Sandspider
New member
Hi all
I'm vaguely toying with the idea of selling my 1986 944 Lux in the new year. (Feels like a betrayal even to write that!) However, my life circumstances are changing, and I'm toying with the idea of a Subaru Legacy Spec B estate, for more room in the back, child carrying etc. If I do sell, I'll be back to 944s, probably with an S2 in the future when I've got a garage...
Anyway, it's a 1986 2.5l Lux. It's black! I've owned it for 7 or 8 years, some 45,000 miles, and 2 belt changes. It's done 115,000 odd miles, very low for the year, and I looked at about 10 cars before buying this one. I also had it checked over by a specialist in Rockhampton before buying it, and it's a good one. (Only points I remember he noted were a loose door handle and a missing sun roof liner - still got his report somewhere, I'll fish it out). Full service history (last done in Aug 2014), by myself for the basics (oil, filter, plugs etc.) and by a couple of local garages for trickier bits - independent / specialist. Just put new Dunlop Bluresponse tyres on the 15" wheels that are on the car, and it also comes with a set of Cup 1 replica alloys - good tyres on the front, bit worn but still legal on the back. Good mechanical condition, always starts, Cat 1 immobiliser fitted. The sills are good, though the passenger side was patched (just a small patch near the rear wheel) this year. All thoroughly sealed underneath, and protected inside the sills. I don't use it for short journeys, as I have a push bike and have a second (and had a third) car for that. New ARB brackets / bushes in Aug this year. New brake and fuel lines over the past couple of years. Probably lots of good bits that I've missed.
Less good bits! The paintwork. It's not anywhere near concourse, it lives on my drive in all weathers, and it has a few scrapes and bumps (the odd car park wound). I bought it to drive and use, not to be a garage queen. A polish would improve it, but if you were after perfection it would probably need a respray.
The dashboard is cracking and the clock doesn't work.
One of the sunroof micro switches doesn't work, so the pins do not stop retracting - you just have to choose when to stop them - not rocket science!
If parked with the bonnet pointing up a slope in heavy rain, there is a small drip into the passenger side footwell. Drains are clear, but I think there might be a screw missing behind the fuse box or similar that lets water in when rain is heavy.
Handbrake works well on the right hand rear wheel; less so on the left hand rear wheel. Passes the MOT every time though.
Possibly a slight judder in the clutch though this may be paranoia. I think it's been that way ever since I bought the car. My mechanic says it doesn't feel like the rubber clutch centre breaking up, and basically that I am in fact paranoid.
The belts and rollers are due to be done fairly soon, on time not mileage - I will check exactly when. I will possibly do this in the new year, depending on how long I keep it for / when/if I find a good Spec B. It had a new water pump at the last belt change, and new rollers at the first belt change.
Any thoughts on a possible value? I can put some pictures up this weekend. It seems that 944 prices are rising, but perhaps that's more for S2s and turbos than for the humble Lux? Discuss! I still enjoy every drive in it, and might well end up keeping it! If only it had air con. And a bridge spoiler. And perhaps a few more horsepower...
Many thanks.
I'm vaguely toying with the idea of selling my 1986 944 Lux in the new year. (Feels like a betrayal even to write that!) However, my life circumstances are changing, and I'm toying with the idea of a Subaru Legacy Spec B estate, for more room in the back, child carrying etc. If I do sell, I'll be back to 944s, probably with an S2 in the future when I've got a garage...
Anyway, it's a 1986 2.5l Lux. It's black! I've owned it for 7 or 8 years, some 45,000 miles, and 2 belt changes. It's done 115,000 odd miles, very low for the year, and I looked at about 10 cars before buying this one. I also had it checked over by a specialist in Rockhampton before buying it, and it's a good one. (Only points I remember he noted were a loose door handle and a missing sun roof liner - still got his report somewhere, I'll fish it out). Full service history (last done in Aug 2014), by myself for the basics (oil, filter, plugs etc.) and by a couple of local garages for trickier bits - independent / specialist. Just put new Dunlop Bluresponse tyres on the 15" wheels that are on the car, and it also comes with a set of Cup 1 replica alloys - good tyres on the front, bit worn but still legal on the back. Good mechanical condition, always starts, Cat 1 immobiliser fitted. The sills are good, though the passenger side was patched (just a small patch near the rear wheel) this year. All thoroughly sealed underneath, and protected inside the sills. I don't use it for short journeys, as I have a push bike and have a second (and had a third) car for that. New ARB brackets / bushes in Aug this year. New brake and fuel lines over the past couple of years. Probably lots of good bits that I've missed.
Less good bits! The paintwork. It's not anywhere near concourse, it lives on my drive in all weathers, and it has a few scrapes and bumps (the odd car park wound). I bought it to drive and use, not to be a garage queen. A polish would improve it, but if you were after perfection it would probably need a respray.
The dashboard is cracking and the clock doesn't work.
One of the sunroof micro switches doesn't work, so the pins do not stop retracting - you just have to choose when to stop them - not rocket science!
If parked with the bonnet pointing up a slope in heavy rain, there is a small drip into the passenger side footwell. Drains are clear, but I think there might be a screw missing behind the fuse box or similar that lets water in when rain is heavy.
Handbrake works well on the right hand rear wheel; less so on the left hand rear wheel. Passes the MOT every time though.
Possibly a slight judder in the clutch though this may be paranoia. I think it's been that way ever since I bought the car. My mechanic says it doesn't feel like the rubber clutch centre breaking up, and basically that I am in fact paranoid.
The belts and rollers are due to be done fairly soon, on time not mileage - I will check exactly when. I will possibly do this in the new year, depending on how long I keep it for / when/if I find a good Spec B. It had a new water pump at the last belt change, and new rollers at the first belt change.
Any thoughts on a possible value? I can put some pictures up this weekend. It seems that 944 prices are rising, but perhaps that's more for S2s and turbos than for the humble Lux? Discuss! I still enjoy every drive in it, and might well end up keeping it! If only it had air con. And a bridge spoiler. And perhaps a few more horsepower...
Many thanks.
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