Boxster or 944 turbo?

[rattlsnak]

So, if you had to pick between a boxster or a 944 turbo, what would it be?

I know about the IMS issues and such on the 986, but dont know much about the 951 models other than they haul a$$. It would be my 4th car and I only would drive it once a month or so on short jaunts to work or spirited drives and the occasional AX.

thoughts?

I was actually looking to find another project 911 and ran across some really good deals on these for 1/2 the price is the reason.

[porsche4life]

Go drive both... But I say boxster. The boxster is at least 10 years newer which will help. Its a better track platform, more HP reliably.

I love the 944 turbo, and they are a ton of fun to drive, but they have fatal flaws just like the Boxster, and you are more likely to get a problem 944 than a boxster.

I'm shopping for a new ride, and a 951 ain't on the list.

[johnsjmc]

I owned a 944 turbo new in 1986. Sold after warranty ran out. During 30,000 mi. I had 3 clutches,(chatter) About $2500 each if I recall but all warranty. A new exhaust manifold(header tubes cracked at welds) the exhaust header could have been rewelded but a new one was something like a $7000 claim and finally the cam belt broke just short of the first cam belt inspection . Porsche split that one with me because the warranty had just expired. I think that was about $2500. A couple other warranty claims but don,t recall the details.
I don,t miss it and wouldn,t buy another one.
I have no experience with the Boxster . I bought an air cooled 911 to replace the 951. First a 1986 cab and today I have a 1995 993.
Never put anything into the 86 cab other than new shocks ,pads,tires and oil changes in 50,000, clutch at 65,000.
I bought the 993 at 100k for $19000. Today with 111,000 mi it burns no oil and is apart now for it,s FIRST clutch

[VincentVega]

I only would drive it once a month

That sounds about right for a 951

[fastfredracing]

Myself? Hands down 951. I have had serious remorse for selling off my s , when I bought the 930.
I'm not sure I would say a boxster is a better track car platform. A great track car maybe, but a 944 turbo can go around the course pretty fast if it is... well, you know.
A few easy mods, and these are serious fast cars, with manners.

[Cannonball996]

if its a well taken care of 951, then its going to be more fun, but you will probably pay a little more for one. I would stay away from a cheap priced turbo. boxsters can be a lot of fun to drive too. I have owned both, and would probably go for the boxster. main reason, you can run into a lot of little problems with a 944s.

[boba]

If your find is a good condition 951 go for it. 944 is one of the best platforms, very forgiving and as you stated they are fast. There are not as many out there as the Boxster, so go for it. You can always do a Boxter later.

[Eric 951]

951 no doubt. An "S" would be even better.

[lukeh]

If you don't already have a convertible then get the Boxster.

[kach22i]

Originally Posted by rattlsnak

It would be my 4th car and I only would drive it once a month or so on short jaunts to work or spirited drives and the occasional AX.

I think a newer car would endure that sort of neglect better.

In addition, I bet you could flip the Boxster quicker should you tire of it.

[onewhippedpuppy]

Having owned both, Boxster all day long. The only edge I would give to the 951 is that it goes faster right out of the box and can easily be made to go even faster still. The mid-engined 986 is more agile, more fun to drive (my opinion of course), easier to work on, reliable, and has a flat-six so you still get the 911 engine character. They are also newer, so it is far easier to find one that hasn't been neglected. It's a real challenge to find a well-kept 951, and they are bringing better money than a few years ago.

[718]

Boxster Boxster Boxster!

If you don't think it has enough power then ruferize it, or stick on a couple of turbos.

Or just chev it.

[Nostril Cheese]

951's are such a pain to work on.

[Porsche-O-Phile]

I'd get a 951 in a heartbeat. They are easily modded to be frightfully fast. Boost is AWESOME! If you want a real thrill you can build a 2.8 or 3.0 but it is not cheap to do, just a warning. >

[Porsche-O-Phile]

They are a pita but I've heard the same about 986s

[onewhippedpuppy]

Originally Posted by Porsche-O-Phile

They are a pita but I've heard the same about 986s

I did quite a bit of work on both, I'll take the 986 all day long. It takes 10 minutes to pull off the top cover, the cover behind the seats, and the rear wheels. That gives you access to the top, front, bottom, and both sides of the motor. On the 951 you have to start removing components to get access to anything, I can probably still remove that damn airbox in my sleep.

[Brando]

That is one tough call. 951s are crazy fun but the Boxsters handle very well and have more 'modern' features.

If we're talking a turbo S, go for it. If smog exempt, have some real fun with suspension/brake upgrades and intake/turbo upgrades. It can be a reliable fast/fun car real quick.

[Nostril Cheese]

Originally Posted by Porsche-O-Phile

They are a pita but I've heard the same about 986s

Hell no. The Boxster is way easy to work on. The 944 is just a nightmare.

[Z-man]

I am selling my 944S2, if you are interested. Not a 951, but it's got more low end torque than the '44 turbos. $6k. Lots and lots of track goodies - perfect for DE's.

Want to get into a Cayman S soon.

Ping me if you are interested.

[porsche4life]

Originally Posted by onewhippedpuppy

On the 951 you have to start removing components to get access to anything, I can probably still remove that damn airbox in my sleep.

And the piping to the intercooler... and the intake.... and the crossover pipe....

I worked on a turbo ONCE and that was enough to know I wasn't interested!