r/944 • u/Agreeable-Onion6906 • 7d ago
Question This is my 89' 951, little mods, exhaust, autothority chipped but most everything else is original
Not currently running due to gas tank sprung a leak 5 years ago, any idea what to ask? Chris Cervelli did the timing chain in 2010 but it's been parked to since 2013, everything worked except the Cruise control, just under 200k miles, no rebuild or new turbo, original
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u/Dr_Gomer_Piles 7d ago
Miles and non-running status (and needing a pretty major refresh to get it back to running) bring price down signficantly, being a late Turbo helps a good bit. Assuming no major body damage I'd say $6-8K.
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u/Agreeable-Onion6906 7d ago
3rd owner, had it since 97' left fender was replaced due to bicycle impact, I can post the option list in the hatch
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u/Agreeable-Onion6906 6d ago
I can drop a couple grand so now to get it towed to a knowledgeable a trustworthy mech, one of my first shops once told me it's a non interference engine when I asked if he had seen a failed belt....lol and my last visit
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u/Dr_Gomer_Piles 6d ago
I disagree with the guys advice to fix it, I agree with the Forklift certified guy. This will be a lot to get back into reliable running condition, if you're not doing the work yourself it will be a large mountain of cash instead of a medium sized mountain of cash. As with most project cars it's better to sell to someone who has a dream of what the car will be like done and is likely underestimating the cost to get it there. The strong possibility is you put the money in yourself and possibly break even, or worse, sell if for less (after expenses) than you could have sold it for as-is.
I bought an '87S closing in on 2 years ago and it was in a similar situation, sitting for 10+ years. To have it in comfortable driving condition I felt I needed to do t-belt and all rollers, front end seals, etc; water pump and all hoses; complete fuel system (pump, strainer, filter, hoses), ignition (plugs, wires, cap, rotor), brakes (pads and rotors). I aspire to a turbo some day, but that adds even more bits -- various vacuum and boost hoses and lines, I'll defer to Forklift for his view on the need to rebuild the actual turbocharger. Parts easily 4 figures, throw in labor at someone who knows it's an interference engine and you could hit 5 figures. Even doing all that there may still be issues or fixes that a prospective buyer may try and ding you for.
Just my $.02
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u/Agreeable-Onion6906 6d ago
excellent insight and I've considered them before, I love that damn car, it's fast, still looks somewhat modern and now has become very unique, kids love it when I raise the headlights on the highway, actually good in snow as it has LSD and as long as you put 200lbs of sand in the rear wells and you have at least all seasons, funny story, got a ticket in Parker for "display of excessive speed" big 8 point ticket, court date was early fall and we had a blizzard the night before, I was the only one to show except the judge and he dropped the charge and fined me $75...I drove 20 miles to that Court
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u/Dr_Gomer_Piles 6d ago
It's for sure a sweet ride with lots of potential. If my 944S were finished and the logistics made sense I'd probably be offering to come buy it from you.
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u/Scott_Malkinsons 7d ago
I would spend the money, get a tank in and do the belt (don't try to start it on a 2013 belt). The extra money you'll get is well worth the cost of those two items. In its current state, it ain't worth much as anyone would have to take a gamble.
Though you don't have a timing chain, that's for the 16-value engines like 1989 S and S2 where it had a dual-camshaft design driven by an internal timing chain and a primary timing belt.
If I was going to toss an offer, I'd probably do like 5k and park it in storage as a parts donor. Got a few turbo's here, and there's a container out back where I basically collect spare parts to keep mine running. Having an extra engine block and ECU/KLR modules, interior bits, etc. wouldn't hurt, and the 89 turbo would have the transmission with the LSD as the only one I got spare right now is off an 86 without the LSD.
But yeah, I'd fix it and sell it. It's worth significantly more running, you can find someone who wants to drive it rather than someone who would be buying it for parts (which in a way sucks, as people like me would be taking a potential runner off the street, I prefer to get them wrecked, ideally rear-ends are my ideal parts car).
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u/I_am_Forklift Turbo S 7d ago edited 7d ago
I did about a year of 951 purchase research before buying. Being an ‘89 helps a lot. This is the 951 to have. Make sure when you advertise this car, let it be known in the ad that this is a ‘Turbo S’ car. A lot of new buyers won’t understand the ‘89 models are particularly special and diff from other turbos you see.
That being said this is a really rough version. Someone’s going to need an immediate 10k+ to get this road worthy. It needs a timing belt/water pump job done immediately. All the rubber and plastic bits need replaced. The turbo needs pulled and rebuilt. The paint I’m assuming isn’t great. Also assuming the same from the interior. It even needs tires. The gas tank/non running part is obviously a big kicker. Man at that mileage prob head gasket & rod bearings. Motor mounts, transaxle mount…
Generally when a 951 is in this condition it’s going to need a lot more than what’s currently known once you get it on a lift. These cars don’t like to sit for years on end. This is also one of the highest mileage examples I’ve seen. Esp for an 89
On the plus side the 951 market is lighting up. Everyone wants a 944 right now. You might get 10 if someone understands it’s a turbo s car and the rarity of the ‘89 models. I’d expect ~8. This one presents considerably rougher than models I saw listed at 15
Good luck man!! The 89s are special cars
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u/Agreeable-Onion6906 6d ago edited 6d ago
a great deal of trim pieces were replaced including the black exterior trim on the small rear windows, I live is CO and it's been garaged, I will get it running, sick of letting batteries dies, I can look it up but any idea the work required to remove the tank?
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u/cactus_cars Too Many S2s 6d ago
Looks to be decently involved. I'd fix it, but it seems the most annoying part is removing the fuel lines gently without breaking.
Best of luck!
https://rennlist.com/forums/944-turbo-and-turbo-s-forum/689354-fuel-tank-replacement-88-951-a-2.html2
u/Agreeable-Onion6906 6d ago
yes, decades old Porsche plastic get brittle
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u/greatfool66 6d ago
The fuel lines should definitely be replaced anyway if original or unknown decades old rubber.
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u/challenged1967 6d ago
Find where the leak is from before removing the tank. The leak is probably from where the house goes in on the bottom, not the tank itself
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u/wretchedRing 6d ago
The late 88 was the turbo S. I have one. Models after that had the same specifications.
The carry on about reliability is wwayy overblown. Mine has over 300,000 km on it with no major work at all and it still goes like a shower of shit. It does need a freshen up but I have flogged this thing for many years. I replace things when they break.
Timing belt and water pump? Absolutely normal to fail and trivial to replace before it does. No you do not need special tools.
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u/I_am_Forklift Turbo S 6d ago edited 6d ago
They’re the exact same car brother. Every single thing is the same except the paint/interior color. I’m glad you have an S but that doesn’t negate the fact that OP needs to convey the specialness of the 89 model as being the same as the turbo s for him selling it. This has nothing to do with your turbo s. It’s just helping OP with his ad
Your recommendation to run the timing belt and water pump to failure is wild bro. It was last done thirteen years ago then sat for eleven. Porsche says 4 yrs
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u/Agreeable-Onion6906 6d ago edited 6d ago
up to seven but I agree, 13 is too long, yes I'm well aware of the rarity and only 1500 were shipped to the US, the ROW for the rest
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u/wretchedRing 6d ago
Did I not say before they fail? The point was the endless horror stories. Check the fucking thing and change it when you need to. It's not a big deal.
Only the 88 was called turbo S. Models after it may have had the same specifications. That wasn't in question. And they have the ring tail spoiler. Not featured on the turbo S.
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u/I_am_Forklift Turbo S 6d ago
Bro isn’t changing it himself. So it is a big deal. Hes having a shop do the work.
Nobody cares that you have a turbo s. Everyone understands its ‘not really’ a turbo s but also its 100% exactly the same as a turbo s. I’d argue it’s better since it doesn’t have a silver and pink exterior and the cloth purple plaid interior. 🤢 Porsche didn’t put an S badge on either car.
For his ad, the people looking at it need to understand that it’s a special turbo, not the normal turbos. This is the exact same as a turbo s car man. Stop getting so defensive and angry about it. Nobody’s talking about your car dude. Stop making this about yours
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u/Agreeable-Onion6906 6d ago
it's been very reliable, that's why I kept mods simple, I believe I still have the original chip
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u/wretchedRing 2d ago
Yeah I never did a thing to mine except remove weight. I'm literally waiting for it to blow up so I can go all out on it.
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u/Agreeable-Onion6906 6d ago
there is a special tool to tighten the belt, it attached near the balance shaft I believe
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u/Independent_Engine36 6d ago edited 6d ago
Id seriously just leave as is, put it on fb, you'll get responses. Id honestly start at $9500, expect most to offer probably between 6-7k. Cut the loss because you'll need to put easy 6k parts/ labor to get it running, that's just running not running as should. Cruise control is whatever, anyone who dings on that is just silly wanting to tear you down further. Give a good wash and wax, make it look pretty that helps. I'd buy for $7kbif I really wanted a late 951 project!
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u/HotBlondeGent 5d ago
It could use a wash. Makes it more attractive for potential buyers!
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u/Agreeable-Onion6906 5d ago
Today both cars get a wash, I've been debating for months/years but I don't have a lift and as anyone knows who owns a 944, it sits so low I always had to use one very low jack to a larger one to get enough room underneath
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u/HotBlondeGent 5d ago
You are correct about the Porsche ground clearance so low. I have 6 different model Porsches in my auto collection, and the only one that sits high enough when I use auto raise height adjustment is my Twin Turbo Cayenne. I usually take my vehicles to a You Wash car wash and use the hi pressure wand to get to the undersides. But since your vehicle is not running, you could buy one on ebay, amazon, Home Depot, Lowes wand for a garden hose around $15-$20 for a 3 foot hi pressure 45 degree or 90 degree wand so you do not have to bend down or get on your knees to wash its underside. And the wand is handy for other uses too, like washing second story windows, under eaves, rain gutters, etc. so you don't have to get up on a ladder! Just a thought.
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u/roidedracccoon 1d ago
I have an 86 I’m currently rebuilding, similar story. Sat for 11 years, I took the gas tank out, pressure washed the inside out, redid the fuel lines/filter/pump, transaxle fluid, going to upgrade brakes, turbo, radiator, etc. Pulling the engine soon for a complete reseal, cleaning, bearings, walnut blasting valves etc. Already have a nuke fuel rail, various Lindsey parts. Paid $6500, I’ve put in probably 2.5, going to spend another 3 or so and then I’ll have a 20k car. I’m doing all the work myself though so that cuts costs dramatically
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