Today's test drives :)

[Hairyarse]

Well I've test two today. Came away thinking I'm set on the Turbo but since getting home I'm still hankering for the more 'classic' interior of the S1 and the general nostalgia it seemed to bring out in me - did bloody well like the turbo though!! [8D]

The S1 I saw was mechanically well sorted, not mint with the odd bubble on the lower edges and one sill had the starting signs of surface rust but overall ok. However, whilst I couldn't find an obvious leak the back floor on passenger side was soaking wet but could be an accumulation over time as it's sat for 6 months. The S2 Turbo was just generally well sorted, maybe not everyone's cup of tea - white with claret leather - but it really grew on me. It went like a train and stopped on a six pence and aside from the a/c everything works and it seems solid.

I'm going to try and find a well sorted S1 to get true/fair comparison against the Turbo (not performance wise of course!) but to see where my heart lies. I've found one local to me with 51k on the clock and it does look absolutely mint. The down side is it's a dealer - it's priced at £3995. I've spoken to him and he says they took it in p/x from an 80 year old gentlemen who didn't use it any more. It has full Porsche history.

Now, my question is price. Sure it will be higher than a private seller but if the car is as sorted as it looks and should be I'm guessing you could easily see this privately for £3-3.5k so with a bit of haggling the dealer may not be a bad option - and comes with 3 month warranty. What's everyone's thoughts on this?

All feedback appreciated

Cheers
Andy

 

[Lowtimer]

Andy

This may sound pedantic so apologies, but if we don't get the terminology sorted out now it's all going to become very confusing.

There's no such thing as an S1. It's not a term we use. Was the car you saw a 944 S , the (fairly rare) peaky 2.5 litre normally aspirated 16V model? Or an ordinary square-dash Lux?

Similarly there are no S2 Turbos. An oval-dash car is either a Lux 2.5 or Lux 2.7, or an S2 (3.0 litre normally aspirated 16 valve) or a Turbo. There are two main kinds of Turbo, the early 220 hp and later 250 hp, but both are oval-dash models.

Coming back to the first car, when you say "one sill had the starting signs of surface rust but overall ok", did you look inside via the vent in the door pillar? Normally they rust from the inside out, so I would want to check this out very carefully. I would also not want to buy a car that has been standing out in the wet for six months and has been letting water in.

The Turbo sounds nice, especially since it is the right interior and exterior colour*. Was it a 220 or a 250hp?

*here's mine

 

[ukmastiff]

You dont really say too much about the 'S1' but unless you really want a practiclly show condition car I wouldnt dream of spending over 2,000 for one. Unless this is practically concourse you'll do your money quite badly I'd say. If it is practically concourse and really worth 3,500 then will you want to generlly hack about and enjoy driving her as she should be driven ? . It's down to what you want out of her really if that makes sense. The earlly dash cars arent so popular and really you can get a gooden for 2,000 so if its a fun car and not a show car I would avoide a 3,000 plus early dash cars.
If its a put in to the garage for long term keeps and show off in the summer over then maybe a different story.

The S2 3.0 or the Turbo are real drivers cars as in drive them hard so if you want to bang around a bit quicker than you should a turbo is 'the car' , but if you want to whoosh round country roads fast but sensible with no turbo kicking in on the bends , I think a 3.0 S2 ( you'll get a good one for 3,500 at the mo) might be the sneeky option or even a good well sorted lux !

Theyre all just so good in their own way arent they []

Regards Mas

 

[Hairyarse]

Cheers guys, to be clear when I said S1 I meant early square dash - it was 1982 model. I thought they were referred to as series 1's. Ref the surface rust it was on the inside, I took the vents out, nothing was visible on the outside.

Fair point on the pricing, I do want to drive it - it wont be cosseted in the garage 364 days a year that's for sure!

The search continues

 

[pixie*porsche]

So I don't lose this thread I will respond now ... then will make a proper post later, after Top Gear.

 

[colin944]

Hi mate . I would say if it shows no sign of rust on the outside but signs on the inside,then it has had either a quick blow over the sills or the corrosion is yet to burst through the stone gaurd on the sills. The stone gaurd on the sills is really thick and will hide all manner of problems underneath.When I say stone gaurd I mean the layer under the paint on the sill and not the plastic stickers on the rear wings etc.What I an trying to say is walk away from anything that shows signs of surface rust inside the vents as it will be a thousand times worse further in, unless you are prepared to spend alot of time and or cash in replacing the metal work.The going rate is around £1000 per side,and on a £2-3k car is it really worth it ?

 

[Hairyarse]

Thanks Colin, think I've decided already this S1 is not for me. Happy to tinker with a car, that's part of ownership but I already have one project, I don't need another one!

 

[simkin911]

ORIGINAL: colin944

Hi mate . I would say if it shows no sign of rust on the outside but signs on the inside,then it has had either a quick blow over the sills or the corrosion is yet to burst through the stone gaurd on the sills. What I an trying to say is walk away from anything that shows signs of surface rust inside the vents as it will be a thousand times worse further in, unless you are prepared to spend alot of time and or cash in replacing the metal work.The going rate is around £1000 per side,and on a £2-3k car is it really worth it ?

Colin, that sounds somewhat harsh? I would have thought that the only cars with ZERO surface rust would have been those that simply hadn't been out and driven or those who have had full sill replacement? I know mine has some surface rust inside and it's regularly looked after and monitored. Many others on here, with good cars, are in the same boat and make an annual job of maintaining the areas. I genuinely don't think there are many cars around with zero surface rust - maybe I'm wrong?

 

[colin944]

I would agree that is probably is harsh.But if you know your own car well or you are buying from somebody who is a member of the club who really looks after his car then yes a bit of surface rust is not a problem.However if you are looking at a car with unknown history of ownership then you have to be very aware of what you are looking at.It's more of a precaution for a prospective owner who is buying an unknown car.Better always to buy a car you know or one from somebody you trust ie a club member or a capable enthusiast.

 

[Suffolk944]

ORIGINAL: Hairyarse

Cheers guys, to be clear when I said S1 I meant early square dash - it was 1982 model. I thought they were referred to as series 1's. Ref the surface rust it was on the inside, I took the vents out, nothing was visible on the outside.

Fair point on the pricing, I do want to drive it - it wont be cosseted in the garage 364 days a year that's for sure!

The search continues

Yes the Series 1 cars are the square dash Luxes, however the "S" in 944S and 944S2 does not stand for "Series" but "Super" (rather oddly in my book).

So all 944's other than the square dash models are Series 2 whether they be Lux, S, S2 or Turbo - so no such thing as the "S1".

I'll go remove my anorak now..

 

[simkin911]

Agreed! Harmony in Scotland! []

 

[colin944]

Thanks Simkin. []

 

[pixie*porsche]

You really need to make your mind what you want. I'm probably going to post a controversial post here as I believe the square dash cars are by far the most superior 944 for the driving experience.

The Series 2 in my opinion is neither a sports car or a tourer but the early, square dash models feel absolutely superb to drive, yet not quite as good at cruising. Lets face it, if you're that bothered about owning a cruiser, you go and buy a Jag, a Bentley or perhaps a 928 if you want a coupe, not a Porsche 944!

My black early car is my third 944 out of 6 Porsches (2 911SCs, 1 Boxster S and 3 944s). I have driven all the 944 range has to offer and the one that puts the biggest smile on my face is my well sorted early dash 944.

So, why am I saying all this? I'm am FED UP of all these 944 S2 fanboy's constantly trying to devalue these early cars, just as from what I can see they may well just be on that edge of the values rising. I paid quite a bit more than £2000 for my early dash car, perhaps you consider me an idiot for that but I'm going to bet I'll have a bigger grin on my face driving down the B-Roads in my classic Porsche.

The later cars in my opinion, are compared to much more modern metal and try to behave like much more modern metal, if thats you thing, go for it! But if you are wanting a classic Porsche, which in my opinion thats what a 944 is, mine is nearly 30 years old after all, the early cars are the only option!

 

[Hairyarse]

I know what you mean Pixie. I really like the turbo, it's performance and stopping power for the money is immense! However when I drove the square dash (not an S1! []) this morning it reminded me of my MK1 Golf, just pure car, nothing electronic - felt like I was driving something again, which is why I'm hankering for one still! I love the square dash too. I had the other week seen a lovely black model on tinternet, thought it was well worth a look and then I realised it looked familiar, it was the one you bought Pixie!! Oh well, I'll keep looking

 

[pixie*porsche]

ORIGINAL: Hairyarse

I know what you mean Pixie. I really like the turbo, it's performance and stopping power for the money is immense! However when I drove the square dash (not an S1! []) this morning it reminded me of my MK1 Golf, just pure car, nothing electronic - felt like I was driving something again, which is why I'm hankering for one still! I love the square dash too. I had the other week seen a lovely black model on tinternet, thought it was well worth a look and then I realised it looked familiar, it was the one you bought Pixie!! Oh well, I'll keep looking

Look until you find a good 'un Good luck as well!

Think "do I want something that feels modernish but isn't or do I want a classic car?"

 

[Suffolk944]

I really want a square dash 944 myself - Love the way they look and their character, one day perhaps !

 

[Suffolk944]

http://www.carandclassic.co.uk/car/C204353/

1982 example... a bit scruffy

 

[Hairyarse]

ORIGINAL: pixie*porsche

ORIGINAL: Hairyarse

I know what you mean Pixie. I really like the turbo, it's performance and stopping power for the money is immense! However when I drove the square dash (not an S1! []) this morning it reminded me of my MK1 Golf, just pure car, nothing electronic - felt like I was driving something again, which is why I'm hankering for one still! I love the square dash too. I had the other week seen a lovely black model on tinternet, thought it was well worth a look and then I realised it looked familiar, it was the one you bought Pixie!! Oh well, I'll keep looking

Look until you find a good 'un Good luck as well!

Think "do I want something that feels modernish but isn't or do I want a classic car?"

Bit of a classic junky tbh so have a feeling I'll be going square dash, despite the turbo's appeal. I'm sure the right car will pop up soon enough

 

[Hairyarse]

ORIGINAL: Suffolk944

http://www.carandclassic.co.uk/car/C204353/

1982 example... a bit scruffy

Cheers for the heads up, saw it earlier and thought the same. I've already got a project, dont need another one!

 

[loc944]

Hi Andy, and welcome, as has been mentioned earlier bodywise cills, but also bottom of front wings and where bottom of rear quarter panel meets cill. I have found on my ,89 model that that is where the problems with rust starts. On mine most of the cill seems ok, just where the back of cill meets quarter panel. good luck, Alan.