A few observations. I will be corrected if wrong.

The purple one say 1985. I would watch that. There was a model change @ 1985 1/2. I think it is sometimes difficult to figure out which parts you need.

The other Gray one say 1986. I belive it is also 1984 or 1985 because of the "early" interior. I would be inclined to think it has 175,000 miles, not 75k as stated. Looking at all of the items replaced (to me) does not say "babied" "showroom pristine quality". The engine does not look like 75k (to me) I would like to be the guy who sold him the tires for 2000.00 however....

This is all just my opinion and means nothing.

BUT.......If I were to buy mine all over again, I would buy one from someone on one of the user boards like Rennlist. Bought mine on Ebay...

 

The '86 in the autotrader ad is definately not an '86. Early dash and body (identifiable by the fender-mounted antenna, wheareas later cars had one imbedded in the winsheild glass), plus the photos are a little hazy- perhaps just enough to make the car look better than it really is upon closer inspection. This board is a fantastic place to gain knowledge about these cars. It seems every day I learn something new here.

 

Nabeel,

I wrote it on another thread but I'll repeat since you've replied. Would you be willing to pick me up at your nearest airport so I could drive back to North Carolina? If so, could you provide an acceptable airport in your vicinity? Thanks very much.

 

I'm sorry, I didnt realize you had posted in another thread. I just sent you a PM.

 

< biased..951!!!!

 

Darius, you de man, that reads like one scary ride.

 

Take a look at mine for sale!

http://mall.rennlist.com/scripts/fea...uery=retrieval

 

Jim you da man too..and it is a scary ride especially since I don't have LSD........carefull is the word here ..but will get a turbo S tranny .

 

GusLight,

I don't think my budget could handle the maintenance of a Turbo S!

 

MilehighRush...

Opinions on 944 vs 951 vs 944S2 will greatly vary as to real aqusition cost and maintence costs. You will get alot of opinions on this list. It would probably be a good idea to look at a few 951 and 944S2 (especially if they are local). Take a test drive and see what they are like. Your Porsche experience will be greatly influence by two things. The car you choose in terms of both type and condition and also the folks you hang with. Hanging with Rennlist is a great start so you have that covered. Before you put down you $$ look at many cars some even seemingly out of your price range. While the 2.5L NA's are great cars a certain percentage of folks buy them only to find wanting of a turbo shortly there after. Honestly the rush of the turbo is something to be hold.

944S2 make great compromise cars since they have the punch of Turbo at typically a cost level that is in between turbo's and the 2.5L 8v cars.

Personally I love my Turbo and my 944 NA's Here is why

I had a 87 924S for years. Great car as it was basiclly a 944 clothed in a 924 body. My father actually wrecked it and to Replaced it I fell in Love with a 944 Turbo S. Bought that in 1997 and still have it. It is really long story about how I have as many as I do, but what it comes down to is realizing the fun and value of these cars. I race little 131 rwhp 944 for one simple reason. It is cheap. Much cheaper than racing a turbo since I can use smaller wheels and tires, brake pads, suspension etc. Plus the limitied upgrade potential is ideal for me to not be temped to spend big bucks on more power that will just lead to more maintence. Along the way I have found the 944 NA a very simple car to work on an maintain. Much simpler than a 944 Turbo. Reason is that the turbo plumbing adds at of the time to any job and parts are in general more. I have learned to enjoy the 944 NA on the street. Sure they can be take off the line by most soccer mom's in SUV's, but that does not bother me. I love the fact that I know how to control and handle a stock 944 to limits that would make most folks mess their shorts. The way these cars handle on the street is amazing. I actually find the 944 Turbo more of chore to drive in traffic. The turbo aways wants to go go go. I never feel quite comfortable in the car unless it really moving. If I am puttering in traffic I feel the car begging me to go out and play... Think of in 5year old voice "Can Joey come out and play with me! Please Please Please Please". My NA on the other hand seems content to drive even in stop and go traffic.

I do not have an S2, but I'd gather them to be a cross between the 944 NA and the Turbo. Nice power when you want to play, but enough low end to putter in traffic if needed. That said there are many times I have come home from driving my Turbo thinking "Many if anyone really knew how much fun that car is they would make it illegal. That car is really too much fun and too powerfull for street. He He He and she's ALL mine. he he he" [walks a away with smug smrik like a cat that just caught tweetie bird!]

All...
... can you tell I LOVE these cars!

 

M758,

Fantastic post. My good friend has a NA 944 and he is highly recommending the Turbo route for the reason you said, "many people with NAs want to go Turbo after awhile." I can trust that as I am one of those people.

Having said that, there are several options that Rennlisters (Nabeel, Jurg, etc.) have given me! All nice cars and I hate to say "no thank you" to any of them! I even have a nice 928 that I've been researching:

http://home.bellsouth.net/p/s/commun...iew=thumbs&ck=

I spoke with "Jurg" this am and was impressed. That certainly seems to be an incredible example.

Nabeel sent photos to me last night and I know from posts about 944fest that people thought his car was nice as well!

Choices, choices, choices!!

I just don't want to insult anyone with a "thank you but no thank you" once I've made up my mind.

All the Way.

 

A 87+ 928 S4 with 5 speed is the only 928s I will consider (more torque, comfort, solid car feel, 316 hp, and higher top speed out of the box stock at 171 mph). The car feels very solid at 150+ but is quite heavy for tossing around. You can replace the clutch in about 3 hours with no need to remove the transmission unlike the 944/951 but the part costs more.

Get a 951 if you can work on it yourself or money for repairs like clutch etc (much harder to work on than a 928s4) but are very nimble with lots of power upgrade potential and very good handling characteristics. Low torque off the start out of the box but when it hits boost is a lot of fun.

I have never owned a 968 or S2 so I can't comment on them but the 944 n/a is a much cheaper alternative and a great overall car thats easier to work on than a 951. Power upgrades cost lots of money and you don't get too much additional HP.

Someone said it best: go drive them all and decide for yourself.

 

968
I started off looking for a 911. I was certain that was the car for me. After driving two 911's in our price rance, I reluctantly tested a 968. It was quick, had a stack of maintenance records and looked excellent. Although it has high mileage, it is now my daily driver.

 

I could find a very nice 1986-88 non-S 951 for 8k.

 

I could find a very nice 1986-88 non-S 951 for 8k.