Minty 944 or entry level 911?

[black_falcon]

I've had my 86 944 n/a for seven years now, the car is 9/10, nearly a time capsule, everything you can imagine has been sorted so it runs as nice as it looks. After seven years, I still love how it looks, but driving it doesn't quite push the same buttons it used to and I wouldn't mind trying something different. It'll be due for a major soon, and maybe shocks, so now might be a good time to get out. If I sold it, I could move up to an entry level mechanically sound $10k 911 driver, but I have real money in the car and still like it just enough that I chicken out everytime I try to put it up for sale in fear that I might really regret selling it. I know i'd love a 911, but how do I get over the attachment hurdle, and should I keep a minty 944, or move up to a less than perfect 911SC?

[equality72521]

Any reason you can't have both?

[80-911SC]

+1 both, nothing wrong with having a real PORSCHE and a 944

[black_falcon]

Originally Posted by equality72521

Any reason you can't have both?

finances, space..

[rattlsnak]

because at the end of the day, its still a 944. get the 911...

[bpotenzo]

Sell the 944 and start another project with the SC. After some investment of time and money, you will forget about the 944. The SC is an icon. Make the move.

[WPOZZZ]

I like to look at things in $$$. How much will the major service be on your 944? What will your car be worth then? What about in 3 years? Do you do your own work? I've thought about getting a 944 as a fun car, but for me, the $$$ doesn't pan out. I'm not sure about where you live, but here, we really don't have a 944 market. Most people will buy 911s and their newer variants.

[sc_rufctr]

944s are cool but the 911 is a completely different animal.

Have you driven a 911? If you drive one you'll know if it's the right car for you.
Often people coming from front engined Porsche's are disappointed when they drive a 911.

I love the way my 911 drives but it's not for everyone.

[runfaster]

Totally feel for you dude. I have a mint 89 944 and a pretty descent 86 911 and both of them are radically different but a blast to drive. You are kind of stuck in one of those situations that you will never be happy regardless of you situation. If you get rid of the 944, you will always regret it and at the same time if you don't let her go, you will always have the feeling in the back of your mind of what it would be like to have and drive a 911.

I don't know what your budget is like, but is there a way to sell the 944 and pick up a used newer model, such as a Boxster, 997, or even a Cayman. I often regret buying a 914,944 and a older 911 instead of picking up a 35K used modern Porsche. I love all of them, but at the same time they are all a PITA that require a lot of attention to keep them on the road.

As far as the 911 compared to the 944... I love the 944 but my 911 gets the most time out on the road. It is so raw that it is just a blast to drive and at the same time it still gets a lot of attention from other motorist. It is way too old to be the machine that she once was, but it is a timeless design that will look good forever...

If you cant get a nice example of a 911, I would just keep your 944 until you can afford a nice one. As with all used Porsche's, they can be expensive and a huge pain if you don't get a good one.

[dienstuhr]

Let me know where you find your "mechanically sound $10K 911."

Agree with above posters - you should drive a 911 before you pour your soul and a beautiful 944 into the search. And be prepared to spend on 911 - like they say, "every 911 is a $20K car".

Cheers

d.

[WPOZZZ]

Originally Posted by dienstuhr

Let me know where you find your "mechanically sound $10K 911."

I run into a lot of them at a friend's shop. There was an 83 sc that had @ 100k, but the car needed paint. I think that car went for $5k. There was also a granite green 86 Carrera that needed seats recovered, paint and a couple dents repaired. The car had 58k on it and also needed a new alternator, front shocks & tires. The price started at $9k and dropped to $5k if I really wanted it, but did not need anymore projects.

[Kemo]

Im jealous, an 86 Carrera with 58K on the odo for $5000. how much is shipping from Hawaii?

[racer]

Originally Posted by black_falcon

I've had my 86 944 n/a for seven years now, the car is 9/10, nearly a time capsule, everything you can imagine has been sorted so it runs as nice as it looks. After seven years, I still love how it looks, but driving it doesn't quite push the same buttons it used to and I wouldn't mind trying something different. It'll be due for a major soon, and maybe shocks, so now might be a good time to get out. If I sold it, I could move up to an entry level mechanically sound $10k 911 driver, but I have real money in the car and still like it just enough that I chicken out everytime I try to put it up for sale in fear that I might really regret selling it. I know i'd love a 911, but how do I get over the attachment hurdle, and should I keep a minty 944, or move up to a less than perfect 911SC?

Sounds like a nice car.. and it will sell for no more than $5k around here

So,, you need at least another $3-5K to get into the SC game and as diehnster points out, 911s are $20K cars.. so, do you have another $10K to spend on it over the coming years?

Where are you located? How will the car be used? Do you need AC? Coupe? Targa? etc etc.

My advice, like other say, is to drive some examples to see if they are right for you. Then.. SELL your 944 first.. and spend time looking for the right 911. Heck, even save a little more money during your search. Firgure Cost of car +15-20% extra for the quick fixes/changes/mods once you buy one.

[Por_sha911]

Originally Posted by dienstuhr

"every 911 is a $20K car"

+1
If you spend everything you get from the sale of the 944 and then the 911 needs work you will be stuck. Just read the article in the August Excellence Mag. Although I feel that there is nothing quite like a 911, I say enjoy what you have until you can afford both (or have $ saved to get a "minty" 911

[hoyabear]

Get a nicely-prepped 951! I loved mine, waaaay more fun than a 944, and a lot less cost/BS than a 930/911.

[Dixie]

I'd go with minty over entry.

If you think the "major" on the 944 is bucks, just wait until you price up-fixin' that 911...

[Christien]

I'd go with the driver SC over the mint 944 in a heartbeat. I've owned a 944 (though admittedly a ratty first generation one) and while it's a fun car, it's not a 911.

The rule that every 911 is a $20K 911 is correct, but if you're comfortable with doing so, there's no reason not to buy a driver/project 911 and drive it and fix it up over time. Just be prepared to spend $10K to get there. This is the route I've taken. I've spent about $5k or so in fixing stuff (not including upgrades and regular maintenance, just sorting out issues it had) and I've still got a few things to go, including some oil leaks which could be big $$. I've also got the original engine out for a rebuild, but swapped in another one so I could take my time and still drive the car. But I've always had the car on the road, save for the odd couple days here and there when I've had a large project on the go. But I try to save those for the winter, when it's off the road anyway.

[skinnerd]

I'd have to echo some of the comments here.
You would be lucky to find a decent 911 for $10k.
$5K? No way....you're dreaming.
You can just figure you'll be dropping another $10k into a $5k car just to get it running right....or cutting out all the rust.

Very rarely do people fall into a cheap 911 that doesn't need a lot of work.
So if you find a cheap 911 you're considering buying, I'd recommend you haul along a 911 expert....someone who can bring you back to earth.

944 vs 911
Good question.

I'd say if you're really happy with your 944, just keep it and enjoy.
And don't test drive any 911's.
Once you do, you'll fall under the spell.
There really is just nothing quite like a good running 911.
The sound of the aircooled flat six really did it for me.
I've never looked back from my 1st 914 four banger.

Good luck whatever you decide.
Truthfully, 911's are not cheap to run and maintain....in general.

[black_falcon]

Great advice so far guys. I put the 944 on craigslist for $7500/bo - a price I feel like I realistically could walk away with and be happy. The 944 market must vary, because here in the midwest the junker cars run 3-5k while the nice examples are 6-8k. Not sure how many are moving tho. I've driven quite a few 911s, some good and some bad, so I know what i'm getting into. I've tracked a few down locally that seem like solid cars with all the appropriate upgrades and just needing cosmetic TLC, but yes most of you are right in that my budget might allow me $1000-1500/year for repairs/maint and just getting into a 911 would stretch me thin for the summer. I guess we'll see what happens

[WPOZZZ]

Originally Posted by Kemo

Im jealous, an 86 Carrera with 58K on the odo for $5000. how much is shipping from Hawaii?

$1100 to the west coast. Oh yeah, it was a non-sunroof coupe, too.