ian

Ok folks here is the deal, I don't know what I'm going to get from the insurance company, but lets assume that it is not going to be a lot. That money is all i'm going to have to work with. What should I get.

E30 325?
914?
Subaru 2.5 RS?
300ZX non turbo?
951? (it would have to be cheap)
928? (same)
911SC (I would love one of these, but what kind of problems would I be dealing with?)

Luke

SC. just make sure it has the chain tensioner update. And listen for bad head studds (makes a "flapping" sound at full throttle)

my vote is SC all the way

The only real problem with the sc is CIS, but the 914's have CIS as well

TaboII

Anything built by Porsche!

rpm's S2

You need to be aggressive with the insurance company on the payout. They will low ball you up front. The process is a negotiation. I would use Bruce Anderson's Excellence valuation (March issue?) as a starting point for replacement cost.

As for the other, based on expected $$ ($7-10k), I would go for a E30 325is or another 951. An SC in that range would be a stretch - and besides, trying to live in the South with pre-86 911 air conditioning is not an attractive prospect.

Luke

[quote]Originally posted by rpm's S2:
<strong> pre-86 911 air conditioning is not an attractive prospect.</strong><hr></blockquote>


Well..........targa!

Tremelune

Keep your eye out for an NA--great handlers. On the other hand, you may want something that is of a completely different character. I'm always a big fan of Volkswagen, but it'd definately be step down from the 951...what you want is a step sideways...My sis got an '89 (87?) 325is with no rust, a zillion miles for about $2700. She's driven it all over the place and it's coming back east from Cali this month. Have a list of things in your head (as you do), search the Internet, but check out the local paper every day for listings. It's more important to find a car in the right shape than the right shape of car. I've always got my eyes out for 944, GTI, CJ7, MGB, BMW, and other three-character cars. They're all different, but they're all something I want to drive.

bs

my brother has a 2.5 RS and i think it's a great car... with stock suspension it may not handle as well as my car but it sure as hell is a lot more versatile. That was a great car through a couple vermont winters, a cross country trip to cali, a few off road adventures and now the streets of santa cruz. if you want a good performing, good looking, reliable car that will take you anywhere you want to go, consider the RS...

Ahmet

I (as you can see from my other replies) would recommend and personally hope you go for another 951. You can make everything just as you want it, I'm sure you've learned something from owning one, and modifying like you did to make your next car better. I've only got around $5k including mods in my car. It's not anywhere nearly as well sorted out as yours was, and that was one gorgeous car. One of my personal favorites. I'd hate to loose an enthusiast like you from our crowd, especially who lives in this state aside from all the other things I mentioned.

Again, I'm very sorry to see your car in that shape. Maybe a ride in my cheap 951 can sway you towards a 944 turbo (if it makes it there! ), even if not just mine seeing all the other 951s will effect you a bit I'm sure (and I hope). Make the next one even better, I hope you do. Take care, and good luck on the insurance settlement, don't settle for cheap!
Ahmet

Mark Parker

Ian. If I recall your last thread you thought you would probably be getting @ $7K as a settlement for your car. I watch eBay pretty regularly, and it looks like you should be able to pick up an 86,7 NA for that kind of money. It will definetly be a step down from what you've lost, but it's still a 944. I'm one of those freaky people who like the 914, maybe just because it is so homely, but they are notorious rustbuckets, and they got that VW stigma thing goin' on But like you I think they have a lot of potential for modification. Best of luck to you a on whatever you decide.

Tremelune

944's a "poor man's" Porsche, anyway, right? I have no problem with 914s--hell, the top even comes off. There are 914-6's that pull 911s on the track all day.

Tom R.

DUDE:
WAKE UP!!!!
Insurance is suppsed to pay to replacement value NOT WHOLESALE less your deductible for the car.

Look at the CPIvalueguide numbers i gave you. If you have 15k invested, and can show 5k in receipts, it's gonna be hard to get less than 13k.

It's a game you are gonna have to play. tell them to find a replacement for you. insist they find a replacement for you. when they see that kelley and edmunds are worthless guides the $ will come in.

Trust me, I've done this for myself and others with success.

and for only $99 ill send you my video free with no obligation.....

I just got a friend an additional4k for his 10 yr old chevy van that was stolen.

steve g

Top 10 List for Ian

1. Buy my 87 924S and drive that to keep from getting P car withdrawal until you get/build the car of your dreams.

2. Buy the black '90 944S2 Cabriolet in Hawaii with 63K miles for $11500 - yeah its on cars.com.

3. Buy a BMW E30 cabriolet or an M3 as a 'spring and fall' car when you need to take 3 friends for a 'sporting ride'. (We found a mint '92 325IC with 34K miles in February and its been a blast as an alternate vehicle)

4. Depending on the severity of your winter weather - get yourself an inexpensive front wheel drive car to get around when you dont want to take the other vehicle. In our family we have a 92 Saab and a 92 Camry that are great just for that purpose.

5. Find another 944 Turbo - you do know very well what to look for and how much everything costs.

6. Find a 87 - 89 911. IMHO these are the most classic looking 911 model with the G50 trans and those cool big bumpers.

7. Buy a Vintage Spyder for $20K and you can look like James Dean.

8. Buy a Vintage Spyder for $20K and you can look like Jerry Seinfeld.

9. Get a new Civic or Accord that you can drive when your not driving your sports car...with low financing and youll have a monthly payment for 4 years.

10. Put the insurance money into the new P car whatever it will be.

There is no substitute!

Water Coolers Forever!

Ken D

Hey Ian,

I'm new to the site (recent member), but...Really sorry for your loss. Even more sorry you're not in the Boston area so I can buy you that beer. Trust Tom R, I fought my ins. co to get every penny out of my old Jetta GLX which had lots of recent repairs prior to its untimely demise. Definitely show those receipts.
Comments on your list: E30s are nice. Get a 3xxIS model if you can. There's a sweet ('73?) 914 for sale in this month's issue of Excellence for $5K with rebuilt motor. It's in Cali though. You can get in on the cheap end of a 951 however. Best of luck with whatever you do...

--Ken

Jason_86_951

Get out your boxing gloves and go to town on your insurance company <img src="graemlins/cussing.gif" border="0" alt="[grrrrrrr]" /> , don't let them low-ball you. Your rates are going to go up no matter what so get as mch as you can out of them first!!

Oh... Buy another 951!!!!!!!!!!!!! <img src="graemlins/beerchug.gif" border="0" alt="[cheers]" />

THE Mike D.

Well my 85.5 NA is for sale. I want 3000 for it but since yours was charbroiled I'll take 2500, if your interested. See I'm one of those freaky 914 guys that's building a monster 914 with a 2.0S motor from a 911. Give me a call or drop me a note.

Mike D.
<a href="http://members.rennlist.com/madmike" target="_blank">85.5 944NA LM6Y</a>
508-943-5467