Need some advice
 

So here it goes, my tangent for the week. I looked at a 86 951 today. The car has ~146k miles, white w/ red interior. Body is is nice shape. The interior behind the front seats is out of the car, as is the headliner. The rear hatch window is missing, the owner replaced the hatch assemble with lexan, ??? , but still has the hatch. Owner replaced belts, water pump, clutch, rotors and radiator recently. I think it has 'guru' chips.

I'm thinking track car again. Any thoughts? Since Tony crossed to the dark side I've been on the fence. Oh, car can be had for $3500.

I'm trying to figure out what a rear window costs, if anyone has info on that let me know.

If it is remotely solid, ie no battery box rust, etc., and the majority of the known issues like motor mounts or ft. ball joints, recent full belt service, clutch are done, it is a great bargain. I think these are still strong 6.5-8k cars and know a couple of NY guys who believe the '86 can produce the best track cars. Man, can you find good buys! Wish I could:(

The hatch glass can cost you a bunch, I broke one and the insurance almost totaled the car because it was a $2500 part. I needed a second one about a year ago and picked it up for $500 but there were several at Hershey so maybe there is a glut in the market.

The 951 is a great car but a bigger pain to work on than a 911 and the parts cost more. If you get it let me know and I will purge my remaining parts to a new home.

Don't know much about the 86 951 except that if it has 8" Fuchs on the rear then they're worth about a third of the price of the entire car.

This may be way out of order, but one of the heavy hitter racers at the Jefferson 500 mentioned to me that he has a fully race-prepared 88 or 89 944 Turbo S with around 40K miles that he wants to sell - too many cars in his collection. The price he mentioned is extremely low - around $12K. This may be one of the best deals I've heard of for a ready-to-run prepared car.

Would need more due diligence, but this could well be a great deal for someone interested in a competitive car for PCA or 944 SuperCup, or for a very nice DE car.

Not sure about the full truth of Thom's post. Dropping the engine in a FEWC is a long and complicated job, more so in a turbo. On the other side, I had an alternator fail at the track on Friday. Dave Derecola, the 944Cup Director, carries spares at the track, so I was able to get a spare. The R&R took two hours, which is not too far from the time for a 911. The cost for a rebuilt alternator was $140 [plus my core], which is cheaper than a 911 alternator. Not much difference there. The brakes and suspension are very similar, as are the bearings and bushes etc.

I'm sure that there are some aspects that are "a bigger pain and parts cost more", but not so sure this applies across the board. Some things are an equal pain and might even cost less.

FWIW, since I got the car in Feb I've run a NASA license school, five DE days, and six race days with nothing but normal maintenance - brake pads, fluid, and an oil change. The alternator was on the way out when I got the car. The PPI mentioned "low charging voltage".

I think it's the cost of normal maintenance plus the clutch, motor mount and belt issues (plus the turbo factor here) that make these cars cost more than a 911 to keep running. On the plus side, a 951 is defenitiely faster around a track than a 911 Carrera. (I'm old school so I'll keep my 911, thank you). For the price, this car still sounds great.

Thanks guys. It seems the rear hatch issue might be enough to scare me away. I talked to a local glass place the results were not pleasant. I was adding up the costs of seats, rollbar and so on and all of a sudden the car became pretty spendy. I think the way to go is buy a built car for now.

Tempting, tempting.

The car has phone dials, good call on the Fuchs.

Rear hatches used are $200 to $400. Take us 1/2 hour to install. Including pouring the beer.

Yeah, sure, sometime the world supply of used hatches will dry up and all that's left will be new OEM at $2500 per. At which time all 944 chassis will be converted to lexan at $600 and go to track use which is what a proper Porsche should be doing anyway :lol:

PS: Tony, just think, now that you've had some practice and without anyone under foot you could probably get that down to sub-1hour next time. :D

Hmmmmmmm I think I smell something boiling in oil . . . . .

Chris . . for that price it's a throw away !!!, plus I could use some time under a water pumper since I am completely devoid of Porsche green fluid wrenching experience.

See you in 4.

John, find me a hatch for $200-400 and you can have whatever beer you want.

Sometimes I wish I took up fishing. :roll: But then might be deciding between different rods or whatever.

I just realized I forgot to book a hotel. The normal place is full, I'll report how the 'Turf Motel' turns out.