Looking to Buy

[Targa Me]

Hello Everyone,
I'm from the other side of the world.. I own a 911 Carrera (air cooled).
I'm considering buying a 944 as a second car. Is there one year better than the next? I'm looking for a car with an automatic (the wife will be driving this one).

Any advice is appreciated.

[Roman944]

by automatic, you are going to be limited to either late or early 944 N/A

other then that, just make sure you buy a car that has somekind->better maintenance record

[Vicious]

i would go with a later model, maybe a nice S2 would be good. but anything 87+ that has the automatic timing tensioner will help you. the S/S2 had larger engines 2.7 and 3.0 respectively and twin cam, though some S' may have had a 2.5. the twin cam is a bit more responsive which you wife would probly appreciate in them traffic situations .

in all its up to your taste, outer styling wasnt changed very much, inside change from 82-85/1 to 85/2+.

could always also get a 968

[HondaDustR]

Plus the 968 had an optional 4 spd tiptronic automatic. The 944 automatic trannies kind of suck from what I've heard. I've never driven one, but they used old 3 spd VW boxes...
The rubber flex damper in the autos often deteriorates with age and is brutally expensive to replace. Otherwise, look for one with some sort of indication it has been maintained, most importantly the cam belt, tensioner and idler rollers, and water pump. Like most Porsches, they like to leak oil somewhere...just so it's not into the cooling system from the oil/coolant heat exchanger seals (common failure...look for oil floating around in the coolant expansion tank. Cleaning the cooling system is really the hardest part of the fix). Leaking oil up front at the cam or balance shaft seals can be bad since it could contaminate the cam belt and cause an early failure (these are interference motors). Otherwise, the motors are pretty bulletproof if maintained. They run earlier versions of the Bosch Motronic (v1.2 in the pre 85 and v3.1 in the 85.5 and later) and so are pretty reliable. These cars are pretty easy to work on and there's a good used/salvage parts market that can be found in the pelican classifieds.

here's a good summary
Porsche 924/944/968 Frequently Asked Questions

Clarks Garage is another good resource, especially if you're going to do your own work (garage shop manual).
Clark's Garage Home Page

Excelent site with alot of info on the DME and fueling.
http://www.frwilk.com/

[SolReaver]

If you are set on an auto, you will prob be able to find one. The coupler from the engine to the propeller shaft eventually goes out due to age (equivalent to a clutch job) is prohibitively expensive to some owners as the replacement part(s) added to the labor cost can be substantial unless you do your own work. There IS a hack that can save you from buying the big ticket hockey puck, but the labor will still be there. Surprisingly, there is not as much interest in the autos, but the transmissions are pretty good.

As to Labor.... IF you are reasonably handy with a wrench and can spend the time on this model, It can be a real dream. IF you are not willing to get down and dirty, or think that you will have someone else do most of the work....it gets pricey.

Unless you buy a real gem (not cheap) don't count on it being a daily driver for a while until the bugs are ironed out. Keep your mind and ears open and you will probably find one you like. As you are listed as California....Buy a CA car so the SMOG folks won't hassle you as much and do a VIN AND Plate check for outstanding DMV fees. Educate yourself as to the Quirks of the model. Be prepared to do Timing belts right off if they haven't been done within 3 yrs or 30K, whichever comes first. Know that a car that needs belts (or transmission) Isn't worth much. If you don't mind taking on one of these you can get into the game for short money. However...read my sig.

[ernie9944]

Originally Posted by Targa Me

Hello Everyone,
I'm from the other side of the world.. I own a 911 Carrera (air cooled).
I'm considering buying a 944 as a second car. Is there one year better than the next? I'm looking for a car with an automatic (the wife will be driving this one).

Any advice is appreciated.

Rigth now is the time to buy a 944/S/S2 or a 968 since the market for those car has reach an all time low auto 944 & S2 will be hard to find in any good exemple & like mention in this tread the tranny could be a very expensive proposition if it fails you, unless the car is in perfect condition & all maintenance records & history of it is knowed,so my next choice (ME) will be be to look at a well maintain triptonic 968, here to the choice will be limited since most trip are Cab version of the 968 trip Coup are somewhat rarer cars.First the 968 has a 3.0 ltr 16v vario cam putting out approx 246 Hp with plenty of torque witch make it a pleasure to drive & cruise around & in the road holding department the car is no slouche & will keep up with the best on the road even with the stock suspension has you will find out if you ever test drive one.But like any 944 variants ( TB/ BSB/waterpump/ & all parts associated with cooling has to in tip top shape in order for the motor to survive ,also since it's a double over head cam the chain -tensioner & pads witch the chain rides on has to be check once in a while to make sure they are ok it's just common sense that those thing should be service if they are that car will outlast almost anything on the road today.Here an exemple of what is out there for grab ____1995-65,000 miles stock- 968 tiptronic Cab Maintenance up to date asking $9,990.oo (this is a 95 now if your looking at a 92-93 with higher mileage I will say between $8,000 & $9,000.