My other car's a Porsche...

[Peter Empson]

I'm now the proud owner of a second 944 [] I've purchased Mikie_gb's car partly as I couldn't bear the thought of another 944 being scrapped but mainly because I was getting mighty fed up with public transport. What was an initial idea to have something to mess around with for a couple of months may become rather more permanent, but time will tell. I plan to run this car as economically as possible, and even get rid of some of the modifications (heresy for me I know).

I've driven the car no further than onto and off the low loader so far, but it feels a good 'un (the 944S engine seems really rather nice) and Michael's certainly maintained the car properly. It needs an MOT which is hence the low loader, I've booked one for Tuesday morning to see what, if anything, needs doing.

I had to work this afternoon so didn't get much chance to work on the car but will post some more pics tomorrow.

Thanks for everything Michael, I'll do my best to look after it.

 

[944Turbo]

That'll look nice with your white wheels on it
Tony

 

[Peter Empson]

Lol! I was thinking of some gold or graphite teledials... Not sure my soon to be Blue track wheels will look right though (not that this car is going on track, I promise []).

 

[Diver944]

ORIGINAL: Peter Empson

Lol! I was thinking of some gold or graphite teledials... []).

That will match the intake manifold then []

I'm sure Mikies loss will be your gain (though your wallet will soon be screaming in pain from running two 944s you mad addict [])

 

[appletonn]

Peter, how clean is that engine bay?!!!

Why would anyone want to buy a 6yr old supermini, when for less money they could drive something like this???

Maybe we should all buy a second (or third!) example of the breed, ready for when the prices go up...?[]

 

[Diver944]

ORIGINAL: appletonn

Maybe we should all buy a second (or third!) example of the breed, ready for when the prices go up...?[]

Heh, heh, heh [] There's already too many people looking but not wanting to pay for a good example, it will get even harder for them if we buy all the nice ones []

If I had the cash I wouldn't mind a nice Cabrio to go with mine

 

[Lemon]

If I had the cash I wouldn't mind a nice Cabrio to go with mine
[/quote]

Oh yes []

A nice Turbo cabrio would be nice.

Trying to convince the other half this would be a great commute car for her[]

 

[TTM]

This is a very nice looking car.

Don't you think you may get bored of 944s if you use one as an everyday car ? I know I would ...

 

[edh]

Well done Peter - now there's no excuse for any extra weight in the track car

 

[zcacogp]

Peter,

Well done. I'm glad that care went to a good home rather than being scrapped. Did you get it at the right price (as in, gratis?)

It looks like a good 'un. I'll be interested to hear your comments on the S, given your extensive experience of the S2.

All the best with the MOT.


Oli.

 

[Peter Empson]

I've just spent a very enjoyable day getting to know the car and it's polished up a treat [] although as pointed out the engine bay was already spotless!

I've been driving a 944 every day for the past 10 years (excluding the last 6 months!) and they still feel special everytime, I can't imagine wanting to drive some bland car instead. Using this car for the commute will make it harder for me to justify the expense of two cars, but I still wouldn't sell my old car, and yes I may be tempted to go a bit further with 'the noisy one' (I may gut the doors and fit door bars to the cage etc). Whilst I will try not to get too precious about my old car, common sense suggests that if for example someone runs into the front of it where I park for work it'd cost more to repair it than I've spent in total on this car (assuming it causes intercooler damage, which is fairly likely as it's just a few mill behind the bumper).

This car cost £1,000 which I think makes it a real bargain as Michael has really looked after it, the mechanical history is first rate (recent top end rebuild, clutch and so on) and it's only done 98K. It also came with some spares and some excellent cleaning products which all help keep the costs down. I intend to do all the routine stuff myself and as and when welding is required for the corrosion on the drivers sill I suspect I'll just have it patched as necessary (as has been done previously).

Tomorrow I plan to refit the original airbox, touch up the paint, and sort out a couple of other little foibles, oh and I'll give it a proper couple of coats of wax too (it's only got polish it on it at the moment to protect it after cutting). [] Well I have 6 months of polishing to catch up on after all!

 

[zcacogp]

That's a good-looking car, Peter. Those front alloys look completely un-kerbed. And to think, it was going to be scrapped!

£1000. A bargain, in anyone's language. Well done. I hope it serves you well.


Oli.

 

[swright]

Why would anyone even consider scrapping that car??????!!!!!!!????

 

[appletonn]

At that price, I would have struggled not to buy it too![]

 

[MarkK]

Peter,looks luvverly!!!!!!!One thing to say-Gloss black teledials!!!!!???,you already have some black coloured crest centers,its a must!!!!!!Great idea to have the new car to preserve the white beast,what a fantastic looking car,what a bargain!!!
Nice one![]

 

[Mikie_gb]

Hi Peter

Good luck with the MOT today. Hope it goes well. Nice to see the car getting the attention it needs.

 

[berg944]

My other car's a Porsche

My other car was a Porsche.......until my other half killed it[]

Mike[:'(]

 

[Peter Empson]

As half expected it failed it's Mot for reasons I'll come to in a moment.

During my check over I noticed the front ARB end piece had broken off on the nearside, there was no time to get a replacement so the decision was made to completely remove the bar, which was easier said than done. As ever RPM came to the rescue fitting the car in first thing this morning. Despite soaking it in Plus Gas overnight it was still a pain to get off, but they managed it in time. A short drive and 45 minutes of nail biting later and I was handed the dreaded red certificate. It failed on the corrosion around the rear sills, a known issue on the car and an area that has been patched previously. It's going to be looked at next week but fingers crossed we'll get away with a basic repair that'll keep it going for a few more years. There were only a few advisory issues, but nothing at all to really worry about (some corrosion on fuel lines, handbrake efficiency etc).

Driving the car is a delight, everything works perfectly and the engine seems very fit (hardly surprising given the work Michael has had done recently). The 2.5L 16v engine really gives the car a very different character compared to the 8v and the 3L models. As is commonly reported it has very little torque low down, and as I was warned dropping to 3rd at motorway speeds is necessary to actually accelerate which seems a little odd the first time. However once it's in its zone above 4K it pulls very well and sounds great. Even though I was driving gently I still managed to catch the limiter, it's that smooth. I can't help wondering if shorter gearing of the Lux box might work well, but the low rpm's at motorway speed are nice and I must remember this is supposed to be my economical touring car...

If I'm honest, whilst they look great the very wide tyres feel like they're just too much for the suspension and kill the steering feel, the plan is still to try to find some 16" Teledials. Mark, I have been tempted by painting them black, but I really think I'm going to gamble and try them in gold (a dull gold, think classic Ferrari race cars and not a bling Subaru shade).

I can't wait till next week now, I'm itching to give it a proper run []

 

[Peter Empson]

Wahey! I'm mobile again [] Got a nice shiny new MOT certificate this afternoon and was then fleeced for the roadtax. Only a little bit of work was required to get a pass and the cost wasn't too bad (although RPM are posting their invoice through so I don't have final figures yet []). The sills were quickly patched by a local guy recommended by RPM and he seems to have done a good job at a very reasonable price, if it lasts for 2-3 years then I'll be happy. There's a couple of minor things left to do, the steering UJ needs changing and the clutch pedal isn't returning quickly, but these aren't urgent so I can do them at my leisure. Some new floor mats have just turned up and I'm about to order a new stereo so it's starting to feel like mine now []

 

[Diver944]

Congrats Peter []

It'll feel sooooo good to be back on the road in a 944 after a long lay off. I've just done 300 miles in mine today and I think I'm falling back in love with her [8|]