Practicality of having a 944 as my only car?

[Sandspider]

Hi all.

I've just joined this forum as I am very keen on buying a 944 (probably a Lux, maybe even an S2). However, before I do, I just thought I'd check with all you lot that know and use them that it was a sensible thing to do... I am a young male (24) and I currently drive a Peugeot 106. I want something with more power, and I love the way the 944 looks and the way it handles (I hear - I've not driven one). I can get one insured (even parked on the street in Bristol, where I work) for maybe £250 classic insurance, which is actually less than I pay now for the 106. I could probably get a fairly decent 944 for maybe £2000 - £2500, and I am fairly mechanically savvy, so I think I could do basic maintenance myself (I do for my 106, though I appreciate this might be rather different to a 944!).

So, my questions are:
1) Is a 944 suitable to have as an only car, or should I keep the 106? I have no children or anything massively space consuming, but I do sometimes drive with 4 or 5 people in the car. I'd probably have to keep the 106 anyway as to get the £250 insurance I limited my driving to 1500 miles a year.

2) Would the running and maintenance costs of the 944 cripple me? I hear the 2.5 litre engine returns around 25mpg combined, but that servicing and parts can be very expensive. If people wouldn't mind sharing approximate monthly / yearly costs of maintaining their 944s (via e-mail if preferred) I would be greatful.

Basically, I want to do this and I'm on the edge of doing it, but I'd like to hear about any potential pitfalls before I encounter them. I also want to be persuaded that it's the right thing to do!

Many thanks in advance,

Giles

 

[cococola]

Hi Giles
Go for it!!
Iam on my 2nd 944 lux and I think they are super at affordable prices.Regarding carrying passengers in the back is very tight legroom wise.Insurance very reasonable on classic insurance and the general running costs are reasonable with Porsche specialist suppliers and other leads on this forum giving advice if needed (there is always ebay aswell!)
When you compare what you would buy with 2-3k the 944 is alot more intresting and fun to own.[]
Alan

 

[Diver944]

You can fit four people in a 944 but all of you will have to be fairly small and short. I have only had 944s since my children were 9 and 6 and now that the eldest is 17 and nearly six foot we are looking forawrd to him getting his own car [] Luggage wise you will have more space than your 106 and with the seats down you can carry large objects like single mattresses and fence posts.

Maintenance costs are now the most expensive side of 944 ownership. If you have a car in basic good shape you will need to budget at least £1000 a year in servicing, maintenance and getting through the dreaded MOT. Some parts are priced just the same as a run of the mill car but others will see you wincing. On the good side the genuine parts are very well made and once you've forked out for a major item you will at least have no worries for the next 15 years

 

[cococola]

Can be a plus having limited room in the rear as you wont have to ferry everyone around all the time!![]

 

[Keggers]

I agree with everyone above. I run mine as my daily driver and apart from the real squeeze if you need to put anyone in the back, they are more than practical. Fine for picking someone up from the pub or something like that but you wouldn't want to be going to far.

 

[cococola]

True..apart from the leg room these are fab cars to use daily I get lots of enjoyment from mine[][]

 

[Guest]

I ran my 83 lux for 3 years as a daily driver ( approx 300 miles per week ). It was ultra reliable for me - zero issues.

 

[RSGulp]

Not sure where you're based but you mentioned working in Bristol...

If, once you've taken the plunge, you need someone to look after your car I can highly recommend Brian Woodward in Rockhampton (off J14 of M4) - Woodward Motors 01454 261067 A knowledge and decent independent specialist with good prices.

You might want to give him a bell anyway as he knows a lot of local cars, and often has cars for sale advertised on his noticeboard.

Do mention my name when you call. I have no connections with the company - just a satisfied long-term customer.

Rich Claridge

 

[Fen]

I used to run mine as daily drivers (when I had one that ran...)

I even used an S2 cab that started with 142,500 miles on it for 18 months and took it to 192,500 miles before I sold it.

The secret is getting a good one. There is no such thing as a cheap Porsche, but equally the top money cars aren't necessarily all the cream of the crop. If you get a good one then it will make an excellent daily driver.

I'd suggest you don't keep the 106 as well - you'll have to insure it, tax it, keep an MoT on it, service it plus you'll end up driving one of the cars just for the sake of it to give it a run (hopefully the 106). Wouldn't all the extra costs of keeping the 106 outweigh the extra cost of a higher mileage insurance policy for the 944 so you could just have it? Presumably the 106 has some value that would help out in the equation also.

 

[Fred Hindle]

Giles,
944 super little car, mine isn't a daily driver but I've had it thirteen years now and no intention of parting with it.
Take your time and find a good one. There is a lot of good advice on this forum and elsewhere as to buying a Porsche. The one thing I would say is have any car you are seriously interested in checked by a specialist - not a mate who works at the local KIA dealership!!
As far as the insurance is concerned check that your classic car insurance allows you to use the car for commuting, some do, some don't.
Cheers,

 

[rob.kellock]

classic insurance of 1500 miles a year? that's only 30 miles a week! 944s are for using not just looking at - i'm sure most people on here will confirm that, generally speaking, the more they are used, the less likely niggly faults are to develop. if you decide to keep your 106 (frankly for the reasons outlined by Fen, I wouldn't) you should find a classic policy just as cheap with far less restrictive mileage limits - mine allows 7500 and includes business use.

for your budget you should get a decent lux but you may struggle to find a good S2 at that sort of money. regardless of which model, check for good recent service history with a recent belt change or budget for replacing that straight away. Daily driver? Absolutely!

Happy hunting.

 

[cococola]

My classic insurance allows me 5000 miles per year.
Very important about the belt history.
Fens right about keeping the Peugeot........why bother use the money towards the Porsche[]

 

[Sandspider]

Hi all.

Thanks for the many responses! It looks like it's a good idea! No doubt I'll be back asking for more advice as and when things start to happen... [] Are there any other major things to check have been done, besides frequent oil changes and timing belt changes / checks? Obviously I'm looking for a well maintained, low mileage car... Is there all that much difference in how they drive / handle between the 2.5 lux and the 3.0 S2?

I will get some more insurance quotes with higher mileages and look at the value of my 106 (probably not as much as I'd hope, but hey!). Rich, I technically live in Kent, but I'm currently working and staying in Bristol for the forseeable future. I'll give Brian a call - I think some test driving is definitely necessary. My first rear wheel drive car...!!

Thanks again,

Giles

 

[RSGulp]

ORIGINAL: Sandspider

Rich, I technically live in Kent, but I'm currently working and staying in Bristol for the forseeable future. I'll give Brian a call - I think some test driving is definitely necessary.

Giles,
Just to clarify - Brian is an independent Porsche specialist for servicing, etc. He doesn't usually sell cars but has a noticeboard with customer's cars for sale - and will be happy to give you as much advice as you need.

Happy hunting (it's all part of the fun),
Rich

 

[Fen]

Don't get hung up on mileage, if properly maintained they go on for ever. Belt service isn't crucial, just allow around £700 if it's not been done in the last 36,000 miles or 36 months as it's due.

Rust is the biggest killer of the 8v 944, though the Lux without the under-sill plastic trims seems to fare better. Check for rust in the sills (it comes from the inside out, so small visible blisters are bad). The bottoms of the front wings behind the wheels are also rust points - wings just bolt on, but they cost loads and then there is paint etc. on top. Otherwise obvious stuff like panel fit, paint quality, general condition etc.

Everything can be fixed, but on a Lux it's unlikely it's worth replacing sills from a financial viewpoint. Another expensive and common problem is corroded fuel lines where they go over the rear axle beam. Don't worry too much about things like slow windows (they all do that), sunroof that doesn't work (cheap fix and they all break sooner or later), heater misbehaving (but check it gets hot when you press the windscreen demist button).

Lastly you can afford an oval dash car (sometimes called 1985.5 as they started during '85 production) and unless you especially like the square 924 style dash I'd hold out for one if I were you.

 

[cococola]

Oval dash model much better than earlier model in my experience of owning the two.

 

[sawood12]

Absolutely, these cars run better the more you use them. It's already been mentioned but you do need to get a good one. If you use the search function there are loads of threads about things to look out for when looking, and again milage is not an issue if you can satisfy yourself that the car has been well maintained. As good cars as these are bear in mind that they are getting on a bit in years and you will find you will probably have an almost continual stream of little jobs as some of the components are physically old and tired. I'm not talking about anything of major expense but lots of little things you will need to keep on top of e.g. things i've had to replace are alternator voltage regulator (2nd hand alternator replacement), radiator thermostatic switch, HT leads, rear brake caliper plates, but essentially the car will be reliable and dependable and more importantly fun to drive!

My car is my daily runner but in reality I use my wifes focus for the majority of my trips to and from work only, because my route to work is not that fun a drive but i've found the car to be one of the most robust cars i've ever had.

 

[garthcatkinson]

Giles - Agree 100% with all that has been said. I have had 2 944s, an 88 Lux and 91 S2 as daily drivers since Dec 93 and they have always put a smile on my face. I'm in the RN and live in Scotland so the cars have been used to commute the length of the country on many an occasion Portsmouth/Plymouth to north of Glasgow returning about 31.5 mpg in my current S2 . On the practicality side I have had 3 plus luggage for a Glasgow to Portsmouth run once, although the rear passanger needed a few breaks to get his circulation going again!!! I also took the wife to France for a week and managed to get 112 bottles of wine plus luggage in for the return trip.
GO FOR IT - shop around for your insurance and there is alot of good advice on here.

 

[andymorris]

Giles I got my first S2 in October and I have to say its lived up to all my expectations and more. Go for it and enjoy it.

 

[Sandspider]

Hi again all.

And again, many thanks for all the positive comments.

One more question, if I may! My commute to work is quite short, maybe 3 miles and 15 mins drive. I didn't think that was too good for cars in general (cold start, short drive, lots of wear). When I last checked the oil of my 106 I noticed "milkshake" around the oil filler cap, presumably due to condensation from the short runs. As my 106 has only a small engine block (1.1L), it heats up pretty quickly. I assume the larger block of a Porsche would take longer to heat up, and so suffer more wear on these short runs. So, are short runs likely to shorten the life of the car? Or do they not really matter as long as I take it for longer runs? (Which I will do at least once a fortnight, though I do use my car quite a lot for shorter drives within Bristol...)

So many questions!

Thank you all for the volumes of useful advice.

Giles