944 Any obvious/known problems?
- Thread starter Guest
- Start date
wedgepilot
New member
The AutoTrader website usually has a good selection. As with all cars, buy the best example you can afford, and make sure it has full service history from a Porsche specialist. A recent service and proof that the belts have been done recently is very desirable. Water pumps can also seize, if it' s been changed recently that' s a bonus.
Look for fresh stains on the driveway/garage where the car sits. Coolant hoses, PAS hoses and oil seals can all leak. These aren' t necessarily major problems in themselves, but can be a sign of a neglectful owner - what else has been skimped on? A clean, tidy engine bay is a good sign, as are a good brand of tyre with the same make on all four wheels.
Other than that, all the usual stuff - make sure the oil isn' t like chocolate milkshake, fluids are fresh and at the right level, etc. Take your time, find a good one and enjoy! [
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Look for fresh stains on the driveway/garage where the car sits. Coolant hoses, PAS hoses and oil seals can all leak. These aren' t necessarily major problems in themselves, but can be a sign of a neglectful owner - what else has been skimped on? A clean, tidy engine bay is a good sign, as are a good brand of tyre with the same make on all four wheels.
Other than that, all the usual stuff - make sure the oil isn' t like chocolate milkshake, fluids are fresh and at the right level, etc. Take your time, find a good one and enjoy! [
]
Diver944
Active member
Take a look at www.clarks-garage.com This has a good section on buying 944' s and also contains a link to the 944 FAQ which has all you need to know.
My advice is to try and buy from someone who is obviously an enthusiast, knows their car very well, and has obviously been prepared to pay on preventative maintenance as well as scheduled servicing. 944' s are getting very cheap to buy now so will attract some people who can' t afford to maintain them properly and then sell them when things start to go wrong. You dn' t want to end up with a car that suddenly needs new clutch, belts etc
Make sure you look at many before deciding. There is a world of difference betwen a bad 944 and a good one, the trouble is the bad one will probably look just as good. Drive a few and it becomes obvious.
My advice is to try and buy from someone who is obviously an enthusiast, knows their car very well, and has obviously been prepared to pay on preventative maintenance as well as scheduled servicing. 944' s are getting very cheap to buy now so will attract some people who can' t afford to maintain them properly and then sell them when things start to go wrong. You dn' t want to end up with a car that suddenly needs new clutch, belts etc
Make sure you look at many before deciding. There is a world of difference betwen a bad 944 and a good one, the trouble is the bad one will probably look just as good. Drive a few and it becomes obvious.
Guest
New member
A agree with Diver (I guess I should, he' s my husband!). []
It took us months to find a decent 944 - you' ll spot an ideal one once you' ve driven a few rough ones. Don' t be put off by high milage, mine has done over 141,000 miles and still drives beautifully! [8|]
Just remember - before you meet the handsome prince you have to kiss a lot of toads - this applies to cars too!
[]
Deb
PS Yeah, Diver is my handsome prince! []
]It took us months to find a decent 944 - you' ll spot an ideal one once you' ve driven a few rough ones. Don' t be put off by high milage, mine has done over 141,000 miles and still drives beautifully! [8|]
Just remember - before you meet the handsome prince you have to kiss a lot of toads - this applies to cars too!
[
]Deb
PS Yeah, Diver is my handsome prince! [
]
Also if you find one at the other end of the country don' t be afraid to ask for assistance (here or Titanic)- most owners won' t mind a quick look at a car in their locality on your behalf to save you a long drive - many of us have been to look at cars advertised as VGC only to find they aren' t
Tony
Tony
wedgepilot
New member
Congrats Helen, hope you have many happy years of 944-ing! []
]
Irish944Turbo
New member
Helen, i' d also like to add my congrats. If you haven' t done yet, just check to brake pipes and fuel lines underneath, particularly around the rear wheel arches. MOT failures sometimes pick out the splitters and pitting on these mild steel lines. Can be VERY expensive in OPC and seriously labourious to replace. Just ask an independent or freindly mechanic to take a look at if it. It may not be a problem now, but it is a safely concern. Mine all had to be replaced on a 1991 944 turbo, only done 77K. Once again congrats and keep the revs up!!!!!
Guest
New member
In reply to Tony:-
Previous owners had thrashed it when cold and made the engine a bit noisy. I thought it was the head, but to my alarm, it isn' t!! The pistons have gouged out lines on all 4 cylinders, resulting in either a new short engine, new engine, or a re-bore.
I bought a short engine from Porschapart and it cost just over a grand!!! My mechanic is in the process of rebuilding the head after de-coking it and he is going to look to replace all the valve guides and grind in the new valves, also replace all 16 of the hydrolic lifters, on top of that, I need a new clutch too!!
But I am off to Le Mans for the 24hr, so I would have looked foolish trying to keep up with the other guys with an engine kicking out the same bhp as a Vectra!!!!
I have missed out on 2 bank holiday weekends, but I get the car back tomorrow (my birthday!!).
See you all soon
Regards
Phil
1991 944 S2 Cabriolet
Previous owners had thrashed it when cold and made the engine a bit noisy. I thought it was the head, but to my alarm, it isn' t!! The pistons have gouged out lines on all 4 cylinders, resulting in either a new short engine, new engine, or a re-bore.
I bought a short engine from Porschapart and it cost just over a grand!!! My mechanic is in the process of rebuilding the head after de-coking it and he is going to look to replace all the valve guides and grind in the new valves, also replace all 16 of the hydrolic lifters, on top of that, I need a new clutch too!!
But I am off to Le Mans for the 24hr, so I would have looked foolish trying to keep up with the other guys with an engine kicking out the same bhp as a Vectra!!!!
I have missed out on 2 bank holiday weekends, but I get the car back tomorrow (my birthday!!).
See you all soon
Regards
Phil
1991 944 S2 Cabriolet
Robbiemeister
Member
Waddaya mean " your thread is getting on a bit"
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