2000wrx

well now that my lil subaru has been totaled by a kind SUV driver I am looking for a new car.

I am thinking about a Porsche as I have been a fan since childhood. I am also a boost addict. I love the potential of the 951 but do have some concern about the reliability and cost of ownership.

Which made me look at the 968, I like the lines, and many of the upgrades, but the lack of power is a big issue for me. If adding a turbo was less complex the 968 would fit the bill easy...

Thanks in advance for your feed back.



PS: Lag is not an issue for me... thats why you have a gearbox

333pg333

You've pretty much stated the conundrum facing all of us. We are all boost addicts in this part of the forum. In terms of practicality and reliability and lack of $ input, then the 968 is a no brainer. My suggestion is no matter what you do, don't go for a ride in an even mildly sorted 951 or else it's game over in so many ways...ask us how we know...
I like your logic re lag and agree with you.

88BlueTSiQuest

Given the DOHC and extra bits necessary for the timing belt change on the 968. Wouldn't the maintenance on the 951 actually be cheaper?

I know the 951 ends up costing us more to own, but thats largely due to the fact that we 951 owners can't leave well enough alone.

shiners780

Truer words have never been spoken.

2000wrx

hehehe I keep telling myself that I could live with a 968, with the addition of 35-40HP through bolt-ons.... but deep down (okay not so deep) I know that the bug will bite 37 seconds after the first drive and i'll want BOOST!!

I just worry about a 20+ year old turbo car and the cost of maint? On the other hand I have read plenty of threads about this and the vast majority have little to no reliability issues.

UUUUG what to do!!!


Thanks for putting up with me.

reno928s

The cars are very reliable, the problem is finding a mechanic that is able to work on the car and actually knows what he is doing. Reno

ebs

No sports car is made as well as a Porsche and no one knows more about turbo charging than Porsche. I know these are big claims, but I don't think too many knowledgeable people would argue. The key is to buy one that is in good condition and has been looked after.

danny951

I'll always have that 968 bug as well. Something about the fact that hardly nobody has them in this area. I see 944 (turbo and non) probably 10 times more than I see a 968, and that's saying something because I maybe see a 944 once a month (except mine of course). I just need to have both!

500

If you really want to tinker for more power, than the 968 is not the car for you. They are great cars, I've had the fortune to drive two, but they really are what they are. Drive one and if you are happy, than think of buying it for what it is, not what it might be. Coming out of my daily WRX, I knew the 968 was not quite as fast on paper, but the low end torque really was nice.

I suspect that much of the 951's percieved lower reliability is due to either lack of proper maintenance or too much tuning and modding by people who think they have a little more knowledge than they really do. If you do buy a 951, the best car is an unmolested, well-cared for STOCK example. You probably should only consider buying a modded car in a stituation where you know, IN DETAIL, what was done and who did it and are confident that it was done right.

SoloRacer

Before we all start blowing sunshine up the guys rear let's try and be honest, eh? Remember he's coming from a WRX. Any Porsche is going to cost more to keep. Here is what he should know:

1) Get a good mechanic. You are going to need one. The 951 will require maintenance and if not properly done you will find yourself at the bottom of a big money pit.

2) Clutch jobs are around $3000. Turbo swaps are 18 hours in labor alone. Not something you see on most imports.

3) Turbo kits for the 951 will run around $2000 - $4000. I come from the import world too and parts are much, much cheaper for the japanese cars. For example, I just bought coil overs for my 968 for $3000 and that is just the basic entry level ones (KW V3's). For my RX7 I can get a set of Tein's for $1500.

4) If you are looking for a drag racer look elsewhere. These cars do not make good drag racers. Two members with highly modified 951's - probably some of the highest modified ones here - ran in the 12's. Development cost to get there would have been really high if you paid someone to do it. I don't know of anyone who is in the 10's or 11's with a 951. But I do know tons who are in the 10's with Supra's. RX7's, WRX's, 300 ZX's, etc. Realistically 400 rwhp is probably the most you should expect from doing a big turbo swap. Anything more than that will require cubic dollars. I can make 400 rwhp in my sleep with my RX7 - you can even get close to those numbers on the stock twins. I also believe the same is true for the WRX STi.

5) The 951 loses the cost vs. power potential argument every time when compared to more modern cars. You will spend 3-4 times more getting a 951 up to 450 rwhp than you would on most turbocharged Japanese or Domestic cars. It's really quite frustrating.

I love my car but I can say from experience that it is no where as cheap and no where as reliable as a WRX. If your main concern is money and reliability look elsewhere. 99% of the car world knows the 951 is cheap to buy but not cheap to own. Especially if you start modifying one.

For those reading who are wondering why I'm being so negative or brutally honest I would like to say I wish someone had told me the same things when I first got my car. I probably would have still bought it but at least I would have been prepared for the costs.

SoloRacer

Getting 35-40 hp on a 968 through bolt on's is generous. Reality is closer to 1/2 of those numbers. There really isn't much you can do to the car.

ehall

once you start modifying things, all bets are off.
Stock to stock they are both very reliable.

333pg333

I would agree with Solo and just add one thing. If you thought you were really going to hang onto this potential purchase for life or a good portion of it, then it makes more sense. If, on the other hand, you forsee keeping it for a few years and moving on, then don't bother. Unless you can find a really good example that has been sorted out and you can verify it's history, then you will get way more bang for buck with a Jap car. They won't last nearly as long as the Porsche but will be WAY cheaper to own, modify, and repair. If you want something, that if cared for properly, will give you many years of enjoyment then consider the 951. As I said, if you get in one that is mildly sorted, you will quite likely buy it. They punch way above their weight on the road and on medium to high speed turns they really shine, but not for traffic light kids.

jmporsche944

I had a 200k mile 951 running 20psi on the ORIGIONAL head gasket, i didn't ever have to put a dime in the car.

My current car, which was very well sorted when I bought it, I have put 8k in in two years just in maintenance.

It really depends on the car IMO

George D

The 968 cars are fairly reliable. I have friends with them, and they are great cars and had decent performance for their time. Handling is awesome. They require less maintenance than a 951 because of the turbo and it's cost of replacement. I have a retired friend that wanted a triptronic 968 coupe. I found him one for $9500 in good shape. He put about $4K in it after purchase a few years ago for brakes, belts, etc. The car has been flawless. He loves the handling and gets about 28mpg with his driving style. Most new cars will beat him from a light however on the handling is up to most new car specs.

The 968 vs stock 951 performance is about par. Something to consider with the 968 is there are some very good supercharger kits that will get you 300whp with just a bolt on kit. These cars with 300whp are really fun and quite fast. http://www.speedforceracing.com/imag.../dyno_13_1.jpg

Plan on at least $2000 per year maintaining a 951, and a little less for the 968. You may go two years on either car with just basic needs, then a $4000 bill will hit you.

You can drive a WRX for years with no issues, and when issues come up it's pocket change as compared to either the 951 or 968.

I've seen 968 supercharged cars at the track, and with a M030 setup they are quite fast. To turbo a 968 properly, you will need about $25K if you are hiring someone else to do the work. You can bolt on a turbo kit for much less, but you will have a very hard time keeping boost below the necesary 8psi for any longevity.

Good luck, just my 2cents.