Keithr726

I get the newspaper to find a 1986 944 turbo in the classified ads today. I've been thinking about upgrading to a turbo. I like this car A LOT. I don't like how the 86s don't have ABS and airbags. This is what the ad says:

"PORSCHE '86 944 Turbo 951 Guards red/black lthr interior, 5 speed, heavily optioned, New A/C, brakes, struts, rack & pinon, timming belt, maintained & serviced, all restoration & repairs done local, have all reciepts big $$$ invested will sacriffice $8,900 firm. Too much to list, MUST SELL! Fun and Reliable PCA."

I cannot stop thinking about this car but I need more influencing. I think I might be able to fetch $5,000. for my n/a with the way the market is going for perfect early 944s.

The only thing I'm afraid of is how the ad doesn't state the mileage.

ChrisJ951

I have an 86 turbo and I love it. ABS is the only thing I would want, but the airbag isn't high on my list. Ask the guy for the VIN and pull a carfax report. Also definately go test drive it. See if the odometer works, if not there is no telling how many miles are on the car. If the mileage is high you may need the turbo rebuilt. If all the paperwork matches and the car drives well then have it checked out my a local mechanic. They are lots of fun but can be costly to repair if not maintained properly. Good luck.

White Pony

I'd hit that If I had the money laying around... After a rigorous inspection...

Keithr726

Well, I went to see the car today...wow! This guy has spent close to $18,000. on the car in the last four yours and has the receipts to prove it. The car's interior looks brand new just the plastic trim that goes around the shifter is broken. It has the 16" phone dials, I think I like my 16" fuchs better. The car REALLY could use a wax. It has 118,000 miles.

I've been thinking nonstop about this car and I would like to get as much money as possible out of my 1983 944 which is described below.

-157,000 miles
-New water pump
-timming belt (belt, tensioners, idlers) done in 2004 which was 2,000 miles ago
-clutch was done in 2002
-transmission=good
-CV joints=good
-tires are Yokohoma and are in OK condition
-brakes in good condition
-Oil changed in 2005 to Mobile 1
-New Oxygen sensor
-Porsche license plate frame
-Blaupunkt Pasadena CD player in Infinity Kappa speakers
-Updated throttle cam
-New sunroof wind deflector hinges
-New hand brake
-billet aluminum handbrake cover
-billet door lock pulls
-cup holders in doors
-new battery
-new fuses
-flushed cooling system and added high performance fluid with water wetter
-New AC compressor bearing
-new radiator hoses
-sport seats from a 930
-high performance ignition coil
-Hella H4 headlights with Piaa 4000k bulbs
-new thermostat
-new headlight motor relay and boot
-new turn signal switch and windshield wiper switch
-Porsche windshield decal
-stainless door runners
-seat belt covers
-new seals on door handles and rear lock
-new radiator
-new intake boot
-K&N filter
-GT Grant steering wheel
-Bilstein shocks
-new exhaust

951Porschiste

Man, that's one clean car you've got there. Love those Fuchs! I have no idea how much it's worth, but I would say you'd fetch a premium above the average just based on its condition.

If you get the 951, just remember that they're high maintenance (ask me how I know...)

UDPride

If you could step up for $3500-4000 more it might be a good launching pad to turbodom. The difference in terms of power is like going from a Bobcat to Big Muskie. But takes more effort and money to keep Big Muskie happy.

That looks like a great NA though. Were that my car I would be more selective -- wouldnt move up for an average 951. Averages ones are a dime a dozen. The 115K miles or whatever it is wouldnt scare me. If the car looks like it was rubbed with a diaper, it probably was. Just let your mechanic confirm it. $8500 isnt gonna buy you much 951 no matter what people say on here so if the car is as straight and pristine in the areas you described it may be a good buy. A worn seat and a dash with one crack on it is a $1600 fix. Singular flaws can cost thousands. Which is why sometimes you can get lucky and not have to pay crazy money to fix seemingly small imperfections.

jgporsche

Don't worry about how much the PO spent on the car. That just shows the car needed a lot of R&R. Look into that $18,000. What was it exactly? That's what you need to find out. Like me... I spent $8,000 on performance parts for my 951 JUST in Jan '06. I can probly put in another $10,000 by the end of the year in performance parts alone. Numbers don't mean anything. GO get a PPI just in case.

You have a really nice n/a, I wouldn't want to get rid of my n/a that was that nice to buy a 951 that I always had to repair.

xsboost90

most people spend big bucks on labor--some do not. It adds up fast.

jgporsche

exactly one of the points i was trying to make. some shops charge $55 for labor and some $95. Don't be impressed by the numbers.

Gator_86_951

I think the 951 is honestly a liability to a point. If I wasn't a track junky and I really just wanted a fun little car to toss around, I would have an n/a.

Edit: The n/a will be about 500 times more reliable in the long run. The 951 can be a huge pain in the ***. But, it is a pretty cheap track car and if I ball it up, I won't really care. My 0.951 cents

Keithr726

thanks guys

ApexCars

Yeah, the 951 has some more maintainance, but have you driven it? The 911 has more expensive maintainance than a Ford Festiva too, but I don't think many of us hang out in the Festiva forums do we?

AKCJ

I'd say you already have the perfect car. It's OK to take a peek at "the other woman" but don't get too serious.

----------------
red '83 na

Opeth

I think Lart said it best, it was something along the lines of

" there are two types of people in this world: 951 owners, and lesser mere-mortals."

Keithr726

Besides the normal 944 stuff, what other stuff on the turbo should I have checked out or see if it has been replaced?