Can anyone talk me out of buying a cheap 951?

MRM · 09-28-2009, 06:08 PM

Locally on Cragslist is this 944 Turbo with 150,000 or so miles for $3,300.

1987 Porsche 944 5 speed TURBO

Talked to the guy and he sounds pretty clueless but for real. Insists it's a real factory turbo. From the ad I thought it might be a regular 944 or a 944 with a fake turbo add on but it appears to be the real deal. Admits the car has not had much maintenence. Last timing belt change was ten years ago. A few dent but no rust. He says it's a strong runner and has a leather interior. I know the water pump is another issue.Anything else to watch out for?

How bad upside down can I get in a $3,000 951? I'm thinking driver's ed, auto x and fun summer car. What should I do to it if I d get it? I'm not much of a wrench, but I have some friends who are. Maybe start a DE team?

I did cross post this in the 944 turbo forum, but I know better than to ignore the combined wisom of PPOT. What could possibly go wrong?

dtw · 09-28-2009, 06:14 PM

150k poorly maintained? Should be about 500 shy of throwing a rod.

porsche4life · porsche4life's Garage

If you aren't much of a wrench stay away. I'd be all over that but I am not afraid of anything that motor can throw. Lots of little vac leaks and stuff in that that will drive you nuts.

vash · vash's Garage

do the 87's still have that ridiculous oil/coolant tank, that leaks and conveniently mixes the two into a nice brown emulsion? my friend...the genius "cash out the 401k" guy bought one, but a non turbo. brings it home looks in the oil tank...opps...works on car constantly, and is now looking for a new motor...it worked out nicely..

porsche4life · porsche4life's Garage

Its not the coolant tank. Its the seals in the oil cooler. If caught before it ****s the motor up it costs 50bucks and a Saturday.

Shaun @ Tru6 · 09-28-2009, 06:24 PM

You'll be $10K into that car within 6 miles or 6 months, whichever comes first.

porsche4life · porsche4life's Garage

Depends on what you want out of it Shaun. I would bet I could have it reliable for 5k.

Dantilla · 09-28-2009, 06:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by vash

do the 87's still have that ridiculous oil/coolant tank, that leaks and conveniently mixes the two into a nice brown emulsion?

No. None of the turbos have this system.

What could go wrong? Lotsa things, maybe everything. But this is still a good deal. Quite a car for very little cash. Plan on taking some time and money to properly sort it out.

Gogar · 09-28-2009, 06:59 PM

Here comes Legion in 3 . . . 2 . . 1 . .

onewhippedpuppy · 09-28-2009, 07:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Shaun 84 Targa

You'll be $10K into that car within 6 miles or 6 months, whichever comes first.

If you pay a mechanic, yep. If not, I think Sidney is closer. Unless you want to do a LOT of tinkering, stay away. They're great cars, but a nightmare if not taken care of.

Shaun @ Tru6 · 09-28-2009, 07:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by onewhippedpuppy

If you pay a mechanic, yep. If not, I think Sidney is closer. Unless you want to do a LOT of tinkering, stay away. They're great cars, but a nightmare if not taken care of.

Given this 951 as the project, my time (and certainly MRM's) is more valuable than a mechanic's. $10K would be money well spent compared to $5K and his time.

porsche4life · porsche4life's Garage

I hate to say it but you are wrong. Take it and fix the belts and check everything and I bet it would be fine. Shaun you just need to leave the waterpumpers alone.( Gee I think I have said that before)

Shaun @ Tru6 · 09-28-2009, 07:46 PM

LOL, it's OK Sid. My opinion is just based on shop owner experience, I'm friends with 2 local Porsche Independents. One won't even take 944s anymore.

They are nice cars when properly maintained. When a car hasn't had a belt change in 10 years, it's not really the car you shouldn't be buying, it's the owner. Given MRM's opener, what do we know about this owner?

One question to ask is why would a 951 be $3000? What are your thoughts on that Sid?

porsche4life · porsche4life's Garage

That the owner doesn't care. But at that price its still a steal. Its not really that complicated of a motor in the long run.

Oh and the shop owners are shooting themselves in the foot IMHO for not dealing with 944s they aren't that complicated and there are lots of them.

dewolf · 09-28-2009, 07:54 PM

Buy it. You'd be crazy not to. Get the belts done, new filters (all of them), get the coolant system flushed and you'll be right to go. I've had three 944's, one was an 89T. Easy as pi$$ to get reliable.

serge944 · serge944's Garage

Those oil cooler seals are a PITA to replace - that was the last repair I made before I sold my old 944.

aigel · aigel's Garage

You'll spend at least as much in maintenance cost as you would on a 911 and you will still have a $4000 car when you are done. I recommend spending 10k for a 911 to get started and have a better return on your investment. Of course you also won't have to drive a front engine water cooled car.

George

nostatic · nostatic's Garage

Do you ask people here to talk you out of eating Drano too?

I mean, sure, the crystals are all nice and the little voices say it'll taste good, but what is the up-side?

Mrmerlin · 09-28-2009, 08:43 PM

I would buy a 928 and invest your time and money into it. instead of a 951.
Good deals can be found on 928s if you dont mind learning how to open a tool box and use the tools.
You would be buying a lot more car for about the same money

Arizona_928 · 09-28-2009, 09:54 PM

their's one local for 2700. it has a bad HG due to over boost.. i've considered it, but i have too much $ in my pos N/A, that it wouldn't make it worth it.

If i was you i would jump on it. Do the $1,000 or so parts to get it up to date, and just blast.
If your not mechanicly inclined, it's never too late to learn. ;]