking of features, every bell and every whistle still works without exception, even to that silly duct that oscillates back and forth for the air conditioner and the heat.

Oh and one more thing. I have read critiques that bash the boxy look of the 1989, but those people have no class. This is the model that looks like a Mercedes, not the rounded version of the 929 that came later and tried to be a clone of everything else out there.

Faults:

Hydraulic Valve Lifters have been ticking since 40K miles! But no problem!!

Replaced the console cover at 160K miles.

Replaced exhaust muffler at 180K miles.

Replaced Timing Belt idler pulley at 200K miles.

Power seat mechanism is partly not working (and I did not fix it)

Replaced Transmission at 240K miles.

Replaced Distributor at 260K miles.

Driver's seat leather started tearing at 260K miles.

All other maintenance is normal wear-and-tear.

General Comments:

Excellent car, both interior and exterior still look good though it has always been parked outdoors (under a roof for 10 years, no roof for 5 years).

During the first 10K miles (critical run-in period) I never exceeded 55 mph. Throughout, I never accelerated sharply - no burnt rubber; always gentle acceleration and slowdown.

Always maintained per schedule: oil/filter change 5K miles, transmission oil change 15K miles, timing chain change 60K miles, etc.

Engine is still very strong. Ride is still firm. This is still my primary car (and will be for a long time if I can replace the seat leather).

Shows how well built the car is, and how long it lasts if it is driven gently and maintained properly (mechanically and cosmetically).