joseph mitro

absolutely nothing beats the rush of a modded 944 turbo when it spools up (stock 951 doesn't give you that rush). but i would like to have a 911 turbo some day. there is more of an aftermarket for the 911 and it does have that mystique about requiring the ultimate driving ability.

that said, i think the 944 series is an all around better car. better handling and performance potential. it was just never developed like the 911.

Jaxon, i would stick with the 951 until your funds allow you to step up to 911 model with the same performance potential as your 951. then you will have a car with both great performance and great persona.

boostaholic

Having driven an '84 carrera for a while I must say they are gorgeous cars. But driving these cars you really can feel the age of their design. If you like scenic drives and the attention the car brings then it's for you. If you are looking for speed then you will be throwing money at a car that will still be slower then your 951. Anyone else notice a trend of people "graduating" from 944's to 911's only to realize they want a 951? So I say sell it, you'll get an even nicer 951 in a few years when you get bored of the 911

Stuttgart951

This topic comes up every once in awhile (only a matter of time before the 911 chaps come on over)

First ans foremost, a Porsche is a Porsche - Im not a model **** - beware anyone who is - they dont understand the cars one bit.

That said - each car has its advantages and disadvantages.

The 951 handles better, brakes better, and accelerates a hell of alot better - but its more removed from the road. It is more forgiving at the limit, the boost is addictive, and its a monster track car. You can get serious gains from minimal investment, and you can ride in a comfortable interior designed after 1960. Maintenance isnt to bad on the cars, but work in difficult. Very tight spaces, and very tight tolerences. Of course its "not a 911" but how many used Porsche buyers really buy these cars to "look good?" Not I.

The 911 (comparable years) doesnt handle quite as well, doesnt brake quiet as well, and sure as hell doesnt accelerate quite as well. BUT - you are more connected to what you are doing. Love as I might, my 951, nothing quite feels like a 911 on a twisty road - the driver/car communication is second to none. Disadvantages when compared to the 951 are a low HP/$$ ratio and its difficulty to track for a novice. That said, the 911 maintenence costs are similar - but the work itself is easier. No turbo, no intercooler, no piping. Youve got 6 pots, valves, and a drive shaft - thats about it. Wanna do some work on it? Take three hours, drop the engine, have at it.

Different drivers flock to each car. The 951 is a performance machine - the 911 is a much more "raw" car. The reasons some people like it (noisy, twitchy, edgey) are the very same reasons someone else may hate it.

Both cars are excellent driver's cars - which one is "better" is largely in the eye of the owner. <img border="0" title="" alt="[Wink]" src="wink.gif" />

YMMV

Chris_924s

Stuttgart951 you took the words outta my mouth. touche.

Jaxon

"Of course its "not a 911" but how many used Porsche buyers really buy these cars to "look good?"

Great statement! Really sums up why I drive one.

Thanks for all the replies!

Tremelune

The mystique behind a 911 isn't false, it's just overly perpetuated by elitists. 911's are cool as all hell. I love my 944, indeed even down on power from the turbos. It does everything just the way it's supposed to. It's a bombass sports car and I'm a happier person every time I drive. Looks good, sounds good, doesn't cost an arm and a leg.

But every time I sit in my dad's '86 911 and turn the key, my soul sings. $8k is a lot of scratch.

944S2NUT

</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 thom:
<strong>Btw what's wrong with VW?
They have always made quite good cars, haven't they?</strong></font><hr /></blockquote><font size="2" face="Verdana,Tahoma,Arial,Helvetica,Geneva">I think they are **** in my opinion. Look at the fox, carrado, PASSOT!Most of my buddies that own jettas all have problems one after another. They hold a ridiculously high resale value lately thats one bonus. I looked into getting a early passot and carrado one time, there were warnings about heater core exploding and causing bodily harm. Saw it on the lemonaide guide.

Altho my buddy owns agreat shop for VW upgrades if u are rich. <a href="http://www.hpamotorsport.com" target="_blank">www.hpamotorsport.com</a>

GOBOGIE

</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 Chris_924s:
<strong>Stuttgart951 you took the words outta my mouth. touche.</strong></font><hr /></blockquote><font size="2" face="Verdana,Tahoma,Arial,Helvetica,Geneva">I'll second that...

Tremelune

VWs are bullet-proof in the older Rabbit/Golf/GTI variety, and great fun to drive. GTIs are cool. Rally lights.

'86 944 turbo

What chip set do you guys suggest for my 944 turbo....

icat

If I couldn't have both, I'd keep my 951. I like the "water-boy" crowd much better! This forum is more along the lines of a 70's hot rod shop. I just don't get that feeling in the 911 corner.

trebor_quitman

Bugs, Busses, Gia's, etc... Those are what I think of when I think VW. Those cars have a connection to the road and nostalgia that the older 911's also seems to have. Not some elitist symbol. The conection between porsche and VW is what makes them desirable to me. I could go on and on about the Nostalgia thing for ever, but I'll end on this point: I love my 944 and would never sell it for a 911... especially with 8k out of pocket

AMCPILOT

Hello,

Actually I do own both an 86 951 and an 86 911. I love them both for different reasons, but to be honest, if I absolutely had to choose between the two, it would be the 951. Why? It is a more modern design, has terrific performance, gets great mileage when travelling and is also more comfortable over long trips and it is easier to haul things in.
Insurance is identical for both, so that should not be a factor. I do all the maintenance on each (on the occasions they need it) but it is true the parts tend to be more for the 911, but both are expensive compared to other cars.
To me the 911 has classic looks and gets more attention, but then again, that can be a bad part as well. In the end, however, I really like how the 951 looks.
Finally, I am in the Air Force and am currently on a short (10 month) assignment in Alabama. I decided to store one car while I took the other and I took the 951 because I really enjoy driving it. I guess this tells me which one I like the best.
If I were you, I'd keep your 951 and enjoy it, pocket the $8,000 or so the sale would cost you plus the added $2000 or so that you would probably have to put into the 911 once you got it to make it "yours", if you know what I mean. Good luck!

avainio

I love my '86 951. I drove a friend's 1970 911 (with 11K miles!) before I bought my 951. When I told him I bought a 944 Turbo, I had the feeling he thought I had less car than he did. I don't think so, I know I have one of the fastest cars around and the rush I get when the turbo spools up is fantastic every time. I personally wouldn't trade unless I could get the same performance, which would be very expensive in a 911. I did go to Park Place LTD when I was in Seattle last week, it felt pretty cool being close to 50 Porsches (but no 944's).

Arne.

joseph mitro

Arne,
i totally agree. having owned an older 911 and driven several other 911s, the 951 is SOOOO much more car!! my 911 was just a project, but the 911s that were in good shape that i have driven give you that "all car" feeling. no heating, A/C, or even comfortable seats. the later cars are certainly more refined, but as this forum generally agrees, the 951 gives you so much more performance potential.