A big mistake?

craig2105 · May 18, 2009

Right chaps. The 993 finally goes to a new home at the end of this week (lucky chap), but I can't stand the thought of any length of time without a toy to play with at weekends. So I've been mulling over the idea of buying a 944...

Do I need a stern talking to, or is it possible to have some fun with one of these things on a tight budget?

Anyone want to show me around a good example and talk me thorough the things to look out for? I would be a lamb to the slaughter if I went out looking at the moment as I know sod all about them.

Cheers, Craig

gdavison · May 18, 2009

944... great great car to drive .. we had 3 .. and loved them all.. Dont know how years have treated them .. none of ours where new, seemed easy to work on, cheapish to run (back in the days).. I'd say go for it

G

924nutter · May 18, 2009

I have fun and a big grin on my face every time I take the 944t over 4000 rpm. It can put manners on all but the latest boxster and several species of 911.

For every day driving in a relaxed manner go for a good S2 if your budget can run to it. 212 BHP and stump pulling torque. 0-60 in the sixes and good for 150 in foreign lands.

Have a look at the cabriolet in this link Craig

http://search.autotrader.co.uk/es-uk/www/cars/PORSCHE+944/Ne-2-4-5-6-7-8-27-44-49-53-61-64-67-103-133-146-236,N-19-240-4294966557-4294967131/search.action?&postcode=sl7+1ju&radius=1501&showMoreOptions=&referrer=quick&page=5&googleQuery=PORSCHE%20944%20sales

pauljmcnulty · May 18, 2009

Do I need a stern talking to, or is it possible to have some fun with one of these things on a tight budget?

Anyone want to show me around a good example and talk me thorough the things to look out for? I would be a lamb to the slaughter if I went out looking at the moment as I know sod all about them.

Yes and yes. You will have cheap fun in a 944, possibly even more useable fun than the 993.

Do not go looking without learning the problem areas. These are possibly the most bullet-proof cars of their era, certainly cheaper to buy and maintain than a 911 derivative, but they have their own corrosion issues and a few possible big bills if bought badly.

Hasten thee to the 944 forum. Set the "display posts from last 30 days" to a year and you'll learn everything you need to know. I'm only in Rickmansworth, John's local to you and James Scott is in Reading and knows the 944 well. I'm sure any of us would be prepared to show you round the cars and point out the areas to look at.

John's right to recommend the S2 as the pick of the range in all areas. Turbos need improving to be really useable, and cost more to buy. 8-valve cars are dirt cheap and a steal at current prices. The S2 is demonstrably quicker, with no downside if you have checked the extra 16-valve gear before buying.

I liked it so much I've just bought an S2, to replace the 8-valve lux I've had a whale of a time in for the last 5 years. [

]

wibble · May 18, 2009

Totally not! I bought mine a few years ago with the intention of testing the water before moving to a 911. However, I am pretty much smitten with the 944 and it would take some convincing for me to change it. The 944s are pretty much bullet proof, if well maintained. They cost no more than any other in its class to maintain.

If you're on a club meet, I am happy to show you my 944 - I am sure 'scotty' will be on this thread to convince you too.

James_M · May 18, 2009

Hi Craig

Sorry to hear that the 993 has had to go but a 944 sounds a great idea (great car).

Obviously there is loads in common with the 968 and I was looking at 944s before I decided to blow the budget and get the '68. I'd be happy to have a chat through some of the things to look out for but maybe try the 944 forum on here too. John is right about the S2 being the one to go for (James' white car is an S2) or a 2.7 Lux (1989 only I think) if the budget won't stretch to an S2.

911virgin are waiting for an S2 to come in as a p/ex would be happy to look at that one or any one (have a look here http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/list.asp?s=81 ) with you. Drop me a line.

Cheers

James

PS 944s will go particularly well on the Peak District trip...

craig2105 · May 19, 2009

Thanks chaps. I think the S2 is a good option if I can find something decent in my price range which unfortunately has to be south of £3K to get past the accountant. Doable, or likely to be a bag of nails? There do seem ot be a few out there for that kind of money, possibly not S2's though. And there's a much talked about Turbo going for £2K which looks awful tempting but needs sills and a bit of localised paint (and God knows what else). It's on Pistonheads ref 1023286. Any views (thnk this might be where I get a slap)?

Looking at prices it might be more realistic to look at Lux models rather than S2's, which look like giveaway money at present and asking prices must be even more negotiable if the seller is motivated. I need to look at data as it's still got to have a bit of go to keep me amused.

Is anyone going up to the Tipec show at Gaydon at the end of the month? Might have a good look around some there, but I'll also come along to the next club meet if I can and have a chat. In the meantime, if anyone hears of a bargain please let me know.

ronald smith · May 19, 2009

Hi Craig,
A 944S2 is I think a great car- either for everyday use or a weekend toy. You may be hard pushed to get a
good S2 in that budget I paid £5850 for mine 15 months ago with immaculate maintenance and a recent glass
out respray. I have had 2 services Just fitted KW3 suspension and would not consider selling it for less than I
paid even with the credit crunch.
I am only in Maidenhead so if you wanted a look you would be very welcome. my mobile is 07986 855582 if I can
help give me a call.
Cheers
Ron

craig2105 · May 19, 2009

Ron - thanks for your feedback and the offer to see your car - might take you up on that in due course. The more I look around the more it seems an S2 is out of reach, but one is ever hopeful...

Do you (or anyone else reading this) know if Peter Morgan or someone does a compact buyers guide for these cars?

924nutter · May 19, 2009

Craig, on Autotrader right now, there is a 1988 924s with 80,000 miles, the one with the 160 engine which is exactly the same as the 944 as both power outputs were equalised that year. £2k is the asking price. If I wasn't doing the 220 upgrade on my 924 turbo I'd be in there like a rat up a drain pipe. Far less sill/cill issues, and probaly as quick as makes no difference. A million miles from a 911, but hell, I started out with a 2.0 lux. A 944S2 for south of 3k is going to be a challenge, I think. You could get the 924 chipped to 177 I think and you know how quick my own turbo was with that very number of ponies. Given the choice, I'd gor for the 924 and expect a lot less aggravation with rusty sills, but that's just my opinion. A 944 can always come later on when the economy picks up, and properly nurtured the 924 will still fetch a good price for resale when the time comes, and no one can pull your leg about it not having a proper Porsche engine, although we will try.

James_M · May 19, 2009

Craig

As you will doubtless see shortly I have dropped you an e-mail also sugggesting a 924S but also suggesting this:

http://www.eporsch.co.uk/0101for_sale.htm

This is where a bought my 968 and the chap that runs the place (Roly) seems to have acquired a good rep. I've put my mobile no. on the e-mail since eporsch is not far from me if you want to check it out. I have books you can borrow too including the one by P. Morgan.

Cheers

James

pauljmcnulty · May 19, 2009

Do you (or anyone else reading this) know if Peter Morgan or someone does a compact buyers guide for these cars?

Go to the 944 forum. Set the "Display topics from last:" to 365 days and read every flippin' post! [&:]

Seriously, there has been discussion at length about every possible area to consider when looking to buy a 944. It's tedious to wade through, but it's an honest discussion between hundreds of owners, not a buyer's guide written for a publisher.

craig2105 · May 23, 2009

Thanks chaps. Broadband has been playing up so I would have posted sooner.

The 993 has just gone to her new owner, and there's a terrible empty space in my garage.

Spotted an S2 on Pistonheads going for £2200 up north, but unfortunately there's no way I'll get up there this weekend so I'll probably miss out on it. It's had a full £3K engine rebuild during its 166K miles and looks OK in pics (as much as I can tell). But I wouldn't trust myself at the moment without a bit more knowledge.

Thanks for the offer to look over your car Scotty - will see you at the Bird in Hand. Hopefully someone will turn up with a total sh**ter for comparison!

John - it's got to be a 944 as I find the 924 a bit too dainty looking for me. I didn't think the 924 or 944 had a "proper Porsche engine" but we can discuss this further! (Am expecting trouble for this observation...)[

]

Paul - Will have a good look through the forum. The only problem is that all the bad news stuff in there can have the tendency to put one off the whole idea! Still, I managed to get past that before I bought the 993 and had over three trouble free years with her (aside from the odd flat battery).

If anyone hears of a good one going, please let me know...

Cheers

wibble · May 23, 2009

There are a couple of Lux's Porsche Post classified - maybe slightly outside your budget,

pauljmcnulty · May 24, 2009

Thanks chaps. I think the S2 is a good option if I can find something decent in my price range which unfortunately has to be south of £3K to get past the accountant. Doable, or likely to be a bag of nails?

I'd suggest more likely to be a bag of nails. [&o]

Having just spent over your £3K budget on an S2, at trade price, with the usual caveat that it'll need about £1k to £1.5K spending on it, I'd go for the best Lux instead. They are very close in real-world performance, I actually prefer the looks and the running costs are marginally lower, and they are about half the price to buy. Seriously, half the price for even the best examples.

Buy an S2 for around the £3K mark if it's a really good one, but please understand that unless you've found that elusive true bargain then you're buying a £5K car for £3K and you'll need to spend the other £2k pretty quickly or you'll have either a shabby car or an unreliable mightmare.

I'd not discount the 924S, it's a 944 Lux in lightweight form for even less money. Think of it as a Lotus-inspired 944 [

]. I alway suggest that if the budget to either buy or run a 944 is limited then go for the best of the base model.

craig2105 · May 26, 2009

Scotty - Thanks for the links. I've been trawling PH daily! I see you're going to the Gaydon Tipec event too - see you there and maybe have a walk around your car? Anyone else from R19 going?

I know these cars a re supposed to be good for a big mileage before major work, but what do we feel about 150K plus cars? Yes, history is everything, but even with that past investment, can they still be reasonably dependable?

Paul - All good advice, and I'll hope for the proverbial bargain but will look at Lux's too. I really couldn't live with a 924. I'd open the garage door and just be disappointed with how it looks, and life's too short for that.

One more thing, I kinda like the old, "square" dash on earlier 944's. Am I the only one? What are the pitfalls?

Cheers, Craig

pauljmcnulty · May 26, 2009

One more thing, I kinda like the old, "square" dash on earlier 944's. Am I the only one? What are the pitfalls?

Lux only, dashes are almost all cracked but it's cosmetic and the oval dashes are beginning to go as well, no PAS. Steel wishbones are cheaper than later alloy, obviously pre-ABS but luxes up to 1989 (I think) were anyway. Biggest issue is that they are older, obviously, and cheaper, so tend to be either very cherished classics or run with minimum budget and can be very scruffy.

Think that's it! You're not alone in prefering the look, and a good one is a bargain at current prices as it should be less than later model.

gdavison · May 26, 2009

Having had a Lux, S and S2 .. I loved them all

http://www.skampsweb.net/pages/cars/ours/944s/944s.php

hmm memories of the Dashboard

http://www.skampsweb.net/codelibs/templates/photoframe2.php?PhotoRef=/images/cars/ours:944SF944DGF-Scan04.jpg

craig2105 · May 26, 2009

Paul - No PAS? Have to can that idea then or my wife won't drive it. Oval dash's it is then.

gdavison - Thanks for the links. Like that silver colour.

gdavison · May 26, 2009

ORIGINAL: craig2105
gdavison - Thanks for the links. Like that silver colour.

yeah that Platinum Silver was amazing, we saw a Platinum Silver 944 in the Auction tents at the Porsche Festival in 2007 ,.. Latest Boxster is Polar Silver.. we actually for a few mins considered the Porsche "Any Colour option" and ordered the Boxster in Platinum Silver