911 bs 951?

[mhpd31]

Hello, I need some Porsche advice. When I was a kid I had a 924 (most comfortable car I ever had), then a little over a year ago I bought a beautiful one owner garage kept 951 with 70,000 original miles. Great car and after the 300 rwhp kit from Lindsey it was a very fast car. I spent 6 months working on the car (myself so I could learn), and I made it perfect, then.......my home burnt down, I lost the 951 (and everything else I ever owned). Insurance covered most of it, but as my vehicles were paid for, I had liability only (mistake) so they were not. The reason I tell this story is, as painful as it was to lose a car I was having a love affair with, I am now moving on and looking for another, but I am torn between another 951 and a 911. I see a lot of pros and cons on both sides. first: speed, I am an absolute speed freak, this car has to be faster than what I had, but as I have not fully recovered financially my funds are limited ($15,000.00 would be the absolute limit) so I know the late model turbo monster 911's are out. I here everyone say that any 911 is faster than a 951, but I look at the horsepower numbers, and wonder how?? Most that I have found in my price range have been 76 - 80 NA's, can they even come close to a 300 hp 951? Second: I am a big guy 6 foot seven 285lbs. to many's surprise though I fit quite well in the 951 (except for that darn fixed steering wheel was a bit tight). will I fit as well in a 911?? Anyway the people on this forum were the greatest people in the world for helping me make my 951 such an absolutely wonderful car, so I am hoping you guys can help me lean to one side or the other in getting off of this fence and into another Porsche. Thanks a lot in advance, and I am open to any advice.

[84CarreraSC]

I'm a little guy, 6'3" 185, and I have a hard time finding room in my 911. Though I can take the targa top off and that helps a bit.

[Oh Haha]

Sorry to hear about your losses.

My opinon is that the 911 and 944/968 variant are totally different cars. Myself, I never cared for the 944 and have only driven 911 and 930's.

In some cases, the factory 951 WAS faster than the 911. That being said, you should try a test drive/ride in a 911 before considering a purchase. I know tall guys who fit nicely in a 911. (I'm short so I fit in pretty much everything).

You should ask yourself what you want the car for. Daily driver? Weekends? Track only?

[mhpd31]

definately a daily driver, I truly believe you should enjoy a fine car every day, not leave it in the garage. Luckily I have long windy mountain roads to drive on my way to work, so I just drive it like a track car!

[Oh Haha]

Excellent idea, my friend!!!


Like I said, get some road time in a 911 and see what you think. You don;t list yor location but I'm sure there is a Pelican nearby who would be up to giving yo a taste of the 911 experience.

If you can't stand it at all, then go get a nice 944/968.

[hrscrk]

i've owned both: 944 turbo and now an 84 911 that'll fit your budget.

totally diff cars: 944 has power but is definitely more cruiser oriented, with room for 2 sets of golf clubs

911 is smaller, noisier, handles better and you're more 'one w/the car'.

tough choice but either way you'll be a winner.

[Quicksilver]

One thing to remember is that the earlier 911s (pre 89) are less forgiving of mistakes when driven really hard.

The 911 really likes to talk to you in some detail when you are thrashing it. I personally like a car that will tell me something like, "You IDIOT..." while smacking me about the ears when I do something stupid like let off in a corner.

[Dantilla]

I used to have a 951. Great cars. Currently, I've got an early 911 for autocrossong, an early 944 road racer, and a 944S I've been using as a daily driver until it turns into another race car.

Very different cars. You better go get some seat time in a 911 before you decide what you like better. A normally-asperated 911 will not be as fast as a 300 hp 951. Not even close. It will, however, offer a unique driving experience that can't be matched by any "modern" car like a 944. Goofball handling that is a hoot once mastered, the view of the tall fenders standing proud of the low, sloping hood, the driving position, yada yada...

6' 7" may be a problem. That may eliminate the 911 right there. I had to find one with no sunroof so I could wear a helmet, and that's with racing seats.

Go drive a few. Both are great choices.

[mhpd31]

I live in Mountain Home Arkansas, and I am no stranger to driving hard and fast. I am have spent most of my driving time in american muscle cars, which I still love, but nothing beats being "one with the car" on a curvy mountain road, and yes I love to have a car talk to me, and yell at me when necessary. I must admit the 944 was the most forgiving car I ever drove, but have been told that although less forgiving the 911 handles so much better. Big question though if the 951 is faster stock? how easy (and affordable) is it to make the 911 dominate? I really like acceleration that leaves your stomach a block behind you. Also I have heard that the 911 is more dependable mechanically, is this true.


btw any 911 guys in Northern AR Southern MO, willing to school me?!



Thanks for all your responses

[Oh Haha]

It takes a bunch of bucks to get a N/A 911 to give you the kick of a muscle car. A 3.6 engine out of a 993 is a popular way to go. Again, swaps are not cheap but they are very effective.

If you want "kick you in your gut, suck the eyeballs back into your head" acceleration, you need a Turbo, or 930 as they are called.
I, too, have driven fast domestic cars on the drag strip and street. I have a friend on Pelican, wcc, to whose Turbo I was able to help him upgrade the headers and turbo this past summer. Holy crap, this thing is a rocket!!!!!!!

(As for the cost, I didn't ask although I know the parts were not free. )



As for being a DD, I think you would enjoy a N/A 911 of the late 80's(carrera) due to the better hydraulic clutch and 3.2 engine. I love my SC but for DDing, it would be too much for me.

[naparsei]

I'm 6'4" and 225# on a good day. I have two early 911s, a 997, and a 951. The 951 is a track only car, but I've driven it on the street. Without a doubt, the 951 is:
(1) if modified, faster than almost any N/A 911,
(2) better balanced

Maintenance costs are suprisingly similar IMO, although driven by different issues.

You can fit in a non-sunroof 911, with cunning work done to the seats and how they mount. TRE is working on a car for me, and it has a modified headliner, and a much lower seat (because I wanted to fit obviously, as well as allowing my 5'4" wife to drive - so I need sliders - which I DON'T have in the 951).

The 911, although IMO opinion probably not quite the "numbers" car of the 951 (my 951, new in 1987, cost the original owner $62,000 - that was every bit and then some 911 money), is more fun to drive. No turbo lag - the engine loves to run high. Due to the weight bias, you can really put the power down coming out of a turn, which is a problem in the 951 due to turbo lag (or not, depending on your left foot braking ability and what mods you've done).

The 951 is forgiving and extremely neutral. It's easy to drive. In fact, it's a lot like my Spec Miata in that sense. The 911 is more rewarding to drive, but it's harder, and it's a lot less forgiving.

911s are a bit easier to work on, IMO, because the timing belt, balance shafts, etc. aren't part of the equation, and of course you don't have the coolant based cooling system either.

They are both fantastic cars. The 911 is widely recognized as such; the 951 has a cult following, but is dismissed by many as a failure by Porsche (I would argue most haven't driven a good example).

FWIW, I'm a 911 nut, and fell into the 951 because I wanted a track only car, and had the chance to buy mine, which had been raced and set up by an SCCA national autox champion. The car was well known locally, and it was a no-brainer for someone just getting started going to track days (7 years ago). The car has been dead reliable as well.