944 Turbo Body Work suggestions??

[firefighter7128]

Well I stopped at a small time dealer to look at a mini van. while peering thru the window of the van, i see way off in the distance, this.....
Anyone have a suggestion on that body work? He's asking 4k.

[mikepellegrini]

The sharp edges of a couple places would worry me. I'm guessing a good bodyshop could pound the dents out and make it look "good" but it'd never be "right." They'd have to use a lot of filler, and it'd probably have that wavy look.

To do it right, they'd have to cut out the 1/4 panel and weld a new one in. Cost? I'm just guessing - maybe $2-3K with painting.

What's the dealer asking? And how many miles and all that?

Looking at the right front tire, it looks like it's got way excessive camber. Or maybe it's just the angle of the shot?

Other than the obvious stuff, it looks like a nice car. But I'm sure a dealer will want premium bucks for it, because it's a Porsche.

What they asking? $10,000? $13,000?

If it was an average car - say 150K miles, no mods, good maintenance history, no other problems, I'd offer maybe $4,000.

[firefighter7128]

He is asking $4,000 and will finance. That alone is attractive. The front strut broke when the mechanic was driving it. Apparently getting after it and hit a curb then the rear sliding into something. I have a body shop connection, so cost on that would be lower. Really, a pair of struts would put the car of the road. Has 86k on the clock. I'll get a better look on monday when they are open. Has a folder of documents but dealer said he is not sure what is in it off hand. I'm gonna offer him $3500 financed with $1000 down.

[POPS 83 944]

For that I would jump on it! Looks like it will be a very nice car once you get the body work done.

[FransB85]

looking at the inside, the PO wasn't really looking after it much before the damage occured. So expect to spend lots of money on this car, even without repairing the extensive cosmetic damage. and if the mechanic broke the strut while driving he probably was jackassing around in it too. walk away from this one, I see a $15K sized hole in your future!

[ERAU944]

I have to agree. If you're looking to spend a lot making it perfect then go for it. If you're doing the work yourself (cheap) and you don't need the car to be perfect and/or want a track/street beater then it might be worth $3,000.

Also, rt rear fender repair cost about $1,500 - $2,000 on my 944 after I got hit. A good body shop can make it look like nothing happened with minimal filler.

[mikepellegrini]

If he hit the curb with a front wheel and broke the strut, I'd be very suspicious of damage to the control arm and to the frame.

I think I'd want to have a body shop put it on a machine and see if the frame is bent before I spent any money on it.

With an impact great enough to break a strut, I'll give you odds the control arm is also bent.

How does the control arm look? What about the rear attachment point (to the body). Any rippling in the frame rail in back of the attachment point?

Which is not to say that you coudn't just throw a new strut on it and call it good. But the car would never drive right.

And you must always replace struts in pairs!

So rather than $2-3K in body work to make it right, now you're up to 2-3 times that, potentially. Less if you can find a good used control arm.

Was the car turned into insurance? Was it totaled (I'd be surprised if it wasn't). Does it now have a salvage title?

Looking at the general state of disrepair for a car with relatively low mileage, I'm guessing it needs belts and rollers and a water pump as well.

I'm thinking the value dropped to $2-3K. To have it properly fixed would cost bunches of money.

• Control arm - $552
• Sachs struts (2) $264 @ - $528
• Timing Belt kit (incl rollers) - $253
• Water Pump (new) $371

Right there you have $1,704 in just parts - labor would probably be double that. And you haven't even approached the body work.

[Gawernator]

"Monty python": Run awaaaaaaaay!

[968 GUY]

Im my opinion, it is not worth 3500. Huge amount of bodywork, interior does not look very well cared for, which leads to how well cared for the engine was.If you are not familiar with these cars, especially the turbo, you need to do a good bit of research and have someone to check it out.

Just looked at your garage,seems you are familiar with these cars. Good luck!

[ernie9944]

RUN,run ,run it's a money pit.If you are set on buying a 951 keep your $1k as a down payment for a decent driveable on.Since by the time you finish spending money fixing that one your looking at $4-5k plus your down payment.

[Gawernator]

Not worth it. Might as well take all the money and time and just invest in a clean and well maintained 951

[firefighter7128]

As far as controlled arm and other parts, I hadn't looked at it. I'll go down tomorrow and were going to jack it up. I figure I'll get used parts as I can. My buddy ownes a body shop and my other buddy ownes a break/muffler/suspension shop. I have used both these guys in the past for my 944's and 928's. I run the big Rock Radio station here in NWA and host car shows as well as promote Porsche Palooza every year. I have connections to get the car fixed with little to no labor costs. I have been super lucky with used parts from the board members here and on Ebay for years now. I think i'm gonna pic this up if all looks good underneath. I do know when to walk away from these, but it's so inviting.

[xsbank]

Broken strut... Frame, control arm with all 3 joints, bent frame, possible wheel bearings, broken cracked rim, steering rack, tie rods, maybe stripped mount holes in frame.
You can't drive it, you have no idea if the clutch/trans is good, if it ever got an oil change... Are you suicidal? Do you need to talk to someone?

[kfanazini]

I would rather find one with a straight body and bent valves or some motor issue. Body work is expensive to have done, and unless you are really good the results are not good. More than likely it is going to need some motor or other mechanical work in addition to the body work. The price is way too high.

Originally Posted by xsbank

Broken strut... Frame, control arm with all 3 joints, bent frame, possible wheel bearings, broken cracked rim, steering rack, tie rods, maybe stripped mount holes in frame.
You can't drive it, you have no idea if the clutch/trans is good, if it ever got an oil change... Are you suicidal? Do you need to talk to someone?

[porsche4life]

If you need to finance a project.... You really don't need the project. Sorry, but given the state of the car, and that, I'd walk and save the 1k for when a good one comes along. Decent drivers can be found for 5-6k.

[ernie9944]

Originally Posted by porsche4life

If you need to finance a project.... You really don't need the project. Sorry, but given the state of the car, and that, I'd walk and save the 1k for when a good one comes along. Decent drivers can be found for 5-6k.

+1 your so rigth & here is the proof.86 -951 Grey/Black 117,845 K miles-with water pump & belts replace at 112,500 K miles.New starter/fuel pump asking $6,850.oo,maybe not a show room or garage queen but the car is very decent for the price + he has Fuchs on it & sport seats which is two very desirable options.Location Indianapolis Indiana.

[firefighter7128]

Well I went down with my mechanic and my body guy. Body guy says he can "shrink it and use same metal" Whatever. The mechanic says the strut is snapped. The mounting post is ok. The frame is ok. The ball joints took a good hit. Rim "appears" to be ok and no leaks in the rack. Timing belt service last july at local Porsche shop.
I went to the guy and said "I'll pass" so he offered it at $2,000 cash. It's now in my driveway.
If anything I'll part it out, but looks like this could be a decent DD through the summer and now a new home for a bunch of parts I had laying around my garage.

[POPS 83 944]

Good score!! Have and injoy it. A little work and you will have a decent car.

[FransB85]

Congrats! I may have been a bit cynical earlier, even though it is a potential cash muncher you got it very cheap! and anyway, every old car will always cost more to run and restore than it is worth so enjoy it! Hope you'll get to run it.

[rick13]

well done