What Makes a Good Daily 944?

[jalvani]

Hey, Folks,

I’m starting to look for a 944 to daily for a while. I’m an ‘80s kid and have always loved the 944, but never knew much about them. Have a chance now to change that, and I’m hoping to seize it

I’ve read through a lot of this forum and Clark’s Garage, both incredible resources. I’d love to get your perspective on what it’s like to drive a 944 in 2022 with any frequency. I’m hoping to autocross and maybe track the 944 on occasion.

I generally stay around town, doing school runs with the kids, going to the gym, grocery store, and sporting events. I commute into my office (about an hour in traffic) once or twice a week. I do the occasional night-drive or tour. If there’s snow or ice, I can and likely will skip that commute, but there might be an occasion to take this car up a mountain in winter once a year or so for a ski day that my wife can’t attend. In total, I drive maybe 5-8k miles per year.

Are there considerations - either model-year changes or specific options - that you would look for in a 944 for this use? Eg ‘87 and ‘88 added ABS, and in your experience and opinion it might be worth focusing on ‘87+ S1s or S2s.

[Zuffenwerker]

I’ve used some version of a 944 as a daily driver for a lot of years. I love both the early and “late” and 924S. They are very reliable and practical! My experience of daily driving is limited to the 2.5 8v NA and Turbo engine. I would stick with one of those for an everyday car but that’s just my opinion. I would like to have more seat time in an S2 or 968 because the limited time I’ve had in them was phenomenal. They seem to match the power of the turbo but much more instant!

Daniel

[grendiers]

I don’t take my ‘89 951 out for groceries and other errands. The roofline is relatively low compared to the line of sight out the window of the average SUV. Think door dings! Also, bumper and hood paint get beat up from road crap. So get a driver quality car and not some garage queen! Guilty as charged here!

[jjeffries]

Mitigate possible fire potential. That’s a real thing for 40 year old cars. New hoses for the fuel and evap systems, all of them.

Other than that, daily driving is likely among the best ways to keep the car healthy.

John

[dsfnctn]

I lived in Seattle for the last 45 years. I just moved slightly out of town . I have 6 944 style cars and almost never thought to take one of them out for a drive when I could instead jump into my 2019 Honda Odyssey. I mean really the roads are **** in Seattle and the traffic is horrible. Now I live outside Seattle in Sequim , but now the problem is the cars have increased in value so much as if I damage any of them Im not going to find a replacement. I dont think any years are better than others. I like them all.
As for the track we have the ridge which is a great track. I have 2 944 which are PCA race cars, a PCA Club Race Liceinse but when I go to the track I usually sign up for the slow run group so all the nerds with the GT3s dont flash their headlight at me on the straight and then I have to get all up on them in the corners

[djnolan]

Daily driver: define by how many miles per year or month it will be driven

[jalvani]

@jjeffries and @zuffenwerker Thanks! Good to hear from both of you, especially from a 944 Dailyer and re: fire mitigation. Additionally, keeping an extinguisher in-car is a key especially in old rides.

@grendiers Yes, looking for a good example but one I am comfortable driving. I am anal about my cars.

@dsfnctn I’m not quite as far out as Sequim; just between Mill Creek and Snohomish. But your point about more modern cars is valid. Planning on this being a daily for a few years at most.

[jalvani]

Originally Posted by djnolan

Daily driver: define by how many miles per year or month it will be driven

Info is in the OP.

[dsfnctn]

If you have an 88 daily driving a 944 is no different than driving a 968. As far as working on the 944
The 944s were hammered just like a lot of the 911s. Now almost every hammered on 911 has been resurrected . The 944 is now on the same path. I just saw a 968 go for $65 K today.

[OK-944]

I consider a 944 to be a good daily driver when:

I can, at any time of year - start my car and the engine catches quickly (with the oil pressure coming right up to just below 5 bar), and settles down to a smooth, 900(ish) rpm idle.

I can actually keep my eyes on the road and off of the gauges.

I can drive at highway speeds and the car tracks beautifully and the steering wheel does not wobble in the slightest.

I can listen to my car’s engine because I enjoy its glorious music, instead of trying to guess what the latest death-rattle sound (and not just from the engine) might portend.

I can feel free to crank up the Stones or Led Zeppelin…confident that by doing so I would not be missing any of the portentous death-rattle noises as alluded to above.

I can drive in stop and go traffic on a 90 degree day with the AC blowing cold, while the engine temp. needle stays well below the red “overheat” line.

I can drive for hours on end…and well away from areas with reliable cell service.

I can park on a hill, pull the parking brake up three or four clicks…and leave the car in neutral while I’m off doing whatever.

I can slap on my winter wheels with those great Blizzak tires…and continue driving through the northern Vermont winter, regardless of weather or road conditions.

I can press the “defrost” button on those cold winter mornings, and the windows are clear shortly afterwards. Plus, the car’s cabin heat remains nice and toasty.

I can drive behind an eighteen wheeler on a wet road and keep my windshield clear with a working windshield washer.

I can feel confident enough to hop into my car to drive to purchase perishable groceries on a hot summer day, especially when those same items will be on the menu for our dinner guests that evening.

I can feel confident enough to hop into my car to drive to an important appointment.

And (I love this!) I can push that little button in my footwell, and the rear hatch lifts up…like magic!

Basically…that I’ve gotten my car to the point where, after rebuilding and rehabbing most everything, pretty much everything works, so that I can now just drive the car whenever and wherever I want, with only routine maintenance…with any further “major” work on the car being only that which is elective - as in mostly cosmetic in my case, as I like to keep the car as close to stock as possible.

[944 Ecology]

What makes a good daily driver?

One that has been owned for a period of time, until the new owner has corrected every problem installed by a prior owner or "mechanic", and has been tested and found to be reliable.

Actually, I found my first 944 to be reliable when I started taking it to the track and stress testing the engine, transmission, brakes, steering, cooling, heating, electrical, etc.

In the old days, we used to call that "sorting the car out."

And, if you want the car to last, don't drive in the snow, and possibly in the rain. Consider fluid film to help control the rust that never sleeps.

My good car friend gave me this advice:
1) Fix everything that you can find wrong with your new acquisition.
2) Test drive it around the block.
3) Fix everything that you found wrong it step number 2.
4) Test drive it for a mile.
5) Fix everything that you found wrong it step number 4.
6) Test drive it for 5 miles.
7) Fix everything that you found wrong it step number 6.
8) Test drive it for 50 miles.
9) Fix everything that you found wrong it step number 8.
10) Drive it anywhere... Carry cash and a cell phone.

[jalvani]

Originally Posted by dsfnctn

If you have an 88 daily driving a 944 is no different than driving a 968. As far as working on the 944
The 944s were hammered just like a lot of the 911s. Now almost every hammered on 911 has been resurrected . The 944 is now on the same path. I just saw a 968 go for $65 K today.

Have an '88 911, not a 968. That's pretty incredible about the 968 sale, though. The run on P-Cars is amazing. Feel fortunate I got into my 911 when I did.

Originally Posted by 944 Ecology

In the old days, we used to call that "sorting the car out."

Yes, I'm with you on this method. Hot lap stress tests give you a lot of confidence in the things that work well, and highlight the things that need to be sorted. Your friend's list sounds about right, too, prior to being ready for the track.


@OK-944 Seems we have similar definitions. If you were buying a 944 today, what options would be important to you?

[Dano944]

I inherited my father-in-laws 1983 944. It’s a 5 speed and no power steering. I drive it a lot on weekends, but I guess I could daily the car. Here is what I’ve learned:
1. The car is fun and I get a lot of thumbs-up from other drivers and especially other Porsche drivers.
2. The 5 speed is fun and ALL cars should be a manual because it keeps you engaged, and makes texting on your phone nearly impossible.
3. No power steering is a bit tedious in the big city.
4. My car only has about 150hp, which by today’s standards is too slow for the impatient drivers of 500hp SUV’s.
5. Get the important items serviced before driving, like timing and balance belts, water pump, front seals. Get items checked that my need attention like A/C, brake and coolant fluids, alternator, etc., and make sure the headlights flip open and close.
6. Find a good independent Porsche repair shop. The 944 is unique and won’t be a good victim of Joe’s Ford & GM repair shop.

[OK-944]

Jalvani - while my primary “option” is to try to find a car in great condition along with, if possible, a complete service history (like my current ‘87NA which I’ve since nonetheless rebuilt/rehabbed), the 944 which happens to tick all of my boxes would be the 85.5 (owned one, loved and miss it!) - for its specific upgrades over earlier models while retaining relative simplicity, and for its available suspension and wheel options which can, at least in my own experience, present challenges with later models.

As for specific features…(per my current car) - I do like working AC, as well as power steering, a working radio/CD player, and a working sunroof. I also like the motorized hatch lift feature, and am looking forward to cobbling together a remote function switch for this which I’ll keep on my key fob.

I find the back seats worse than useless…so I’ve created and installed a padded, composition leather covered flat shelf for this area (which fits over the existing back seats), as both a doggie seat and a storage shelf, which still allows for the existing rear seat back to fold forward to increase the under-hatch storage area.

While I’ve disassembled, cleaned, and re-adjusted my car’s “automatic” timing belt tensioner so it will actually set a new belt to its correct tension - I find that on balance this tensioner to so compromise the logistics of timing belt changing that I truly miss the adjustable cam tensioner from my earlier (84/85.5) cars.

And I really don’t find myself missing a rear wiper (my car came with the rear wiper delete plug).

Nor do I miss having ABS or airbags. The problem I have with my non-ABS/airbag ‘87NA is that it still features the wheel offsets of the ABS model, and I’ve found this frustrating in that this limits my wheel/suspension options. Would love to run some 15” genuine Fuchs, for example…but I don’t think these have ever been available in the 52.3mm offset.

Suspension-wise…my ’87 came to me equipped with the original M474 Koni “sports suspension” package - which I frankly found a bit stiff for my liking…especially as I do a fair amount of driving on gravelly dirt roads. So I removed those components (which I’ll keep around for the time being) and had Steve at 944online craft a couple of struts by welding on the older style threaded caps so that they’ll take inserts (why did Porsche change this?), after which he dropped in a pair of Sachs shocks.

In the meantime I’d also gotten really lucky to find a set of NOS Sachs rear shocks - and in combination with 15x7 phone dials, I’m running 205/65/15 Summitomo UHP all seasons - and like the balance of performance and smoothness that this setup offers. I also run Blizzak’s of the same size for winter driving.

My plan going forward with the Koni setup is to send this (struts and shocks) back to Koni for a rebuild - and find myself a staggered set (16x7 and 16x8) of D-90’s and go with something fairly aggressive (but still all-seasons as I’m in northern Vermont), and give this a try.

Finally, when I’ve become too old and decrepit to get into/out of my car (right now I’m a decently spry 67), I’ll either sell the whole shebang or gift it to my son…who got me onto 944’s in the first place!

[jalvani]

@Ok-944 Good notes! Agree on working AC, radio, sunroof, and power hatch. My kids are small enough that they comfortably fit in the rear of the 911, so I'm guessing they'll fit in a 944 for a couple more years. From what I've read, you're right that Fuchs never made a set to fit the ABS clearance, which is a shame. I'm somewhat surprised that you don't miss ABS with a fair bit of gravel driving. Do you drive the '87 in snow? --- Edit: You previously indicated that you toss Blizzaks on and do drive in the snow. That's awesome and gives me some confidence that I'll be in less trouble than I previously thought in inclement weather with a good winter wheel/tire combo.

@Dano944 Everything you said resonates, especially having a good relationship with a shop that knows old Porsches well. I'm fortunate that I do. I'm also kind of on the fence about making power steering a requirement. I love the simplicity and how connected my 911 is, which lacks power steering. And on the occasion that I have to drive into the city, it hasn't yet bothered me. I also don't daily it. My wife and I are both gym rats, so that might help ;-).

[besserspat]

I have an '89 S2 and a' 83 911 SC RUF, the 944 S2 feels very 80s in a good way, solid, sure footed and all original so its a real time capsule. The Sunroof gears seems stripped (common), coolant traces around TB (common), some power steering fluid sweat around the rack and pinion (common).

And despite the fact that the car has a low miles timing belt on it , I now refrain from driving it until I find the time to replace the Timing Belt and consumables related to that job. I have the parts on the shelves, I'm just too busy to do it now.

Once you pass the fear of a timing belt braking while you drive, Especially on a 16V engine, I mean is the roads were only half decent I wouldnt mind driving the thing daily , but with my old cars I prefer picking reasonable distance road trips (200-500 miles) where I know the scenery, the roads and low traffic will warrant a pleasant drive, If I break down , well there is AAA roadside assistance.

Those cars are tough they can be driven hard and for lots of miles on empty roads, away from idiots... State of tune dictates how far you will feel confortable driving it... like for any old car. As a matter of fact I drove around the entire continent many times with various old motorcycles and cars too, some little break downs here and there but surprisingly nothing too dramatic...Knock on wood

Peter

[colingreene]

I’ve been daily driving mine. It’s a great car I just think I want to try a turbo. That’s why my 86 is for sale

[Fast Freddy 944]

Porsche for a daily driver? Nah, folks will key it, ding the doors and probably steal it. Just buy a beater Corrolla and save your hot rod for the weekends. fjb

[Peter Graham]

Originally Posted by Fast Freddy 944

Porsche for a daily driver? Nah, folks will key it, ding the doors and probably steal it.

Maybe, but what are cars for? If the enjoyment of daily drives outweigh the risks (only you can decide), go for it.

BTW, I owned a 68 912 for 27 years (just recently passing it to a new steward) that I drove nearly daily: on parking at a local grocery store in Canton, GA, a Wayward soul kicked in the right rear quarter panel, just behind the door. I pushed it out as best I could without resorting to full-on dent removal; just another testament on the way to 150K+ miles driven during my ownership...

Peter

[Dano944]

Originally Posted by Fast Freddy 944

Porsche for a daily driver? Nah, folks will key it, ding the doors and probably steal it. Just buy a beater Corrolla and save your hot rod for the weekends. fjb

You’re issues are why I chose to use my 944 as my weekend only driver. It doesn’t blend in with the thousands of other daily drivers, so it stands out and I worry that someone will be mean to it.