Advice needed on buying an 85' 944

pauljmcnulty · Mar 27, 2013

Sills over the top of the others is a bodge, but it isnt uncommon.

Indeed. I think you'll find you need to do the sills, and the other rust on the front and rear wings, so you're in for the same sort of job as mine was I'd guess? That'll be the purchase price again probably, but then you'll struggle to find any 30 year old car that doesn't need at least some bodywork. Difficult to know without seeing the car whether that's going to be worth putting a lot of money in to, at least from the MOT you have some idea that the structural areas are sound.

edh · Mar 27, 2013

I can't see how you'd diagnose terminally rusty sills from those pictures though? They may or may not be solid. MOT "should" identify severe structural issues or impending doom. Pics taken inside look OK - evidence of waxoil or similar. nsf wing bottom needs a repair, also at the leading edge of the osf wing (I think that's the area pictured) - who knows how bad but not hugely expensive. I had both front wing bottoms done for Â£100 or so. (can't remember the exact figure) This isn't a valuable classic, it's a cheap car that a decent bodyshop can fabricate repair panels for if necessary.

pauljmcnulty · Mar 27, 2013

I can't see how you'd diagnose terminally rusty sills from those pictures though? They may or may not be solid. MOT "should" identify severe structural issues or impending doom. Pics taken inside look OK - evidence of waxoil or similar. nsf wing bottom needs a repair, also at the leading edge of the osf wing (I think that's the area pictured) - who knows how bad but not hugely expensive. I had both front wing bottoms done for Â£100 or so. (can't remember the exact figure) This isn't a valuable classic, it's a cheap car that a decent bodyshop can fabricate repair panels for if necessary.

I didn't say terminally, just that they'll need attention. I'd imagine they were covered because they were cosmetically rusty (white cars do show rust worse than red, of course), but I'm not sure what you'll find when you start digging around. Mine was entirely sound on the NS, but once you've stripped it you have to paint it, and it doesn't really cost any less than if it needs metal replacing. Unless there's massive rot, needing the floorpan, inner sills, jacking points etc. replacing, then having it professionally repaired and painted costs pretty much the same whether there's a few holes, or just some rusty edges? I'm not sure you'll get, essentially, the whole bottom half of the car tidied for much less than Â£1500 including the vat? Not saying don't do it, but I'd want to know the rest of the car was good first. That's all. [

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andy watson · Mar 27, 2013

Adam, Buy it!!! It's white, It's an early car, It's in reasonable condition, It's what you WANT [

] Just trailer home and change the belts, everything else that needs doing will always eventually need doing you will never ever buy the perfect car on a budget (and that is not meant to be condecending) Good luck & see if you can keep the plate, it sets it off nicely (and try your luck and start @ Â£1500 due to the various issues)

edh · Mar 27, 2013

Bodyshop prices may vary of course.... ....you could just deal with any structural problems & drive it around for a while with a rusty wing [

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pauljmcnulty · Mar 27, 2013

ORIGINAL: edh Bodyshop prices may vary of course.... ....you could just deal with any structural problems & drive it around for a while with a rusty wing []

Absolutely. That's what I did with mine until someone drove into it, then it helped offset the cost. Not the perfect solution, but there's no reason to rush into anything!

Bloooor · Mar 27, 2013

Correct, it hasn't had a belt/pump change in 14 years (seems to be annoying common with every white 944 i find in semi good condition! lol) A little daunting with the car being far away and planning the work through the owner (I'm not used to things like this) Also the clutch being 24 years old too, will have to put that in to account of my budget (but on the bright side, it's been changed from the old rubber centred clutch so hopefully it's not had many miles put on it. I have a friend with a flatbed who said it would cost Â£120 to get there and back (but it broke down yesterday on the motorway so i don't know whether it's been fixed yet) I'm okay dealing with the rust for now, My grandad has allowed me to clear out the back unit of his shop (which coincidentally my uncle used for his Austin Mini years ago so has an engine crane, welder, compresser and some tools etc in there) so I wouldn't mind learning how to do some restoration, would definitely make me feel more proud of the fact i've managed to bring it back to it's former glory. The owner (Laura) has said she can get a video of the engine running if that helps, so i'm awaiting an email now. She said it is started and driven every week or so

T3rra · Mar 27, 2013

It needs the belts doing and the pump anyway. Just 2 be save and while your in there, pump extra Â£300 on belts. Rust shouldn't be to bad as its pass mot. However my S was fine from outside due 2 repire work but left 2 rust inside, this could be an issue with this if its been done on the outside/ over the top. Front oil seals MIT as well be done if doing the belts. Then at least u can use it and not worry that the belt will come off again in 4 years due 2 oil leak. If the rust isn't ugly and u don't mind I would get engine sorted and use the car 4 a bit and see how it fairs. Till your happy then spend a bit more getting it sorted. If its not been used in the winter and wet? Why did it need the sills doing and why have they got 2 be done again. My turbo had very tiny 5p rust spot on sills used it o et the winter daily doing 11000 miles now and the rust has got worse but I'm deal with it in the next few months as it gets dryer. Water pump and belts where done so didn't need much. However I'm do head gaskit soon as there's no history off it, and new belts and seals. Big job but cheaper 2 get it all done at once. If you need a flat bed I can put you though 2 my mate. Or u could get the belts done up here? And drive it back. It may be cheaper up your way and safer bet driving local.

Bloooor · Mar 27, 2013

Not the best video as i don't really want to here it revving.. http://tinypic.com/r/2cncmly/6 but atleast can get bit more insight to the car I would have to get the belts/pump etc done nearer to me (only for warranty issues and would like to be close incase anything went wrong or if they did a good job, i would want to go back again as they would get to know the car better Thanks for the info T3rra, how much would you say new waterpump/seals/belts + labour would be? I understand it will change from place to place but you must have a rough figure? Will ask now if the old MOTs shows why they needed the sills replacing

GlennS · Mar 27, 2013

ORIGINAL: Bloooor Also the clutch being 24 years old too, will have to put that in to account of my budget (but on the bright side, it's been changed from the old rubber centred clutch so hopefully it's not had many miles put on it.

Has it? The rubber centred clutch was still being fitted as standard to cars way later than 1990. All 944 S2s originally came with them. A clutch fitted to this car in 1990 may well be of the rubber centred type. That's not the end of the world. The rubber centred clutch on my S2 finally let go this year after 150,000 so the one in that car may have substantial life left in it.

Hairyarse · Mar 27, 2013

Looks worth the money to me, doesn't look too bad at all, aside from any sill work. Sounds good too. I'd buy it if I was in your shoes, after a little haggling

The water pipe to the left of the cylinder head looks like it may need replacing, all else in the pics looks straight.

944 man · Mar 27, 2013

ORIGINAL: Bloooor Not the best video as i don't really want to here it revving.. http://tinypic.com/r/2cncmly/6 but atleast can get bit more insight to the car I would have to get the belts/pump etc done nearer to me (only for warranty issues and would like to be close incase anything went wrong or if they did a good job, i would want to go back again as they would get to know the car better Thanks for the info T3rra, how much would you say new waterpump/seals/belts + labour would be? I understand it will change from place to place but you must have a rough figure? Will ask now if the old MOTs shows why they needed the sills replacing

Im not sure why you think that id does, but it doesnt need the water pump replacing. Belts expire on mileage and time, but the water pump and the rollers will last forever if the car isnt used.

pauljmcnulty · Mar 27, 2013

the water pump and the rollers will last forever if the car isnt used.

Should that read "but has been regularly started and run for a while"? All moving parts benefit from at least occasional use, surely? Just as all perishable parts hate long-term lack of use.

944 man · Mar 27, 2013

Maybe. I rush, half read everything and then POW! Hit you with my advice and leave. Like a forum gorilla...

944 man · Mar 27, 2013

Geurilla [

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944Turbo · Mar 27, 2013

Does look quite rusty for a car tha'ts lived indoors not seen the rain (proximity of the sea?) - would imagine the brake/fuel lines might be quite rusty as well, though if they got through the mot cant be that bad

T3rra · Mar 28, 2013

Sill work MIT not just be out side skin, could off gone 2 far 2 pay someone else 2 fix. My S wasn't rusty from outside and I will post up some pics off it cut open. The fire wall looks like it's been painted. And the underside off the bonnet? I looked at 968 engine in a s2 b4 I got my turbo, was clearly signs off engine fire and owner pretended he didn't realise? And that engine was change b4 his owner ship 4 proformce There's not a huge amount off these cars in my area, Folkestone is by the sea

Bloooor · Mar 28, 2013

Thanks for the chat T3rra, lots of useful info to take onboard, appreciate that. You're right too about the above, things looking to new on a classic car don't fill me with much confidence.. Also saying if it's past it's MOT then it shouldn't be too bad.. I know a few MOT people and the inspection really can be quite minimal based on whether he knows the owner of the car or not, i think it's just going to be one of those risks you take and hope for the best. Shall prefer to buy from an enthusiast though or someone from the forums, will give me more confidence that the car has been looked after and the advert is mor genuine (with having a possible reputation on the forums to keep up too) If only this was in white, this is what i've been looking for really (and close by) waiting for an email back with pictures showing the zero rust and confirming whether he can provide MOTs backlogging the low mileage, it sounds like a good car (Also with putting into account the low mileage, if not then would need to ask about belts/pump/seals have been checked or changed accordingly http://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds/used-cars/porsche/944/porsche-944-1985-low-miles-78k/1208150

GlennS · Mar 28, 2013

ORIGINAL: Bloooor If only this was in white, this is what i've been looking for really (and close by) waiting for an email back with pictures showing the zero rust and confirming whether he can provide MOTs backlogging the low mileage, it sounds like a good car (Also with putting into account the low mileage, if not then would need to ask about belts/pump/seals have been checked or changed accordingly http://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds/used-cars/porsche/944/porsche-944-1985-low-miles-78k/1208150

Ooooh... that looks like someone really loves it. Nice looking car. Were I after an early Lux I'd be up there as fast as my little legs could carry me.