looking at 944s

[Dave L]

I have been passively looking for a car for a while now and this is the second time I have seen this car. The first time last summer I loved it and I still do. The car was purchased but is up for sale again because the owner has moved onto a 911.

Its a black on burgundy 1988 944s with about 160k km. it has upgraded 16 porsche rims and is in very good condition. New water pump, new timing belt, no cracks in the leather or the dash, paint is very good, no dents or dings. The car needs a few minor cosmetic details, a new shift knob boot, restitch the steering wheel, replace a sunvisor clip and the carpet under the rear hatch is a little wet (I would garage it anyways).

It seems to have a cold start problem, the guy said it has a new battery but it still took him multiple tries to get it started. Once running it was lumpy but then smoothed out. (normal?) The car pulls strongly and smoothly, the shifts are tight, and the suspension is smooth. The test drive went very well and still leaves me smilling, 5 hours later.

The asking price is $11,500 CDN which is roughly $7300 US perfectly in line with the recent Excelence article. Depending on the PPI I was considering an offer of around 9 - 10000.

Given the choice I would get an 8v but I just havent seen any that are in as good condition as the "s". I like the "s" but at the same time am a little scared. Is the "s" that much more to maintain? I plan to do most of the maintenance myself.

I have read just about everything I can related to the 944 but any advice tips or stern warnings are appreciated.

Dave

[SoCal Driver]

This is a 944S as in upper case S?

Really not that much more to maintain. Still it bothers me that he replaced just the timing belt and didn't replace the plastic pressure pad on the cam chain tensioner too. Something that should be done at 100,000 miles (160k kms). The failure of the cam chain or tensioner is a plus $3,000 repair.

Still I would have one. Of course I want one of each of the models. Maybe two as it pays to have a spare.

[Dave L]

Yes its a 944S, Im not sure about the pressure pad, I didnt think to ask. By doing the PPI would it be obvious that the pressure pad was replaced?

[gtroth]

SoCal was a bit more emphatic about the tensioner when I got my '88S (thankfully). I lost a lot of sleep (w/ ~81K miles) until I did that job. If the pad is badly worn, you'll see the grooves that the chain wore into it. However, mine was original and just barely visibly worn. But you must change old ones regardless of wear because they can get brittle and break stuff.

[SoCal Driver]

If you think a kitten dies when you break a timing belt; breaking a chain tensioner pad is like wiping out an entire species.

No. A PPI may or may not catch the tensioner pad. I would take one with me and replace it on the spot before driving the car away. Also a timing belt.

Who was it that got an 'S' car after a PPI and 600 miles into the 1200 mile home the timing or pad broke?

[Nabeel]

Originally posted by Dave L
and the carpet under the rear hatch is a little wet (I would garage it anyways).

Due to a leaking hatch? I hope its that simple. Make SURE the car is not flood-damaged. Lots of problems could pop-up down the road if that is the case.