944s are excellent cars - highly underrated.
But as has been said, there's lots of "little stuff" that can drive you nuts. There's a litany of stuff to have checked on the 944 forum, but for starters I'd find a specimen that either has complete service records or has been checked over. Things to look for include cracked dashes, torn seats, non-working air conditioning, de-laminating rear hatch, worn clutch and/or timing belts & water pumps needing replacement. Ball joints & suspension parts (like springs) too.
The engines are very stout. My dearly-departed 951 had close to 200k on the original, un-opened engine with perfect spec compression in every cylinder and went like a raped ape. I know of at least one 350,000 mile+ 944 out there on the original, unopened engine.
A nice 944 will bring a smile to your face. A problematic one (especially a turbo) will send you into fits of enraged cursing and throwing tools. Have fun.
