[Boxer]

Recently seen two articles which are quite positive on the Porsche 959. What is the general opinion here on the car?

[champagne612]

Originally Posted by Boxer

Recently seen two articles which are quite positive on the Porsche 959. What is the general opinion here on the car?

I saw one at Wynn Ferrari last year - beautiful!

The car is one of those cars that will never lose it's appeal.

The tech spoke of the hardship the owner went thru to register it etc. but smiled as he also just loved the car.

Let me see if I can find pictures.

[tazandjan]

Boxer- When introduced it was the most advanced performance car in the world. Like the 288 GTO, it was aimed at Group B rallying. Rare, not hugely attractive, and its performance has been eclipsed. Same as a 288 GTO, except the GTO is very attractive. 337 (?) 959s produced.

Would rather have a 288 GTO. Lessons learned in the 959 program were applied to the Turbo and other Porsche AWD systems, like the Carrera 4. The GTO evolved into the F-40. Ferrari then promptly abandoned the turbo V8s for the normally aspirated V12 and V8 models, which have enjoyed considerable racing success, including class wins at LeMans. Porsche, however, was winning overall victories at LeMans.

Tough choice. To quote a Porsche driver of the period about the rear engined Porsche racing successes: "You cannot make a race horse out of a pig, but if you invest enough money, you can make a really fast pig."

[brettgagnon]

Same was at Wynn in July when i was there, in the maintenance area. Nice car, in good shape.

It's rare, it is by some the top sports car from the 80s, i was never sold on it's looks. Kinda blah, but that is me. I would not kick it out of bed for eating crackers

Originally Posted by champagne612

I saw one at Wynn Ferrari last year - beautiful!

The car is one of those cars that will never lose it's appeal.

The tech spoke of the hardship the owner went thru to register it etc. but smiled as he also just loved the car.

Let me see if I can find pictures.

[ECSofVirginia]

Very cool car, hugely innovative & definitely fun to drive. Unfortunately just like the EB110 & XJ220 they're incredibly difficult to work on and incredibly difficult to get parts for. Owning these cars today is a labor of love requiring money, patience and understanding.

[champagne612]

Originally Posted by brettgagnon

Same was at Wynn in July when i was there, in the maintenance area. Nice car, in good shape.

It's rare, it is by some the top sports car from the 80s, i was never sold on it's looks. Kinda blah, but that is me. I would not kick it out of bed for eating crackers

Wynn guys are some of the best tech's and people I have ever run across in the Ferrari world.

The color was the same color as my first 911 - so I was sort of drawn to it

[Boxer]

Originally Posted by ECSofVirginia

Very cool car, hugely innovative & definitely fun to drive. Unfortunately just like the EB110 & XJ220 they're incredibly difficult to work on and incredibly difficult to get parts for. Owning these cars today is a labor of love requiring money, patience and understanding.

I have seen some terrifying bills for "normal" upkeep on a 959. In Europe parts don't seem to be that difficult to get from the factory.....it will just cost you a kidney, lung, etc.

IMHO, I think it is one of these cars that was technically ground breaking when it was launched but is now just old & expensive.

Will it ever be a classic in the same light as the 911 2.7 RS?

[Vitalone]

Originally Posted by Boxer

I have seen some terrifying bills for "normal" upkeep on a 959. In Europe parts don't seem to be that difficult to get from the factory.....it will just cost you a kidney, lung, etc.

IMHO, I think it is one of these cars that was technically ground breaking when it was launched but is now just old & expensive.

Will it ever be a classic in the same light as the 911 2.7 RS?

I think it will be. Basically a de-tuned 956 motor in a 911 with advanced/complicated engineering. Pointed the way to future 911's with its drivetrain (Carrera 4 from 1989, twin turbo's from 1995 in 993 turbo) and looks (993 from 1994). Very quick too, I was surprised to see that it was quicker than an F40 on a recent TopGear "we'll settle this with a race" even though the Hamster chose to drive the F40 as it had more power and less weight. Good pedigree too winning Paris-Dakar overall in 1986 I think as well as a good placing at Le Mans in 1987 if I recall correctly. And very rare. Factory also offered a 550hp upgrade. A sleeper but I believe it needs to be driven a lot otherwise deteriorates fast.

[Barry]

Some comparisons above being made (understandably) between the 959 and 288GTO. In terms of purchasing costs (leaving aside the cost of maintaining/running) how do they stack up against eachother?

Boxer - are you thinking a 959 could be an appreciating classic for the future?

[Boxer]

Originally Posted by Barry

Some comparisons above being made (understandably) between the 959 and 288GTO. In terms of purchasing costs (leaving aside the cost of maintaining/running) how do they stack up against eachother?

Boxer - are you thinking a 959 could be an appreciating classic for the future?

Right now a good 288 GTO will run GBP 500k+ and a similar 959 about GBP 150k. The 288 GTO will cost probably a third in terms of running expense.

Really don't know on the appreciating classic front. So far it has not moved in terms of value for years.

[Magnum6464]

As a kid, I always loved the 959, now in my older years I find it still amazing but the interior is outdated.

Anyways, the exterior is simply amazing, the rims are so-so but the sheer power is breath taking.

Why the sudden interest in this car Boxer?


~

Mario

[ECSofVirginia]

I don't think the 959 has the recognition it takes to really take off as an appreciating collector car. It will remain one of the quiet cars appreciated only by those "in the know".

[Boxer]

Originally Posted by Magnum6464

As a kid, I always loved the 959, now in my older years I find it still amazing but the interior is outdated.

Anyways, the exterior is simply amazing, the rims are so-so but the sheer power is breath taking.

Why the sudden interest in this car Boxer?


~

Mario

I have been quitely watching them for a few years. Came close to buying one about 4 years ago. Maintenance costs turned me off.