Practicality of having a 944 as my only car?
- Thread starter Sandspider
- Start date
cococola
New member
Giles
I have a short journey of 5 miles each way to work and have had no problems apart from last year having to trickle charge the battery on a couple of occasions.I do give the car a reasonable run out on weekends when I can and just remember the light nights and better weather is on its way so you will get the chance to enjoy your 944 on other occasions than just going to work[
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I have a short journey of 5 miles each way to work and have had no problems apart from last year having to trickle charge the battery on a couple of occasions.I do give the car a reasonable run out on weekends when I can and just remember the light nights and better weather is on its way so you will get the chance to enjoy your 944 on other occasions than just going to work[
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sawood12
New member
Mayonnaise in the filler cap is a common thing with 944's. I reckon that previously i've only suffered minor Mayonnaise but it has seen more use over this winter than it has in previous years and I checked the oil earlier today I found quite alot - much more than usual, and much thicker. I've put this down to me using it more over the winter for runs to and from work, esspecially over the recent cold spell we've had. My trip to work is 10miles door to door and on a cold day if you don't get to use the boost much I reckon the oil is only just getting upto temp, so it's not ideal. This is why I use an Ester based oil which is clingy like Magnatec to provide protection right from startup as I think the oil takes some time to warm up on 944's. On the other hand I reckon it is one of the best cars i've had to get hot air coming out of the blower quickly, but that is no indication of oil temp. The oil type wont prevent the Mayonnaise but it will provide you with as good cold-start protection as possible.
If you are using the car for a shortish daily commute to work my advice would be to use a good quality Ester oil with as low a 'W' rating as you can get away with. Magnatec is good if you don't want to use fully synthetic but I don't see why you wouldn't use fully synthetic in any car these days.
If you are using the car for a shortish daily commute to work my advice would be to use a good quality Ester oil with as low a 'W' rating as you can get away with. Magnatec is good if you don't want to use fully synthetic but I don't see why you wouldn't use fully synthetic in any car these days.
Agree with all the comments made so far. I bought my first 944 (S2) last May, and use it as a daily driver with no problems at all. Multiple short runs will be the death of mine, I know, but the odd longer trip really makes it worth while.
Your insurance quote seems good, but check the restrictions, as has already been said.
Maintenance is not bad at all. I hoped to do everything on mine, but wimped out of a belt change when it needed doing in a hurry. As it is, I slightly regret that, so will be doing it myself when it is next due (4 years time.) Servicing and routine maintenance is easy if you are used to a 106, just be prepared to be amazed at the difference in the quality of the engineering! (Even the sump plug is an engineered beauty, with a small magnet built in - not just a bolt as it was in every other car I have owned.)
They are very practical cars. I'm married with no kids and it works fine. 4 medium-sized people is fine for 20 minutes or so. Boot is more practical than it has any right to be. I fitted a full PA/disco kit in the boot of mine on Saturday (mixer desk, cables, speakers, stands, microphones, boxes of assorted junk) and didn't need to put the back seat down. Previous loads have included large amounts of wood from the timber yard to make a kitchen, a christmas tree, huge quantities of rubbish to go to the tip, all portable sailing kit plus rudder & centreboard etc for a day out on a large dinghy and full camping kit for two people for a fortnight.
Go for it. Find a good one and get it inspected. You won't look back.
Oli.
Your insurance quote seems good, but check the restrictions, as has already been said.
Maintenance is not bad at all. I hoped to do everything on mine, but wimped out of a belt change when it needed doing in a hurry. As it is, I slightly regret that, so will be doing it myself when it is next due (4 years time.) Servicing and routine maintenance is easy if you are used to a 106, just be prepared to be amazed at the difference in the quality of the engineering! (Even the sump plug is an engineered beauty, with a small magnet built in - not just a bolt as it was in every other car I have owned.)
They are very practical cars. I'm married with no kids and it works fine. 4 medium-sized people is fine for 20 minutes or so. Boot is more practical than it has any right to be. I fitted a full PA/disco kit in the boot of mine on Saturday (mixer desk, cables, speakers, stands, microphones, boxes of assorted junk) and didn't need to put the back seat down. Previous loads have included large amounts of wood from the timber yard to make a kitchen, a christmas tree, huge quantities of rubbish to go to the tip, all portable sailing kit plus rudder & centreboard etc for a day out on a large dinghy and full camping kit for two people for a fortnight.
Go for it. Find a good one and get it inspected. You won't look back.
Oli.
Sandspider
New member
Thanks again, one and all.
It now turns out I'm probably going to buy a flat first, then get back on to the car again. No doubt I will be here again soon. (And I'm always here in spirit! [8D])
Cheers,
Giles
It now turns out I'm probably going to buy a flat first, then get back on to the car again. No doubt I will be here again soon. (And I'm always here in spirit! [8D])
Cheers,
Giles
Sandspider
New member
Hi all.
Just resurrecting an old thread to say that, what with the current house price situation, I gave up on buying a house and have bought a Porsche instead! It's a black '86 Lux, and it's gorgeous [] Just got to get it checked by Brian Woodward to make sure all is well, but all looks good to me. (No rust, full service history, 72,000 miles, all electrics etc. work, good tyres, boxter wheels (I think) and wider at the back for extra grip, original wheels included, a few scratches but that doesn't bother me as it's bound to happen.) It does need a belt change, but the price agreed reflects that. (It's also got a few little niggles like the left front foglight is full of water, but hey - it's nearly as old as me!) Just trying to decide whether it's worth paying £10 a week for a garage for my peace of mind, when the car is only worth maybe £2000...
No doubt there will be more details and pictures to follow when all is finalised. (Thanks again for all the help and advice...)
Giles []
Just resurrecting an old thread to say that, what with the current house price situation, I gave up on buying a house and have bought a Porsche instead! It's a black '86 Lux, and it's gorgeous [
] Just got to get it checked by Brian Woodward to make sure all is well, but all looks good to me. (No rust, full service history, 72,000 miles, all electrics etc. work, good tyres, boxter wheels (I think) and wider at the back for extra grip, original wheels included, a few scratches but that doesn't bother me as it's bound to happen.) It does need a belt change, but the price agreed reflects that. (It's also got a few little niggles like the left front foglight is full of water, but hey - it's nearly as old as me!) Just trying to decide whether it's worth paying £10 a week for a garage for my peace of mind, when the car is only worth maybe £2000...No doubt there will be more details and pictures to follow when all is finalised. (Thanks again for all the help and advice...)
Giles [
]
peanut
Active member
the S2 warms up extremly quickly. Its designed to do that. I get furnace heat out of mine withing a few minutes in the winter.
The easy way to solve the short commute to work is to find a longer run of about 7-10 miles + then you can give it a decent run to and back from work and you'll have longer to enjoy it each day.
The pleasure of getting into a 944 and driving home after a tough day's work is bliss. Just wipes away all the stress and puts a big silly grin on your face.
All is right with the world.[][]
blimeyolriley this is an old thread...![8|] the text is so tiny I didn't notice.
The easy way to solve the short commute to work is to find a longer run of about 7-10 miles + then you can give it a decent run to and back from work and you'll have longer to enjoy it each day.
The pleasure of getting into a 944 and driving home after a tough day's work is bliss. Just wipes away all the stress and puts a big silly grin on your face.
All is right with the world.[
][]blimeyolriley this is an old thread...![8|] the text is so tiny I didn't notice.
Sandspider
New member
Hi Peanut.
I've (nearly!) bought a Lux, not an S2. But for warming up over short drive purposes it doesn't matter any more as I can no longer drive to work. (And yes, this is an old thread - I started looking at buying a Porsche in Jan 07 or thereabouts, and have only now found what I hope is the right one!)
Just wondering whether anyone has any opinions on Porschmode in Bristol? (I need a checkover, and probably a belt change and water pump check). Rich Claridge recommended Brian Woodward to me, but Porschmode look quite good value from their website, and are closer. (Clever me choosing to buy a car on a bank holiday weekend so I can't speak to anyone at a garage!) I looked on here but couldn't find any references to Porschmode at all.
Oh, and also, the service record shows that the oil was changed in Dec 07, but the oil on the dipstick is black rather than golden. I understood that that meant the oil was actually old, or it's been hard driven. Should I change the oil too or is that being overcautious?
Thanks all.
G
I've (nearly!) bought a Lux, not an S2. But for warming up over short drive purposes it doesn't matter any more as I can no longer drive to work. (And yes, this is an old thread - I started looking at buying a Porsche in Jan 07 or thereabouts, and have only now found what I hope is the right one!)
Just wondering whether anyone has any opinions on Porschmode in Bristol? (I need a checkover, and probably a belt change and water pump check). Rich Claridge recommended Brian Woodward to me, but Porschmode look quite good value from their website, and are closer. (Clever me choosing to buy a car on a bank holiday weekend so I can't speak to anyone at a garage!) I looked on here but couldn't find any references to Porschmode at all.
Oh, and also, the service record shows that the oil was changed in Dec 07, but the oil on the dipstick is black rather than golden. I understood that that meant the oil was actually old, or it's been hard driven. Should I change the oil too or is that being overcautious?
Thanks all.
G
George Elliott
New member
Sandspider, congratulations. They are a great car, and sounds like you have a good one.
Brian did a lot of the service work on my car when it lived in England. I spoke to him when I bought it and he was very helpful.
The 944 is sure to depreciate more slowly than a flat over the next few months too.........[8|]
Good luck
George
944
Brian did a lot of the service work on my car when it lived in England. I spoke to him when I bought it and he was very helpful.
The 944 is sure to depreciate more slowly than a flat over the next few months too.........[8|]
Good luck
George
944
Guest
New member
You may want to check out CJ MOTORS in Redfield as the main mechanic owns and drives a 924 and a 944 himself. Also their work quality and rates are excellent. I must stress I am nothing more than a very satisfied customer! The most recent work they did was a cambelt swap on my summer car (BMW Baur convertible e21) which was just under half the price I was quoted by 2 other garages at £65! I am still waiting to be able to buy a 944 - October / November I hope - but they will definately be given the task of maintaining it!!
Sandspider
New member
Thanks all, lots of good suggestions. Too many to choose from now!
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