dmosites

Hey guys, I'm scoping out a 1986 951. Gave her a test drive the other day and I was hooked. Coming from a 2001 VW Jetta Wolfsburg with a comparable turbocharged four banger, the 951 definitely has a hard raw feel I'm looking for. She's in pretty good shape and looks great, though I understand the rubber timing belts on these can be nasty if they snap, and need to be replaced every 30-40k... Thing is, this guy had the belts/waterpump done 16k ago, but that was in 1997. I expect to get good info from the PPI regarding the condition of the belt among everything else - including brakes which feel soft to me, most likely since I'm used to the touchy brake-by-wire feel of my buddy's Audi.

She has a few dings and scratches, most notably behind the rear wheel well, but seems to be well taken care of, and the service records appear to be in order. 88,000 miles.

So, questions for you guys:

• First time buyer, can you recommend any good threads out there with PPI items to inspect / things to look out for
• Know any good 944 mechanics in the Long Beach area
• As far as touching up some of the dings and dents, is there anyone in the LA area you'd trust to have that done?
• The wheel well guards are blackened by dirt, is there an easy way to clean those, or just take them off?
• Any thoughts on value?
• Is there any way to get the list of options it was purchased with?

Thanks.

Some eye candy

xsboost90

-dont know anyone in LA but definitly get a ppi and new belts asap! Dealer should only be about a hundred dollars on a ppi.

nkgosselin

Those fuchs are finished the early 911 way with polished spokes. They would have originally been the matte black with polished lip.

Tay-Tay

Pelican and Clark’s Garage both have great articles on what to look for/look out for in a used 944.

Ski

Under the rear carpet section, is a white sticker with option codes. then google Porsche option codes and decipher.

SD Porsche Fan

Porsche-O-Phile lives in Long Beach. He doesn't post on Renny too much anymore. He might respond to a PM or you can probably catch him on the Pelican board.

Those polished Fuchs are NIIIIICE!

944GTR-S

I can help you, email me direct markstet@earthlink.net

Wraith1027

I just picked up one as well. I don't mean to hijack your thread but what is PPI?

JE_951

pre-purchase inspection

Wraith1027

Thanks! Guess it's a little too late for that..lol.

John Welch

I think Vision Motorsports is in Lake Forest. If that's not too far, they know 944s.

Blueman33

The most expensive and nagging repair for me is something that can slip right past you.

The rear hatches on these cars tends to separate. Repair/replace is expensive and PITA.

Look for 1. hatch that doesn't pop open easy but hangs. 2. inspect top of hatch and see if glass is leaving the frame. 3. take a thin strip of paper (or several) and close the rear hatch on it, make sure the seal is tight. the rear by the latches is the first to go. (don't let them tell you it's the rear hatch seal, it's not, it's the hatch itself)

good luck

LFA951

Before you get it, make sure you have credit and/or money in the bank and realize that this car will require a lot of attention and devotion, much like a wife, so good luck!!

Stalzie

My car had the same wheel well guards on them, all corroded/dirty/yewllowed/cracked.
Use a plastic razor blade with 3m cleaner. It worked extremely well, but took a while. Pain in the ***, but it will do the job! I put new guards on after, so they hopefully will last a while without turning bad.