Buying 1988 944 need help

Russian · 05-22-2003, 10:06 PM

I checked the car out it's in mint condition, the guy is the original owner has all paper work and maintanence records and is about 60 years old. He told me about 70 out off 86 thousand of those miles were highway. He has only taken it over 100 once. I really think this car is a great buy what do you say?

http://www.autotrader.com/findacar/vdetail.jtmpl?car_id=131284944&dealer_id=&car_year=1988&make=POR&distance=100&max_price=&model=&advcd_on=n&end_year=1990&min_price=&first_record=26&certified=n&address=98052&search_type=used&advanced=n&start_year=1983&=&color=&cardist=10

It was hard for me to obtain the specs for the 944 and I'm not sure if they are correct. From what I found the 88 944 runs 8.7 0-60 and 16.6 1/4 mile is this true? Also does anyone know the true weight of the car because every site i been to and I been to alot seemed to show me a different weight.

If the car runs 8.7, i'm planning on buying a turbo kit for it. How fastwould it run after a turbo conversion and how much would it cost me? Anything aftermarket parts that I would need to make this conversion happen? I'm also looking for a chip and what kind of performance would I get out of it in a 944.

Thanks alot, I apreciate the help

sneed21 · 05-23-2003, 03:38 AM

1. Do a Search on 944 buying tips
2. Do a search on adding a Turbo to an NA
3. Buy A Turbo!

$5K doesn't sound too bad, but if he has no records (even if he does) have the belts/waterpump changed. No sense in killing any kittens......

XJOSHX · 05-23-2003, 03:44 AM

I say the car is great for that price. Sounds like a solid deal. If you are going to spend the cash to turbo it, I would say take that money and the cash you are going to spend on the car and buy a 951 (944 turbo) because it will be more reliable as the engine was designed for the turbo. Good luck and hope to see you here again.

bader4 · bader4's Garage

Or you could supercharge it!

ae1969 · 05-23-2003, 06:05 AM

If everything checks out......its not a bad deal.........Drive it for a year or two.........

If you find you want more power then sell it and find yourself a turbo.

you should be able to sell it fairly easy in a year or two with ~100k on it.

CJFusco · CJFusco's Garage

Turbocharging a NA car is a frequent topic on this forum. The concensus is that you'd be MUCH better off just paying an extra couple thousand dollars for a 944 Turbo, as turbocharging 944 engine takes a lot of engine work and a lot of $$$.

Those accelleration times are pretty close; i think it is probably closer to 8.4 0-60. You are probably looking at the Porsche 'official' claimed times. When the 944 came out for the 1983 model year, it did 0-60 in American trim in a respectable 7.6 sec (closer to 7.4 for the Euro cars). As time went on, the cars got heavier and accelleration times dropped a little. TO remedy this, Porsche came out with several variants (16v 944S, 2.7 liter 1989 944, 3.0 liter 944S2, 944 TUrbo, etc), but still kept the base 2.5 liter 8v model. Don't be put off by this; the 944 is an immensely fun car. It won't win drag races in any trim (except maybe Turbo), but handles unbelievably well. It looks like the car you are looking at is a good deal.