996 vs 987 vs 951

[VirginiaF1]

Hi all..
As I see that KrazyK's recent thread "944 - Now a Classic?" was recently closed by Moderator, I tiptoe into this topic.


As tax refunds & annual bonuses have finally arrived, we are assessing investment choices between Zuffenhausen, Stuttgart and Neckarsulm...
a 1999 996; a 2006 base Cayman or a post '87 951..

We would keep the '88 944 as my DD..

So, who among us has owned/driven at least 2 of these three Pcars?
Are the driving, upkeep and ownership experiences in anyway related?

Through Cars.com, CL, Ebay & Autotrader, I am seeing :
'99 996's for like ~$15k+;
'06 987's for ~$24k;
'88 951S for ~$13k+

Admittedly these are neither garage queens nor concourse refurbs.

From the calls and emails I've made, the 996's at this price-point all need AOS/IMS/RMS work so I'll add $5,500 to their cost.

The Cayman's enjoy a low repair rate on TrueDelta but share the Boxster's manifold leaks and IMS issues as significant potential cost impacts.

Our beloved I-4 SOHC lumps seem to soldier on beyond 250k miles with only gaskets/seals, belts and fluid maintenance as cost potentials.

Did I just answer my own query from an expense standpoint?
Are the driving/ownership differences substantial?
Any thoughts/opinions appreciated..
Mike

[9FF]

Love my 996 cab, it's a tip so doesn't suffer as much from AOS/IMS/RMS "apparently" fingers crossed, touching wood. I've owned it from new with little work needed, just regular stuff. It has effortless power, it's just there when you need it with no drama. Interior is perfectly layed out, great driving position and doesn't tire you on long journeys. If you get the cab like mine, get the hardtop also, it's fully lined with a glass rear window and a perfect fit. Nobody can tell its a cab, really its a work of art.

My 951 is a totally different animal, not effortless power but just as much fun, feels more connected to the road, inspires more confidence in bends. The 951 tells you what it's doing, the 996 just does it. Both great cars.

Saying that a 944na is my daily driver and I prefer driving that on the road to both the others. It's plenty fast to get me to work, handles excellently to get me out of any situations and gas mileage is great. GL

[ernie9944]

^^ I've driven all of them,personally it will be the Cayman.But be aware that either 996 or Cayman are not easy to work one & can be very expensive to maintain both in parts & labour.As for the 951 lot of nice example around for sale & it's a car that you'll be familiar with,the draw back are their age.If I remember some of your replies you don't gather much to 968s but if I were you I'll think seriously about one,for the price of the 996 you could get a late 94/95 -968 Coupe with low mileage & parts/maintenance will be about the same as an S2.

[FrenchToast]

Originally Posted by VirginiaF1

Our beloved I-4 SOHC lumps seem to soldier on beyond 250k miles with only gaskets/seals, belts and fluid maintenance as cost potentials.

They don't make em like they used to?

Simple. What do you want?

If you want a sports car -----> 951.
Grand tourer ------> 996.
Grand tourer with sporting intentions (?) -----> 987.

If you get a 996 I would avoid the early ones. The big thing I don't like about the 986/987/981 is you can't access the engine bay in an emergency, i.e. a fire. Not easy to extinguish.

If you're thinking the 996 is a sports car, don't. Because it's not. IMO. For the 987 I can't say, but I don't think it is much better.

If you're looking for a DD, my choice would probably be a facelift 996 C4 or C4S. But, I think there are a lot better DD's out there. The 996 is a nice cruiser.

But then again, I may not be the best person to ask - the last Porsche I liked was the 980 CGT.

Take care!

[Gawernator]

996tt.

[Jrboulder]

Keep in mind the 996 is reaching that critical point, the critical point the 944 and 928 is reaching for a second time -- rubber, plastic, and every other age specific item is about at the end of the line. Brake lines, caliper seals, fuel lines, coolant lines, vacuum lines, suspension bushings, CV boots, AC stuff; they're all 14 or almost 15 years old now. It may be a modern Porsche, but it sure as hell isn't a new Porsche. It will probably be worth 10k after 5 years of DDing.


The 987c is half the age, has half the seats, has better handling, in many's eyes looks better, has similar power to weight, blah, blah, and blah. All the haters who can;t afford one will call it a Gayman. Basically everyone wants one whether they admit it or not. Unless you need the back seats or a C4 this might be a more logical step. I even came close to consolidating to one car and getting a Cayman before I bought my E. It will probably be worth low teens after 5 years of DDing.

The 951S will go up in value in the next 5 years. For years Excellence and Pano touted the 951 as a great bargain. The 951 has always represented a great value since it hit showroom floors. These days the last one is 24 years old.

If you really want to do a 944 series car why not get an S2 or 968? They are far more drivable in the real world, 11k will buy you a very nice M030 coupe (if you really want the 951S suspension), and you're already familiar with working on them. For a DD an S2 with standard suspension, heated seats, and all the other goodies commonly optioned on S2's would make a very appealing package.

[Gawernator]

Well, also, parts for the 996 and Cayman are going to be even higher in price

[Jrboulder]

Parts for the most part are cheaper for the 996 and 987c than the 944.

[Gawernator]

Maybe I was just looking at the 996 Turbo xD

[Eric_Oz_S2]

Personally, I wouldn't go for any of those unless it was simply as a daily driver. Save your pennies for a 996 gt3 - it is a much better drive than the carrera. Base caymans are nice, but somewhat underpowered as a track car. As a daily driver, I would, however, pick the cayman.

[9FF]

Parts for the most part are cheaper for the 996 and 987c than the 944.

Yes I've noticed that too. Just did an ignition service on the 996 and was very surpised to see coil packs were less than $50. Also surprised at how easy it was to service, you basically have to take the manifolds off to get to anything but it's a 10 minute job to get those off then you can access almost anything. I think we get screwed on older Porsche parts.

[mueller944s2]

If you get a 951 there are many parts that can be interchanged. You know, if you have spare stuff lying around and what not. Just makes things a little easier

[1blk968]

I'm reviving this thread from the dead, so don't carry on too much about that! In doing some thinking and researching, I came across this old thread and it got me thinking how the same question plays out seven years later. I think 951s have gone up a fair amount, 996s are starting to move up, and 987s have moved down. Though potentially any of these models could be had for around $15k, though you'd have to manage your expectations. Thoughts?

[bob deluke]

My take. I had a 1977 911S Targa for about 7 years, spent a good amount of time restoring it. Took the car apart and was impressed with the build quality. Not fast by any means but enjoyed it while I had it. Sold it for stupid high $$$, bought a ‘99 996 cab, low miles (60K). Did a few upgrades, car was pretty quick, but wasn’t crazy about interior layout and design, kinda cheap I thought. Sold it as the ims and rms we’re not done and I was concerned, so down the road it went. Bought a low mileage ‘86 951 Turbo, needed nothing. Very clean, unmolested. Gotta tell you though, not enamored with it at all. Cramped driving position, cheap plasticky knobs, grills. Hard as hell to work on. Trying to sell it and get into a newer Cayman S or Boxster S. Don’t see the fascination with the 944 variant. Just my .02 cents.

[Ernie944]

Originally Posted by bob deluke

My take. I had a 1977 911S Targa for about 7 years, spent a good amount of time restoring it. Took the car apart and was impressed with the build quality. Not fast by any means but enjoyed it while I had it. Sold it for stupid high $$$, bought a ‘99 996 cab, low miles (60K). Did a few upgrades, car was pretty quick, but wasn’t crazy about interior layout and design, kinda cheap I thought. Sold it as the ims and rms we’re not done and I was concerned, so down the road it went. Bought a low mileage ‘86 951 Turbo, needed nothing. Very clean, unmolested. Gotta tell you though, not enamored with it at all. Cramped driving position, cheap plasticky knobs, grills. Hard as hell to work on. Trying to sell it and get into a newer Cayman S or Boxster S. Don’t see the fascination with the 944 variant. Just my .02 cents.

Has mention in my previous post as Ernie 9944 ,if you find an unmolested 968 take time to go out & try it ,with a few suspension & engine mods which won't cost you a fortune...read my running post ....944 apparence...Ernie944 you migth change your mind about the 944 variant.

[1blk968]

As suggested by my user name, I had (past tense) a 968 as my first P-car. I remember when I test drove it, it seemed weighty and unresponsive at low speeds. As I owned it for several years, I fell in love with it more each time I drove it. The better I drove it, the better it got.

The 968 got totaled and I moved on to an early 986 Boxster, which I still have. Now, between the Boxster and two friends with 987 CS, I have a good amount of experience with "modern" mid-engine Porsches. They're easy to drive fast and very rewarding, and the Cayman to me is one of the beautiful cars Porsche has made.

I also have a nicely modified 951. That car is sluggish off the line and kind of ponderous in its steering and transitional response. But on a 2nd/3rd gear winding road, with the boost hitting hard and the chassis coming into its own, it is an absolutely thrilling car to me. I think they aren't at their best until they're modified.And yes, it's pretty horrible to work on!

Other than briefly driving a few 996s and 997s, I don't have experience with them, except to say that the Boxsters and Caymans I've driven feel more lively and fun. But I do want to own one!

Now that said, I often think about selling the 951 and the 986 and moving to a nice 996 or 987 CS. I just don't know if I would regret that. When it's running, which is not all the time, looking out my window and seeing my well-stanced 951 in the driveway seems like a dream, realized.

[bob deluke]

Saw your post on your n/a 944 Ernie, very nice car. For whatever reason, I just can’t warm up to my 951. Hardly drove it this summer, wife and I took a ride to Old Forge in the foothills of the Adirondacks. Nice drive, decent roads. I preferred the 996 ride and handling over the 951. So looking to sell it and move up to a newer model. Getting tired of wrenching and contorting my body under the dash or under the car to fix stuff. I do appreciate the effort and dedication you have to improve your 944.

[Ernie944]

Originally Posted by bob deluke

Saw your post on your n/a 944 Ernie, very nice car. For whatever reason, I just can’t warm up to my 951. Hardly drove it this summer, wife and I took a ride to Old Forge in the foothills of the Adirondacks. Nice drive, decent roads. I preferred the 996 ride and handling over the 951. So looking to sell it and move up to a newer model. Getting tired of wrenching and contorting my body under the dash or under the car to fix stuff. I do appreciate the effort and dedication you have to improve your 944.

Yes the 944 at some time may be awkard to work on ,whenI sold it & got the 968 there was no more wrenching & contorting involve good since my poor body was getting older lol ,whatever mods was done to it was pure pleasure & the only time I got under the dash was when I replace the OE streering wheel by a CS one....see the 968 mods on the same post .

[911tracker85]

I am about to look for a replacement for my 84 928 that I recently sold. loved the car, had it 12 yrs IIRC, and did a LOT of work to it. but time to let it go as it needs a few things and I need to thin the flock. it is a GREAT GT car and will be hard to replace.

I have an 86 951 I got several years ago as a rolling chassis project. got it built into a track car for DE/autocross. lots of mods and this past winter full rebuild on the engine. once I have the engine broken in and re-tension the TB I will put it up for sale too. too old at this point to beat the 951 on track any more. my last DE told me that. it is great track car but harsh on the street and the driving position is cramped compared to the 928.

I have not driven a 996 or Boxster, or a Cayman ... yet. in my mind a 996 C4 cab with a tiptronic sounds like it could a good replacement for the 928. we'll see.

with my other project cars gone will turn my full attention to the resto of my 78 911 SC / 930 conversion. if I live long enough to finish and to my plan it will be a monster car that I do not have the ability to track anywhere near its limits.

I miss the 85 911 targa I sold a couple years ago.

so I will be looking for a DD that does not need immediate or major work.

in addition to these P cars I plan to drive a Jag XK conv and MB SL and SLK. still thinking what other cars I may look at before I buy.

good luck on your quest.

[cfassett]

I’ve driven a few Caymans, a 996 and own a low mileage, lightly modified driver 951. If I was to sell the 951, it would be to trade for a Cayman. Cayman drives like a go cart. Very responsive, and apparently very reliable. 951 has better street feel, I think, but mine has “required” more wrenching than I imagine a Cayman needing. However, those quotes are due to my own inability to leave things as they are. When there’s been a failure of my 951, it has been due to old wiring, minus one snapping of a new timing belt.

The 996 is see as the best value of the three, as Caymans seem to have gone up a lot in 2020.

All 3 are good choices.