Have a 996, want another older Porsche for fun!

Hey everyone, I currently have a 2001 C2. Have had it for almost 5 months and just sold my e30 BMW last week. In addition to that I have a 2001 Chevy Blazer. Just makes winter driving easier here in Chicago, that combined with the fact that it was handed down to me by my uncle. In all essence a free car. However, the car guy that I am, I really would like to get an 80's Porsche as another "toy". Most likely am interested in a 944 after 1985.5. Would love a 928 or 968 but not sure if it would be financially feasible. I love hatchbacks!!! Just looking for some advice from you fellow forum members as you are an intelligent and perceptive group of people

I had a 968 and presently own an 87 951 with 290 ft-lb's of torque to the rear wheels! It's super fun on the highway, but for MOST driving, the 968 was better. I sold my 968 last year for $9K, it was in great shape and had 170K miles. If you ever want to see my 87 951, I'll either drive it up to classics and coffee or you can stop by, I'm in Forest Park.

I'm with you. There's a guy in my town that I see on a regular basis in a 968 coupe. I drool every time I see that car...

'83 911 SC is a car I'd own, personally, because I am a 3.0 fan for its reliability. Plus, there is some weight savings compared to the later Carreras with the G50. -Luccia

Thanks for the kind offer! I am just worried about those turbo cars and reliability! Would love a 968. I think I would try to keep it to 7k max though. Doesn't need to be in pristine shape, but pretty mechanically sound! Something I can tinker with and a car I don't mind parking in crowded lots.

I don't think you'll be able to find a 968 that you would want to purchase for $7K. And if you did find one, you would put a lot of money into it. There are many, many NA 944's out there, if it's not a S2, it has no performance, but has the looks. I personally couldn't drive one due to its lack of HP.

Yes, totally agree. I would hate to say I am looking for a beater Porsche, but have always loved their styling. After I was born, the first car I was in was a 1986 944 I do not mind the lack of HP.

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1988 968 S for $1500 non running, $2500 TPC LSX conversion, $3k LSX donor motor = Reliable domestic power/torque. I almost did this but then realized I had 3 young kids, house remodel, and not enough time in the day.

I'd love to find a 968 Club Coupe with a manual transmission. That wouldn't be a cheap one...

An old car is an old car is an old car. An old Porsche is an expensive old car. The 924/944/968/928 is a problem because no one is making stuff for them in any volume. The 944 had a great track history but...that was then and this is now. However a 914 will give you a car that has lots of air cooled VW parts floating around (a decent prices). And it is an easy outlaw...drop in a Subaru engine and it will even be fast.

The UK magazines seem to be convinced that the 944 is the next one to take off in value.

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Assuming you can still find one for a relatively cheap price that isn't rusted to death. 914's are like 964's in the fact that they've appreciated quite a bit in the recent years. OP wants a beater for under $7k. I don't think 914 ownership is realistic or make any sense in the Midwest considering intended use and budget.

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It's the 928 here. Prices are starting to head north. I just sold a pos 89 S4 with 308,000kms on it for AU$15.5k. It needed paint and new carpets and the seats needed trimming. an 89 with 48,000kms on it recently sold for AU$50K and if you can find a low km GTS then expect to pay from $60k onwards. I have an 86 5.0 928S in the shed at the moment under going a partial resto. I love them. Easy to work on and parts are still plentiful plus there are some guys doing great things for them and with them. I drove a 928 from Sydney to Adelaide non stop and literally could've jumped in and driven straight back. Go drive a 928 and then drive a NA944. I'd wager you'll end up in the 928. The first thing I do when I get a 928 is send off the MAF to Injection Labs. The car is transformed.

Honestly I'd love a 928 but worried about reliability vs the 944 and maintenance cost. Coming from a e30 with lots of places to get parts, I guess I just get worried which one would be the better option. Always some stuff popping up on Craigslist.

I am torturing myself over my s2. It is in great shape.... Wife would like more room in the driveway (we have 4 cars for 2 drivers) but I can't bring myself to get serious about selling it. If it were an "investment" it would be an easy sell to keep it!

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I've had 3 NA 944's, 1 951 and 1 951S. I've also had 5 928's. If you get a 928 and change the timing belt and waterpump and do the MAF when you get it you will have a pretty reliable car. I've never had any trouble with any of the 928's. I would change the oil with a good Dino 20W50 every 7,000kms with a new filter and the things would take as much punishment as I could dish out. If you go for a late 86 or after you get the big brakes and lots of improvements. 928's are pretty complex but in all honesty if I can work on one anybody can. In fact my 930 gave me more grief than any of my watercooleds.

Yes I will keep my eye out for a 928. As I really like it much more and that V8 sound is great. I know many people dump them when they find out they are expensive to maintain. Plus being 6'5, I think the 928 suits me better. No kids to worry about either

dont. I had a 951, and that sucker had problem after problem after problem..

I have an 87 928s4, as others have said the deferred maintenance is the unknown factor. It's a great car for long drives, will take it over the 996 any day if traveling more than 200 miles. For $6-7k you can get a pretty sorted car mechanically. The information on the 928 forum is pretty indepth and many of us do most repairs. There are several parts vendors that provide OEM and upgrades. Different experience than the 996 but a lot of power when you want it!

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I have never ridden in a 928, but I can vouch for the head and legroom in a 944. I'm 6'-4" and found plenty of room in the 944s I've had. If you are really looking at $7K, your only viable choice for a car that is in a condition really worth owning is a 944. For that amount you could find a decent 85.5 or later coupe, but you wont find any decent S2 or 951 for that kind of money. Yeah, a basic 944 is low on power, but so are 912s and 356s but you don't hear people complaining too much about that once they experience them. Same goes for the 944 IMO.

Ive owned a few 944's. They are all slow. Even the 951 was slow by todays standards with out mods. However they all offer the Porsche experience. I enjoy driving my current 85.5 for many reasons other than speed. I tracked my S2 in the 944 cup series for 4 years without a breakdown. They are durable cars and sadly for my 996 offer a higher build quality that pre 1999 Porsches have been known for. The 944's are still plentiful so choose wisely. IMO i would buy a turbo just because I feel the vaule will increase greatly in the next few years. At the very least if you flip it in a short term you can recoop your investment. As you will read the 951 does cost more to maintain but when you experience that turbo spool you will soon forget the service bill. An 86 w/o abs and airbags will offer an old car feel. Less to go wrong as well. If you can live w/o the turbo power I would consider a 83-85 with the early style dash as well. Yes low HP but certainly has the vintage feel. The 85.5 as you probably know had the improved dash. The S models are nice as well with the 16v engine. Above all keep in mind that the entire 944 series has a problematic bearing failure in the #2 section if memory serves me right. Gasp! Other Porsches had engine failure...Yes. I wont go on an IMS rant here. Ive changed all the rod bearings on all my 944's. The 951 was paper thin when it came out. Not a terible service and it can be combined with allot of other normal maintinace items. I think you will enjoy the 944 experience. Good luck with your seach. I dont have a picture with me at the moment aside from the interior They can be modified in so many different ways. All this said I want a 928 too, but have a feeling its going to require allot of research before I pull the trigger.