944 in general

[cix]

I currently own a '97 Mustang Corba. Wonderful car. Fourth stang. Must sell. My question is, I've never owned, nor driven a 944, but have seen many around - they're beautiful cars. I've heard lots of good, but lots of bad. Are these reliable? I hear they can go over 300,000 mi with good maintanence, but I've also heard they need a lot of upkeep, things going wrong all of the time. Not to mention the extremely overpriced parts (some of them anyway). I need a good reliable daily driver, I don't mind putting the money in for maintanence, timing belts etc, but I don't want it back in the shop every other day. I can do some of the work, but I don't have any Porsche-Specific tools. Is a 944 for me?


Also, what are some good sites for parts, OE and aftermarket?

Thanks in advance for the help.
Josh

[AFJuvat]

Welcome to the group.

Start here:

http://www.pelicanparts.com/techarticles/944_buyers_guide/944_buyers_guide.htm

before you freak out - I tried to list all known problem areas that I've observed over time - repair costs are given for professional repair.

If you get a good one, they are not too difficult to keep up at all - a couple of hundred per year in maintenance.

With any rather exotic, older car, take your time looking for a good example, one with hidden problems can get very expensive very quickly.

Best sources for parts are places like Pelican Parts, Tweeks, Vertex, etc.

AFJuvat

[Moneyguy1]

Dig through the archives of this site, look through previous posts and get a copy of Excellence Magazine. The first two will give you an indication of recurring and common concerns, the latter will give you an idea of parts cost. Rennlist is another good site for information, and a copy of the Haynes manual will give you an idea of some of the major repair procedures. And, as with any car you are considering, get a pre-purchase inspection from a qualified Porsche mechanic before you buy. The 944 is a blast to drive, but it is a quirky vehicle with some very fussy habits. Most folks who buy one shell out about 1k up front for a new timing belt, water pump and seals/rollers as insurance. If the car requires a clutch replacement, it is major surgery. As a daily driver, some people here will swear by them, others will swear at them. I have never seen a vehicle that elicits such a love-hate relationship as any Porsche, particularly the 944!!!

That being said, if you are set on getting one, look for the best, most cared for example you can find, and treat it like it wants to be treated. It can be driven hard, but it was not designed as a straight line rocket. The non turbo variety will be beaten off the line by nearly everything built after 1990, and the turbo, well, can be blisteringly fast, but has its own very expensive set of maintenance/repair needs.

Good luck!!!

[CJFusco]

cix,
944s are wonderful cars... I had mine for three years, and except for a minor accident, the only thing it has needed so far is regular maintanence; every thing that has gone wrong has been DIY.

Keep in mind that a Porsche 944 is MUCH different than a Mustang. Actually, they are kind of polar opposites. Whereas Mustangs tend to be geared down low, the NA 944 has all its power high in the rev range, making it a terrible straight-line car.

If you are looking for a car that nears the straight line performance of a Mustang Cobra, the 944 Turbo would be your best bet. Even if you get a 944NA, however, I think you will still be impressed with how much better it handles than, say, a Mustang... but with a NA, you would be itching for more power, I bet.

Take a look at some nice 944 TUrbos (2.5 liter, 8valve, single turbo) or 944 S2s (3.0 liter, 16v). I think you will like what you see.

[cix]

Whoa, fast replies.
AFJuvat - Yeah, that's one of the first places I found when I was looking around. I thought it was very good information.
Moneyguy1 - A pre-purchase inspection is the second thing I'm going to call about. I've already got my eye on two specific cars, one (burgandy 86) having all of the regular maintanence done to it, timing belt, water pump, etc. Just needs a few simple fixes.

And by the way, the guy says it needs a plastic "roller" for the drivers side window. Any ideas on where to get that? Junk yard? Someone parting out?

The other I have my eye on is a dark blue 85.5. No idea about this one, have to call still - looks nice though.

CJFusco - good to know about the DIY. I like DIY projects. They keep me busy. And I know about the differences. Actually I plan to get this a 944 to drive daily. And later on a 94-94 Cobra (5.0) for a full strip car, but then again I plan a lot of things. Besides, I'd race an auto - and I don't think I could take an auto daily driver, I'd have nothing to do while driving! And as soon as I get that itch, I'll start looking for that 5.0.

One more thing that's bothered me, where the heck are the switches for the power windows? Like I've said I've seen many of these cars, but not actually inspected them.

Thanks for the quick replies!
Josh

[Lawrence Coppari]

Power window switches on my '86 are on door in an awkward position.

[threesticks]

A shameless plug but I know of a very clean and well kept '86 944 in Phoenix. Its not mine but the seller is motivated.

[ae1969]

Welcome.

Try and find the cleanest example you can afford. If the engine checks out, and the clutch has recently been done, you are half way to owning your first porsche.

If you are leaving the mustang world.... I would suggest you move to a 944 turbo (951).

I think you will have a bigger smile after you drive one.

Good luck and have fun.

[overkill]

Once you drive a 944,... you'll give up your stangs. Becareful.

[Roger Hall]

Honestly you sound like a good person to own one. They do require some paitiance, and skill. However I have gotten by on my 924 for
2 1/2 and only had to buy three strange tools. They were available at the local stores and didn't cost a fortune. They cars are fun to drive and I think you might enjoy working on them. I agree find the best one you can. These cars are much cheaper to buy than to repair. Keep a little money aside for surprise's though.

The guys on this site are great and they helped me alot. Its a wonderfull resource.

[carsontc]

Juvy...nice document...great job !

how long has it been there?