Thinking about purchasing first 944

[sammyj]

Hey

So there's 2 944's for sale within 100 miles of me, well 2 that I've found.

One is a 1984 with a busted Odometer at 96,000, this scares me.
And the other is a 1988 with 188,000

I'm hoping to just get some tips on what to look for when I go see them, what questions to ask and what I should expect from a good one, as I have never driven a Porsche before.
Ridden in them, but never been the captain of one.

Thanks!

[mikepellegrini]

Welcome!

Unless the owner of the 84 can document that it's 96K miles (or close to it), I'd be suspicious, because the early cars (pre mid-85) had 5 digit odometers. If it is under 100K, you oughta be able to tell from the general condition of the car.

At around 100K miles, assuming it's been relatively well cared for, the car ought to drive and handle quite well.

At 188K miles, once again assuming the car was well cared for, you ought to have quite a few miles left on it. These cars routinely go over 225K miles with proper care and feeding.

The early (pre mid-85) and late cars have different driving positions, so it's best to get whichever you feel most comfortable in. I have both and prefer the late cars. But it is quite subjective.

What to look for: the 944 has an interference engine so it's important the timing belts be changed at regular intervals (around 45K miles and every four years). If the belt breaks, you'll end up losing some valves. If the previous owner can't document when the belts were last changed (both the timing and balance shaft belts) then it's prudent to change them right away. Camshaft / Balance Shaft Belt Information

Clark's Garage is a great resource. Clark's Garage Home Page Clark's has a good section on what to look for when buying a 944.

The 944 market is pretty depressed right now, so it's a really great time to be buying - lot of great bargains out there!

Lots of luck. I hope you find the right car.

[sammyj]

Thank you sir!

[John_AZ]

ok,

What ever is the asking price, offer less.
Ask to see any reciepts for work done or parts purchased.

Expect to spend 3 to 4K after you get it home.

Go on Craigslist, ebay, autotrader and get prices from local states.

If you have little mechanical skills the car will bury you on shop fees.

Take a Porsche owner with you or get a PPI--Pre Purchase Inspection at a local shop.
You may spend a $100 but you may save $1000s on a bad purchase.

Here is what the pros will tell you:
Clark's Garage Home Page

Purchasing a 944
5.0 First-Time Buyer Questions
Porsche 924/944/968 Frequently Asked Questions

I would buy the '88 if the clutch was rebuilt, had records, and good tires and shocks.
The early cars were prone to wiring nightmares.

GL & welcome
John

[massive]

Check for milky looking oil on the dipstick, if there is walk away.

[Porsche-O-Phile]

Don't get hung up on mileage. The engines on these cars are easily good for 400k+ miles. No joke. Probably more for n/a versus turbo cars since they're subjected to less stress.

The only things that kill these cars are accidents, completely stupid owners who neglect them and either run them out of oil or don't change/tension the timing belts periodically (bending valves, usually the cars then get parted out rather than fixed), fires (BTDT!) or clutch jobs that cheap owners don't want to pay to have done so they sell or part out the cars. There are VERY few cases of 944s failing due to high mileage. It's not even an issue. I don't even consider mileage on these - I just check the wear items, look for a reasonable maintenance history to make sure the previous owner isn't a moron and other than that, just buy one and drive it. They're built very, very well and the drivetrains and bodies are very stout. The dashboards & seats? Not so much (expect to replace both in virtually any 944 you find).

[smokin_944]

Excellent advice from Mike, John and massive. I would also add that unless you are handy with tools and do some of the work yourself, it can get quite expensive to maintain a 944. Be sure you have a qualified mechanic nearby and check here for any info you might require. Chances are someone here will have your answer. Good luck with your purchase!

[ernie9944]

Golden Rule__ when buying any Porsche either 944 or otherwise "GET A PPI-post purchase inspection" by a shop or a mechanic that knows what 944 are all about,migth cost you a few dollars doing it but believe me it's cheap insurance.GL

[Brozoar]

Originally Posted by smokin_944

I would also add that unless you are handy with tools and do some of the work yourself, it can get quite expensive to maintain a 944.

Second! If you're willing to get a little greasy, it's a fantastic car to buy, and really not all that bad to work on if you take the time to learn your way under the hood. If not, probably best to stay away unless you're an eccentric billionaire..

Also, like mikepellegrini said, definitely a buyer's market right now. Got mine in good shape for $1200, drove it straight home. I had to settle for no documentation and a broken odometer... but still, it's been great.

Just make sure to check out the undercarriage, be attentive to rust (often a sign of hastily-repaired damage), use the state of the interior as an approximate indicator of the kind of life the car's been through, test the wipers and defroster (sounds silly, but if they work, the PO probably hasn't totally messed up the wiring, so that's good), ask about the belts (you'll sound informed), look for rust or cracks in the spare wheel recess, and ask when the plugs, distributor cap and rotor were last replaced (you'll sound thorough).

Good luck. It's a great car because it's more than a car - it's a lifelong hobby.

[sammyj]

thanks guys.

haha, I'm definitely not an eccentric billionaire, just a half broke college kid who loves cars & about as much as I love life.

I've been in the diesel truck world for the past year and when diesel jumped 30 cents in four days I said F*** this and sold it. Really only started searching for Porsche's as a "yeah right, thats not gonna happen" and then found they might actually be affordable.

Many thanks and if anyone thinks of more, my mind is a sponge for this stuff so pour it on!

Thanks again.

[porsche4life]

Coming from a fellow college kid.... Don't rely on this as being your only vehicle if you aren't willing to spend all night spinning wrenches in the driveway.... They have a tendency to break at the most inopportune moment. I love my 944 more than anything, even cost me a gf(true story), but there is no way I would own one without a DD....

Yes, get a PPI, and thoroughly check the car over before buying, read, read, read, and don't be afraid to ask questions....


Welcome to the cult, be aware that these cars breed like freaking rabbits, I have 3 of them now, would have acquired a 4th last week but I just don't have the spare cash....

[sammyj]

Gotcha. yeah thats what I'm leaning toward. I graduate in december of this year. Might drive me a soul-less POS for 9 months, save every penny i can and then as a graduation gift to myself get my 944 or other specimen then.
They're just so freakin cool.
I wouldn't mind spinning wrenches all night, as long as it didn't happen often.

There were a couple of nights I spent till 4 or 5 am underneath that diesel truck I just sold. Loved that thing too, but it was a big lumbering tank, and my thirst for some speed and zippy-ness combined with diesel these days drove it outta my life. haha

[porsche4life]

I hear ya on the diesel, I spent most of the last two weeks driving an '06 megacab.... That thing is thirsty...

Of course my 944 drinks premium pretty good too...

[phoenix_iii]

Originally Posted by porsche4life

... That thing is thirsty...

Of course my 944 drinks premium pretty good too...

Why would you run premium in a regular compression 944? No need to respond. You can use regular with no ill effects... as that is what is designed for, and does not utilize the higher resistance to detonation that premium offers, and premium is not cleaner.

[jcommin]

Originally Posted by ernie9944

Golden Rule__ when buying any Porsche either 944 or otherwise "GET A PPI-post purchase inspection" by a shop or a mechanic that knows what 944 are all about,migth cost you a few dollars doing it but believe me it's cheap insurance.GL

Second golden rule: Buy the best condition 944 you can afford. Unless you have allot of money and/or do some of the work yourself - this car can be a money pit.

[porsche4life]

Originally Posted by phoenix_iii

Why would you run premium in a regular compression 944? No need to respond. You can use regular with no ill effects... as that is what is designed for, and does not utilize the higher resistance to detonation that premium offers, and premium is not cleaner.

Sticker inside the gas door say 91 min.... That combined with the fact that I can feel it hesitating on regular, means it only gets premium... Its not a DD car, it sees mostly Autocross use anymore....

[Rasta Monsta]

Originally Posted by porsche4life

Sticker inside the gas door say 91 min...

Does your sticker specify how that 91 is calculated? Just curious. . .

[kfray]

Originally Posted by porsche4life

Sticker inside the gas door say 91 min.... That combined with the fact that I can feel it hesitating on regular, means it only gets premium... Its not a DD car, it sees mostly Auto-cross use anymore....

From 1987 Porsche 8V NA owners manual
Do not use any fuel with octane ratings lower than 91 RON or 87 CLC or AKI,
944S/944 Turbo
Do not use any fuel with octane ratings lower than 95 RON or 90 CLC or AKI.

In most countries, including Australia and all of those in Europe, the "headline" octane rating shown on the pump is the Research Octane Number (RON). , but in Canada, the United States and some other countries, like Brazil, the headline number is the average of the RON and the Motor Octane Number (MON), called the Anti-Knock Index (AKI), and often written on pumps as (R+M)/2) RON +MON/2. It may also sometimes be called the Pump Octane Number (PON).
Difference between RON and AKI
Because of the 8 to 10 point difference noted above, the octane rating shown in the United States is 4 to 5 points lower than the rating shown elsewhere in the world for the same fuel.

[rick13]

Other options. I love my car but only because of the time spent with my girls. Plus she was my sisters before me. However, if I was to do it all over I would have got another toyota supra turbo or buick regal t-type. The toyota is a much better built/engineered machine. It is a 3.0 24v turbo. Lots of potential. The buick...just a beast. Check um out. I have rebuilt them all. Remember, There are a lot of cars out there, take your time.

[Porsche-O-Phile]

91 European. I'm not aware of any 944 variant that requires premium US gasoline.

Also keep in mind that the refined octane level of gasoline these days is far worse than in past years. They pump it up with federally-mandated ethanol additives (which also have the nice side benefit of destroying your tanks and fuel lines... but that's another discussion).

Long story short you're fine putting 87 US pump gas into your 944. If for some crazy reason it starts knocking there's a setting selector on the DME you can use to fine-tune the spark advance and fuel flow rates.