Re: 944T (951) reliability

["Barton P. Chambers" <bartonc@mailhost.infi.net>]

Hi Grant,

Mandatory Q-List content:  951 engines will bolt in directly to the Quattro
(so there!).

> I have zip experience with 944Ts, but have
> heard that they are quite durable.  No?

A couple of Points here - 1) I also have zip experience with 951s,
but after three years on Porschephiles, the message comes through
clearly; the consensus among folks who've owned them and 911s, is that
among all the models Porsche makes, the 951 leads the pack in the area
that Audi lovers can sympathize with, the cost of parts and maintenance
(although, as I noted earlier, the 928s can give them a run for the money
if you get one with their notoriously flaky electrics).

2) being, of course, that cost of manintenance is quite another matter,
quite apart from durability.  Specifically, things like belts needing to be 
changed every 30K miles, and said belts *must* be properly tensioned with 
a very expen$ive $pecial tool.  Add to that the cost of Turbo-specific items
being higher than the atmo models, due to the more severe operating 
environment, and the higher rate of wear...

> I probably will not buy one, but I have been
> seriously considering a mid-80s 944S or 924S (87-88)
> as a low-rent, great handling sports toy.

That's a pretty good plan, IMHO, given the fire-sale prices on older 944s.
I have several friends with 944s, and they love 'em!

> What are the 944Ts problems.  More importantly,
> do you know (first-hand or from reliable data)
> of any problems with the normally aspirated cars
> (aside from the ususal VW-audi modest cost
> bugaboos)?

I can put you in touch with Jim Pasha, who writes the waterpumper technical
articles for excellence mag, and George Beuselinck, 944 Ecology; or you
could join Porschefans-944, a list for that marque.  Email me directly and
I'll give you these addresses if you're interested in pursuing it.