I came across the same choice when i graduated highschool, I thought about it a lot and well here I am. I sold a 1995 Golf although not at a loss, and after a little debt which I still have, got the 951, and have never regreted it. After owning it for almost 2 years now and many times being so so close to having to sell it, when some major work had to be done. If you do the work yourself you will save tons of money and learn a great deal about the car. I say go for it! and have fun chanses are if you are going to college, study hard and are not a complete idiot you will get a good job and be able to pay off the car eventually. Most importantly you'll learn what a trully good car is. Ohh and when you get it post pictures. =)

 

If remember correclty from when I was looking around for a 951, you can find some around New York starting at $6000, which isn't too bad. If you have $7000 - $9000 to spend you can get a really nice one.

Also, I'm 24, and I pay about $1300 for insurance (Geico), but my car has ABS, alarm, and dual air bags. You might want to take those things into acount when looking at cars. ABS and airbags lower insurance rates considerably I think, and you can always put an alarm in.

 

I would have to say that it sounds like an S2 would be a better daily driver. I bought my 951 my first year in college with a loan (since I didn't have to take any out for school), and since the end of March when I purchased it, I have had to put about $3000 into maintenance. Almost every penny I make has gone toward the car since March, however I am still completely satisfied that I have the privilege of owning a Porsche. It is definately worth it.

 

Hehe, looks like we are voting pro Porsche. In my experience (Owning a 88 n/a and a 86 951) I can't see having any other type of car. I have fallen in love with 4 cylinder Porsches and can't see myself having anything else for quite some time. I am about to begin my sophomore year at the university of oklahoma and the 951 is a great college car and is reliable considering you maintain it. About 1400 dollars in maintenance has gone into the car since owning it. Bought it in Nov 01 with 116000 miles from the original owner for 7900. Imaculate inside and out with original paint and absolutely no dash cracks and all records from day 1. The maintenance has all been mandatory stuff... timing belt, rollers, motor mounts done two days ago... and it has been an absolute blast.

One word of caution though, you may get addicted to caring for it and it might start to take all the free time that you have just to make sure it has the cleanest interior and the newest coat of wax... Go Porsche!

 

OK now here's voice of reason speaking Sounds like you've spent many thousands on your Integra with relatively much less left over to play with. Your integra is already paid for and modded as far as you could take. Starting all over again will probably take more money then keeping your current car. No doubt about it you will enjoy the 944 immensely. In your case it might take a little bit of a blood sacrifice. So the question is how bad do you want it?...only you can decide for yourself

 

Keeping the integra would be a better investment if you put the money towards a house. Buying the 944 though would be more fun. I personally would go the house route. Once you graduate from college, I bet that it would be a great feeling to know that four years of your mortgage were off by other people.