944 Questions Please Help

vetteman4350 · 05-23-2004, 01:55 PM

I am currently looking to buy a 944 turbo. I have a modified corvette and I am very experienced when it comes to American Muscle Cars. However, I am not so verse when it comes to foreign sports cars. I am looking at this more so to be used as a daily driver, and I am thinking 86 or 87 due to the dual overhead cam on these motors. What specific things should I look for and/or check? Also, I had heard that the 944 had some problems with the engine, clutch and transaxle, this did not come from a terribly knowledgealbe source, so I am just curious if there is any type of chronic problems that I should know about. As a new porsche owner, what preventitive maintenance should be taken to ensure a reliable form of transportation.

Don 944 LA · 05-23-2004, 02:00 PM

Like all vehicles, they have their problems.
But, they have longevity.

Whatever model you do decide on as a daily driver, you will still be able to use your right foot. They have that 50 / 50 wieght distrobution that you may be used to with the vette.

I actually prefer the early models < 85.0 for the interior dash, others prefer the later style.

Sounds like you are leaning more towards an S or S2.

Good luck
Don

Ferrara_racing · 05-23-2004, 02:08 PM

vetteman,

Check the Porsche manual with the car and you will see the factory maintainence schedule, that should give you some idea. Belts and balance shaft belts need scheduled replacement to prevent valve damage in the event of a failure. The early models have a waterpump which was redesigned later and retrofits the previous version.

MrPants · 05-23-2004, 02:33 PM

Yea these have a transaxle like the later 'vettes.
common problems are the rubber center clutch. They cam from the factory with these. They are not any less reliable than a spring clutch but its very labor intensive to replace. ~$2000 at a dealer.
The n/a transaxles are breakable if you do burnouts and slam through the gears but the turbo tranny's are more reliable. Shouldnt be a problem for you.
The motors are the most reliable pats of these cars so i wouldnt worry but its a good idea to get a PPI before buying. motor mounts, water pump, PS leaks, clutch master/slave are fairly common problems.
If you have details on a specific car post some info/pics here and everyone would be glad to give their opinions
Good luck

Edit: what year 'vette?

vetteman4350 · 05-25-2004, 07:02 PM

Please excuse the "newbie" question, but what is a PPI? I was misinformed, I was under the impressions that the 86-87 turbo cars had DOHC motors. I am looking for a turbo car. Any additional advice or suggestions would be appreciated. Thanks.

Ashley Wolf

P.S. My vette is an 85.
Visit us at www.wolfmotorsports.highspeedzone.com

Don 944 LA · 05-25-2004, 07:07 PM

PPI = Private Party Inspection

Wolf1 · 05-25-2004, 07:10 PM

Check this thread for more details on the turbo models...

Everything you ever wanted to know about a 951

ae1969 · 05-25-2004, 07:16 PM

Welcome to the board....

You will probably find your best deals with the 86' Turbo versions....

A pre-purchase inspection (PPI) is a nice thing to have but it does not avoid the first $2K that you will probably end up dropping into a Turbo....

I wouldn't be concerned with mileage as much as with good maintenance records. If you can find one with a clutch job/turbo/rod bearings/waterpump/rollers/belts recently done you will be ahead of the game. If you do find a garage queen you will probably find that all the items that I listed will have to be done anyways......Time is the enemy on many of the seals/gaskets/rubber on these cars..

I think what everyone forgets is that these cars were $40+K dollar cars when they came out.....and many have been mistreated or maintenance intervals stretched out. Maintenance costs can be proportionate to the original sticker price so really do your homework and get to know these cars...

These models when maintenance is kept up are wonderfull vehicles but will make you pay dearly if you try and stretch things out...

Search this board an you will find many suggestions on what too look for when you buy one.

mambodave · 05-25-2004, 07:40 PM

Automatically add $2000 to the purchase price to fix the expected as well as the unexpected.

Example. I just bought a really nice 85 about 2 months ago with records.

I have done the following. (mabey Im really picky, but I like my cars to be in tip top shape)
Clutch Master and Slave Cylinder(master was beginning to leak), Repair AC hose and recharge. Next week= have Waterpump replaced(was not done at last belt replacement, now its acting up i think), belts while we are there, (although not due for 15k miles more) Thermostat and Temp switch...
Lets see, I think Thats it.

But on a better note, This is my 2nd of 3 944s and have never been stranded (because I keep them maintained) And I wont need to do anything to that car for a while.

I m real famialiar with those old vettes. (had a 79) and I dont think these cars are any worse on repairs than those. I do however smile alot more while driving the 944. Cant beat going down some twisties around 50 or so. my vette never handled like that!

Good luck in your search!

UconnTim97 · UconnTim97's Garage

As a reference, my dad has an '81 vette and brother in law has an '86. The maintenence costs seem to be about the same for the normal wear and tear items. For engine work, there is a lot more room to operate in the 944.

As a daily driver, I do highly recommend a 944. Mine is a daily driver, albeit a short commute. A couple of miles a day. The build quality definitely seems better on my 944 compared to similar year and mileage vettes. Being an owner of a vette, I am sure you are familiar with the TLC it requires to keep these cars in top running shape though.

Not sure how the turbo compares on acceleration, but both those vettes have a lot more than my NA does.

Mambodave is right, my car does handle corners a lot better than both of these vettes do.