csb5150

I am looking at 2 beauties -- a 1986 928 and 1989 951. Both have comparable miles, both are comparably priced, and both are Rennlist cars. I assume that this forum has bias, but wanted relative pros and cons and opinions. This will be my first Porsche, a weekend toy for me. Your thoughts are much appreciated.

Mongo

The 928 will last a lot longer. ENOUGH SAID

GOBOGIE

I would recommend that you drive both cars and see which one fits you better. They are really apples and oranges. One is more of a GT touring car (read - built for comfort) where as the other is a bit more for performance. Both are great cars, just find the one that is right for you.

They both have their quirks :-)

A tough yet good place to be in!

CG

95Juan

20 year old electrical problems


vs


20 year old turbocharged problems







you pick.
( i say 951........TURBO OWNS YOU!)

Tom Pultz

That's because the 928 will be sitting in the garage waiting for you to fix all the problems Those cars are a friggin nightmare of electronics and can eat you alive in costs. Not that a 951 is cheap to run... but I don't think there is anyone that would say it's on the same level of complexity as a 928, even with the turbo. My son's '89 951 has been totally reliable in the 10 years he's had it.

If you can't choose, buy both! You'll have the best and worst of both worlds.

Wade B

Have always owned 924's and 944's. 928 was always my dream car.
Eventually owned both, same years as you mentioned.

First Porsche? Weekend toy?
My vote would go to the 951.
I don't know your driving style or expectations for a Porsche, but my opinion is that most people who get a 928 as their first will end up disappointed. I still love 'em, and will most likely own another someday. But a 951 feels more nimble and sports car-like. The 928 always felt heavier and the controls felt heavier too. The car just felt more muscle car-like, with a little GT cruiser added in. That can be good or bad depending on what you want from your Porsche. When I had it I considered it my "date car" and took the turbo out for spirited drives........
That is just speaking for the driving experience. As for parts and repairs, I think most of us here will agree, if you like the car, that stuff doesn't seem to matter as much sometimes. You find a way.
Just drive 'em both, pretend it is the weekend, pay attention to what your impressions and your senses tell you, and make your decision accordingly.
And good luck with that decision!

Red1

Totally different cars. I'd say drive both and see which one suits you better.

testarossa_td

I have loved them both. So pick one and then when you have experienced enough go to the next one. Or....own both at the same time

hacker-pschorr

What?
Sure the old style fuses in the early 928's can be a pain since they corrode over time (none of mine have, but it does happen). To say a 944 is more electrically reliable than a 928 is simply not true.

Mark

I second that theory! (LOL - only hacker understands that comment from me)

928's CAN become electrical nightmares...IF you don't regularly maintain/clean the grounds and electricals....951's can be JUST as big of a nightmare if you don't properly maintain them, too.

The other 'bang' on 928's is often the fact that there is a regular $$ TB/WP replacement....(the 944/951 needs it, too!) but - having recently had to replace the clutch on my 951...well...lets just say that I could do FIVE wp/tb's on the shark with the time and $$ it cost for the '51 clutch job.

Again - it comes down to what you are looking for...they are very different animals. You also need to compare cars of basically equal condition.
A ragged out 951 vs. a good condition 928 (or Vice-versa!) is NOT a comparison you should be making.

hacker-pschorr

I MUST second this opinion

The clutch fiasco on the 944 is only offset by the fact that my OEM clutch on my 87 S lasted until 92,000 miles.

Mike1982

If they are both in good condition, I really don't think you can make a bad choice. I only have the 944/951's down well, don't know that much about 928's but both are great cars. As far as cost goes, the 928 does have the V8 but the 951 has a turbo and everything that goes with it. I would think both will cost about the same in maintence OVERALL to keep in good condition. Is it only a weekend car or do you plan to track/DE in it? Do you want to keep the car stock or maybe ungrade down the line? How much money do you want to throw at the car per year? All good question to think about before buying either of them. While the 951 is cheaper to get hp, the 928 can have more power then a 951 in TOP shape, ex. is Special Tool's car compared to the 928's that have superchargers on them with engine work, you can see the power difference. That is why I ask how much you want to spend as well. Either way, good luck and be sure to tell us which way you choose.

Mark

csb - don't know where you are at, but here's a nice (and priced to sell!) '85 located in Jacksonville, FL. http://forums.rennlist.com/rennforu...775#post2946775

I know the owner and the car. It is a BARGAIN at $7k!

M758

I have an 88 951 and my parent have a 91 928 S4.

The S4 and Turbo S are different cars. They have different feel. 928 is more comfortable and is quite fast. The 951 is more tossable and raw. However not as tossable or raw as 911 of the same era.

The 951 is happy being driven as GT car or sports car. The 928 can be driven a sports car, but is not as good as the 951 in that respsect due to it mass. However if you want GT car the 928 is great and really is as good as many modern GT cars.

The 951 feel peaky in power compared to to huge low end torque of the 5.0L V8. To be fast inthe 951 you need to use the Revs and boost. The 928 willl just seem to pull and pull, but feel "larger" in doing so.

Bottomline is each car has a different feel. I can apperciate both cars for what they are. I prefer my 944 Turbo S over my parents 91 928 S4 because it fits my deires more. That does not mean it is "better" than the 928. Really I would love to have both and would never let them sell their 928.

Oilslick964

I've had both and there is NO comparison in my opinion. 951 by a landslide. I've owned 3 928s and I hated all of them equally. Always something to be fixed...always. 951 feels faster due to the boost, it's infinately lighter and more nimble and it just doesn't break as often. If you plan on lots of long highway trips, I can see the 928 as it is a bonafide GT car but for fun factor and value per dollar, I don't know of many cars that beat a 951.