Partner Looking For a 944 ...... which one?
- Thread starter AntB
- Start date
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edh
New member
Agree completely - probably the nicest model for road use as well. They aren't as prone to rust, although they still need checking carefully, and you will find some very tidy ones out there for not too much money. the later (oval dash) interior is quite different - decide which one you like better.
My Girlfriend is looking for a 944, she like myself not very mechanically minded, looking for an easy life, performance not an issue. Which is the most user friendly and best model to buy? Thanx ....
si30boxsters
New member
also have to agree on the 2.5 or 2.7, much less likely to break the bank and still great fun....... if you find a nice one. Have to say that personally I prefer the oval dash (post 85). The square dash is also very prone to cracking (you are unlikely to find an uncracked one) which is less than appealing. Happy hunting
Thanks ..... the Oval Dash 2.7 Lux seems to be favourite .... so next question, she is a little worried about maintenance, she would like to know: A. Cost good service, bearing in mind no mechanical issues ? B. Are there any known common problems with the above ? Thanks for your help after nearly 33 years 911 ownership I know most the pitfalls of all the cars and what to look for but know nothing about the 944 World. Your help is greatly appreciated.
edh
New member
S2's do seem to be crashing in price - I guess that may be the worries over cam/chain etc... That's an issue you just don't have on the 8V - just the belts etc.. + clutch to worry about. Buying is just the same as a 911 - buy on condition & from an enthusiast / long time owner. Servicing is reasonably cheap & fixed price at most independents - IRO £250-300 I would guess. If you're interested, normal oil/filters/plugs servicing is dead easy to DIY. Fuel filter can be a PITA. 924S may also be worth a look (I prefer the shape). there are some nice ones around at the moment.
Chrishazle
Active member
My first Porsche, about 15 years ago, was a 1983 2.5 944 Lux (A162ODY) which I was pretty happy with - but my 5'2" wife did not like - she likes the seat high for driving, and there was no vertical adjustment on the drivers seat. So, after a year or so I swopped it for a 2.7 944S (F191NJB) - which had the required vertical seat adjustment but, other than that, we were not so happy with. I felt the engine had no "bottom end" - nothing much happened until about 4000RPM. Also our one big bill of Porsche ownership came with this car, £1K clutch replacement. In November 1998 we swopped to our 968 coupe tiptronic - which we still have (although at this moment we're debating whether to swop it for a 2.7 boxster!) The 968 has been a superb car, and we both really love the tip gearbox. My wife tends to drive it as a full auto, whereas I drive it as a clutchless manual. Having the gearstick rather than buttons on the wheel makes it more like driving a manual, but it's easier on the left leg! Also the tip is clever - in manual mode, if you let the revs drop below about 1000 it will change down even though you don't touch the stick, equally if you redline it she changes up. I believe, in full auto mode, the electronics also look at how enthusiastically you're driving, and adjust gear change revs accordingly - not sure, as I don't use full auto! My recommendations - avoid the 944S, check the history file thoroughly (especially cam belt changes, that's about a £5-600 service compared to a more normal £250-300, I think it's 4 years on earlier 944's and 6 years on later models) and go for a good S2 or 968. Try the tiptronic as well as the manual - they're superb practical cars, great fun to drive but also useable for supermarket runs! Good luck with your search.
si30boxsters
New member
Strasse (leeds indy porsche specialist) quote 203 for a 6k service and 320 for the 12k. Have to disagree bout the 924s........not keen personally having just recently looked at an 88 le mans special edition with 66k on the clock (probably still for sale on pistonheads). 944 massively superior imho. 2.5 and 2.7 have a reputation for being bulletproof....buy well in the first place an should give years of fun for not a huge cost Which nice s2's have you seen in the classifieds Dave? I bought a red s2 on saturday.........67k, advertised on autotrader.
Fat Albert
New member
Please take a look at TWG Motorsport's menu pricing for 944 servcing/repairs to give you an idea of what's what: http://www.twgsport.co.uk/SERVICE%20PRICES.htm
James_G
New member
Just to clarify this, the 944 S had a 2.5 16v engine, not a 2.7, and as Chris has said, it has reputation of lacking low end torque. The proposal of an 8v Lux is a good one, where you will have a choice of either 2.5l or latterly a 2.7l engine. All cambelts of all 944 variants should be changed at least every four years, with most owners doing it at three years. I wouldn't touch a car that hasn't had a belt change in 6 years. And finally, the 944 wasn't available with a tiptronic, but was available as an Auto. I have no experience of them, but I imagine they are a compromise too far.
poprock
New member
For a daily driver I recommend the later oval-dash cars. Lots of little niggles were fixed when that changeover happened … basic stuff like having the windscreen wipers on the correct side for a right-hand drive car, raising the steering wheel position to allow your knees a little breathing room, and using a plastic fuel tank instead of a rust-prone steel one. The hundreds of small improvements really add up when you want to use the car every day.
MRGT
New member
I wouldn't dismiss the 'S' out of hand, it may seem a little lacking low down (not sure why given that the torque output is higher than both the 2.5 and 2.7 8v's http://www.clarks-garage.com/tech.htm ) but is very free revving above 4000. Find a well maintained one (as I was lucky to do) and they can be good fun.
Fat Albert
New member
I believe so, I had a 6k service, Cambelt and MoT done including VAT for a whisker over £500
Looking at a 2.7 Lux 1989 .... was this a good year?
Fat Albert
New member
The pricing is keen (don't forget to add the VAT) and they seem a good bunch, they certainly know their way around the front-enders
So only made for one model year?
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