GRBoomer

I am in the market for a 951 and I have the chance to get a 1987 951 now, or if I wait a year I could afford a 1988 S or 1989. I looks like with the prices of the 1989s being at a premium, it would be cheaper to upgrade the '87 to '89 specs (and beyond) than buying a '89 outright.

This is a fourth car that would be used for occasional commuting in the summer and mostly pleasure driving . Perhaps racing (Auto-X and/or track) - this has yet to be determined though.

What are the advantages/dis-advantages of buying the '87 and possible upgrading versus the '89?

I am interested in:
Is it better just to keep it stock and have the extra perfromance of the '89?
The '89s are more rare, so it would be a better car long term value wise. Although I am not buying the vehical as an investment. I am buying it for fun.
Or get the '87 and upgrade wheels, Konis, brakes, and HP.
Or what the h*ll, get the d*mn car and start having fun right away and don't fret over buying an '89 for the next 365 days. Also referred to as impulse buying.

etc, etc, etc.

What are your thoughts.

Thanks.

Dave

If you want to upgrade, there's no reason to spend the extra money on an '88 S or an '89. These cars are rarer and more valuable (especially when unmolested) and I don't see a reason to pay for the upgrades that they contain, just to turn around and remove these parts for another upgrade. Save some cash on the initial purchase and spend it on the parts that YOU want to have.

If you'd rather not upgrade, the '88 S and '89 are the best bet. All the work is already done from the factory.

Sam Lin

If it'll see a serious amount of racing, I'd wait for the '89 - the stronger front spindles alone make the difference, and are difficult to find at any reasonable price to upgrade earlier cars. They also make it a direct bolt-on to upgrade to newer calipers, and the old S4 calipers bring a good amount of money when sold, so it's almost free to upgrade.

Sam

will951

I think Dave said it right.

If you're not going to upgrade...buy the 89.
If you ARE going to upgrade...there is no value in buying an 89...just get the 87 and enjoy.

My vote....get it now....you won't regret it!!

M758

I have an 88 Turbo S.
Nice car and I am keeping it stock so it good for me. I bought it rather than a non-S because that was the right car at the right time. The S was bonus. I do like the S in stock form. If I started modding it that would take away from what makes it an S.