New 944 Owner

HiFiGuy66 · 02-15-2006, 12:04 AM

Hi All,

I'm new to the forums. I guess you can tell from the subject line...I did it. I finally bought myself a 944! Woo Hoo!!

Here's the possibly scary part...I bought it on E Bay. eek: The car is from CA and AZ, and looks excellent. It has 128K miles and looks really really good. It had a recent timing belt/tensioner/water pump/front seal job. The owner, although not really a "Porsche Guy" is into sports cars, and seems to have all the right answers to the questions.

Time will tell, the auto shippers are going to deliver the car on 3/9. I'll take it immediately to my mechanic (Porsche/BMW/Mercedes specialist) and if it fails inspection badly, it's gone.

Keep your fingers crossed.

Eldorado · 02-15-2006, 12:15 AM

"if it fails inspection badly, it's gone"

if you drive it to your mechanic, after that experience, you may rethink your logic

I see where you're going with this though... what's your budget on possible initial repairs?

do you have paperwork on the t-belt, w-pump, seal job?
never take a guy's word as gospel.

of course, we want to see pics when you pick up your baby!!! tell us more.. colour? interior? this is one group that likes to live vicariously, even though we all own the same or similar car

HiFiGuy66 · 02-15-2006, 12:25 AM

Hi,

Here's the address to the car:

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&rd=1&item=4611294897&sspagename=ADME%3AL%3ARTQ%3AUS%3A1

I may have paid a bit much, I'm not sure. I have this theory that if I buy something I really want and like it, then the cost doesn't really matter, if I'm happy with it long term. It's cheaper to buy what you want "up front" than to buy something lesser and be dissatisfied.

I'm hoping the intitial work won't exceed $1000, including new plugs, cap, rotor, and all fluids changed, which I'll be doing myself. I'm not sure if it even needs that stuff, but I'd like to start fresh, and these items are cheap insurance. I restored an MGB (completely different animal, I know) so I'm not afraid to do the simple bits myself.

The seller does have the receipts for the most recent repair ($1700) and is sending it to me with the title.

CPorsche · 03:45 AM

If the car has had the belts/pump work done as indicated and the engine runs good with good oil pressure then you are in good shape. Check the brakes and cooling systems. If it has the original rubber centered clutch then that may be a problem you need to address in the near future.
If the body, paint, and interior look as good as the pictures then you have a very nice car.

Razorback1980 · Razorback1980's Garage

Looks like a really nice car. I bought my 86 new and I love it as much today as the day I bought it. I am thinking about buying a lower mileage one but I still want to stay with the 944. I think you are going to enjoy that car. I wouldn't say you paid too much for a car in that good of shape. I think you will find a lot of really knowledgeable people here that are always willing to help you out when you need it. I'll post a couple of links for you to check out if someone else doesn't. These links give you a few tips on what to look for in these cars. It's fun reading if nothing else. Good luck with the new toy and welcome to the group.

SoCal Driver · SoCal Driver's Garage

Hood release cable is run incorrectly. Goes under the air filter box. Other wise looks good. How much to transport it?

HiFiGuy66 · 02-15-2006, 07:20 AM

Hi All,

Thanks for making me feel welcome. I'm really green when it comes to Porsches. I've owned 5 VWs in the past, but that's not the same.

Hugh, I am paying $880 to have it shipped, uncovered, on the top of the carrier so other cars don't drip fluids on mine. The hood cable is routed incorrectly?? You are a guru to spot that! Thanks, I'll fix it.

A couple of stupid questions..I'd like to use Mobil 1 15W50, but I am afraid I may cause oil leaks, due to the extra detergents in the oil. I'm not sure what is in there now. Am I being anal, or should I just go for it?

Do I have to use VW/Porsche/Audi coolant, or can I use the green stuff? Should I use Water Wetter additive? I drive 100 miles round trip to work (unless I'm on my motorcycle.)

Thanks in advance,
Nels

Kevin0323 · 02-15-2006, 08:58 AM

HiFiGuy66,

Welcome to the board! I am new to my 944 as well. I bought my 944 on Ebay too... from a guy in California. Now that I know, I would never buy another car off of Ebay again. Maybe cars.com though because you can look at the car and decide if you want it first. Instead of being stuck because you won. So many things have gone wrong after winning this bid. I hope that you do not experience any problems with your car because I got royaly screwed on this deal. I still can't let this car go though. It's too much fun to drive.
First thing, I would take it to a mechanic and have them inspect everything.

PS - My car doesn't start when it's cold or raining without tapping the ECU. Watch out for California cars.

CPorsche · 02-15-2006, 10:24 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Kevin0323
HiFiGuy66,

Welcome to the board! I am new to my 944 as well. I bought my 944 on Ebay too... from a guy in California. Now that I know, I would never buy another car off of Ebay again. Maybe cars.com though because you can look at the car and decide if you want it first. Instead of being stuck because you won. So many things have gone wrong after winning this bid. I hope that you do not experience any problems with your car because I got royaly screwed on this deal. I still can't let this car go though. It's too much fun to drive.
First thing, I would take it to a mechanic and have them inspect everything.

PS - My car doesn't start when it's cold or raining without tapping the ECU. Watch out for California cars.

The ECU probably has some cold solder joints. Let someone with some soldering experience repair it.

Kevin0323 · 02-15-2006, 10:32 AM

Yeah, I know. I have to take it out one of these days.

Razorback1980 · Razorback1980's Garage

HiFiGuy66...first, it's very obvious that you can spot a guru. SoCal Driver is one of the best on here and also very helpful. Whenever he gives me advice..I tend to follow it. I know Mobil 1 is good oil as are a lot of other brands and almost everyone here will have an opinion about that..I think there is a really long thread proving we all have opinions on the subject. If it were mine, I would pick what I wanted and stay with it.

Kevin, it sounds like your ECU is leaking moisture, you may want to seal that up on a dry day sometime and see if that doesn't help. If not, pick up a different on one ebay or from a dismantler before it lets you down somewhere. It's being very kind to whisper warnings to you ahead of time that a failure is going to happen. Probably be good to Listen. Cheap fix now, but if you have to get it towed home sometime the repair cost goes way up.

I can't remember who but someone pointed me to a web site which I found interesting...check it out and see what you think.

http://www.connactivity.com/~kgross/FAQ/944faq05.html

Also check out this:

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/show...threadid=264774

rippsey · 02-15-2006, 10:53 AM

Welcome to the board. You will find it very helpful and can save a lot of money if you DIY. Everyone here is knowledgeable about the 944's and even lend a hand if they are close by.

I got mine of of EBay as well, but had a PPI done on it. If you ever need anyone, there are plenty of people on the board who will go look at it and get the PPI done. I had someone look at one back in Ohio for me. Would have liked to get it and drive it home.

Anyway, welcome and happy driving.

armandodiaz · armandodiaz's Garage

That's a shame. You could have picked mine up locally for only $5K. and it's an 87 with the spring tensioner. You should have search this forum first.

liljon's924S · 02-15-2006, 12:01 PM

Nice Car

SoCal Driver · SoCal Driver's Garage

Quote:

Originally posted by HiFiGuy66

I drive 100 miles round trip to work (unless I'm on my motorcycle.)

Thanks in advance,
Nels

It's a shorter drive on the motorcycle?

sjfarch · sjfarch's Garage

I paid $5,500 last fall for my '86 with only 72,000 miles on it. Yours still looks like it was much better cared for. I am thinking my red paint wasn't waxed until about 68k and then 10 coats of wax were put on at once. I am polishing all the mess out by hand. It takes time, but fortunatley looks great. Mechanically mine is in good shape but I am going to do the maintenance list starting this spring before I get it on the road. If you are doing the work yourself you can get a lot done for $1000. Shop around for parts and follow this and other websites for lots of really good how to information. I wish I could find half as much information about taking care of my SAAB online.

HiFiGuy66 · 02-15-2006, 06:02 PM

Hi All,

I feel a bit more optimistic about this now. So far, there is something about this particular car that feels "right."

Razorback1980 · Razorback1980's Garage

Yeah, I read that too. Must be a dirt bike and we take short cuts!

Eldorado · 02-15-2006, 11:26 PM

he lives in orlando.... where are there dirt trails within a 100 mile radius?

HiFiGuy66 · 02-16-2006, 01:10 AM

Ok Guys,

I should have written "I'll be driving the Porsche 100 miles a day back and forth to work, except those days when I'm on the Triumph." It's way too cold here to ride right now.

On another note, the seller has received my payment, and the funds have cleared his bank. I need to call the transport company in a few hours, and then the waiting begins. I have a feeling this is going to be worse than waiting for Christmas when I was a kid!

I think Pelican has an order coming from me in the very near future, filters and stuff. I'd also like to find a "Porsche Crest" front plate, as the car has a front plate on it now. We don't do front plates here in Florida.