Air coold guy thinking about getting wet...

[DaddyGlenn]

I'm looking for a decent 944 to use as a daily driver. What are the typical issues I should look out for in buying a 944?

Thanks in advance.

[ddbach]

Here are two places to look for the information you seek

Purchasing a 944

Porsche 924/944/968 Frequently Asked Questions

Clark's shop manual has lots of good information, TexasBlake.com is another good resource for maintaining the one you choose. And of course here is good too.

[krystar]

most common result: wallet empties

[John_AZ]

Glenn,

I noticed your sig line:
'78 911SC RoW (Under re-construction since 9/1/10 )

If you buy a "cheap" 944, 951, 944S, 944S2, 968.....you will not be able to get into the 2 car garage. Both cars will take up the space for repairs and re-construction.

Just because you need help, Do Not Buy a 944 series Car without a PPI!

We advise new owners daily, advice is forgotten or just the urge to buy is so strong that down the road expenses crush new owners.

Here is what a PPI should include. Pay the $100 or so before you buy.
In PDF:http://www.zuffenhaus.us/downloads/Pre-Purchase_Inspection_Checklist.pdf

In the "Tech Info Section"
Pelican Technical Article: Prepurchase Inspection

GL
John

[racer]

944 = $10K cars
911(sc/carrera) = $20K cars

Save the money and keep plugging it into the SC.

That said.. issues can be plentiful.. many are niggling issues (or worse) as a result of deferred maintenance. Clutch failures are big money.. WP/TB replacements are needed on a timely basis.. power steering can have issues.. given the age, electrical gremlins (sunroof, windows) are not uncommon either.

[Grandad#3]

Hi Glenn, Another good read on the 944 more on laymen terms.

944 Online Forum - The Porsche 944 Forum For The 944 Enthusiast.

Cheers,
Larry

[dangerous]

944 is a fine daily driver. Just don't use the walmart approach and buy the cheapest one you find like (good advice fron John). I don't know who's dumping 10k into a 944 tho. These cars are not difficult to work on but if you don't do your own work, you pay someone but it's not much more than the repair bills for any other car. Some folks can't do either and that's why they make corollas. I say go for it. Buy the best one in your budget and you'll enjoy it.

[DaddyGlenn]

Thanks guys! All great advice. I do have about $10k to spend (like to keep it closer to $6K) and I do all my own wrenching (as you can see from my 911 posts). I do have one last question though. Assuming a solid PPI and all the appropriate replacements/upgrades (clutch, water pump, belts, etc.) What is considered high miles? I know a solid, well cared for 3.0 liter 911 engine can go 200-300K. What is the life of a typical 944 motor. Just looking for ball park...

Thanks again,

[968rz]

They can go 200k if taken care of.

[John_AZ]

A few members have gotten to the 300K mark.

It all depends on maintenance and (now the debate) the oil used.

Most engines will fail due to the cam belt. The head will bend valves, the valves beat on the pistons (interference engine), the carbon that is broken loose will get between the pistons and cylinder wall and score the walls with deep scratches.

Overheating due to a bad head gasket or cooling system problem will warp the head.
The coolant will pool in the cylinders and ruin the cylinder walls.

If the coolant and oil mix due to the OPRV seals, the rod bearings will be eaten up and maybe distroy the crank.

The good news to all of this is that there are so many "parted" cars on the market that engines, heads, cams ++++ are available---cheap.

A well taken cared for car with about 100K is what I would look for. Less is best. Over 175K would be a deal breaker.

GL
John

[DaddyGlenn]

So, say I find a one owner garage kept '87 with 103k miles, new motor mounts, water pump, belts and all maintenance records (i've asked about the clutch but no reply yet) asking $7500 is it worth a look?

[John_AZ]

Sure,
Ask if the motor mounts are OEM Genuine Porsche @ $221 each = $442 pair or at least Rein aftermarket @$121 each =$242 pair.

If he says they are Mahle, Uro, Deutsch Parts....the mounts will fail in 6 mounths. It will also tell you the degree of maintenance previously done.

The clutch needs to have been replaced.

The head gaskets on the '87 had a reputation of disintegrating---mine failed.

Yes it is worth a look.

But.............for a $7500 starting budget, you should be looking for a 944S, 944S2---a 968 would be a fixer unless real lucky or you are at $10K to begin with for purchase. A '87 944 while a great entry car--I have the '87 & '88 924S, you get more "in the seat of your pants reaction" with the 16V "S" engine. Take your time in the search.

The economy today is low balling the prices on the early 944 series. $7500 would have to be one special car with like new paint and Dealer maintained car.

As far as a 951 (turbo), an amazing car, that needs a lot of attention. For your first 944 series, wait until later for a 951.

Again, yes it is worth a look.

GL
John

[ernie9944]

Originally Posted by DaddyGlenn

So, say I find a one owner garage kept '87 with 103k miles, new motor mounts, water pump, belts and all maintenance records (i've asked about the clutch but no reply yet) asking $7500 is it worth a look?

The price seem a little stiff but yet if all the maintenance (record available) was done as mention & the car has no serious issues you should think seriously about it.I don't think the clutch would have been done on it with that kind of mileage & if the car wasn't abuse.So maybe here is your bargaining power maybe try to drop the price a little. A ( 3 pcs Vertex clutch -Sachs PP-RB-your choice of discs including the power friction one will run you aproxx $5 to $550.oo ).So if I were you I'll try to bring him down at $7k.Agree that the job is a time & PITA one but if you can DIY not that costly really plus if you need help you'll get here no problems.No mention of the aesthetic side off it how is it??.GL

[dangerous]

We see 200K+ motors go into track cars all the time. The odometer on my daily driver quit over a decade ago with 145K on the clock. I'm sure I'm around to 250-300K. I had the head off a few years ago and the cyl walls were fine. These engines are pretty bulletproof as long as you take care of them.

Once again, John is speaking the words I'm thinking before I can get 'em out!

I was going to say the exact same thing. $7.5K for an '87 N/A is probably paying for some of the sentimental value from the owner. If you have 10K to spend, you would do well to find an S2 or 968. A decent Turbo is well in your budget but they might be a bit less practical as a daily driver (ok if someone is a one-car stable).

If you do your own wrenching, you can look at cars that may need attention and grab some bargains. I've seen 944 cars is nice condition that lose a timing belt sell for less than a 1K. It isn't the end of the world for a chap who can spins his own wrenches. Even a hassle free car should be obtainable in the 3-4K range.

[racer]

My $10K mention was simply, if you add it up, most folks have about $10K into their 944.

So, either spend less money up front and spend more on maintenance and fixing the niggling issues or, spend more up front for a well sorted, documented example and spend less on the niggling stuff.

It was a bit of rule of thumb.. much like 5 years ago when folks wanted an SC or 3.2 Carrera.. they were all $20K cars.. either spend $9-10K up front and another 10 fixing/repairing upgrading, or spend $15-17 on a sorted out example.


Since 944s are at least 20 years old, there is a large potential of dropping money (lots of money) to make one the way you want it and you will likely NEVER get that money out of it when you go to sell.

And yes, there are some luck, crafty souls who have found real gems for $3500.

[Guest765]

i got the car for $5k plus dealer fees, etc, about 6k total with 72,000-ish miles on the odometer. carfax verified, for what that is/isn't worth.
i've probably put another $1500-$2000 into in in the first year, but i've driven it every. single. day. rain snow sun for the past year.

if you buy the right car, you can expect this also.

careful of lower miles, that could mean the car has been broken more than it's been on the road as much as it can mean it was well taken care of.

john said PPI - private party inspection - this will help you a lot.

[Cocacolakidd]

A cheap Porsche is always more expensive that a nice running, nice looking one.

Must be perfect Garage Queen to be $7500.00 for a NA