Possible 944 buy...questions
 

Thinking about buying an '83 944 (Automatic) if the price is right- low enough to part it out if I can't get it running. I would really appreciate some advice/feedback from the forum. You guys seem to really know your 944s.

There are lots of cosmetic issues with the car and one major one...a huge electrical gremlin. The owner believes an aftermarket radio is/was the cause. It's gone now so I cannot confirm.

Here's where it gets weird...

So he tells me that he has replaced both the battery and the alternator twice each in the past 3 years :confused:. After the 4th major electrical "event" he parked the car and began disassembling the interior wiring thinking he would re-wire it. And that's how it sits today, 1 year later. Unlabeled wires everywhere, interior pieces in the trunk, etc. What might cause the car to kill batteries and alternators? Wouldn't it just blow fuses? Sounds very odd, but I'm a 944 newbie. Would it be best to just replace the entire wiring harness with a good used one? Finally, what is the going rate for a used harness and a decent (not perfect) set of front and rear seats?


Thanks in advance. Much appreciated.

Chris this sounds like a nightmare. I would stay away from it. Nice, running, 85.5 or newer 944s are very inexpensive these days so walk away. Try to find an '87 or newer.

+ eleventy billion

Thanks shinrae, you are probably right. The thing is that the car has a pretty nice set of real 7" and 8" Fuchs with new rubber and polished paddles. I think I could get the car for less than they are worth. We'll see.

Run away chris, run away.

:D I like you guys already. So...bad idea then ? Don't even part it out? Parting is such a pain in the arse, but could bring enough $ to buy a better one....or not. It's a crap shoot with this one.

Ruuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuunnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnn nnnnnnnnnnnnn!

$300 and part it out. Not a penny more. You might make a few hundred off the parts to the good.

If cheap enough I say it could be worth it though it would take a lot of work to part or restore it. How much would you get it for? Pics?

Yeah I'm thinking $500 max. $300 would be better! Add the tow and all the hours to take it apart and I'm probably just above even. No pics, sorry. Didn't think to take any.

There's a handful of parts in there worth some money and others will turn pennies into dollars for you. I would stick with the $300. The "work" should be the free fun part. It's not a bad way to pick up some extra money if you like doing that kind of work. :)

I wish I could find these cars near me for that kind of money! :)

Thanks John. I parted out a 914 that was too far gone a while back. Learned a ton about how they go together and what parts are valuable, etc. Was tired of it by the time I Fed Ex'd the last part though! We'll see what happens. Thanks for all the advice everyone.

lol... I will take them apart if someone will sell and ship the parts for me. lol... the shipping is the real PITA.

My stomach turned upside down just reading the first post! You've been advised well...and it's only an automatic, anyway. Those early 3 speed audi boxes were nasty and slow as snails. The flex plate and damper are worth some money if they're in good shape, though. New parts are $$$$ expensive!

"PO was going to try to re-wire the entire interior..." just makes me laugh! Seems like most PO's can't even wire a cd player correctly for pete's sake! You have no idea the devilish images that came to mind.