Buying a 944

[simkin911]

ORIGINAL: Craigybaby Steve, I recognise the brick wall, is that car a "time warp" by any chance?

It is indeed. One of the best. Unlikely to have any rust either despite the lifetime in the north east of Scotland. Perhaps my comments are a bit sarky.... Maybe they simply buy in mostly the best cars in the UK? [8|] At least one forum member had a good experience to be fair.

 

[Craigybaby]

There's a dealer near me, originally set up under the name "thunder road" 4 or 5 years ago, sensibly changed it to "yorkshire classic porsche" couple of years ago. Buchanan motors seem to have done it the another way around, I mean, the throttle shop. Piss poor name. IMO, naturally.

 

[944 man]

ORIGINAL: colin944

ORIGINAL: 944 man S2s were announced for the 1989 model year (which starts September the previous year), but production didnt start until February 1989 in the end.

My S2 was first registered on the 7th of February 1989.However when I took it to bits before I rebuilt it I discovered that it was built in October 1988. So If you can find an early enough S2 you may just be able to get one that was built in 1988.Good luck with your hunt. Take your time and listen to the guys on here as there is a whole lot of experience in 944s here. If possible take someone who knows the cars well with you when you go to look( you might even get a volunteer or two on here to help you ). Try no to get too hung up on colour and model and just buy the best you can for your budget.We will argue till the cows come home about which is the best model, but the truth is that they are all great cars and none will disappoint you in terms of driving experience etc. although obviously the S2 is the best overall. ( stand back and wait for the torrent of abuse from the Turbo boys)

Discovered that it was built in October 1988 or discovered that it had October 1988 date stamps on some components. Porsche have always stated that S2 series production commenced in February 1989 and they have repeated this to the authors of a number of books too. I wouldn't usually argue over a fact stated by Peter Horton, but I do believe this one to be correct.

 

[Ex Skyline]

ORIGINAL: Cater_Racer

ORIGINAL: Ex Skyline Buy a Turbo mate. The rest are all pony [8|].

Yes buy a Turbo, and you can have lots of fun repairing it. [] Or an S2 and just drive it.........................

Ha,Ha!! Touche!! []. I guess that told me [] (or, maybe I touched a nerve []).

 

[MJL944]

Colin - My S2 was registered on 7th February 1989 too! Registered on that date to Merlin Cambria Ltd ('Porsche, Rolls Royce & Bentley' according to their service book stamp) in Cardiff as a demonstrator and with a hefty 3600 miles already on it 6 weeks later on 21st March 1989 according to the 1st service stamp. The original Driver's Manual (covering the 944, 944S2 & 944 Turbo) that is present with my car has a print date of 09/88 on it so Porsche must surely have been building S2's in late 1988 ready for an official launch in the UK in early 1989 - probably on the 7th Feb 1989.

 

[944 man]

Porsche state that 944 S2 series production did not commence until February 1989. The release date for the handbook is of no significance. The 1989 model year started in September 1988 from a production point of view, but they only built 2.7ls and Turbos initially. This could be incorrect of course, and they may have only started RHD production in February (or even officially launched, although this is the lease likely), but component date stamps and new model year owners manuals fall some way short of convincing. If people really want to know when their car was built then they should contact Mark Noack or obtain a certificate of authenticity from Porsche Cars GB.

 

[Ex Skyline]

Just what IS that picky of in your signature Simon? It looks like you are the subject of a drugs bust down at the docks? []

 

[Hallsy]

Lol, I have often wondered the same!!

 

[944fla]

Duetsche Polizei havin a lurk it seems...(but is it for good reason)?[8D]

 

[simkin911]

http://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds/used-cars/porsche/944/superb-low-mileage-linen-silver-porsche-944-s2-coupe-3-0/2677213?isexperiment=true The contours of the replacement sills, rear quarters and front lower wings don't look "right" to me. However, probably compensated for by the 25 yr old class leading suspension. [] Nice colour tho. Didn't take them long to sell the red cab however.

 

[Craigybaby]

Couldn't help reading that without a smile on my face, what a sales pitch. Imagine his face to face patter, bet he could sell snow to the Eskimos. He must have a soft spot for the 944, he's sold so many. Out of interest what's a poker straight interior?

 

[Saint75]

Anyone think this one is any good? http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/141367973757 Hi by the way....... I'm brand new & looking for a turbo :0)

 

[Dave928]

Not if you want a turbo, that's an S2 !

 

[zcacogp]

ORIGINAL: Saint75 Anyone think this one is any good? http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/141367973757 Hi by the way....... I'm brand new & looking for a turbo :0)

Well, being an S2 it is undoubtedly a much better car than a Turbo, so you're off to a good start. [] That one claims to have had a LOT of work done. Which would make me cautious. Who did the work? Why was it done? Why did someone spend somewhere in the £4-5000 region on a car, only to do a few hundred miles before selling it? Who did the work? The guy advertising it claims to have a bodyshop, but he makes his living selling machines to grind up effluent from toilets - so this doesn't add up. What does he mean by "forged pistons", "forged con-rods" etc etc etc? Is he (mistakenly) thinking that these were fitted as standard by Porsche when the engine was new? Or has he had them installed in some rebuild? If the former, he's confused. If the latter, let's have some more details and some explanations. In short, if it's close and you have a nose for sniffing out a story, it may be worth a look. Otherwise, I'd probably avoid it. Oli.

 

[Saint75]

If it's had a rebuild it wouldn't need a cambelt as he just emailed me. Sounds dodge. It's not for me, just if someone wanted an s2. I'm most definitely after a turbo 2 or se

 

[zcacogp]

Sounds dodgy indeed, thanks for the heads-up. "Turbo 2 or se"? You mean a Turbo S? The SE was a run-out S2 model with a chip and some blingy bits. Oli.

 

[Suffolk944]

Some also call the last non "S" 250 turbo cars "SE" mistakenly. I used to but was shown the error of my ways ! Edited to add that I fully agree with the dodgy nature of that advert.

 

[Hallsy]

I thought that Porsche UK did market the later full spec Turbo's as SE? I'm sure that's what my Peter Morgan book says anyway. Not that it really matters, lol!!

 

[Saint75]

I've been "schooled"!! Ha ha. I am merely a padawan & must be taught the ways of the Porker. I'm after the later 250bhp model in which ever form. Also need to find a half decent specialist in the Lincolnshire area if people can recommend.

 

[Suffolk944]

ORIGINAL: Hallsy I thought that Porsche UK did market the later full spec Turbo's as SE? I'm sure that's what my Peter Morgan book says anyway. Not that it really matters, lol!!

That's what I thought but some say other wise - but yes doesn't really matter []