944 S2 Cabrio advice needed.

[Guest]

Hi,

Having been in love with the 944 since I was old enough to appreciate cars, I am finally in the position that I can afford to purchase and more importantly run my first 944 S2 Cabrio (for that is what I have set my heart on).

Having read the forums I am getting a bit more knowledge regarding what to look out for and intend to get what ever cars I intend to buy checked out by someone that knows what they are talking about in the area (not just the AA man).

Recently found this one which seems to have had most of the apprpriate work done, but wondered if any one knew of it and if it really is as outstanding as billed!?

The link is http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&rd=1&item=250206073645&ssPageName=STRK:MEWA:IT&ih=015#ebayphotohosting but there are a lot more pictures here http://www.derekblair.co.uk/944cab/Album1.htm

If there is anyone that knows a good independent in the Fife area that I could pay to have a look over her as well that would be brilliant.

It's a long way from Bristol.

Thanks in advance.

Adam.

 

[djcla]

thats a lota money but the cabs seem to be a fair bit more expensive than the standard s2, looks great though in pink (i am colour bling misus said it was red) sorry

 

[Guest]

It is a lot more pink then red but I great colour nevertheless.

I intended to haggle over the price, hopefully getting im down a bit but given the low mileage (not necessarily always a good thing) and the Service History), I don't mind paying a little over the odds for a really good car.

 

[944cabby]

Fair play she looks nice in the pics.
I paid 8k for mine 3.5 years back with 86k on the clock but i've had some sill work and the clutch replaced which i'de budgeted for anyway.
It's seems to have FSH so you can see what's been done to it - does look good though.

 

[Big Dave]

Rubystone, IS a pinkish colour.... Not to everyones taste though....+ I would think it could hamper the sale a tad. Even if you bought it, then someday youde want to sell, the market for people wanting a "strange" pinkish 944cabrio would be quite small....Just me 2pth..

 

[Diver944]

I love Rubystone on 964 RS [8D] but have only seen it once on a 944, I think it suits the Cabrio very well.

The price is high but it is from a dealer who has to make a profit and also includes a six month warranty (check what is actually covered). A brand new roof is a very good thing as is a recent full service with belts. If the rest of the recent history stacks up and the bodywork is sound this could be a very good buy. Check the sills and wing bottoms very carefully (especially if this car has spent all it's life over the border where salt will be used in winter more often than the south coast. However it is very low miles so could be a dry day and weekend car only.

From the screen price in the picture it looks like he has already come down from £9995 so he may not want to lose any more of his profit?

 

[Guest]

A "strange" pinkish colour - No that made me smile. I actually really like the colour; distinctive without being too garish.

I'll check the warranty as they aren't generally worth the paper they're written on as well as giving the sills and wing bottoms a good going over. Supposedly it has a full service history and has had everything changed as the maintenance schedule dictates.

Think you're right about the low miles; only concern is that if could mean that the engine may not have had the cobwebs blown out too regularly.

Does anyone know if there is a decent independant specialist in the Edinburgh/Fife area?

 

[Diver944]

ORIGINAL: Aeis

Think you're right about the low miles; only concern is that if could mean that the engine may not have had the cobwebs blown out too regularly.

These cars are definately less troublesome if they are used regularly, but 56k isn't stupid low mileage and adds up to roughly 4k a year on average. I would take a good perusal of the documentation and MOT's to see if there have been any long layups recently. Ideally 4k a year would keep it ticking over nicely and is much better than than 50k miles in the first 5 years and then hardly anything lately. Remember that a full history should show a service and oil change every single year, if it's missed one or even two then it is not a full history and you could use that as a haggling point.

The engine should not be a problem, it's the things that perish due to age like rubber suspension components. If the shocks have been changed due to age then that is a big bonus because 16 year old ones will have deteriorated no matter how little mileage they have done

Finally these cars are incredibly easy to clock so unless it has every single MOT or service invoice with mileage that you can check I would take the mileometer with a big pinch of salt.

Ask in the Scottsh Region about independant specialists, but I think there are one or two in Edinburgh that club members use

 

[peanut]

I would not recommend an independent assessor unless they have specific 944 experience. You would be far better off either getting an independent Porsche technician/ mechanic or taking a knowledgable 944 member from the forums along with you.
I would suggest you download and print off all the buyers guides and put together a really comprehensive check-list together. Make sure you tick all the boxes when you view.
Don't be impressed by the service history its pretty irrelevant on a 20 year old car frankly. Far more important is how it has been serviced in the past 2 years and what major works have been carried out recently. ie water-pump, clutch,sills,belts etc.

I'm a bit suspicious of a car that has done so few miles over nearly 20 years. Why ? has it been stood up or in storage for a long time? try to find out how many miles it has done in the past 2 years .If it is only a couple of thousand you might find a lot of seals and bearings failing when it starts to get used normally again.

 

[Frazerb]

Adam,

Dereck blair has had this car for a while - at least 6 months so just be careful of that. Apart from that it does look in nice nic!

My cab is exactly the same mileage and has had the usual belts /clutch done and the only additional thing I have had a problem with was with a coolant hose and some leads. Apart from that - solid.

As regards the colour - well I would just not wear anything that clashes!!!!! I live outside Dundee and have recently found an excellent garage -Auto Ecosse. The head man there seems to know the S2 engine really well so if you did want it checked over this might be a good option. This garage has a classic and luxuary car showroom so they are used to dealing with the slightly more "vintage" models.

Any more questions specifically about the cab fire them over and I'll see if I can help. If you are ever up this way then let me know.

Best regards.....FB

p.s. did the clay bar, polish and wax today - very shiny car!!!

 

[pauljmcnulty]

Don't listen to them - Rubystone is a rare but stunning colour, and really suits the cabs. If you had any trouble selling I'd be surprised. Let's face it, our Guards Red cars are slowly turning a far less attractive pink.....[]

It is top money, but if you take the dealer margin and warranty out of the price not by so much. Whether that is worth the extra, well who knows how helpful the dealer would be if you had a problem - but I'd say that his reputation is worth something at least.

There was a comment by a previous 944 owner and forum guru that Scottish cars tend to be rusty heaps because of the weather. He was Scottish, so take it up with him, but maybe worth a good check of the bodywork as Paul S suggests. Again, you could be in for a caliper re-furb on all four corners, tyres could need replacing due to age rather than wear, was the cam chain checked at the service, the list of possible bills is obviously endless on any 20-year-old car. All the usual 944 S2 buyer's advice applies to a low-mileage car at a dealer just the same as a 200k e-bay wreck, but it does look like a nice car at a high, but not mad, price.