Will cheap be fun?

[Guest]

Hello,

I've always wanted a 944...I really like that square, eighties look

I'm looking at getting a 1986 C reg 2.5 model, but I don't know a lot about it so far...

It's pretty cheap for what it is (which is good, as I'm alternating between "why not?" and "it's a waste of money!", so if I get something cheap and I'm able to live with myself, I can always sell it on and get something better in a few months time) and I'm not sure if that's because the garage selling it don't really know what they've got (they seem a bit vague about it being anything special) or because it's just not worth a lot of money...

Is there anything worth knowing about the '86 cars? I read somewhere that it's better to go for post '87 cars, as they have an improved engine oil system - is that true? '86, I believe, is also the cross-over year from the square dash to the oval dash, but did any other improvements come in with the oval dash?

Could anybody point me at something like a top ten of things to check for before throwing money at the bloke holding the keys and squeezing your grin in through the drivers door?

Any advice will be much appreciated,

Thanks,

SP30

 

[zcacogp]

Welcome.

Lots of buyers guides around - have a search. I think there is a post listing them on this forum somewhere.

Earlier cars are meant to be more basic but lighter and more fun. Later ones are heavier and less nimble. Tyres have a lot to do with this - later ones had bigger tyres. (I speak from a position of ignorance - I have a later model car, and have never driven an earlier one.)


Oli.

 

[Guest]

your choice what tyres go on it . if its just to smoke around in for a bit of fun go for it but if youre the kind of person that starts tidying things up to get it nice i'd just go for a nice one to start with (cheap tatty ones will cost more to get to a nice standard than a good one is to buy)

 

[Diver944]

Check out the links in this thread from the top of the forum:

http://www.porscheclubgbforum.com/tm.asp?m=38842

 

[cococola]

Better if its the oval dash model,I would see what history may be available and if it has a reasonable mot,are the sills solid,belt replacement history etc.
We all start somewhere with limited budgets so if it checks out with these thread suggestions then I would go for it[]

 

[Guest]

Thanks chaps - those buyers-guides are very helpful...it's difficult remaining objective and sensible when you're actually there looking at the car

Are the sills a real issue, then?

SP30

 

[John Sims]

Hi SP30, (not C.P. 3 0 [])

Cills are expensive to repair properly as often the rust runs into the area in front of the rear wheel which (to be done properly) requires a complete rear quarter panel. They don't use the whole panel but there isn't a good repair panel available currently.

You will have to excuse me but I'm the grumpy old man of this forum - my wife will suggest this isn't restricted to the forum - anyway:-

If you want a cheap fun car buy something about five years old (obviously not a Porsche but probably a Ford) There are some stunning bargains to be had once cars stop depreciating. A 944 can be cheap, and is fun, but either the "cheap" or the "fun" isn't going to last long.

A 20 year old car, no matter how well built, has many components way beyond their design life and, as a result, they will break - unless you replace them first. If you don't care if the windows and roof work, and the heater is constantly turning the inside of the car into a sauna, ably assisted by the pool of water in the rear passenger foot well, you may keep it cheap and fun for a bit longer than some.

While a 944 might be "Just four wheels and an engine" it is a Porsche and does suffer from Porsche engineering (ie Some things are far more complicated than you would imagine). While a "do it all" mechanic will tell you he has done 100's of 944's he obviously hasn't and the sort of issues that become apparent on an old car real need to be addressed by a specialist. If you don't have access to a reasonably cheap independent Porsche specialist then don't even consider the car.

I am reasonably willing to bet that a cheap 944 will not last 12 months before it breaks (or fails an MOT), if nothing is spent on it, and will then cost more to fix than you paid for it.

Taking all the above into account, a 944 is massive fun. It also rewards time and money spent with obvious, and very satisfying, improvement. This being the case, the more you spend the more fun they are.

 

[Guest]

I just paid £600 for my 944- its an '85 square dash model, but it came with a leaking steering rack, which, due to some excellent contacts ( I make Power steering pipes, hoses, etc for various rack reconditioners) cost me £20 to have recon'd []

Its also got no gearbox ( it did when I bought it, but due to the noise it made, I took it out and am looking for a new one)

However, the history is so comprehensive, and the previous owner ( who had it 20 years) has spent around £15000 on it during that time, that I'm confident its gonna be fine when the box is sourced and the wheels have been refurbed

I took it down to my local Porsche breakers, and they reckon it was a bargain.....

Goes to show that you CAN buy a cheap one, but it takes more luck than judgement....maybe a 924 may be a better bet? easier and cheaper to maintain!

 

[chrisdenton]

ORIGINAL: dick dasterdley

which, due to some excellent contacts ( I make Power steering pipes, hoses, etc for various rack reconditioners) cost me £20 to have recon'd []

I've a feeling you might regret telling us that[]

OK I'll be the first......

Does anybody know where I can get my power steering pump reconditioned for 20 quid?

 

[cococola]

No gearbox.....did you buy it from Fred Flinstone?

ORIGINAL: dick dasterdley

I just paid £600 for my 944- its an '85 square dash model, but it came with a leaking steering rack, which, due to some excellent contacts ( I make Power steering pipes, hoses, etc for various rack reconditioners) cost me £20 to have recon'd []

Its also got no gearbox ( it did when I bought it, but due to the noise it made, I took it out and am looking for a new one)

However, the history is so comprehensive, and the previous owner ( who had it 20 years) has spent around £15000 on it during that time, that I'm confident its gonna be fine when the box is sourced and the wheels have been refurbed

I took it down to my local Porsche breakers, and they reckon it was a bargain.....

Goes to show that you CAN buy a cheap one, but it takes more luck than judgement....maybe a 924 may be a better bet? easier and cheaper to maintain!

 

[Guest]

Hi and welcome SP30,

Square dash 944`s are good cars, I have had several and the biggest drawback for me was the higher front seats (if you`re a big guy in the height dept. like 6 foot plus) the steering wheel has a curious elliptical motion which drags over your left leg. The late 86 model dropped the seats about an inch+ which made it loads more comfortable for big guys. The original teledials at the back look a bit puny in the flared arches (which is a personal thing.) Check the windows, they can take a while to fix, and also the exhaust (£££s). Change oil, coolant, belts and rollers(specialist job), vacuum pipes, ignition leads and plugs, rotor arm and listen for a noisy water pump(front lower offside of engine). Even if recently serviced. For rust look under the car at the beams that run front to back just under the drivers footwell, they are often crushed having been incorrectly used as jacking points. (Loads of rust and poor welding[&o])

I think Dick Dasterdly gives a classic example of a 944 that`s cheap to buy but needs a bit of investment...as was posted earlier, 23 years on and bits wear out. Hint...NEW Porsche parts are not cheap if they`re genuine, there really isn`t a cheap Porsche..but give it a go...If Dick threw his car away tomoro he`s lost £600...heyho, it would hurt a little but not a jump at Beachy Head..

which reminds me...

Southern Meet...(sorry, that`s another post and I`m not allowed to do this[])

 

[Guest]

I paid £1250 for my first 944 from a dealer. It was basically sound with a new MOT. I kept it for about 9 months and all I did to it was fit new belts and a front wheel bearing (£100 as I'm a mechanic only the parts cost). Then sold it for £1350, so it basically cost me nothing. As far as old cars go they are pretty reliable and any good mechanic can repair most things.

 

[cococola]

I think that if I had a smaller budget I would consider a 924 as there are some nice examples out there at a reasonable cost[8|]

 

[Guest]

ORIGINAL: cococola

No gearbox.....did you buy it from Fred Flinstone?

ORIGINAL: dick dasterdley

I just paid £600 for my 944- its an '85 square dash model, but it came with a leaking steering rack, which, due to some excellent contacts ( I make Power steering pipes, hoses, etc for various rack reconditioners) cost me £20 to have recon'd []

Its also got no gearbox ( it did when I bought it, but due to the noise it made, I took it out and am looking for a new one)

However, the history is so comprehensive, and the previous owner ( who had it 20 years) has spent around £15000 on it during that time, that I'm confident its gonna be fine when the box is sourced and the wheels have been refurbed

I took it down to my local Porsche breakers, and they reckon it was a bargain.....

Goes to show that you CAN buy a cheap one, but it takes more luck than judgement....maybe a 924 may be a better bet? easier and cheaper to maintain!

Lol! it had a gearbox when i bought it, was just a bit noisy! i've got one sourced from a 924S thats being broken next week, so its all good, only £100 as well- bargain!

SCZ is right- If mine went horribly wrong, I wouldn't be too out of pocket...I try to never spend more than £1000 on any of my cars, so that I never lose too much...However, the last 6 cars I've had (2 corrados, audi coupe, BMW 735, Audi 80 avant, mk2 Golf GTi) have all been sold for more than they owed me after any repairs etc, so I can't complain if the 944 kills me, but I reckon it'll be ok....

 

[cococola]

Will be great if the gearbox sorts your car out...could turn into a bargain[]

 

[Guest]

Ah...the 924 - it just doesn't have those flared wings that say "I'm a bit daft, but don't you wish *you* were driving me?"

I take on board what you say about the 944 being a 20 year old car...I currently suffer (...I don't mean that) the ownership of a 1988 vw camper and have so far replaced the brakes, starter motor, alternator, exhaust from end to end, fuel pump, water pump, carb, radiator, etc etc etc...old cars and me know where we stand

Would you say a "general" mechanic wouldn't be up to the challenge of a 944, then?

Again,thanks for all this advice, it's much appreciated

SP30

 

[Guest]

From a mechanics point of view, in comparison to modern vehicles 944's are very simple. They have some unique features but with a little research these are not an issue.

 

[cococola]

Trouble is though you keep spending and spending to improve your car and it becomes a habit that you cant stop[]

 

[cococola]

I think that with all the advice available on this forum and many other sources you can soon get to know the 944 pretty well and the availability of parts can be sourced reasonable too.

ORIGINAL: tannyboy

From a mechanics point of view, in comparison to modern vehicles 944's are very simple. They have some unique features but with a little research these are not an issue.

 

[Guest]

Thanks again for all this, chaps

I've read a few of the buyers guides now and I'd like to recommend these two as the best in my opinion;

http://www.pelicanparts.com/techarticles/944_buyers_guide/944_buyers_guide.htm
http://www.chpltd.com/911_porsche_world/features_944.html

...now, can anybody point me in the direction of a forum about persuading your girlfriend that a 944 is a good idea?



SP30