Changing seats

[Guest]

Hello anyone.
I need some information and would appreciate your help. I've just joined the PCGB but haven't yet got a Porsche. Not being that rich I am looking for a 944 and have been told I can get quite a reasonable one for about 5K. However, although I'm not particular about the model or age (as long as it's a Porsche), I want a black one with cream hide interior and have been unable to find one suitable in weeks. I'm now getting desperate and can't wait much longer and today came across a mix and match to fill my requirements i.e. a 1983 black lux with linen interior in working order and a 1988S that's being broken for spares with cream hide interior. So my question is:- can anyone tell me if the seats and door panels from the 1988 944S will fit into the 1983 Lux.
I'll thank you in advance as I've never used a forum before so not quite sure what will happen.
Best regards
Mike

 

[carlmthompson]

Hi Micko,

Welcome to the forum.

As you have 5K to spend, which is areasonable budget for a good 944, I would suggest taking your time and finding the right car. I don't know how much you're knowledge of the 944 reaches, but there was some significant changes to the model line up in 1985 (these later cars are refered to as the 85.5, or 85/2 cars). They have a much nicer dashboard so are worth waiting for.

As with any older car, condition is king - if you need a black car with linen hyde interior, consider getting it retrimmed in leather later on - this might give you more options, and there's always some breaker somewhere trading in interiors, so worry about the external colour more than anything!

Your 5k should buy you a good 86 on 944 2.5 or 2.7 or 944S, or even a higher mileage S2 (the mileage doesn't matter as long as it's been looked after).

The link below will give you some model history, and some help on what to look for when you buy.

tech articles

Look at plenty, and buy the one in the best nick you can find - i.e not much (if any) rust, and a good service history. It might take you a while to find a good'n (remember even the newest of these cars are getting towards 15 yr old), but the wait will be worth it, rather than diving in with both feet and buying a dog!

PS - Should have mentioned - join the Club - the club magazine has some of the best ads in for 944's (I got mine from there). Also try 911 & Porsche World. Remember that finding one is half the fun[]

 

[Fen]

I would think that they would swap across as the doors are the same between oval dash 944s and 924s. Seats should be a straight swap.

For £5k you should be able to find a nice oval dash 944 that you don't need to mess around with. I have to say I question your priorities though; under £5k in black with linen leather (linen is the colour, not the material) and a Porsche badge is not the best way to get a good car.

Realistically you won't get anything with the badge worth having unless it's a 924, 944 or possibly a 914 but you should really drive all of them and see which model you prefer, then buy on condition rather than colour and trim, or at least be prepared to be patient and not rush into something that isn't really what you want.

On a brighter note black with linen was quite a popular colour combination from the change to oval dash until the end of production. Less optimistically many were cloth except Turbos and very late S2s and you don't have the budget for a good one of them I'm afraid. There are also sport and standard seat options with sport being much more desirable. A linen leather sport interior in good (not immaculate) condition will go for over £500 just for the seats (I know as I sold one last year) and I know of at least one long-termer on here who has been looking for some time so they don't come up that often.

 

[Guest]

Thankyou Carl and Fen for your replies. Carl, I have actually joined the club and buy the mag you suggested but for some reason I am shown as a non-member.
Mike

 

[944turboS]

If it says "Non Member" under your name you need to confirm your Name, Membership Number and Forum Name to Club HQ (email cluboffice@porscheclubgb.com).

 

[Diver944]

Welcome Mike,

I have to echo the others, take your time and look at plenty. Restricting your choice to colour and trim will extend the time it takes to buy what you want, but thats your choice. The most important thing is to get a mechanically good car that will not require immediate spending. This is important because some of the wear and tear items are expensive with a clutch change costing up to £1k, new shocks circa £500, brakes all round at £500, gearbox rebuild over £1k, belt change circa £300. Obvioulsy these are less if you can do it yourself.

Interior trim will be relatively cheap, a local upholsterer could recover cloth seats with leather for around £500. A well known Porsche specialist Southbound Trimmers charge around £900 and have a long waiting list beacause they do a good job. If the '83 car mechanically fits the bill (except trim) then don't turn it down on that basis. Ring round all the Porsche breakers - one of them will have leather seats for sale.

....and now the unhelpful bit [] I have a black car and linen leather [8|] sorry couldn't resist

 

[John Sims]

I know of at least one long-termer on here who has been looking for some time so they don't come up that often.

Guilty as charged [] I think I will go for a re-foam and retrim in logo cloth now as the cloth is more comfortable on those cold/hot days and it holds your bum better in corners. It doesn't look as good, or wear as well, as leather but then when your bum is on the seat you can't see it any way.

I agree that the lighter colurs make the car seem bigger and more opulant. The black headling can make the 944 seem quite claustrophobic. I had a white car with a black interior prior to Beaky and my linen logo makes the the car a much nicer place to be.

Re all of the above comments - owning an old Porsche is nothing like owning a newer car. 944 ownership has extreme highs and, equally, some pretty extreme lows. Please don't buy one just for colour and badge; you will be very disapointed and I doubt you will have the enthusiasm necessary to maintain what can be a very expensive car to run. Remember, whilst you can get a 944 for £5k now they were, perhaps, the equivalent of £60K when new. These are not cheap cars.