944 buying advice

[Joeblow944]

Hey all, I know I haven't posted in a while hehe but I'm back again! And not only that but I'm looking for a 944 as well =D Right now I'm looking at an 83' 944 thats in project car condition... which isn't bad for an 18 year old heh.

The car is at http://home.earthlink.net/~sprangs I'll be down there to take a look at the car today or tomorrow. Any quick suggestions or pointers or advice? He wants 1200 for it but I'll try to talk him down to 1k..

Thanks =)

[Walker944]

I think you oughta go for it. At 18 years old this looks like an excellent opportunity to buy in on something very affordable and gain a lot of good experience and knowledge as you go about fixing it up over time. My first 944 was bought for $1,000 as well, and I've never regretted it. The obvious is you want to make sure the engine is solid and sound. I'd pay the $100 + or - to get it professionally inspected. That will give you a very good understanding of where you will soon be making investments in time and money. Another economical piece if advice for you is to find alternative resources for parts. I got smart really fast when hard earned $$$ started flowing from my wallet. Of course never scrimp on engine parts, but for cosmetic things I'd encourage you to try many of the various 944 salvage places across the country. Get a current copy of EXCELLENCE magazine (Borders, Barns & Noble) and compile a list of used 944 parts sellers. Comparing prices will save a small fortune with any porsche project car. Good luck and let us know if you took the plunge.

Another note; I'd ask the mechanic you hire to inspect the car for general health to specifically look into damage/repairs etc that rendered the car a candidate for a "salvage" title. Be particularly leary of this. Use sound judgement and good luck. Of course, ask the seller why it's a salvage title as well.

--Mike

[kukunaokala]

Try this site before looking http://www.connact.com/~kgross/FAQ/944faq.html

Hana pa'a (good luck), Neal

[Joeblow944]

Yeah that's exactly what I was thinking.. I've been reading Excellence for around 5 months now too hehe so I've thought about buying a 944 and have been researching the cars for quite a while.

Today I'll be down there to inspect the car too.... the salvage problem is primarily what I was concerned with too.

Also, my dad is a full time auto mechanic so I figured he'd be able to take a look at the car and give me a thumbs up or down on it.

[Z-man]

Why was the car salvaged? Was it hit? Stolen? Flood damage?
(If it was flood, expect major electrical problems to creep up from time to time...)

Check the car out on carfax before you spend the $$. IMO: If you save up some more money, you can get a 944 in better condition. Also: I believe the next April issue of Excellence with contain the new 924/944/968 buyer's guide. (Last 924/44/68 buyers guide was April, 2001.) Should be coming out in a month or two soon....

-Zoltan.

[Joeblow944]

Well I finally talked to the guy (he was on vacation) and the salvage title was from the previous owner from having the interior being stolen and replaced.. what he means by interior I have no idea but It's not too big of a deal.

As far as the engine goes its got 150k but the timing belt has 1k on it and is supposedly in good working order (I've yet to check it myself), has recently had a water pump replaced, unsure of clutch at the moment...

As far as finding a better condition 944 I don't think I'll be able to for the type of money I can afford right now hehe so this might turn out to be a good deal for me. I guess my inspection (some time this week) will have to decide that for me.

[ChrisBennet]

Originally posted by Joeblow944

As far as the engine goes its got 150k but the timing belt has 1k on it and is supposedly in good working order (I've yet to check it myself), has recently had a water pump replaced, unsure of clutch at the moment...

Have the timing belt checked and retensioned. These timing belts should be retensioned 1500miles after being replaced anyway.

[Walker944]

While money may be tight, I would still suggest getting a certified Porsche mechanic to do a top-to-bottom, front-to-back detailed inspection. It will cost about $125, but well worth it. Such an inspection can reveal little or can reveal MUCH! Either way, to me, it's money well spent.

Good luck and let us know when you become a proud Porsche owner.

Mike

[Joeblow944]

Ok well I went and checked out the car..

interior the car looks like a beater but I figure I can make it look a lot better..

As far as the engine goes its in good shape. Timing belt is good, waterpump just replaced, clutch master cylinder and slave cylinder have just been replaced.

Things that need to be replaced are the rubber disc and the fuel pump. My dad also thought he heard the transaxle making noise when we were test driving it.

Also the car seemed to be kinda gutless in 1st gear, this normal?

The car passes smog with flying colors so I think if I can fix up the interior (a lot heh) it could turn out ok.

The car needs a lot of work but for 1k I'm not going to get a perfect condition 944 hehe... Also, the light behind the speedometer and odometer just went out so is there a part to replace that? Can't see it at all at night hehe.
Thanks for all your help =)

[85944na]

you can replace the lights in the dash, the bulbs arent expensive. I dont really know how to replace them, my bro did mine. But its so much better with new bulbs. Is the rubber center you talked about the clutch? If it is the clutch, the transaxle noise could be due to that, my transaxle was noisy when my rubber center went. Also, the clutch parts are not cheap, and there is a lot of labor involved. If you can do it yourself you'll save a ton of cash.

[Walker944]

Joeblow,

About your dash lights being fried. You may have already done this, but make sure that the dash light brightness control thumb wheel, (next to the on-off switch for the headlights) is rolled in the on position. If this fixes it, just send me $20 for the advice.

Mike