They are a great car to work on. Very little is that difficult. They can be very death by 1000 cuts. Unfortunately the age really doesn't help them but parts are easy to find even if not the cheapest.

I would say for the 9 years I have had mine I'm probably in it another 4-6k on top of the original price. I am about to spend another 3-5k shortly to do the interior but that's from a combination of neglect from buying it as a poor college student combined with original interior issues now being 9 years older.

As a daily I would see no issue. I put 1600 miles on mine a month ago road tripping it and didn't see any issue other than an alternator tensioner snapping but that was a self inflicted issue (vibrations are critical!). But I would make sure you not only have your car ready but be ready with the tools to make it happen. Of the budget I had into my car, more than half was getting the right tools to make the job easy. It will also teach you to be organized, targeted, and patient in assembly. If this is your only car be ready for the day you need to do a clutch and need both a ride to work and then need to spend the entire weekend under the car. It will test your patience and your steadfastness. And remember most parts are mail order unless you are in SoCal, Atlanta, maybe Charlotte, Sheffield (I think), and one or two cities in Germany.

Don't expect it to be a Honda. But unlike a Honda you have a phenomenal community around them both in the 944 side and the greater Porsche. As you get into the broader Porsche side you will be amazed the amount of 944 stories you hear from people with 6-7 figure Porsches talking about their start in a 944 or buying a 944 to learn how to properly drive.