TazioNYC

Hi Everyone,

New to the forum and shopping around for a 944 Turbo, in part because I'm unable to fit into a 911 (I'm 6'6"), but think I can squeeze into the 944. Have seen a few nice ones in the $10-14K range depending on mileage and I have a few basic questions about living with these cars:

1) I've read about the expense of the timing belt/water pump maintenance -- how often is that required?
2) How long should the turbo last and how expensive are they to replace?
3) Any advice in terms of short shifter units or upgrading tires/wheels to a bigger size?
4) Any other potential problems I should be aware of? Seems in general to be a pretty bulletproff car from what I've read.

Thanks in advance.

sharky47

1. 3 years or 30,000 miles.

2. Should last many many years if cared for - decen used ones are a couple hundred, new are closer to $1k and up.

3. No advice - never have installed either.

4. Pretty much - spend the money for a well taken care of car and maintian it properly!

hpservertech

Welcome to the list!

Might want to check this one out. High miles but sounds like it has been well taken care of.
https://rennlist.com/forums/924-931-944-951-968-forum/343150-x-post-fs-87-951-5-000-a.html

apierce918

1. timing/balance shaft belts every 30-40k miles or 3-4 years, and waterpump every other TB change seems to be an accepted number by most.

2. Depends how long its been there, how hard its been used. can have them rebuilt for much less than new which can run $900 on up, but when it breaks its reason to upgrade, so just go to vitesseracing.com to see what you will really need

3. I dont think short shifters are necessary imo, Tires and wheels 17" rims are safe bet, a lot of people recommend 968 castor blocks if running 18's. and for tires, 225's up front and 255's in back are mighty fine!

4. Nothing big, they all have a bunch of quircks attributed to older vehicles, but i think being aware of the timing belt maint. is the biggest, everything else just comes by way of reading around threads here and experiencing them

welcome btw

ausgeflippt951

^^ +1 for what Sharky said about #4. Spend the extra dough for a 951 in truly good condish and then don't hesitate to spend money down the road on preventative maintenance. If you do this, they truly are bulletproof cars. If you don't take care of them they seem to have a nasty tendency to self-destruct.

not really, but you get the gist of what I'm tellin' ya!

KLR

I too would say that #4 is the key. Your price range of $10k-14k should get you a great example. This is the way to go -- spending a few thousand more up front is a much better bet than trying to make an OK car into a great one. Be sure to get a PPI on any car you are considering.

There are a few options for a short shifter if you'd like one, as well as options to take the slop out and leave the stock throw. Most wheels from later Porsches will fit an '87 or later 951, so 17" wheel upgrades or having multiple sets of wheels are a piece of cake.

yellowline

Welcome, and good luck. I think you're getting in at the right time. Turbo prices look to be on the increase, judging by the number of five-figure cars on eBay.

Either that, or they're just hopeful sellers and the market will correct for it.

jgporsche

#3. Get a kokeln short shifter....MUCH better than stock. Hardly any movement at all.

jeeper31

And get stuff powdercoated (repaying the favor)

quinnfiske

Keep in mind that these cars are 20 years old and there will be inevitable minor issues. But once you get that sorted out, they are delightful cars. I bought a 951 sight-unseen on eBay 6 years ago and have loved (almost) every mile of ownership.

Mighty Shilling

As for what people are saying about the turbochargers themselves, my stock one just blew after 65K miles. I dunno what could have caused it, but I just know I"m not happy that I've gotta replace it. But, I'm going with a new unit, which costs roughly a grand. takes away about 99% of the potential problems with a rebuilt unit (i.e. not rebuilt correctly, not balanced, etc. etc.) or so I've been told. true, new parts can fail too... this I know... but I digress.

I'd owned a 924S for 5 years before getting into the turbo, and hot damn, it's an amazing car. looks great, runs like a bat outa hell, still turns heads 20 years later, and the raw feeling of boost is just amazing, in a car with street manners for when you're not laying on the throttle... they're a hoot. go for it, but learn to do your own work if you don't know how to do it now. these cars are not unreliable, they're just STRICT as hell with the preventative maintinance, and if you don't follow it, they punish you.

Mighty Shilling

as per what sharky said about the timing belt/water pump, the belt is 3 years, 30K. water pump is 6 years 60K. Belt rollers are to be done w/ the water pump.

VA951

What they said, and I fit in mine just fine and I am 6'5".

Tom R.

Have you considered an S2? My 951 is worked and my S2 is stock so a comparison is hard to make, but my S2 is a much better street car than the 951 IMHO.

There are a few S2s available in the NYC area.

TazioNYC

Thanks so much for all of your help. I'm looking forward to getting out there and checking out some cars. Any advice on what to look for while evaluating/driving an example?

How fast is it? I've owned a 93 300ZX with very heavy mods and a Subaru WRX STi -- I'm guessing it's somewhere in the middle. Where does the turbo spool up?

Thanks.