Considering buying a 1983 944

#391 · 12-16-2008, 05:25 PM

I have only owned and worked on late 944's. Are there any problem areas specific to the early model (1983) I should consider that I may not know about?

TIA!

zedsn · 12-16-2008, 05:50 PM

Hi, I loved my 83 944 for many reasons but a few that stick out is because of the easy sunroof operation and manual steering rack. Guards red was also a plus along with an added LSD trans, wilks chipped DME and fuchs 15"- 8" wide rear and 7" wide on front. Only reason that I sold is because I bought a 951S.

mikepellegrini · mikepellegrini's Garage

I have an 83 NA and also an 86 951.

In the 83, I dislike the driving position - the wheel is lower and I tend to bump my knees on the wheel (or rather on my hands) when cornering and trying to shift as I steer. You have to plan out what you're doing (in positioning your hands on the wheel) or as you're turning, you hands hit your knees and you blow the turn (right angle turns).

If they'd positioned the wheel 1-2 inches higher, this wouldn't have been a problem - which is exactly what they did in the late cars.

The fuse box is in a crappy location on the early cars. If you have to work on it, you need to be a contortionist.

The manual steering takes some getting used to - particularly parking. Parallel parking is really interesting. But on the brighter side, it doesn't leak at all! I've never had to add fluid ever!

The control arms on the early cars are a lot cheaper - they're made of steel and have cheap ball joints that are easy to install.

Overall, the car is great. It runs just fine on 87 octane gas - gets great mileage.

Drive one and see how it feels. If you can accept the driving position, then it's for you! They're neat cars.

ERAU944 · ERAU944's Garage

you'll love it! i like driving my 944 around town MUCH more than my 951. in fact, after driving my then roommate's 951, i swore i'd never get a 951. why bother with less streetability and a much higher chance of getting my car impounded because of the boost addiction? well, it came about for the right price.

nothing special to beware of on the early cars.... same issues the late cars had. belts every so often, water pump/rollers less so often. double check fuel hoses - they're a problem area and if they haven't been replaced, they are OLD and probably very dry. for some strange reason my '84 has pristine fuel hoses. perhaps because they weren't routed RIGHT BY THE EXHAUST on the early cars. i see a mixed bag on the early cars. if it's been well maintained, you're good to go. if it's a rat, expect the standard fixupins...

John_AZ · 12-17-2008, 04:47 AM

I cannot offer advice on the '83.
Your experience with the 1988 951 NASA GTS3 is far superior to my background.

I will add to the post my opinion for "new" Porsche 944 owners, get a PPI and be prepared to invest $2-$4 thousand dollars on the 25 year old car once you have it in your garage.

John_AZ
1988 924S 58.7K to Show
1987 924S 112.6K DD to Go
1998 Cherokee to Tow
1979 924 + 1977.5 924 + 1970 914 1.7 + MG Midget +++ gone, past tutors

#391 · 12-17-2008, 05:00 AM

Good info guys, thanks. I will give it the usual thorough checkover if I decide to go take a look. I just wasn't sure if there was anything funky specific to the 1983's that I should be aware of. It sounds like a typical 944 PPI should do it. Thanks again.

SolReaver · 12-17-2008, 10:30 AM

IMHO an 83 has pretty much the same issues as the rest. I think it has the manual tensioner, which is no biggie. An inspection by a good mechanic, familiar with the model "should" do the trick.

Mike: In order to do fusebox work, remove the seat. It is 4 bolts, takes a few mins at most and gives you the room to work. It also lets you get in there and clean out the 5 year old twinkies that have accumulated.