Any Porsche 951 experts here?

[speeder]

Opinions on this:

https://bringatrailer.com/listing/1989-porsche-944-turbo-12/

All I know about them is how they drove when they were new, which was freaking amazing. Even the slower 217hp ones would walk away from a new 3.2 Carrera in a drag race and destroy one on a track.

I’ve heard about maintenance headaches but it seems like one was the clutch and it’s brand new on this one. What other potential nightmares await?

Thanks.

[Racerbvd]

I have had a few, including an 88 Turbo S, belts are the big thing, along with the clutch. I switch back and forth from the Cayenne to the 968. I have been tracking 944 based cars since the80s.

[speeder]

Timing belt has just been done on it. Anything else to worry about? Any major bummers awaiting?

[legion]

As Byron said, belts and clutch are the main thing. The number 2 main bearing can starve for oil if you push it too hard before warmup, and you need to let it run for a few minutes at idle before shutting it off.

[Rtrorkt]

Water pump’ front A arms, belts, if a turbo the coolant tank and the inter cooler interface

[berettafan]

I just know you want it to be well set up.

[Arizona_928]

Originally Posted by Rtrorkt

Water pump’ front A arms, belts, if a turbo the coolant tank and the inter cooler interface

yep those Al control arms have the ball joint as non serviceable unit. I back dated my 86' 951 to steel control arms.

[scottmandue]

My experience is only with the 944 but they are well made and a hoot to drive. I would imaging with your mechanical skills you would be able to just about any work on it.

Oh and watch the fuel line, if it leaks it can dribble on the exhaust manifold with catastrophic results (ask P-O-P).

With bolt on mods you can easily get 300HP

[911boost]

Is there a receipt for the timing belt? The ad is confusing as states it was reportedly replaced in 2008.

[sc_rufctr]

I can't add anything of value but I've always wanted one of these.

Porsche 924 Carrera GT (406 total production)

[slow&rusty]

I've owned my '87 951 now for a little over three years and have been impressed with the car. I've done lots and lots of preventative maintenance that the previous owner could not have been bothered with and also added about 60-70 extra hp to make it more entertaining.

To answer your question on nightmares:
1) To change the alternator requires that the coolant be drained and it took me over 6 hours - its buried deep in the engine.
2) AC on my car has never worked and will be something I investigate this spring
3) Rear hatch, the interior lock release is finicky and I have to use the key to get it open
4) My car had stripped sunroof gears, which I fixed in a few hours

Everything else has been fine, I really enjoy driving my 951 its a blast, its aged very very well and wish I had bought one sooner.

I say go for it.
Yasin

[fastfredracing]

I don't know if I would call myself an expert, but I don't believe that there is a single bolt that I have not turned on a 951.
I like them. I really like them with a mild tune .

[javadog]

I would suggest you drive one again. I drove one when they came out and, while I chose not to buy one, I don’t remember disliking them. I drove another one 30 years later, after a number of cars had passed through my stable, and I wasn’t overly impressed.

It seems like you are determined to buy something; rather than spending time reading about them and watching videos on the Internet, start with driving as many examples as you can get your hands on. Most people that buy a car, the last thing they do is actually drive down one. I would suggest starting with the driving bit.

[onewhippedpuppy]

I agree with Fred, in my opinion the more modified they are, the worst they are. I've owned two and driven quite a few more, one of which was mild (tune, downpipe, Bilstein Sports) and one of which was crazy (standalone ECU, full exhaust, big turbo, MAF conversion, big brakes, suspension mods, etc). They are quick when stockish and can be made quite fast, but the more power you get, the more lag you get. It's full on 1980s style turbo lag too, even my lightly modified car was a 3-Mississippi car around town, which gets annoying stoplight to stoplight. Typical 1980s Porsche with a well made interior, good seats, great driving position, great manual steering, great brakes, nice ride/handling balance, fairly agile and tossable, and surprisingly practical. Also modern quality HVAC better than any 911 of the era. Everything requires disassembly to get to, but is also well made and not snap-together like most modern cars. As a child of the '80s I think they look like sex, because box-flares. With that said I agree with javadog, for me it's not a car that I lust to have another one of.

The car you linked to looks ok, but for me it's already too expensive. It needs a timing belt and water pump, TMU, accident history, cracked dash, and shows some misc wear and tear. A minty one with low miles is about a $20k car, personally I would rather spend a little more and go that route.

[LEAKYSEALS951]

My 951 burnt to a crisp, so don't take my advice about them
. replace fuel lines going over exhaust...

Driving impressions- no real torque until turbo kicks in. No soul to exhaust note. hard to work on.

Good- when turbo works right, yeehaw!!! Problem I had was that it was a second and third gear car only. First goes through turbo to quick. 4th/5th land you in jail.

But that second / third gear turbo kicking in! wow!

Would I trade in my slower 911 sc for a faster 951?

Hell no.

[porsche tech]

Lots of good advice here. I would add that when doing the timing and balance shaft belts / water pump, it's a good time to reseal the front of the engine...Balance shaft seals, crank seal and tensioner and idler rollers too. There used to be (back when I was in the business) a place to send out the aluminum control arms to have the ball joints replaced...a slightly cheaper way to go. By the way, I loved the exhaust sound on the 944T.

[speeder]

Originally Posted by javadog

I would suggest you drive one again. I drove one when they came out and, while I chose not to buy one, I don’t remember disliking them. I drove another one 30 years later, after a number of cars had passed through my stable, and I wasn’t overly impressed.

It seems like you are determined to buy something; rather than spending time reading about them and watching videos on the Internet, start with driving as many examples as you can get your hands on. Most people that buy a car, the last thing they do is actually drive down one. I would suggest starting with the driving bit.

It is not that I'm determined to buy something as much as I'm addicted to browsing BAT.

I did drive them when they were new and like the cars, great "street car" w decent ride, modern controls and appointments for the time, (compared to 911), really fantastic/predictable handling. I could see taking it to the track occasionally as well, something I really miss from previous Porsche ownership. I'm definitely in the market for a sports car but no big rush.

No matter how great they are, they do not stir my soul the way a great 911 or especially a beautiful 930 does. How much of a PIA or nightmare they are to own would totally influence my decision whether to spend some time w one.

I'm finally in a place where I can afford to buy just about any car but just cannot get with current air-cooled 911 prices. It's tough to re-enter that market when one is a 40+ year enthusiast and has a firm idea of what a nice 930 is worth. It's a mental block. If I really believed that they were going to shoot up in price more, maybe but just parking $100k+ in a toy is out. I'm not that rich.

So that's where I'm at these days.

[speeder]

Originally Posted by onewhippedpuppy

I agree with Fred, in my opinion the more modified they are, the worst they are. I've owned two and driven quite a few more, one of which was mild (tune, downpipe, Bilstein Sports) and one of which was crazy (standalone ECU, full exhaust, big turbo, MAF conversion, big brakes, suspension mods, etc). They are quick when stockish and can be made quite fast, but the more power you get, the more lag you get. It's full on 1980s style turbo lag too, even my lightly modified car was a 3-Mississippi car around town, which gets annoying stoplight to stoplight. Typical 1980s Porsche with a well made interior, good seats, great driving position, great manual steering, great brakes, nice ride/handling balance, fairly agile and tossable, and surprisingly practical. Also modern quality HVAC better than any 911 of the era. Everything requires disassembly to get to, but is also well made and not snap-together like most modern cars. As a child of the '80s I think they look like sex, because box-flares. With that said I agree with javadog, for me it's not a car that I lust to have another one of.

The car you linked to looks ok, but for me it's already too expensive. It needs a timing belt and water pump, TMU, accident history, cracked dash, and shows some misc wear and tear. A minty one with low miles is about a $20k car, personally I would rather spend a little more and go that route.

Great advice and appreciate it. My only comment is that those cars you owned had power steering, whether you realized it or not.

[porsche4life]

Just emphasizing what has already been said, that car needs fuel lines replaced ASAP.

[Scott Douglas]

My brother and his son bought a 'wrecked' 944 from Jim at EASY. They put a clutch in it, did the brakes, put new belts on/in it, plugs, added a non-wrecked fender to the front, polished it up and fixed some interior needs and put a set of seats in it too. Wheels and tires were added and all in I'd guess they're into it for less than $3500. My brother was so bitten with the 'bug' that they've since bought another one to go thru similarly to flip. My brother has been an air cooled guy for a long time but is thinking maybe a 944 would be a nice addition to his stable in the future.