dmfclf82

Ok After 3 + months of searching I have found 3 951's that meet the criteria. Each one has both positives and negatives. I am trying to make my decision. I would love some opinions.

When I started this process I wanted to spend $7500 on a 50 to 80k mile car that was cared for by a meticulous owner. A few mods, all maint performed, minimal or no paint work, nice wheels and preferabily a S model. Well after a month of searching for this car I quicky came to the realization that my criteria would need to me modified.

This is what I have found:
Car #1 89 Turbo s red 71k boost enhancer and chip Recient records include oil changes belts 15k ago, good ppi only weeping from oil pan, a/c needs recharge, and poss motor mounts. Major downfall is a rt rear quarter repaint below average. $11,000

Car #2 89 Turbo S Beige 101k owned by PCA Member Major suspension upgrades, Authority chips, boost enhancer, chrome wheels and 17 in twists. $ grand total repaint all maintance current all records from prev owners Excellent PPI only needs rt tie rod, air filter cleaned, alignment and clock light. Every thing else works and is dry. Leak down 1%, 2% 3% 2%. $12,000

Car #3 87 Turbo white 106k Guru chip reliaboost owned by fanitical rennlister very ****. All maint and way too many upgrades and replaced parts to mention. 17 in 968 wheels new tires. only negative minor dash cracks and oil pan leak, stiff 1st to 2nd gear change when cold, oil cooler seal leak. car also in excellent cond. $8,200

What do you think? I really would prefer an S model but 10k was my max. Car 2 & 3 will need to be shiped $800 Car #1 I can fly and drive.

Thanks,
Dave
Sorry for any spelling errors My spell check did not work.

Mighty Shilling

if it's an 89,it's an S...Period... but go for an 89, they're faster and more fun!

father2nate

Well, if 10K was your max, then it looks like car #3 is the one to buy. If I were to choose, I would go for car #2, given this list. PPI looks good, and that is always a decent sign!

David Ray

IMHO #2 is the one to go with. The car appears mechnaically sound for the most part and a paint job at 3-4K will make it more valuable then it is now. Go look.

Just remember Turbo maintenance is more over all.

Brian McCoy

I think I'd choose #3 because I know what it's like to be a fanatical rennlister selling a 951 (was me a year ago) and how good the vehicles can be. But you want an S.... so the #2 looks the best of those 2.

FRporscheman

If you're thinking about #1 and #2 then I guess you don't mind going over $10k, so then I'd also say go with #2. #1 sounds good too, since it has lower mileage, but I don't know JACK about 951s other than I should never race one.

GOBOGIE

I'm biased - get #2

NeedPorscheSpeed

After considering the information you have presented, I would go with Car
#1. 30K miles less and $1K less seals the deal for me. Plus, I like red more than beige.

dmfclf82

Gobogie Why are you biased?

Thanks for your opinions. I am leaning for #2. The main drawback is that I am exceeding my budget. But I have a gut feeling that both #2 & #3 are in the best condition and maintained well.

HY M8NC

You could buy mine, hint hint. Look for the thread 88 turbo for sale-

Out of those 3, I'd buy #2.

Porsche-O-Phile

#2 sounds outstanding! With either #1 or #3 you're going to be doing some work (get used to it, it's a cost of ownership). The thing that most scares me about #1 is the "ac refrigerant low". This is typically NOT something you can address yourself - if the refrigerant is low, the system leaks and it's going to take a fair amount of work and money to fix. This is why a lot of people with "older cars" (like ours) don't have working a/c and why more still opt to delete the system. Personally I don't like that approach (I think it's a cop-out and you should try to have everything that worked when it left the factory working but that's just me). Anyway, you'll need a leak test to determine which components are bad / leaking. That should be no more than $50. You'll then need the system evacuated of any remaining refrigerant - about another $50. Now there's the parts you can do yourself and save a little $$$ - the removal and replacement of the receiver / drier (about $30 or so) and whatever is bad (hoses, compressor, evaporator, etc.) Prices vary depending on what's bad. A good compressor runs about $400-$500, a condenser about the same, an evaporator about $300-ish. Even the hoses can easily come in at about $100 each and are a BITCH to replace (ask me how I know). Once you've replaced all the faulty items you can bring it in for leak-testing and evacuation (about $50 again) and charge it (can be anywhere from $100-ish for r-134a to over $250 for r-12). Long story short, if the a/c doesn't work, expect to pay a grand to fix it and at least a couple of weekends on it to be safe.

If I were faced with this choice I'd go for #2,1,3 in that order although I think #3 is a better deal for the money. If you go for #1, I'd certainly try to get the guy to knock some $$$ off due to the a/c. Don't get taken by the "oh, it's just low on refrigerant" line - it's bunk. If it's low on refrigerant, it leaks. Period. And if it leaks it's big $$$ to fix.

The motor mounts and oil pan aren't expensive but monumentally difficult to replace. You'll have no shortage of cursing and irritation if you have to do those shortly after buying it.

dmfclf82

Porsche-o-Phile Thanks for the info. I will keep it in mind. As far as the prices, they have been negotiated. All three cars were priced $1,500 to $2,000 higher when we started talking.

gmsracing

If you can stomach the color, I would go with #2 since you want an "S." Depending on the mods, car #3 may be close to an "S" specs though. It might be a better value if you are not hung up on having a non-S. #1 & #3 both sound like they need a couple thousand put into them in order to bring them up to par. But, since you are a past 951 owner, I bet you understand that ANY 951 needs some amount of work done to them.

As a comparison, last December I bought my '86 951 for $9500. Red w/black, 86k, slight oil pan leak, perfect interior, chips, recent belts & such, Fuchs, LSD, & recent repaint. Since then I've put in about 3k in parts & maintenance. I wanted an "S' too, but I couldn't see spending almost twice as much for a comperable condition car. If any of them are in my area I'd be happy to check them out for you.

Good Luck! I'm biased towards red cars...
Rob

kinda5150

def #1 for me. the color and the miles will keep the value at a higher level than the biege. who cares if the friggin a/c doesn't work, roll down the windows for crying out loud! last time i checked, guys are taking a/c's off their car to begin with, so if it's that big-o-deal snag one from one of those guys. however, if you're just wanting to drive the snot out of it, go with #3 and save the extra $$ for the repairs you're gonna need to do anyway.

Judson951

You should just buy my car and you will not have to mess with shipping. 86 zermatt with tan int. int is a 9.5 to 10 out of 10. The outside is like an 8 out of 10. 73k on the clock. 17" turbo twist's tires more than 80% timing belts and water pump done 500 miles ago. autothority stage 2 chips. b&b exhaust. 930s steering wheel. new alpine cd player. Every record from day 1. origional window sticker.