Just bought my first 944!

[doublestuff]

I sold my '79 911 a year and a half ago, and have been Porsche-less since then. I rectified that today with the purchase of my first 944! I broke all the rules, no PPI, shaky records, I didn't "buy the best car I could afford." But this thing was so cheap I couldn't pass it up. I picked it up 100 miles from home, put a tank of gas in it, and hopped on the highway driving 75-80 miles-per-hour without a hiccup. Temps seemed good (under the halfway mark), smooth idle when stopped, shifts great, handles great, very few rattles (more on that below). The front seats are toast, the back seat looks like it just came out of a museum. Dash is cracked, center console cracked. Some fairly minor front end collision damage that prevents the headlights from retracting. What records I have suggest that the clutch was changed sometime in its past, and the timing belt has around 35,000 miles on it, so I'll be changing that pretty soon. Overall it looks cleaner underneath than my 911 did (that cost ten times what this one did).
The only noticeable rattling comes from the door handle linkage hanging out of the hole the door handle once occupied - BOTH door handles are broken. But, we have a Porsche dismantler in town, so what I can't fix I'll try to find there.
I've never driven a 944 before today, and my first impression is that it is nothing like a 911, and everything like a Porsche. So far, I love it. Other than the timing belt, anything I should look at immediately? My plan is to use the car as an occasional toy while I work on the cosmetics and whatever mechanicals I run into, but it drives really well and I'd like to keep it that way.

As a bonus, I already have a set of 16x7 and 16x8 968 part number OEM Cup 1s in the garage!

Obligatory picture:

[POPS 83 944]

Nice color, looks like the same gold color as mine. Is it a 85 or a 85 1/2 ? The rims you have will need wheel spacers. Your car is a 23.3 mm back space and the rims you have are 52.3, but you can adapt them to fit. Welcome back to the madness!!! Keep up the photos , we love to see Porsche porn!!! Good luck!!

[Volhv]

Cool. Looks good. There are some VW and Audi vehicles that have the same door handles. A front lower valance should be easy to source also.
I think it's an 85 since I see what looks like an antenna grommet on the left fender.

[Jrboulder]

Sweet! I think I drove that car when it was for sale in Louisville last summer. It looks very familiar.

Are you bringing it to cars n coffee next week?

[mytrplseven]

I hope you're good at wrenching. Otherwise you'll spend three times what you paid for the car in repairs alone. Per the engine belts, I'd recommend doing the rollers, water pump (since you're in there anyway) and if you see evidence of any oil leaks, replace all the rubber seals. They're all the same age rubber and will eventually leak anyway. There's plenty of DIY links on this forum to show you how to do everything.

I did what you did when I bought my 3rd and current 944. Bought it on ebay and fearlessly drove it from Santa Fe to SW Florida. Since then I've gone through the entire eingine; belts & rollers, vacuum lines, seals (front and rear), injectors, ignition system, short shifter, 17" wheels & tires, brakes and SS lines and so on. I now have a "new" 944 that I'll keep. I love it and nothing corners and rides like it. Plus, it's unique in the sports car world. Not too many people even know what it is. Plus 30 mpg is not a bad deal.

[doublestuff]

Is it a 85 or a 85 1/2 ?

It's an 85 (early, 85.1, whatever.)
Thanks for the wheel info, I was under the impression that these would bolt right up to a 944, but you're correct about the spacing. It'll be a while before I mess with them, anyway.

There are some VW and Audi vehicles that have the same door handles.

Thanks, good tip!

JRBoulder, yes, this is that car. And yes, I plan to have it at Coffee and Cars next week, provided I get it e-tested and tagged by then. I plan to not even wash it so everyone gets an accurate "before" view.

mytrplseven, I bought this car primarily as a project, and yes, I am capable of turning wrenches. If I spend three times what I paid for the car I'd be around what I'd pay for any other 944 on the market in my area, and I''d probably have to still do the same work anyway. If something major breaks on this thing, I could probably make money parting it out (NOT my plan). Sounds like your car is a good representation of where I'm headed with this one!

Thanks, all!

[POPS 83 944]

There are alot of great guys and gals on this site, don't be afraid to ask any question even if you think it might be a dumb one. I think this is the #1 site for 944's.

[Gawernator]

Fuel lines, vacuum leaks, I'd assume most the engine bay rubber is toast. Suspension bushings... Fluid changes etc

[ernie9944]

Welcome & congrats on your new to you 944,like said your probably looking at some wrenching & $$$$ in the future to sort it out.But once done you'll love that 944.First thing to do lol is take that awful bra off & take some more pics for us.Take care.

[doublestuff]

"take that awful bra off" - done. Pictures forthcoming. Picking up a spot weld cutter to finish yankin off the nose panel so I can try to beat the headlight buckets into submission.
My sunroof tilts open, and with the ignition off I hear motor movement when I push the button, but I can't get the sunroof to lift out. Any suggestions what to look for?

[p-talk]

That is a perfect way to describe these cars - great line

Originally Posted by doublestuff

(*edit*)
I've never driven a 944 before today, and my first impression is that it is nothing like a 911, and everything like a Porsche.

[doublestuff]

Well, I didn't find a spot weld removal bit, and my drill battery died, so I didn't get the nose panel off. I did a little exploratory surgery, so far I think the damage is fairly limited and within my abilities to straighten it out.

[jeffrsmith]

Looks like the bra did a good job of hiding the damage.

[doublestuff]

Looks like the bra did a good job of hiding the damage.

In the pics, perhaps, but in person it was pretty obvious. No big surprises under there. The car came with a spare driver's fender (in primer), I may or may not swap that out this week. The bumper is pretty bent, not sure if I can straighten it, but I'll see what I can do before I spring for a new one.

The front spoiler will ultimately need to be replaced, but I think once I get everything straight(ish) it will be presentable. At this point I mostly want to get the lights to go up and down.

The next big project will be removing and resealing the rear hatch. It appears that a P.O. tried to do this and did poorly. Then I'll probably do the timing belt, etc.

The front seats desperately need to be recovered, the driver's seat especially is puking foam. The carpets appear to be in very good shape, much better than the seller described. The back seat is nearly pristine. Today I found the sunroof storage bag in nearly new shape in the back.

Overall, I am very pleasantly surprised by the overall shape of this thing. I bought it expecting to bring it home and gut it, hopefully at least being able to drive it occasionally with no interior and terrible exterior. I'm starting to think I may be able to have this thing be a presentable driver a lot sooner than I hoped.

[doublestuff]

Had a 10K run this morning that my wife and I rode our bicycles to, but I made a little time this afternoon to do some cleaning of the engine compartment. Nothing too special here, but it felt good to take some of the dirt off -

[Cajundaddy]

Looks like fun! Fresh fluids> fresh rubber> go driving! If the dash wasn't cracked I'd be worried.

[doublestuff]

Scored some good parts from the local Porsche dismantler, Carquip. Got a fairly closely matching gas cap flap, and a bumper that looks like the one I took off, only straight! Also got the driver's door handle on and working, and replaced the passenger door handle but now it is closed and locked and I can't get it unlocked A search suggests that some have had good luck lubing the heck out of everything, I'll try that before I resort to drastic measures like cutting the door panel (it's too nice to ruin!). If anyone has a tip on getting a locked door open without damage, I'm all ears!!!

Pics -

[porschetub]

Originally Posted by mytrplseven

I hope you're good at wrenching. Otherwise you'll spend three times what you paid for the car in repairs alone. Per the engine belts, I'd recommend doing the rollers, water pump (since you're in there anyway) and if you see evidence of any oil leaks, replace all the rubber seals. They're all the same age rubber and will eventually leak anyway. There's plenty of DIY links on this forum to show you how to do everything.

I did what you did when I bought my 3rd and current 944. Bought it on ebay and fearlessly drove it from Santa Fe to SW Florida. Since then I've gone through the entire eingine; belts & rollers, vacuum lines, seals (front and rear), injectors, ignition system, short shifter, 17" wheels & tires, brakes and SS lines and so on. I now have a "new" 944 that I'll keep. I love it and nothing corners and rides like it. Plus, it's unique in the sports car world. Not too many people even know what it is. Plus 30 mpg is not a bad deal.

30mpg ?? maybe a 16v?,please tell me how,never had better than 25-27,thanks

[doublestuff]

Got everything more-or-less bolted back on today. Still tons and tons to do but I wanted to be able to take the car to Coffee and Cars tomorrow. Took it to a car wash and surprisingly, no leaks (after I taped up the rear hatch, which desperately needs a re-seal). It was nice to drive the car again, only the second time since I bought it. This thing is fun!
Took it to my CrossFit workout this afternoon -



The gaps up front are now so tight, you can barely tell there was any damage

Oh, and I got the passenger door open by sliding a 1/16th or so rod into the linkage between the door and the door jamb and pushing down on the release that is activated by the door handles. Once I took a look at the driver's side and gave it a moment's thought, I was in in less than a minute.