i bought a lux but dont know what to do with it?

[iputthebootin]

Hi all, dont post here much although i do read the posts all the time.
I used to own a boxster(boo hiss) for a couple of years but got rid of it about 2 years ago for various reasons but still had the porsche bug after that.
I got tipped off about a 944lux in August last year and as it was going cheap i bought it even though i knew it would need some work but it was a good price so i thought what the hell.
I stuck it in the garage and it has been there ever since as it has no tax and i wasnt sure when the belts were last done but i do start it regularly just to keep everything moving.
The intention was to sort it out as and when i had time and money but still havent really done much with it apart from sorting out little bits and pieces like getting the headlamps and wipers and electric windows etc working again.
After having a few sunny days recently it made me think i would like to get it sorted to get it out on the road but i know there are things that will need doing on it.
I wondered if there are any kind souls out there in the Birmingham area with greater 944 knowledge than mine who may have some time to have a look over the car and give me an honest opinion on it and what will really need doing on it and possible costs involved.
I would love to be out and about in it but have to be realistic about what it will take.
In return i will happily offer lashings of tea and sandwiches.
Any help is appreciated.
Cheers
Shaun

 

[iputthebootin]

Hmm, dont really wanna sell it fullstop if i can help it.
Would love to get it back on the road but obviously its down to whether its financially feasible to me hence why i would like a more knowledgeable person to cast an eye over it.

 

[John Sims]

It all comes down to how much you want it and how much rust it has. If the rust is bad you are into a big bill to get it sorted and, regrettably, you would probably be better off scrapping it or giving it to someone who is desperate to spend money.

Assuming it isn't a rust bucket, if you don't know when the belts were done you need to get them sorted very quickly. If it is coming up to 100K get the water pump done at the same time. after that it is just a matter of addressing issues if and when they become apparent through use.

 

[jase449]

i did exactly the same with mine i did run it for 2 to 3 months but then hit a road cone at 60mph that someone had kindly dumped in the middle of the road(didnt see it as it was 3 in the morning!!) took it off the road 1.5 years ago to resore it and its still not finished mind you it is getting there want it done right not right now. once you start these projects you will always find some thing else that needs doing as well as the job you started out to do hoping mine will be finished by august

 

[James_G]

Hi Shaun

It's a shame you're in Birmingham as otherwise I'd be more than happy to help you understand what's involved. I've been doing a lot of work both inside and outside on mine recently, and reckon I have a reasonable feel for what's an easy fix and what isn't.

Some things I would try are:

A) You say you don't know when the belts were done. Well maybe try and contacting the previous owners to get a more accurate picture of what was done. I suspect you don't have their details but you can find them out by sending £5 off to the DVLA - it does take a month or two though. If you then discover that they were done recently then it's cost you £5 plus some stamps, and you can breath easy. Budget for them to be changed however.

B) Carry on with the MOT related work that you are doing. It's far easier to "restore" a car while it's up an running than when it's languishing in a garage. I wouldn't get too hung up on bodywork just yet, get the oil bits sorted, get an MOT then review.

C) Finally, post up some pictures and make them some honest ones. We all like pictures on this forum (even if the concours fraternity will get upset if it doesn't have an original steering wheel....) and you'll then get lots of answers about what to tackle.

Hope that helps

James

 

[iputthebootin]

Thnaks all for the words of advice.
With regard to the belts the guy i had it off said he didnt know when they were last done hence the concern.
Bodywork wise its pretty good, sills look ok, definitely not a rust bucket. It has the usual wear and tear inside, worn seat bolsters etc, but the electrics are all ok, all the mirrors and windows work now after a change of motors, the sunroof is fine, the headlamps are fine. The headlamp washers dont work which i tried to suss but with no joy.
One area of concern is that the front bumper wasnt sitting right so i took it off to find it was all held on with cable ties????????? This makes me think it may have had a whack on the front at some point but underneath looks pretty straight still.
It starts ok and idles fine although last week after i ran it for 15 minutes it boiled all the water in the header tank and spewed it all out, followed by a very fine swirl of white smoke from under the down pipe from the manifold so maybe a small hole in the pipe perhaps, and lots of white smoke from the exhaust which is even more worrying.
This is why i could do with someone more 944 minded than myself to look it over.
I will post some pics up over the weekend as im gonna try and get the bumper back on straight and sort out the headlamp washers.
As i say i would love to get it out on the road but i also need to be realistic. If i gotta spend time and more importanly lots of money i would rather shift it and spend the money on one that dont need anything doing but for now this has become a quest and i dont like to give in.