Res Ipsa

Hi there,
I posted this in the classified section as well so don’t hate me if this is the wrong place to put a “Porsche Wanted” sign. I am a student looking for a well maintained 944 Turbo, 944S or 944S2 in the great lakes region, within 8 hours drive from Buffalo NY, say from DC to Chicago to Nashville and Toronto of course. Candidate vehicle must be rust free and have record of recent (within 40,000 mile) timing belt change. I would prefer a car with fewer than 125,000 documented miles and a clutch replacement in the past 60,000 miles. I will pay for a PPI at the nearest Porsche dealership to the vehicle’s location.
I am willing to pay NADA value for the car and would prefer to buy from a private owner (preferably a fellow PCA member), but may consider a dealer if he has maintenance records for the vehicle.
Please e-mail me with information and photos.
Thank you.

BoostGuy951

Do not buy a 944s or s2 until you have driven a turbo. I think one drive in a turbo will make you fall in love, and not even consider an NA 944. I had to learn this the hard way, my first car was a 89 944 2.7

icat

Well, first off, for the car you're describing forget NADA value. The prices in NADA are not real world. Second, rust will not be an issue unless the car has been repaired at some point in it's life. Recent belt change is NOT 40,000 miles - that's 5,000 miles AFTER you should have changed the belt. Ditto with the clutch - expect 60k from a clutch without a problem - anything you get after that is gravy. Expect a well cared for example of a 951 (regardless of year) to run you between $10k and $15k. A 944S will run less, but the S2 will cost you about as much as the 951.

Dan Gallagher

i have a car on long island meeting all those requirements but it is a n/a ;/

Res Ipsa

NADA retail still better than Trade in Value and buy selling me the car cash I can assure you your 951 would be going to a loving home. I have seen 944 Turbo's for sale at NADA Value say, $7,500 for an 86' Turbo (Auto Trader, this list's classifieds, etc.) but none in the great lakes area/mid west. I understand you should change the timing belt every 30,000 to 36,000 miles and I would. I just see timing belt replacement as indicative of the type of service the car has received over its lifetime.
I understand a “perfect” late model 951 would sell for more than NADA; I am not looking for a concourse car obviously. I fully intend to drive the car through Buffalo winters (with weekly super kiss washes from Delta Sonic of course).
As for the 944S, I have seen LOTS of these for less than $6,000, once again just not in my area. Please don’t judge me too harshly just because I want a Porsche and have limited finances. If I had $15,000 I would be shopping for a 968, If I had $20,000 for a 911 Carrera, for $25,000 an early Turbo Carrera, etc. I just can’t see making payments on a car with no warranty that is 15+ years old. Just my opinion.

icat

I think the point your missing is that "trade in value" isn't a number you can go by. These are collector cars and are seldom if ever "traded-in". The only time you'll see a 944 on a car lot is if it has been auctioned off. There are, and there will be exceptions, but for the most part these cars are sold by individual owners to other enthusiasts.

Not "judging" you at all - my apologies if I came across that way. Just wanted to make sure you understand the market for the cars. As you have seen, and as I mentioned, the 944S is the least expensive of the cars you listed. It has a disadvantage in that it's just as expensive to fix, but doesn't share the "look" of the 951 and S2 - both of which have the turbo nose and rear valance. What ever you wind up buying, make sure you save enough to have the belts changed as soon as it's home (unless you have verifiable proof that the work has been done and when). Lots of horror stories on the web of guys who picked up a 944 and then tossed a belt within the first month of ownership.

Peckster

Theae cars tend to sell for more in Canada, but here's the Toronto PCA classifieds with a newly listed 951 at what seems to be a good price.

Check it out:

<a href="http://www.pcaucr.org/pcaucr/discussion.nsf/Classified" target="_blank">http://www.pcaucr.org/pcaucr/discussion.nsf/Classified</a>

clubracer6

What kind of price range are you trying to stay with in?

Res Ipsa

Well, I need to stay under $10,000 (inc tax) because that’s all I have. I am looking for something as close to original as possible, original wheels, stereo, etc. The fewer the modifications the better (in my opinion).

highboost951

I have a friend in Chicago selling his '86 951, burgandy w/ black interior. IFC sideskirts, fresh paint w/ in the last 2 years, fresh rod bearings, t-belt, clutch, and headgasket/rebuilt cyl. head, high mileage though, 180K, $7,500 or best offer.

sschmerg

I have a clean 86 944 turbo for sale in Northern Virginia call me for more info

Brian 703 861 3000