951wcb

I just bought a 944 turbo the other day, clean and low mileage for $4000. Third gen iroc z and GTA's are going for around that price with lower build quality and a lot less performance. I was just wondering why we aren't up there in value with the 928s4 and 911 brethren.

manticore33

Demand. Majority of people want the common Porsche, the 911. You should also be surprised that rough 914s can command higher prices than the 951s. However, this was not always the case. As the 914 has started getting older, the largely ignored and outcast VW-Porsche car has started to gain in value. We are at a low market point for most 80's cars which are too old to be modern, and too modern to be nostalgic. But as modern cars keep pushing the "isolated computer controlled driving environment" cars like the 951 will seem really "raw" and "untamed" by comparison. This, I feel, will start attracting buyers for these old jalopies.

catamount

$4000? You either got a deal and a half or a very rough car.

I've have somewhat kept tabs on prices for 951s. They are still all over the place for good examples. But I have notice what appears to be a slight upward trend. The number of higher mileage cars in very good condition does seem to be turning upwards. It seems more and more good cars are close to at or just over $10K with excellent examples going for more. Whereas just a couple of years ago $8,500 seemed to be the common number.

divil

That is cheap. Normally a good well sorted 951 sells for twice that amount. When I was in the market (not much more than a year ago) a $4000 car was a "project" car, to put it kindly

OntarioTurbo

Having been a teen in the 70's and 80's, it always surpises me that the 914, which back then was always considered a VW/Porsche and not of true pedigree, can command more in resale than our 951's. When the 924/944 came out it seemed so much more a Porsche than the 914 (other than the boxer air cooled motor). sure we knew it had Audi/VW fingerprints on it, but it was exciting to look at, faster, handled at least as good and when the 951 came on the scene was twice the car any 914 could ever dream of being (as a complete road car).

Yet here we are with lower resale values than a little square car with a VW motor in it (excluding 914-6 of course). I strongly believe that the 944 and especially the 951 will continue to increase in value. Mine just had it's 27th birthday on July 23rd (Built July 23rd 1985) and I figure by the time it's 40 years old in 2025, I may just be able to sell it for what I have in it at that point Probably not though.

The point is my car is fun to drive and thats my bottom line. I enjoy the fact that I have to actually drive it (no nannies at all) and it still never fails to put a smile on my face. When it no longer does that, it will be time to sell. The way I figure it they were built to be driven, not garage queens anyway, so resale be damned, drive it like you stole it (to quote Clarke's)!

The 911 will always be the one and only true Porsche for a lot of folks. Not that it is right or wrong it is just so. We will never enjoy their elite status, ever. The 928 is also seen (by some) as more of a true Porsche, in that it was not originally scheduled to be a VW, although we share so many design features with them.

Bottom line: IMHO the 951 is a great car at a great price. There is no substitute!

Ronin-951

I'm not complaining, may have to buy another one someday, and it's nice that you can get one, restore it, and STILL be cheaper than any other comparable vehicle. I'm happy that the Flippers and Dealers leave us alone, ... wish LE would follow suit.

951wcb

Here are some pics of my new catch.

951wcb

I sold my supercharged G35 to get anther 951 I have been going to all kinds of car but I always find myself wanting the 951. I guess it is a habit you cant shake.



My last 951

divil

Wow that looks like a hell of a car for $4000. I can't even see any cracks in the dash! Congrats.

I am surprised to hear that. Right now I could buy 2 914s and a spare engine for about half of what I paid for my 951, without even venturing outside Kansas! Luckily, I don't have anywhere to keep another car or the time to work on it

Ky944TurboNewbie

Having a 951 as well as having a 914, I can say in a word why the resale on the good 914 is higher. RUST - My current 914 is not drivable as the rust monster has made it unsafe. It has good interior and engine, but would need a donor chassis to be cost effective to fix. A rust free project car can fetch 2k or more. A rust free driver can be 10k or more. If it has issues with rust like mine, it can hardly be given away. This is a common issue with the 914. To find one that is still solid is very rare and supply and demand run up the prices.

The 924/944/951's rarely rust unless they are in an accident. Supply of these cars is much higher. Also, in my opinion, parts and maintenance can be very expensive and will keep prices down for all but the best examples.

I also agree that the 951's aren't quite old enough to be a collectible. Maybe the next 10 years will change that.

951wcb

Yeah no cracks tears or anything. No oil leaks. I am going to do timing belts and head gasket this winter. All she needed was new tires cause of dry rot.

I have been looking at 914's and right now they are demanding a premium for a decent example. When I was younger I didn't want one, till my buddy bought a 914-6 they are fun cars and now I want.

User 52121

Back when I was in HS - there was a guy running a monthly ad in Hemmings. He was out of AZ somewhere, he had a pile of 914s (like 50 of them) "out back" and he was rebuilding them, one by one, and selling them, all for around $3k each. I recall he said they needed paint, and weren't pretty, but were rust free and roadworthy.

My dad and I were going to fly out and drive one back. Then I went and attended the Chicago Motorcycle Show... and wound spending my money buying a motorcycle instead.

The motorcycle thing certainly worked out well for me... but I still kinda kick myself for passing up on one of those 914s.

1987Porsche944WithRealLongName

I find that the 944 has a big reputation for being unreliable which scares a lot of people away. So most people who are buying a Porsche think "well if I'm going to be spending so much on an old German car why not get a 911"

jimbo1111

It's basically a hi cost vehicle to maintain. It probably will cost you three times what you payed for it in the first year. Unless you garage it and don't ever drive it.

manticore33

Truthfully, I find the 951 to be pretty cheap to maintain compared to a older modern Bimmer. However, the market's loss is our gain on the cars right now. You did an amazing job for $4k, truly amazing.