...thinking about selling the 951...

Kierf - ¿§? · 03-25-2002, 03:58 AM

Hmmm...my daily driver, the '79 Prelude, took a major **** this past weekend. Tomorrow, its going to a junkyard. I'm probably going to buy a '92 Prelude Si. This leaves me wondering what I should do with my 951. The belts and front seals will be replaced when I get some time. You'd think in 4 months, I'd get the time to work on it...but not really. Anyways, it'd be sold with Autothority chips, TiAL wastegate and a manual boost controller of some sorts. The stock wastegate is shot to all hell and needs to be replaced, no matter what (unless I can find a killer deal on a good workin' stock wastegate). It has 89,500 miles, black/black and is in good condition. The dash is cracked, and has a plastic dash cover on it, and thats about it. No rust (except exhaust), no accidents.

Right now, I don't have time to work on my 951, and I'd really like the extra money.

Just a guesstimate from people on here...how much do you think I could get for it? I looked on autotrader.com and saw a large price range for '87 951s...

Later on, probably within a year, I'll get another one. I know I'll have more time and money to work with...so don't count me out of the Porsche game yet.

kenny · 03-25-2002, 05:07 AM

If you do all the maintenence that you've listed I'm guessing 8-9.5 The price depends a lot on the location. There have been some guys on this list that have got some fantastic deals but generally the prices have been going up. It also depends on the location. They seem to be lower in CA where there were a lot of them sold. Here in TX I looked for four months before I flew to Denver and the finally to Kentucky to pick mine up. I couldn't find much locally. Too bad the dash is cracked -- someone needs to come up with an economic original-like replacement.

97XRAY · 97XRAY's Garage

I hesitate to praise ebay - but you could use it find out what sort of a price you can get...
my recommendation would be the following: talk it up a lot, really be obvious about how great the car would be - as if the person you're telling had no idea, then set the "reserve" price (only have to sell if bidding exceeds this price) at the minimum you would take for it - or higher.

From my experience selling a car on ebay, you need to incorporate the cost of listing with ebay, so tack on an extra $50 or $75 to your min. price - maybe like so: reserve = $9500.00, bidding starts at $3000.00. The lower the bids start, the more bidding - and remember, you don't HAVE to sell until it exceed the reserve.

Let us know if you list it so we can chuckle watching the auction - or bid against someone to help the price a bit!

todd951 · 03-25-2002, 02:39 PM

If you plan to sell it and then buy another one within a year, I'd say you should just keep it. Once you have the money to start looking for one again, it may take a long time to find one that is up to your standards. Then there are always the little unexpected things that pop up after you buy one. You'll probably lose money in the long run unless you've got lots of debt on a high interest credit card or something that you need the cash to pay off. The other reason I could see for selling it and looking for another one later is if you want to find one that's in better condition than your current one.

Kierf - ¿§? · 03-25-2002, 04:41 PM

...the thing is...I'm broke now. With the way things are going for me, in a year, I won't be broke...but now I am.

951carter · 05:16 PM

Honestly, i would advise you to keep the 951 so you will have it when you are disappointed with the prelude.
You are really going to sell a 951 to get a honda prelude? your kidding right? a friend of mine just bought the last year prelude, the special model one,sh or something. I drove it and it is ridiculous. Just another cheap, jap imitation sports car.

Kierf - ¿§? · 03-25-2002, 11:04 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Kierf - ¿§?
...the thing is...I'm broke now. With the way things are going for me, in a year, I won't be broke...but now I am.

Does everyone not understand what I already said?

Also, I'm a HUGE fan of the Honda Prelude. It is the best sport compact car. Check the signature, too.

thamlin000 · thamlin000's Garage

What happened to the 79 lude?

My first car was an maroon (later repainted red) 82 lude, I bought it for $650 back in 1996. It was a rust bucket, but made a great Hawaiian beach car. The frame rusted away so bad that the passenger door hinges couldn't hold and they broke away!!!! I ended up welding the door back on in auto tech class and my friends were forced to enter the car through the dr. door, or through the moonroof or pass. door window (Duke of Hazzard style). That car was a pandoras box of problems, but it made the perfect first car in that I'll always know what it feels like to drive a real sh'tty car, unlike those unfortunate souls who bought a 944 as their first car. I gave it away for free in 99 when I graduated from HS and took over my mom's 944.

Most of my memories of the "cherry bomb" were good and I miss it in a wierd sort of way.

951carter · 03-26-2002, 05:25 PM

I understand, but it seems to me that you could have those minor issues on your 951 fixed for much less than you could buy a 92 prelude for. I am very familiar with preludes myself, my sister used to own one as well as 2 of my friends that bought new preludes. One drove my car, sold his prelude and bought a 951, the other has his prelude for sale and is searching for a 951. The person i mentioned who just bought the new special model prelude is a girl, and not an enthusiast, so the prelude is a good match.

Kierf - ¿§? · 03-26-2002, 07:40 PM

THe '79 is done for. At 271,000 miles and with 5 owners...it finally died. It starts...thats about it. I tried to drive it around. I rolled it out of the driveway...and it didn't make enough power to get back up the driveway. I had to use the starter to pull itself up the driveway. Good thing for 5-speeds. Anyways...the motor sounds like it has a marble or two in it...and I know it isn't worth fixing it...its a '79 Prelude.

Anyways...I want another Prelude over the 951 for reliability. I don't have time right now to dick around with a car. I know there is NO way in hell a 951 will ever be as reliable as a Prelude. If something for the Prelude were to break...it is cheap to fix. While 951s may be cheap...their cheap for a Porsche. To me, they're still expensive.

Nabeel · 03-26-2002, 08:07 PM

Does it have to be a Prelude that you will buy? How about a Miata? They are RWD and probably more fun than the Prelude, with similar reliability. I'm not trying to put down Preludes, they are great cars, and very good handling for FWD. But I was just wondering if you were going to look into any other options. I think a 1990-1994 Miata should fit your price range easily. Just my .02

Booster · 03-26-2002, 08:50 PM

I say go for it, it doesn't sound like your really that interested in the Porsche anyway as you have your heart set on a Prelude, now as for parts being cheaper...yea maybe IF you buy aftermarket but not from the dealer, Hey 951carter's friend is looking for one....maybe you could work out a trade!

Russ,
broke also and have a Honda wagon, and the 951 (and a few other cars)...but I'm climbing out of the hole, and the P ain't going nowhere.

Kierf - ¿§? · 03-27-2002, 01:36 AM

I've had two Preludes already...a '94 Prelude Si and the '79 Prelude of Fury. I own PRELUDEparts.com (note the Prelude) and I sell parts for it, duh.

How can I not have a Prelude and yet still sell my customers the parts?

It like my business partner not having an MR2 for MR2parts.com

Anyways...when I do have more time for a 951, I'll most certainly get one. I've wanted a 951 for almost 2 years...but haven't had a chance to get one. Last November when I bought mine, I was doing quite well financially and with my time. Though, in the last month, things have gone downhill.
Also, I have been wanting to beat the crap out of my business partner's MR2 Turbo in a road race...but haven't had a chance to do so. Though, by the time I get another 951...he'll have a MONSTER MR2...and will be a great challenge...

I'll still lurk these boards after I sell the 951. There is a lot of useful information on these boards...

Nabeel · 03-27-2002, 01:28 PM

I'm just curious, did all the 1993-1996 Prelude Si models have the VTEC engine, or did they come standard with the 160 hp engine, with the VTEC being a seperate model?

Also, when did they switch over to RWD? Was your '79 RWD?

Kierf - ¿§? · 03-27-2002, 06:57 PM

1979 was the first year for the Prelude. All Preludes are FWD. As for the Gen4 ('92-'96) Prelude, here are the specs and models:
'92-'96 S - 2.2L SOHC non-VTEC (F22A) 135 horsepower 142 ft-lb.
'92-'96 Si - 2.3L DOHC non-VTEC (H23A) 160 horsepower 156 ft-lb.
'92-'93 Si 4WS - 2.3L DOHC non-VTEC (H23A) 160 horsepower 156 ft-lb.
'93-'96 VTEC - 2.2L DOHC VTEC (H22A) 190 horsepower 157 ft-lb.
'95 SE - 2.3L DOHC non-VTEC (H23A) 160 horsepower 156 ft-lb.

Nabeel · 03-27-2002, 07:23 PM

4WS = 4 wheel steering?

951carter · 08:44 PM

>>Anyways...I want another Prelude over the 951 for reliability. I don't have time right now to dick around with a car<<

I'm not pickin on ya, really, buuuut, I have to disagree. A friend of mine had an 86 951 w/230,000 miles that never had the head off or any major work done, 1 clutch change and lotsa brakes and oil, that's it. If maintained and treated properly, 951's will last forever. *edit* The only reason that car is not still being driven is it was T-boned by a wrecker going 60mph!! The motor still runs great and is waiting to be transplanted!
If you really want a Prelude, my friend will sell you her 2001 Prelude SH with 1,300 miles, red with black interior, loaded for $26k.

Nabeel, yes 4ws is 4 wheel steering, it sucks.

Kierf - ¿§? · 03-27-2002, 10:22 PM

The 4WS on a Prelude is a function of small city driving. In Japan, where the streets are very small and crowded, the 4WS really helps, along with the electric retractable side mirrors (not sold in the US)...streets are that small.

4WS is good fun around a parking lot, but doesn't really help in road racing or auto-x.

As for reliability...the Prelude still takes Porsche (any).