[toolboy62]

I would suggest an 85.5-86. Has the nice later dash but you can still use the cheaper struts and steel control arms. I'm discovering just how expensive it is to collect all the parts for the front end for an '87-88.

My real pick though would be an old VW GTI, either A1 (83-84) or A2 (85-?) almost as much fun as a 944 but WAY cheaper to run. an 8V is a non-interference motor so no danger of valve crash from over-revving or busted TB. The early GTI engine is simply an earlier, solid-lifter version of the same 1.8 that was used in just about every damn VW through the 80s. Suspension can be done with only two special tools (cutaway socket for the strut nut and a set of spring compressors) aftermarket support is pretty good albeit dwindling. My first "real" (non-project) car was an '84 GTI which I eventually replaced with an '84 Scirocco, I beat the whee out of both of them and they just said "thank you sir may I have another." I would say they are 80% the fun of a 944 with 20% of the headaches. Only mod I would do is add an oil cooler if it doesn't have one, and brakes from a 16V GTI or Scirocco and 14" or larger wheels. (I've actually got a set of 14" BBSes if you take my advice, I'd be happy to sell 'em to you. Also a full set of leather seats for an 82-88 Scirocco.)

If your daughter has an appreciation for old-school German cool, see if you can find a round-headlight (pre-82) Scirocco. An '81 Scirocco S would be perfect. I've never had one but would buy one in an instant if I found one in good condition. Nerdy but sporty at the same time. If she's really into it, you could drop in a 16V engine or if you wanna go for massive overkill there is a kit available to drop in a 1.8T engine with the 02A transaxle (which you'll need, with that much torque.) I think an early 'roccet with a 1.8T might be a little too much go-fast for a first car though... (I however would find it just right )

Another option would be a VW Cabriolet - it's basically an early GTI with a soft top. Very girlie, but she might like it.

Under no circumstances buy her a Corrado. You'd think it'd be just a bigger, faster Scirocco and in one sense you'd be right, but the Corrado makes a Porsche look positively cheap and easy to keep running.

A compromise between a 944 and my old VW recommendation would be a 924 - a real one, not a 924S. Same engine (basically, I think it is actually the Audi version) as the VWs I'm referring to above but with the Porsche transaxle and chassis.

good luck,

nate

(still trying to remember why I sold the Scirocco. Dumb, dumb Nate.)