holtzy822

I'm going to keep this pretty short, looking for a new (to me) Porsche to replace my 87 944 N/A that was my first car. I would only have about 4-5k to spend so if I could find a 986 or a 951 in that price point which would be the better of the two cars.

I LOVE my 944 but i just wish It had a bit more power, 200 would have been perfect for that car stock.

I test drove an 06 cayman S today and that's what really put the boxster into the running, I really enjoyed the cayman and thought "how much different could it be from a 986" (I'm probably VERY wrong here) anyways, I love boost like everyone else and I don't mind the maintenance of the turbo... Which is the better overall car.

John_AZ

If you bought a $4K to $5K 951 you would be working on the car and spending a lot of money to keep it up.

So I guess .....neither.

J_AZ

s14kev

Where are these mythical $4k boxsters we speak of

J Berk

To get into a decent boxster I think you'll spend more that your budget by at least 1.5x

You might find a descent 951 for $5k....but as John notes... Even that will need work.

Given your choices/budget I would go 951....cheaper parts and more conducive to DIY

Sixline

These cars are initially cheap for a reason. I paid $7.2K for my 951 and have probably another $5K into it(possibly more) and I have only owned it for around a year. Buy the best example you can find, something that was well taken care of with a history.

I would go 951 but that's just me. Boost is addicting.

Reimu

I've seen a few $5k-$6k boxsters pop up
They're the very early ones, the 200hp ones

If you're limited to $5k you're going to be dealing with problems either way

RajDatta

$5k does not buy a good Porsche, period.

holtzy822

^^not true, I bought my 944 for 1800 and have 1.2 into it, runs AMAZING never have any more issues with it. Just need to find new seats and a hatch carpet and it would be finished or close too it.

I guess forget about boxsters then (I wanted the 951 more anyways) but I've seen many people get good 951s for as low as 2500, just have to find a deal. I don't mind putting a little work into it, I'm a student with plenty of time on my hands and I LOVE to work on my 944 so yeah.

I'm not looking for a 10 car, I'm looking for like a 9 mechanically but a 5-6 interior with a decent paint job (original paint preferred). Cosmetics don't really matter to me, I just want something I can drive!

Arominus

You won't get a "9" mechanically for 2500, not unless your ungodly lucky. Keep what you have and enjoy it while you save more money. A 951 on your budget is... rough. If you must spend the money, spend it on track events for your car and really learn how to drive it. Autocross with the SCCA, DE with the PCA. The car will serve you well for that.

Also, the early boxster pales in comparison to the cayman S.

odurandina

expect to pay $15~20 k purchasing and sorting the.................




Boxster (engine out, intermediate shaft bearing/[ims] and rear main seal, H20 pump, coolant overflow tank, AOS, and more)...

avoid the 2.5 liter Boxsters.... it'll also be wise to the clutch at engine out time.



944T? oh God. you'll either bend over and take some serious beat downs or be dead by the time it's over.

Sixline

I am out of lube, you got any?

holtzy822

I said you could get a turbo for 2500, I'm looking more around 4-5... Boxster is out of the running lol I'm just gonna start searching for a turbo and keep saving until I find something worth my while. Which could be a while...

ilikemy944

I'd go 951, but I'd save a few more pennies first.
I will admit that my 951 is more fun than my Cayman S... More power too.

specsalot

Interesting question. I had a stock 97 Boxster for 5 years. Fun car, great ergonomics. Now I have an 88 951. I've had it for about 5 years now. Two totally different types of vehicles. GT car vs convertible roadster. My Boxster was about as base as you could get. The 2.5L Boxsters are under powered. My 951 for sure would out run it. It also feels like it would out break the Boxster as well.

At this point I suspect there are lots of trashed examples of both in the used market. Both cars have known issues so you have to consider what you want to tackle. On a limited budget there isn't much room for error. I opted for the 951 because I love the lines of the car. Open top motoring is also a great choice. Right now my "not start" situation is giving me a serious beat down. In either case you will be climbing a learning curve. You've got a jump if you go with the 951. Good luck

holtzy822

My 87 N/A is my first car... I just got awful sad at the thought of selling her. I've spent so much time and money working on the engine and suspension... Granted the interior is completely crap (except for the brand new dash I got off an 88 for $150) but I don't know. A friend of mine with a turbo said selling his 944 (his first car too) and buying a 951 was the best thing he ever did but I don't think I could actually sell her... I know I'll never be happy with the power from it and I absolutely hate the interior (unless I pull together the $500 for new seats) but I love it so much at the same time.... I honestly don't know what to do...