jsmith831

I've never owned a 944/951 and I've been looking for a while now. I've been reading a lot, mostly Clark's garage. I have posted on here before asking for advice and I believe I need to ask for your help again.

I found an '86 951 whose odometer quit working at 139k. The owner (sounds trustworthy, owned since '87) says her and her mechanic's best estimate is that the car is at 150k. The car has been repainted and looks great. It has had a few 'dings' in the past to the exterior, but was fixed at a body shop before repaint. The interior is good except for BAD leather seats. She put cloth covers over them. She's asking $5800 but my concern is the mileage and consequential work. Most used cars I've been looking at have been under 150k. I was going to have a Porsche mechanic look at it if I like it in person.

The timing belts were replaced 7,000 miles ago. She is currently finding out exactly when the water pump was last replaced, but says it has been a while.

Is it a bad idea to begin my Porsche experience with a car at 150k? What should I expect? Would needing a water pump soon be a deal breaker?

http://imgur.com/LP2xw

Hollywood D

I wouldn't let the mileage concern you. I know there are a few guys on here with over 200k on their's.

A water pump is not a deal breaker (for me at least). You will end up replacing a lot more than that down the road anyways.

And with a little time and patience, you can recover the seats yourself. It's an easy job.

Butters944

I would skip that car. Many 944s can be found with low miles. I'd be worried about not knowing mileage. How do they even know when the belt/pump was replaced? You'll never know, and the car will always be labeled unknown mileage its whole life...

Butters944

And there you have it, both sides of looking at your situation. ^^^

Butters944

If you could get it for $5k it'd be an okay deal, I guess.

mytrplseven

Roll the dice. Every one of these really great cars have maintenance items just waiting to be revealed. It's an adventure that is liken to the movie, "Groundhog Day". You think you've progressed to being done, you wake up and you're right back there again with a socket wrench in your hand. I thought I was done (for a while) but then my front strut froze up. Here I am again with the floor jack and tools. It's just part of the adventure.

Dimitri_944

my car says 236,000 on the odometer and its odometer stopped working before i bought it. i drive the **** out of it every day(thats what its made for right) as long as you stay on top of routine maintaince then these beast will last forever!

pettybird

can you work on cars? the water pump is a Saturday and maybe part of Sunday kind of job.

$5800 for a car with a new paint job, done well, is worth the risk. I also like the long term ownership--she sounds above board. I bought my 951 from a guy who'd owned it for 16 years, and my 944S from a kid who had the car on a temp tag. Guess which one knew more about the car and its issues...

jsmith831

I'm knew to working on cars, mostly done rebuilds of motorcycles. I don't think I would be comfortable taking off the belts to get to the water pump. How much should I ask if the water pump is needing replacement?

Dimitri_944

4900-5200 i think is very reasonable

Butters944

+1

Also make sure it's a good paint job. Mine had a sh*tty maaco job that oversprayed onto door panels, side market lights, etc etc. didn't even remove the hood or mask, just shot right over

masterdave

The car sounds like its in decent shape if she has had it for that long see how much paperwork you can get. I bought all 3 of my Porsche's (924S, 944, 911SC) with over 100K on the clock (the 911 engine had be rebuilt 20K before purchase) and I have not had an issue with any of them ever. If you are willing to do the work yourself these cars are no more expensive to own than other cars. As said if you keep up on maintenance they will not give you any issues. The price sounds fair. If this is your first Porsche I will say this. At some point you just have to deal with it and buy the car. You can shop around for ever and never find what you are looking for. Every car this old has its issues that just comes with the territory. Find the one that seems to be the best with the least issues or issues you can live with and just buy it. You will not be upset with your purchase it is after all a Porsche.

Regards
Dave

ernie9468

Agree with you,she has own the car most of it life (since 87) & in order to get a 951 going that long she must have maintain it.If well maintain 150K miles is nothing to worry about,7K miles is mention since the belts were done "but how long ago?" that will have to be look at if done 4 years ago.Jsmith 831 hard to say by looking at one pics wonder if you could get some more from her exterior -front/both side/ rear -engine bay & interior.What ever no money goes on it before you get a PPI from an independant source (a good mechanic or shop that knows 951 like the back of their hand) this is a golden rule when buying any P cars & will be also serve as your bargaining power.

jsmith831

She has recently been using it everyday, so 7k miles was most likely not that long ago. Here are all the pictures I have. I can ask for more,


https://i.imgur.com/DIIbZ.jpg
https://i.imgur.com/ULUgV.jpg
https://i.imgur.com/XZhby.jpg

ernie9468

Car look pretty decent the cassette holder door is missing ( Lol which migth be consider normal on a 944 that age) try to get some engine bay pics,you'll be surprise how much peoples here you can tell you by looking at the motor (lot's of keen eyes on this forum).