Confirm my thoughts...looking at an 87 944...

[Orkrist]

Hey All,

A friend of mine in Ohio has a neighbor who wants to sell an '87 944 N/A. We haven't been able to actually speak about it, only voice mail exchanges, but here is what I have gleaned so far:

The car has just under 100K miles.

It is good to better than good cosmetic condition inside and out.

It sat for several years. It does not start, but if "jumped" it runs hesitatingly.

The rotors are rusty. Probably need to be replaced, huh?

My friend jumped it and drove it a bit, and the only problem he had was the brakes not sounding good.

Now, the deal is this woman wants around $1,000 for it, but I could get it for less. However, I would need to UHAUL it from Ohio to K.C., MO. ($350) and then get to work on the problems.

So, looking at, minimum, gaskets and whatever, new rotors and pads, bleeding the brakes, new belts, new water pump (this is all I've learned so far from watching this site), it sounds like a good parts car for interior bits an so forth, but a bad buy unless it was free.

Am I right? How much would I be looking at? Assuming I had it done a t a decent shop. I have some mechanical skill but not this much.

[ae1969]

$1350..............

uhmmmm if it truly runs and no engine damage......sure great deal..... unless you take into account re-doing the brakes, clutch, all gaskets and seals, etc......and it would probably would have cost you as much as buying a good one for 4-5k.

If its not running.....$500.

[Britwrench]

The big problem is your sentence "how much if I had it done at a shop" I work in a shop and we do quite a few major repairs to 944 and 951 models. If it's been standing and only runs badly, then you CAN'T afford to have it fixed at a shop. If you want it , you are going to have to do the work yourself.
Now this may be a good time to increase your mechanical skills and buy some more tools. Even if it was free it's too expensive otherwise.

Suggested repairs;
Timing belt, all front seals, tensioners, water pump and belts.
Cam box gasket replacement.
Oil cooler reseal.
Full maintenance service.
Replace clutch master cylinder and slave cylinder.
Four new tires and wheel alignment.
New brake discs, pads, hoses and master cylinder.
Full detail.
New battery and fuel pump relay.
Engine mounts.
Heater valve.
AC recharge.
This is to start with..........
I can see an easy $4000 plus at a shop without looking too hard.
This assumes the clutch is still good and the engine hasn't got any internal problems.
The moment you start driving it things will not work as they should. If you fix it yourself and buy the parts at the right price it might be worth doing. At the end you'll have a 944 with all the things that go wrong fixed.

[rben]

Buy it, get it back to KC and then decide if you want to fix or part out. There are a few of us here in the KC area that would look at the car and give some advice as to fix or part out. At any rate ,I dont think you would lose any money.
rben

[fty]

Take it, im sure afte a good detail That YOU GIVE IT...itll be easier t o fall in love with, have him take some pictures and do the minor engine stuff yourself, take your time and im sure youl have a sick car soon....I think its a good deal, id do it-chris

[Rot 911]

Hey if you need someone to ride shotgun with you to Ohio, drop me a line. I always enjoy the thrill of the hunt for a new (ok old) Porsche!