ApexCars

Unless you don't plan on running the stock seats. I would say to look for an 87 or up with LSD becasue of the offset. Late offset makes it much easier to get larger wheels and tires. As everyone else has said, S or non-S depends on what you plan for the car. You also need to decide if you want ABS or not. I chose not because I don't really trust a 20 ABS system. (Also because the cars I liked in my price range happened to not have ABS.)

facboy

S also has slight chassis modifications. i thought the exhaust valves were also different, but it wasn't anything significant (thinner stems or something like that).

Luke

And an LSD. That right there will save you $1000.

Darwantae951

Not that I know of.

-Darwin

facboy

i dunno, a google search yields loads of references that the exhaust valves were slightly different. apparently they were '0.01 mm greater in diameter near the valve guide for improved running at full load'. whatever that means .

2000wrx

"I would say to look for an 87 or up with LSD becasue of the offset. Late offset makes it much easier to get larger wheels and tires."

^^^^^ more infor please???

SD Porsche Fan

That's what I did. If I went with a non-S all I would have wanted to do was mod it up to S level or just a bit beyond. I have pretty much everything I wanted and didn't have to fork out additional cash for mods.

333pg333

Try and figure out exactly what your intentions are with the car. That is are you going to track it, what sort of events, have you been to the track. If not go to the local car club meeting at the track and see if that's for you. If it is, then don't bother too much about the 'S' version. I bought the 'S' and have replaced all those items that I paid for in the purchase price. The wider offset may be useful, but everything else can and most likely will be replaced once you get a bit serious with tracking it. If you just want a nice hwy cruiser then the 'S' is the better of the two. Either way don't spend too much on making it go really fast before you make it stop and handle. There are improvements to be made in both those cases even for just the street.
Good luck with whatever you chose.

2000wrx

Thanks guys a lot of great info. One other question, how concerned would you be about high mileage on a car? Many of the 951's that I see for sale are over 100K miles. How do these cars hold up over time?

I know I will have to spend money on the car, and I have no issue with that, I just was wondering how hard I shoud look for a lower mile car. I plan on spending 12K-15K on a 951, less if I can find one, but I'd rather start off with a very nice car.

2bridges

for 15K you should be able to find a nice 80K ish car with all maintenance completed.

In fact I have one not really looking to sell - could posibly be persuaded... yeah I dunno. PM if real interest we'll talk

2000wrx

My finance dept (ie wife) informed me I will be buying in the spring of next year Something about, savings, and a new roof... yada yada yada...


I wanted a 911, but I know that with my current need for performance that a 951 is the smarted way to go. Maybe when I have a silly fast 951 I can get a 3.2L to putt putt around in (and keep the scooby for the snow)

2bridges

Those finance people - priorities and such - who needs a new roof so long as good roof on the garage for the 951

nitehawk951

2Bridges I love your 968 hatch. How much did that cost? And I dont think you will sell that, its way too nice.

2000wrx, I believe there was a thread about this a month ago, search apple996. There is a lot of good info there too. The best advice I can give you is what many have already stated, and for the same reasons. Decide what you want out of the car first, and what it will be intended for. Turbo S or not, the best option to me is the LSD. All the other stuff you can upgrade, and it will be fun, if you have a swiss bank account. Imho, apple996 made a mistake in his final decision. I never thought the LSD made such a difference, but it does. Find one with that, and the rest is up to you and what you want. I think the turbo S trannys had an oil cooler also, but even the regular one is great. By the way dont be terrified of mileage. Even low mileage can have its cons when it comes to these cars. Have fun and let us know what you decide. Good luck.

2bridges

THX hawk! yeah for 15K hatch and rear 16X9 wheels & LSD would not go.

I have $1,075 in hatch with paint. 1K seems to be the going rate for a complete 968 hatch

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Good LSD trans (non S) can be had for $1,000-$1,500 range. keep in mind when pricing S vs non S cars. Then you have a spare to get you by if you tear up LSD

SD Porsche Fan

Now there is someone who has their priorities straight!