First 951 purchase - would YOU buy this car? HELP!
01-12-2003 | 08:49 PM
#1
Thread Starter
Three Wheelin'
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 1,306
Likes: 0
From: So Cal
First 951 purchase - would YOU buy this car? HELP!
Hello gang!
Yes, I am a proverbial "newbie" to the Rennlist! I come from the watercooled VW camp (2 GTis, a Jetta, 3 Corrados). Anyhow, I am shopping for my first 951 and I found one I am considering. However, being that I have never owned one before, I am certain I don't know exactly what to look for, so I need your advice!
Today I went and test-drove the car in question. Please read my review, and leave feedback telling me what you think about the car. Would you buy it? Why or why not? Thanks gang!
THE CAR: She is a silver '86 951 with 165,000 miles; Fuchs alloys. Supposedly chipped, but that's about it. Some suspension mods as well (strut brace, sway bars, and I think springs too). Asking price is 5800, but I was planning to offer around 4200 (see the rest of my post). This car will be my weekend car, so I plan to keep the mileage tame. It will not be a daily driver. I also plan to do minor/moderate work myself.
DRIVING IMPRESSIONS/RUNNING CONDITION: Started up easily, no smoke. Oil pressure was around 5 bar when driving. No clutch noise, pedal was firm and I didn't notice any slippage. Lifers ticked audibly (seemed to be more than just injector pulse to me). Suspension was very solid, no play in the control arms and no rattles/noises. Boost reached 1.65-1.75 bar. This car is supposedly chipped, although it really didn't feel very fast to me. I dunno, maybe I'm just used to my Corrado...I don't have any 951 experience to draw from. Engine ran well overall, seemed OK to me.
THE GOOD:
New rear tires
Solid suspension
Clutch seems OK
Paint fairly clean
THE BAD:
Almost no service records
Clutch mileage unknown
Waterpump mileage unknown
Timing belt is due for a change
Drivers door handle does not work
A/C does not blow cold
Sunroof motor is dead
THE UGLY:
Dent in rear; missing center tail light panel (see pic)
Some paint flaking off bottom of front fascia
Dashboard is "warped" where it meets the windshield; it's wavy and lifting up (see pic)
Tear in driver's seat bottom (see pic)
Center armrest is missing, there's a piece of wood sitting there instead (see pic...?!?!)
Dent, close shot...
<img src="http://pic5.picturetrail.com/VOL92/800229/1569075/18385104.jpg" alt=" - " />
Interior with custom oak arm rest-lol! (what goes there, anyway?!)...
<img src="http://pic5.picturetrail.com/VOL92/800229/1569075/18384937.jpg" alt=" - " />
Dash peeling up from base of windshield...
<img src="http://pic5.picturetrail.com/VOL92/800229/1569075/18384949.jpg" alt=" - " />
Driver's seat and half of my passenger for the test drive...
<img src="http://pic5.picturetrail.com/VOL92/800229/1569075/18384960.jpg" alt=" - " />
Front view...
<img src="http://pic5.picturetrail.com/VOL92/800229/1569075/18384969.jpg" alt=" - " />
Side view...
<img src="http://pic5.picturetrail.com/VOL92/800229/1569075/18385124.jpg" alt=" - " />
Motor...
<img src="http://pic5.picturetrail.com/VOL92/800229/1569075/18384974.jpg" alt=" - " />
Well guys, sorry for the long post...but what do you think?? Would you buy her? If so, how much would you offer? Please leave feedback. I'm very confused and I'm not sure what to do. Thanks!!! <img border="0" alt="[thumbsup]" title="" src="graemlins/bigok.gif" />
Yes, I am a proverbial "newbie" to the Rennlist! I come from the watercooled VW camp (2 GTis, a Jetta, 3 Corrados). Anyhow, I am shopping for my first 951 and I found one I am considering. However, being that I have never owned one before, I am certain I don't know exactly what to look for, so I need your advice!
Today I went and test-drove the car in question. Please read my review, and leave feedback telling me what you think about the car. Would you buy it? Why or why not? Thanks gang!
THE CAR: She is a silver '86 951 with 165,000 miles; Fuchs alloys. Supposedly chipped, but that's about it. Some suspension mods as well (strut brace, sway bars, and I think springs too). Asking price is 5800, but I was planning to offer around 4200 (see the rest of my post). This car will be my weekend car, so I plan to keep the mileage tame. It will not be a daily driver. I also plan to do minor/moderate work myself.
DRIVING IMPRESSIONS/RUNNING CONDITION: Started up easily, no smoke. Oil pressure was around 5 bar when driving. No clutch noise, pedal was firm and I didn't notice any slippage. Lifers ticked audibly (seemed to be more than just injector pulse to me). Suspension was very solid, no play in the control arms and no rattles/noises. Boost reached 1.65-1.75 bar. This car is supposedly chipped, although it really didn't feel very fast to me. I dunno, maybe I'm just used to my Corrado...I don't have any 951 experience to draw from. Engine ran well overall, seemed OK to me.
THE GOOD:
New rear tires
Solid suspension
Clutch seems OK
Paint fairly clean
THE BAD:
Almost no service records
Clutch mileage unknown
Waterpump mileage unknown
Timing belt is due for a change
Drivers door handle does not work
A/C does not blow cold
Sunroof motor is dead
THE UGLY:
Dent in rear; missing center tail light panel (see pic)
Some paint flaking off bottom of front fascia
Dashboard is "warped" where it meets the windshield; it's wavy and lifting up (see pic)
Tear in driver's seat bottom (see pic)
Center armrest is missing, there's a piece of wood sitting there instead (see pic...?!?!)
Dent, close shot...
<img src="http://pic5.picturetrail.com/VOL92/800229/1569075/18385104.jpg" alt=" - " />
Interior with custom oak arm rest-lol! (what goes there, anyway?!)...
<img src="http://pic5.picturetrail.com/VOL92/800229/1569075/18384937.jpg" alt=" - " />
Dash peeling up from base of windshield...
<img src="http://pic5.picturetrail.com/VOL92/800229/1569075/18384949.jpg" alt=" - " />
Driver's seat and half of my passenger for the test drive...
<img src="http://pic5.picturetrail.com/VOL92/800229/1569075/18384960.jpg" alt=" - " />
Front view...
<img src="http://pic5.picturetrail.com/VOL92/800229/1569075/18384969.jpg" alt=" - " />
Side view...
<img src="http://pic5.picturetrail.com/VOL92/800229/1569075/18385124.jpg" alt=" - " />
Motor...
<img src="http://pic5.picturetrail.com/VOL92/800229/1569075/18384974.jpg" alt=" - " />
Well guys, sorry for the long post...but what do you think?? Would you buy her? If so, how much would you offer? Please leave feedback. I'm very confused and I'm not sure what to do. Thanks!!! <img border="0" alt="[thumbsup]" title="" src="graemlins/bigok.gif" />
01-12-2003 | 09:00 PM
#3
Race Car
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 4,844
Likes: 0
From: Salem, OR (this place is a sh!t hole)
Perhaps a track car?
Really, I'm also looking at a turbo and that one would make me shy away. I have NEVER seen a dash warp like that. Body damage = $$. for that piece, your looking at some major money. No arm rest? Seems strange to me. I know the armrest "hatch" sometimes comes off, but the whole thing?! Tear in seat, not too big of a worry. It doesn't look that great, but it's not the end of the world. The number one thing that worries me though is no records. Do you know the owner? If not, I would say keep looking. you say your offer will be $4200? I wouldn't pay much more then $3800 for that. Keep looking and maby you will find a gem.
Good luck!
Really, I'm also looking at a turbo and that one would make me shy away. I have NEVER seen a dash warp like that. Body damage = $$. for that piece, your looking at some major money. No arm rest? Seems strange to me. I know the armrest "hatch" sometimes comes off, but the whole thing?! Tear in seat, not too big of a worry. It doesn't look that great, but it's not the end of the world. The number one thing that worries me though is no records. Do you know the owner? If not, I would say keep looking. you say your offer will be $4200? I wouldn't pay much more then $3800 for that. Keep looking and maby you will find a gem.
Good luck!
01-12-2003 | 09:01 PM
#4
Addict
Rennlist Member
Rennlist Member
Joined: May 2001
Posts: 7,109
Likes: 4
From: Tennessee
If you can buy for $4500 or less I think it would be a go, BUT you will have to do belts, rollers and waterpump at a minimum right away since no records, your going to spend some $ to fix up.
Good luck
Good luck
01-12-2003 | 09:06 PM
#5
Thread Starter
Three Wheelin'
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 1,306
Likes: 0
From: So Cal
Thanks so far you guys...please keep them coming!
I forgot to mention that the tranny felt solid and shifted cleanly.
The previous owner (the one who had the car BEFORE the guy who I might buy it from) is/was a PCA member, and the car has a PCA sticker on the windshield. He sold this car to the current owner about a year ago or slightly more because he was buying a house. The current owner is trying to contact the P.O. to get service records, as he was told when he bought it that there WERE records, but they were packed in boxes because of the move into the new house.
I am mainly concerned with the way it drives; I will concentrate on cosmetics when money allows. Thanks again, good advice so far!
I forgot to mention that the tranny felt solid and shifted cleanly.
The previous owner (the one who had the car BEFORE the guy who I might buy it from) is/was a PCA member, and the car has a PCA sticker on the windshield. He sold this car to the current owner about a year ago or slightly more because he was buying a house. The current owner is trying to contact the P.O. to get service records, as he was told when he bought it that there WERE records, but they were packed in boxes because of the move into the new house.
I am mainly concerned with the way it drives; I will concentrate on cosmetics when money allows. Thanks again, good advice so far!
01-12-2003 | 09:13 PM
#6
Racer
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 357
Likes: 0
From: Detroit, MI
didn't feel very fast??? A951 should pin you back pretty darn good under heavy accelaration, there may be problems with the motor or turbo that you are not aware of yet. I would do a compression test since that is easy to do, lifters ticking may mean headwork is needed or it has trouble getting oil to the top of the motor.
01-12-2003 | 09:17 PM
#7
Race Car
Joined: Aug 2001
Posts: 4,848
Likes: 0
From: Katy, TX - Texas Greaseslingers West
The "missing" tail light is an after market unit that half of us like and the other half hate. Personally, I don't like the light, but some do. If this was my car I'd move the plate back to the center when I had the tail reworked to remove the dent.
The 951 isn't getting any newer and good quality cars are getting very hard to find. Most cars will have mileage similar to what you've found. However, without records the car is suspect at best. That's not to say that I find the asking price out of line. If this is NOT your daily driver (which you said it wasn't) then this might be a good 951 to play with. If you're looking to rebuild and make a mint concours car, then don't walk but run to the nearest exit. Do not try to turn this car into something it's not. There are primo cars in the $10k to 15K range that will cost you far less than this one would run in the long run.
Just my $.02 worth (and remember you get what you pay for)! <img border="0" alt="[burnout]" title="" src="graemlins/burnout.gif" />
The 951 isn't getting any newer and good quality cars are getting very hard to find. Most cars will have mileage similar to what you've found. However, without records the car is suspect at best. That's not to say that I find the asking price out of line. If this is NOT your daily driver (which you said it wasn't) then this might be a good 951 to play with. If you're looking to rebuild and make a mint concours car, then don't walk but run to the nearest exit. Do not try to turn this car into something it's not. There are primo cars in the $10k to 15K range that will cost you far less than this one would run in the long run.
Just my $.02 worth (and remember you get what you pay for)! <img border="0" alt="[burnout]" title="" src="graemlins/burnout.gif" />
Trending Topics
01-12-2003 | 09:33 PM
#9
Drifting
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 3,053
Likes: 0
From: Canada
</font><blockquote><font size="1" face="Verdana,Tahoma,Arial,Helvetica,Geneva">quote:</font><hr /><font size="2" face="Verdana,Tahoma,Arial,Helvetica,Geneva">Originally posted by jabbadeznuts:
<strong>Perhaps a track car?
Really, I'm also looking at a turbo and that one would make me shy away. I have NEVER seen a dash warp like that. Body damage = $$. for that piece, your looking at some major money. No arm rest? Seems strange to me. I know the armrest "hatch" sometimes comes off, but the whole thing?! Tear in seat, not too big of a worry. It doesn't look that great, but it's not the end of the world. The number one thing that worries me though is no records. Do you know the owner? If not, I would say keep looking. you say your offer will be $4200? I wouldn't pay much more then $3800 for that. Keep looking and maby you will find a gem.
Good luck!</strong></font><hr /></blockquote><font size="2" face="Verdana,Tahoma,Arial,Helvetica,Geneva">I agree. I am for from pro, but I get a bad feeling about that car.
<strong>Perhaps a track car?
Really, I'm also looking at a turbo and that one would make me shy away. I have NEVER seen a dash warp like that. Body damage = $$. for that piece, your looking at some major money. No arm rest? Seems strange to me. I know the armrest "hatch" sometimes comes off, but the whole thing?! Tear in seat, not too big of a worry. It doesn't look that great, but it's not the end of the world. The number one thing that worries me though is no records. Do you know the owner? If not, I would say keep looking. you say your offer will be $4200? I wouldn't pay much more then $3800 for that. Keep looking and maby you will find a gem.
Good luck!</strong></font><hr /></blockquote><font size="2" face="Verdana,Tahoma,Arial,Helvetica,Geneva">I agree. I am for from pro, but I get a bad feeling about that car.
01-12-2003 | 09:37 PM
#10
Drifting
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 3,053
Likes: 0
From: Canada
This car is supposedly chipped, although it really didn't feel very fast to me. I dunno, maybe I'm just used to my Corrado...
What! that car should hand even a VR6's *** on a silver platter! If it didn't seem fast skip it for sure.
What! that car should hand even a VR6's *** on a silver platter! If it didn't seem fast skip it for sure.
01-12-2003 | 09:59 PM
#11
Addict
Rennlist Member
Rennlist Member
Joined: Dec 2001
Posts: 6,942
Likes: 5
From: Northern NJ
That car is Diamond Blue, not silver. Still, I wouldn't buy it.By the time you fix all the cosmetic stuff, and figure out why the car seemed slow and fix that, you could buy a much nicer, well taken care of turbo and have way less to do, and less of a headache!
Even at $4000, you could easily dump another $5k into it if it turns out to be a lemmon!
Move on, keep looking!
Even at $4000, you could easily dump another $5k into it if it turns out to be a lemmon!
Move on, keep looking!
01-12-2003 | 10:54 PM
#14
Addict
Rennlist Member
Rennlist Member
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 1,516
Likes: 0
From: Massachusetts
I would definately get a PPI done
If it's just going to be a weekend car, and just to drive and have fun with .. I don't know if I would even care about the damage, unless it began to bug me of course.
The armrest this is kinda weird, and you do have to question "Why?" because .. well, just because.
The dash thing is weird too ..
If it's just going to be a weekend car, and just to drive and have fun with .. I don't know if I would even care about the damage, unless it began to bug me of course.
The armrest this is kinda weird, and you do have to question "Why?" because .. well, just because.
The dash thing is weird too ..
