951 0r 911? Help!

brett25 · brett25's Garage

Hi guys. Its an age old question 911 or 951.

heres the thing I definitely like the 951 heaps more than the 911 however my biggest concern is maintanence costs. I have heard from a few mechanics that these cars are real bad when it comes to maintainance. Can some of you 951 owners give me some feedback and reality check. I am not afraid to have to replace a clutch or water pump and belts as these are normal wear items. Aside from these items, whats the scoop on these cars? any feedback will be appreciated. I am looking to possibly buy the car I have looked at on monday. Also whats a good price point for these cars?
Thanks alot!!!
Brett

AaronM · 03-11-2005, 12:36 PM

First of all, tensioning the timing belt requires a $600 special tool from Porsche. So bear that in mind. The timing belt also must be replaced every 30,000 miles and tensioned at 1,000 and 15,000 miles.

The clutch replacement on an NA rivals an E-type Jaguar (and the E-type is famous for having people sell the car rather than replace the clutch), and the turbo is worse than the NA. It's not terribly hard, all-told, but it's definitely time consuming. It's not something you can do in an evening. Expect it to take a whole weekend.

Properly cared for, a 951 is a reliable car, with great power and wonderfully balanced handling. Maintenance-wise, it's fairly intensive, but not outrageous, and I don't think it would be that much different from a 911.

If you're terribly concerned about maintenance costs, you shouldn't be looking at Porsches anyway though. While they don't break down much if taken care of, they require a lot of attention given to normal maintenance and if you try to do anything on the cheap, bad things happen.

My 944 NA has been only a little more than my old Honda was (something on the order of $1,000/year in maintenance). A 951 will be slightly more.

Aaron

Moneyguy1 · 03-11-2005, 05:34 PM

Another point of view: The 911 was (and is) produced for a whole lot more years than the 944, and there are options to swap out all kinds of engines/trannies/etc. With the 951, you have NO alternative power plants available. All things considered, I would rather have the 911 as much as I like the 944/951 looks, the 911 is far more identifiable as a Porsche. Finally, I have worked on both. An air-cooled 911 powerplant is far easier to remove and replace.

As Aaron said, any Porsche can be a high maintenance car and the possible damage that can result from timing belt failure can and does make some owners paranoid.

Just my thoughts.

docsafi · 03-11-2005, 09:24 PM

I own both and the 951 costs ALOT less to maintain then my 996

Moneyguy1 · 03-11-2005, 09:47 PM

To the "purists", 996 JUST AINT LIKE THE OLD 911S....

Cheers!!

Dantilla · 03-12-2005, 07:12 AM

If you get a good one, you simply put gas in it and go.

Make sure you get a good one!

fast924S · fast924S's Garage

I would take the 951 unless the 911 was a turbo

bulachip · 03-12-2005, 10:41 AM

The bottom line is that the 951 is sexy as hell. It is much faster than any non turbo 911. To drive a 911 is a special kind of style. If you come into a turn to hot and let up at all you are done. This makes it much harder to drive, and in almost all cases barring professional 911 drivers who have driven them for years way slower in corners than even a 944na.

brett25 · brett25's Garage

thanks alot guys for your feedback. I think im going to put an offer on the 951....ill keep ya'll posted
B

mambodave · 03:44 PM

Ive had both....

The 951 is more of a daily driver...seems like the 951 cost more to maintain. But at least the AC is great in a 951 and the tranny is easier to drive for sure. A bit more comfy also.

I just sold my 911 (83 SC) and Ill have another soon.

They are SOOOOOOO different. I like different things about both.

Only way to handle it is to have both i think.

One thing though..Timimg Belt breakage with a 951 is not diff than the chain tensioners failing on a 911. So dont let that be the deciding factor...

Porsche-O-Phile · Porsche-O-Phile's Garage

951 if you want fun and bang-for-the-buck. 911 if you want collectability / value.

SidVicious · 03-14-2005, 10:10 AM

It's a very good question. I faced similar circumstances.

Had an opportunity to get a reasonably decent '87 911. Classic looks, but I didn't feel the car performed as well as a decent 951. Of course to a purist it's heresy to think that any 911 would be overshadowed by something as lowly as a 944, but that's my opinion.

To me the 80's 911s are getting kind of like old MGs or Triumphs. Yes, they were the highlight of sportscars in their day, but time has passed. To drive one now you almost take on the air of the tweed-jacket-and-pipe crowd. Whereas you can take a 951, and with some time spent under the hood, can still play on a level with much newer sportscars. I haven't had to use the excuse "well, it is sixteen years old", even though that's the truth. I have left an owner of a C5 Z06 absolutely slack-jawed. He had no idea what he was getting into - or maybe he thought he did, but he was wrong. Nice guy though.

It just seems that older 911s get rave acknowledgement from people who don't really know this brand, but if you show up in a well-sorted 951, you can truly enlighten them. I put up with the belittling from a coworker that owns an '85 911, because his 911 is FAST, don't you know, and my 944 couldn't possibly keep up. (I'm not kidding)

Ultimately, I chose a car based on how it pleases me, not on how much it impresses other people.

Moneyguy1 · 03-14-2005, 10:26 AM

And just what is wrong with tweed and pipes?

Just kidding..I am of that age group....

brett25 · brett25's Garage

Tweed and pipes. lol. I know where your going with that. Its the English country gentleman thing. Motoring the countryside with the gogles and pipe...

Porsche-O-Phile · Porsche-O-Phile's Garage

Awww darn. I thought you said "weed IN pipes". Bummer.

DannoXYZ · 03-16-2005, 01:39 PM

That could be arranged...