944 or 951 as Daily Driver?

Eric-325I · 08-15-2006, 09:34 AM

Hello Everyone:

My 325I was destroyed and most likely totaled by a deer strike last week. Assuming it's totaled, I need to begin thinking about a new daily driver. I will use my 911 for near daily driving most of the year but need another for winter trips to work (3 miles) and other short sorties.

My first thought was another E30 or E36 Bimmer as I know the cars well and have had them for years with great luck. But the thought of a 944 has occurred to me. Assuming I do most maintenance work myself, how do you feel about the reliability of an older but well taken care of 944 or 951?

Thanks.

Eric

bearone2 · 08-15-2006, 09:40 AM

a lot of people do it.

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

944? Maybe. 951? No way in hell.

If you're going to depend on either for daily driving, make sure you have a backup car (can even be another 944).

Personally I'd opt for a BMW or older M-B - particularly a diesel if you can find one.

Tervuren · Tervuren's Garage

Both my brothers ues their 944's as daily drivers. I don't drive every day as I live in comfortable walking/jogging distance to work, otherwise, mine would be to. Just keep up with things when you can. If you do aj ob you HAVE to be there on time all week, then perhaps not the best idea.

McFly944 · McFly944's Garage

I drive a 86 n/a daily, and its fills the job just fine. My drive to and from work is about 50 miles. In the last year of it having that duty its has only suffered the trans going out and a flat tire(not bad for being a 300k mile car). Make sure to have a backup as any 20-somthing year old car will tend to have a problem from time to time.

AaronM · 08-15-2006, 10:33 AM

Daily driver? Either is fine.

Only car? I wouldn't do it.

Razorback1980 · Razorback1980's Garage

^^^What he said!

CJFusco · CJFusco's Garage

My 944 was my only car for a few years, and that caused some major problems.

I wouldn't say they are unreliable, but keep in mind that a 944 is, at best, a 16 year-old car... and might be as old as 24.

Having a 2nd car makes things much much much easier

AaronM · 08-15-2006, 02:15 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by CJFusco
My 944 was my only car for a few years, and that caused some major problems.

I wouldn't say they are unreliable, but keep in mind that a 944 is, at best, a 16 year-old car... and might be as old as 24.

Having a 2nd car makes things much much much easier

It's not just that, there are other reasons. Even as a single guy, there are lots of times when I need to drive other people around. I can fit adults into the back fo the Mustang without it being terrible (I wouldn't take a cross-country trip that way, but a 90 minute drive for an afternoon isn't a problem).

I love the 951, and it hasn't given me issues other than "routine" maintenance, but I still don't think it's practical enough to be an only car.

speedracing944 · speedracing944's Garage

I use my 83 as a everyday driver during spring summer and fall. My 944 is the cheapest car to drive out of them all when you consider the low depreciation. Mine has never left me stranded and has proven really reliable for the past 9 years and 80+K miles I have driven it. She now has 144K.

Speedy

JivenJim · 08-15-2006, 03:39 PM

I'm thinking about changing my signature to: My working car is a Honda, but I love Porschie.

UconnTim97 · UconnTim97's Garage

I use my 83 as my daily driver, but I do only live about a mile from work. Never left me stranded outside of a dead battery in the 3 years I've had it.

myskyon · 08-16-2006, 01:15 AM

my 87 modded 951 is my only daily driver and i drive 50 miles each way to and from so a total of Miles every day minimum. my car also has 200+K mikes on it. i am a boost and speed happy person. i have yet to get stranded by my car. as for problem with it shoot it leaks oil, coolant, P/S fluid, burns oil (bad turbo seals). yet it works great i just have to check my fluids every time before i start it. any who enough rambling. i would recommend the 951 over a N/A every day of the week. it just so much nicer.

Panzer909 · Panzer909's Garage

Get another E30.

The replies supporting a 944 as a daily year-round driver are from states that don't get nearly as much snow as Wisconsin! Come on now!

As a few others alluded, a 944 is still gonna require a ton of TLC as they're all getting older these days. Heck, its even been argued that a 944 upkeep can be considerably more expensive than your 911 but we won't really go there. I drove mine as a daily car for several years and am really glad I don't have to beat on that poor old thing anymore!

Eldorado · 08-16-2006, 05:02 AM

it's completely subjective. every car is different.
get a QUALITY PPI and trust the mechanic that does it...

924Sman · 08-16-2006, 06:05 AM

Living in the Midwest myself I would opt for a Bimmer. Much better in cold/snow and more reliable in the winter than a 944/951 or 9anything. Now I am not saying Porsche are not reliable in total but impractical is more appropriate. Kind of hard to enjoy a 944 in the winter unless the weather is mild. Cars break stuff in the cold and Porsche parts are not cheap.

You already have a 911 to get those hankerings out when needed and can do so on a whim and much less cost.

May need to let the other half drive in the winter for an emergency etc; I think the Bimmer is a safer call all around!

Dal

Eric-325I · 08-16-2006, 07:24 AM

Thanks for the replies, gives me much to think about.

Eric

pozican · 08-16-2006, 02:03 PM

My 944 N/A works great as a daily driver.

You just need to keep up with it

AaronM · 08-16-2006, 03:12 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by pozican
My 944 N/A works great as a daily driver.

You just need to keep up with it

As has been said, daily driver or only car? If your wife has another car, it doesn't count. I would never recommend any Porsche (aside from the SUV thingy) as an only car. There are just too many times when you need a back seat.

As the only car in the household it's a poor choice, even aside from any reliability concerns (mine have not been any less reliable than a Honda of the same age). A 2-seat coupe with no useful back seat is not a great choice for an only vehicle from a pure practicality standpoint.

pozican · 08-16-2006, 03:24 PM

Ok, well I suppose all of our expeirences are different.

Mine is my ONLY car with 208k miles on it.
Runs great. Had an issue with the AC compressor bolt. Replaced it with a 10.8 grade hardened steel, and havn't had an issue again yet.

My brother has a 97 acura integra. He burns oil. A LOT of oil. And it has left him on the side of the road more than I.

With the backseat dillio in mind. Yes, it'd be nice to have a backseat. But I went floating down a river the other day, and I could fit 2 tubes in the back hatch with my subwoofer and amp. Not saying it wasn't a tight fit. But it serves me well.

Beware of the lack of space.
I suppose if your lifestyle includes that of someone who cant fit in the backseat (booster seats don't fit, I tried) then you might want to consider a backseat.

Keep in mind.
944, 25mpg, 6k

Not too bad for the fuel economy