Test drive: 85.5 944

89944TurboS · 03-15-2004, 05:49 AM

Hey guys,
In my on going search for another 944 I test drove a 85.5 944 yesterday.
Its a 5 spd with 91k miles...Silver with nice cloth interior.
After doing the options decoder it has:
LTD slip/posi rear end,
Anti sway bars,
Alarm
cruz
No sunroof (I want one)
It also has a nice new Kenwood CD player with new speakers.
Almost new Pirelli Z rated 225's and he says recent new brakes, clutch, oil change & tuneup...
No leaks...

Now the downside...
It grinds a bit going into 3rd (Syncro?)
No records of when the last T-belt service was done.
The pw. mirrors didn't work
The A/C didn't work.
The pw hatch release didn't work.
The passenger's side window doesn't go down from the drivers side button. (It does from the pass.side.)
The anti freeze looked old.
He is asking $4,995 but will move on his price.
I don't think I would be close to that on a offer.
Any thoughts or imput?
Thanks guys!

Tishabet · 03-15-2004, 06:26 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by 89944TurboS
BAD
he says recent new brakes, clutch, oil change & tuneup...
It grinds a bit going into 3rd (Syncro?)
No records of when the last T-belt service was done.
not so bad
The pw. mirrors didn't work
The A/C didn't work.
The pw hatch release didn't work.
The passenger's side window doesn't go down from the drivers side button. (It does from the pass.side.)
The anti freeze looked old.

He is asking $4,995 but will move on his price.

Definitely get a PPI before making an offer, they should be able to tell how the clutch looks etc.
and what does "new brakes" mean? New pads? Or Pads and rotors? Or pads, rotors, calipers, lines, master cylinder, brake booster, etc?
I would be weary of any work that was done where there are no receipts or records. Definitely not worth the asking price, IMHO.

Nabeel · 03-15-2004, 08:13 AM

I'll second the PPI, and it sounds like an interesting car.....LSD, cloth interior, no sunroof, optional sway bars.....sounds like it was originally owned by an enthusiast.

MAS · MAS's Garage

No sunroof and LSD? I agree, this combo is rare and desirable... although on the other hand the car may have been intended for racing (and been raced).

To the best of my knowledge, virtually all 944's (especially from the later period, 85.5+) had the so-called sun-roof option as standard. They had to be specially ordered from the factory with this "option" deleted.

There was a series (of about 400 cars, I think) that were specially ordered 944's in 85 that were used for a US dealer sponsored/factory racing program. They came with no (deleted) sunroofs, factory LSD's and factory installed suspension upgrades.

If this is one of them they are collectable!

-MAS

fast924S · fast924S's Garage

Some body run the VIN#

89944TurboS · 03-17-2004, 06:04 AM

Thanks much for the imput guys, could the history be found from the vin # then?
I can get it.
I would have thought if this was one intended for racing that it would have the 16" wheels? (It doesn't)

Dave L · 03-17-2004, 07:22 AM

if it was on the track it probably had numerous sets of other rims with race rubber on them.

For the price it seems high, remember that all those little parts add up quickly. The timing belt, AC and the grind would be my primary concerns.

89944TurboS · 03-17-2004, 08:30 AM

Thanks Dave,
I agree.

I don't know if he will understand my position or not, as I know he feels it is worth close to what he is asking...Yet, I have already gotten quotes on the things it needs and of course, they aren't cheap...

I don't want to have $5,500ish into a 85.5 944 that's worth around $3,500...

MrPants · 03-17-2004, 09:32 AM

aside from the fact that it may be collectable, i would keep looking.

89944TurboS · 03-17-2004, 09:42 AM

Thanks for your post.
But the car is in good enough shape that I am considering it. I don't really care if its "Collectable" as this will be a driver...
I talked to him and he is going to get me the Vin #
We just need to come together on a price...

89944TurboS · 03-17-2004, 03:08 PM

Here is the vin # can anyone provide any more info please?
Thanks much!
WP0AA0946FN452652

Dave L · 03-17-2004, 03:46 PM

Excellence did a "market update" on the 944 series just last month. I dont now how realistic or acurate the numbers are but for an 85.5 they show a poor example as $3614, good - $4109, excellent - $5500. Obviously the ratings are debatable but IMHO I would think that the AC, Grind and belts would certainly bring it closer to the Good rating. I would see if this issue is still available and use it to negociate. I would also definatly get a PPI. Have them outline the cost to fix the AC, and put on new timing belt, rollers, h2o pump and the front seals.

Good luck

Dave

89944TurboS · 03-17-2004, 04:17 PM

Thanks Dave.
Good imput, I didn't figure a 85.5 would even book that high?

Dave L · 03-17-2004, 06:11 PM

I think the Excellent catagory would be the garage queen with next to no miles, in absolute perfect condition with records from day one, original owner etc. etc.

I would suggest getting the article show it to hime and go top down. IE "I belive that the car is in great condition and I really like, but these things (add your list here) keep it from being excellent." Then offer the $5500 minus all the stuff on the list. Its completely logical, and is based on factual information.

Why this car? I originally thought there was something special about it (in your mind) but it seems that you want a car with a sunroof? Are there no other cars you are interested in, this one sounds like a pass to me.

Dave

Roger Hall · 03-17-2004, 06:52 PM

Excellent generaly means near perfect paint and interrior with no mechanical defects's. Most of the stuff wouldn't bother me but the A/C, transmission, and timing belts are gonna cost you. I wouldn't pay more than $3750.00 for it.

89944TurboS · 03-18-2004, 06:04 AM

Hello Dave:
Well, the car does have some quality's I like such as a clean interior, brand new Z rated 225 Pirelli tires, no leaks, orig. owner's manual with the book stamped for some time, orig. tool box, new air compressor, a great CD system with new speakers and I do like the Posi rear end, sway bars, cruz options...
I did the Kelly Blue book and its much lower then the Porsche mag prices...
Private party value in fair condition was just $1860, good was $2250 while dealer retail was $3,510...
Heck, I like the car, I just want to "buy right"

I want to buy within a 100 mile area around Indy and this is one of the better cars I have seen that is close to being priced right. Heck, I see the local Porsche dealer has a 87 924S for $7,995 What a JOKE!

Roger: I agree, I want the most car for a the best value!

Can anyone provide help with that vin #?
Thanks again for everyone's input!

Dave L · 03-18-2004, 09:05 AM

89944turboS

Im in the same boat as you, I am currently looking and want a good car, price is important but I would rather pay more up front then deal with a broken belt latter. I was hell bent on buying an 88 944S with the sports package and boxter rims. The car was great but no history, although the owner promissed that the belts were changed last year. The price is kind of high $11,000 but is in excellent condition. Looking at it again this morning the timing belt looks old, I couldnt see any manufactures logos and there were a few small bites out of the rubber. The car, 4 times in a row now, has not started and definatly has a cold start problem. Although I love the car and desperatly want it I simply can not ignor the problems.

Sad and dejected I looked at an 86 944 at another used car lot just around the corner. The price was equally rediculous at $11,900 but I figured I would take a look. Turns out the guy is a mechanic owns a 928 and is an enthusiast. The car has had all new belts rollers, seals, clutch and is trully in near perfect condition; no cracked dash, no rips in the leather, the sunroof bag, jack, compressor are all still there. New Blau CD player too. He said he would sell it for 10,000, still high but there may be a little more room to negociate, he dropped to $10,000 right away.

If you feel the car is worth it go for it. However, looking at the autotrader this morning I saw 5 new 944s in the Toronto area. Its spring so I think you may see some good cars coming up for sale.

Good luck in your search

Dave

89944TurboS · 03-18-2004, 01:13 PM

Thanks Dave,
Wow, your right those prices are very high...

I learned my lession a long time ago on a car I "Had to have" a 87 Conquest TSi...Lets just say I was in lust and blinded and wasn't thinking clearly...Many thousand $$$ later...I learned my lession...Its ok to pay a little more to get the right car...But one you know needs TLC, its better to give a low offer based on that and wait...
Good luck with your search as well!
Doug

Drover · 03-18-2004, 02:00 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by 89944TurboS
I did the Kelly Blue book and its much lower then the Porsche mag prices...
Private party value in fair condition was just $1860, good was $2250 while dealer retail was $3,510...

I just did a whole ton of 944 shopping and I found KBB low-balls these cars big-time. Maybe you could use the KBB quote as a useful bargaining tool, but don't use their figure as an accurate gauge of what you should expect to pay. I've found them to be somewhere around 20-30% below market on 944s.

Trevor · 03-18-2004, 02:07 PM

Yah I saw the 924 at Tom Wood, they mark everything up like crazy. I'm also looking for a 944 for under $2000 around the Indy area or down here at school. I will have a garage starting May and have a reliable daily driver so I'd like a project. Where are you finding all these 44's around Indy?