jford

Posting for my brother actually who is looking for his first p-car. The car will be mostly for DE's and some spirited weekend driving. I guess I am the devil or the angel on his shoulder, depending on how you look at it (his wife would definately say devil). The are two routes being considered, keeping in mind a budget of around 10k with a little room to stretch for the right deal.

- completely ready to go 951 for about 11,000. Race seats, harness, two sets of tires and rims, roll cage, fire extinguisher, nice paint, 80k miles, rebuilt turbo, upgraded suspension, timing belt and push rod bearing done less than 7k miles ago, good maintenence records and good PPI.

-or...look for a 79 to 82 911sc in the 10 to 13,000 dollar range. Will most likely be 90k + miles, but will probably not be as aggressivly set up suspension wise nor have as many goodies installed.

Brother and I really liked the 951. Very well balanced. Have not driven an SC but I have a 964 so we have had the 911 experience . I realise that the SC has less power and will probably feel a bit more tossable. Maintence will most likely be less although we can wrench a bit ourselves and he would be ok with 1,000 to 1,500/yr. maintence costs on either car. TIA advance for any comments and advice.

Jamie

Ethan

You're going to get a biased response by posting on this particular board. That said, go with the 951!

Eric in Chicago

Jamie,
As you told me, your Bro has a Mustang so he will be used to the loose rear end of the 911. However for a more balanced car, the 951 will be easier to learn track skills in given its netural weight balance. That is of course if he does not pound the fast pedal at apex!!! The 951 will have much more potential for going faster with chips,turbos etc. for little money compared to a early 911 which cost per Hp is far greater.

GOBOGIE

Either would be a good starter car if you ask me. I love the look of the SC's

Baron009

I guess it depends what he's looking for. Either would be good for DE's I think. There are a lot of 944's in the states, and even here in canada, so getting the 911 would be more of a unique experience if you ask me. Then again, like Eric said, with the 951 you can get more bang for you buck, especially when it comes to mods.

Hmm, did I say more unique? Shoot bad english, but you get what I mean.

Asher

911 enough said!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
you buy a 94 or 951.. I give you one year maybe two and you'll WISH you had bought the 911...
It's a TRUE drivers car...

Robert D

heh...ok....

As before stated, the 951 will be cheaper in the long-run if he decides to get more aggressive with the car. SC's cost much more to get that extra edge. The 951 will also be a more comfortable car to drive, the A/C on early 911's (even into the late 80s)....suck compared to what a 951 will have.

Z-man

Since the 951 is already 'track prepped' I suggest that you go with the 911SC.

A newbie would most likely be in over his head with a track prepped car. Such a car will handle too well, corner to fast, and not teach a novice driver the fundamentals as well as a car in stock form.

Just my $0.42,
-Z-man.

Lou D

Go with the 951. It's already set up for the track with a good maintenance history, and an extra set of wheels and tires. That same $10K would only get you into a stock or slightly modified 911sc at best. To put the same modifications already in the 951 into a 911 would cost close to another 10K plus a lot of time. Don't forget to consider the age of the cars. Newer is better.
As far as driving on the track, either would be a blast. I've driven a 911 and a 944 on the track and thoroughly enjoyed each of them. Face it, driving on a track is fun no matter what you're in.

FSAEracer03

Asher... to say that a 911 is a trrue driver's car while the 951's are not is dumb. Give me one reason why! The 911s are great cars, don't get me wrong, but even though they have the air-cooled, engine-on-the-wrong-end personality, they aren't the only "true" driver's cars out there. The 951 is a neutrally balanced RWD sports car that would easily beat a 911 SC, or even a later 911, around a track without breaking a sweat. How is that not a true driver's car?

Though you will get a biased opinion on this board, and though you're brother will no doubt be happy with either choice, I say go with the 951. While both have their positive points, the 911 forcing you to learn to drive it better, and the 951 for being a neutral, forgiving handler (and track prep'ed!), the 951 is the better choice in my eyes. When learning to drive it, it won't bite you in the ***, and it will prove to be a contender to many other cars on the track while doing so

Ken

I think the already installed safety equipment on the 951 is a plus. Just make sure all the work that was done was done right.

Peckster

Wih a reasoned approach like that, I guess he must own one. Strange it isn't in his sig.

if you use your car as a daily driver or for trips on top of the occasional track day (how many of us do more?), the 951 is no contest.

FSAEracer03

Amen to that, Peckster! It's amazing with proofs and arguments like his that we ALL don't own one and just petition John D. to close the Turbo forum all together!

Awoir

Go with the 951. It already has the safety stuff for the DE's in it, so you won't have to buy those for the 911. Also he can start on the track on his own level and build himself up awhile without putting another penny into the car (except for gas...). With the SC he would be able to get the feel of it, then mod it, and have to get the feel back, then mod it again etc. I think the 951 is just a better all around idea.

seb928s

It's just up to the person what you like. They both shouldn't cost more then 1500$ to run each year. One you it will be 700 the other 2300 just depends. Less to worry about on the 911 as it is a simple design and has a timing chain instead of the belt on the 951. Also both cars are easy to work on so most of the work could be done by you. You have to keep in mind the 911 engine is in the rear and some parts are hard to get to so the engine comes out but it's no big deal. The 911 SC still has some room back there to not remove the engine doing work on it unlike the later 911(993,996 and even the 964). Just depends on how you want to drive the car both are great cars and both will do good around the track. The 951 easier to drive and has more power and easier to mod. Now the 911 cost more to mod and you won't get cheap and easy power out of them and they are harder to drive but more fun IMOH for me I'm still kicking myself for not buying an 911SC when I had to money for it I would have had the 951 and the SC. Just check them both out drive them and see what you like better. It's your car and you are going to drive it not one of us so choose what you like better and feel better driving. Rule out the speed of the 951 and just pick on which style of driving you like. Either way good luck with your future buy