[Moneyguy1]

There seem to be two types of 944 vehicles out there. The first (and most common) is the type that does require a more than average amount of maintenance, and therefore soon doubles or trebles the original cost of the car. The second type (and quite rare) are those that run forever and rarely need anything but the normal periodic maintenance.

Mine is in the first category and is quickly wearing out its welcome.

There are threads outlining the basic problems with the car, from timing/balance belts to clutch removal/replacement etcetera. I have found the most difficult problems I have had are fuel and electric in nature. The electrical system is a nightmare, replete with barely adequate wire gauge in some places and connectors that, with age, become brittle and disintegrate, and switches that seem to have been purchased from the Yugo factory. The air/fuel system is a marvel when it works. When it does not, it is complex to diagnose. Replacing a clutch requires a practical disassembly of the entire drivetrain and is an excellent time to replace the hydraulics for the clutch and the flywheel sensors.

As for parts cost, most are reasonable; I have no complaint there.

The design of the body is timeless, but the rear glass also presents a problem; poorly designed and the torque placed on the fragile aluminum frame cause the glass and frame to delaminate. Small things fail and are annoying such as the 85.5 and up plastic clip in the heater system. IF broken, the heat cannot be turned off. In some areas, the factory was penny wise and dollar foolish.

I have rewired most of the important parts of the system, including relocating the window switches to the center conspole in place of the ashtray. This permitted the use of marine DP/DT center off switches, eliminating the $.25 factory nightmares. Rear lights are now a full gauge thicker, the empty spot on the rear lights now sport additional tail lights and since the car is an '84, it now sports the third brake light. Under the hood, most connectors have been replaced with mil spec connectors and new wire where necessary, generally teflon coated. The car has all new "plastic" suspension bushings, ball joints, rotors, rebuilt calipers, etc.

Despite all this, it has sat for months with a fuel problem. Fuel pump went south; NEW Bosch unit purchased, installed....new unit was bad. Returned, reinstalled. Haven't had the heart to get disappointed again. Too many other projects to be bothered.

My take: If you want a car to "play with", the 944 will fill the bill. If you want a reliable "daily driver", your chances of getting one is less than 50-50. Some assembly will be required.

Hope this helps.