[OK-944]

For the great twisty roads here in Vermont - I think my 85.5 944 NA is about perfect. Why is this? Well, for one, with a non-turbo combined with a circular throttle cam…my throttle response is basically instant. Turbo lag does not, IMHO, combine well with curvy roads, especially when loose gravel is also present. I want a throttle which is instantly responsive, predictable, and which offers good “off-on” symmetry. True - 150 horses ain’t exactly huge…but these horses play out well, and feel about right from an engine-braking perspective - meaning that the car truly behaves when I want/need it to (no suddenly skating rear), and does otherwise with a just a bit of extra work. Finally - if…in the middle of a blind curve, I find myself suddenly face to face with a moose (happens up here), I can stomp on the brakes without going ass-backwards!

I purchased this 85.5 nine years ago for 2500.00. I then dropped and resealed the engine (everything), rebuilt the PS rack and pump, rebuilt the brakes, rebuilt the ball joints, rehabbed gauge cluster, replaced waterpump/t-stat/temp switch/belts/rollers, replaced sway bar bushings, replaced fuel strainer, filter, and adjacent fuel lines, replaced front wiper motor, replaced all coolant hoses, replaced expansion tank, replaced some vacuum hoses, replaced old, dry Michelins with Kumhos. Did all of this for about (another) 2500.00. Oh…and I cleaned/recoated all ground points (very important!). Also - I designed/built/installed a padded dog-shelf to cover the rear seats, which still allows the rear seats to fold forward.

The car came to me chipped, and the only “performance” mod I performed was to install a circular throttle cam…a five-minute procedure and absolutely worth the 40 bucks.

Was any of this rocket science? No. In fact, all has been extremely satisfying, although some patience is needed for accessing some tightly/awkwardly placed components. All has become easier with the recent purchase of a low-rise “EZ-Car-Lift” (brilliant design, offers great access to everything, great portability/storage, and inherently safe - I highly recommend this lift!).

FWIW - I borrowed a tension-tool to check/adjust timing/balance belts the first time, and since then have done this by hand (without “the tool”) and feel completely confident about this.

Am I done? No. I still want to address issues with the heater/ac blower motor, parking brake, sunroof, windshield washer, hatch window wiper, and passenger-side mirror switch/motor. Possibly also get the AC working - but this is really not important to me here in Vermont.

In the meantime…this car continues to be an extremely reliable as a three-season near-daily driver, is a total kick to drive, is actually practical due to its large hatch/trunk capacity, and has never left me stranded.

No maintenance has been required for the past three years other than replacing engine oil and filter, plus tranny fluid flush/refill. Yearly running costs - insurance/registration/inspection/oil and filter, (not counting fuel and actual fixes) remain at less than one dollar per day.

So yes…I absolutely recommend that you consider a 944 - but by all means, either look at a known-good example, or at least come into this with some understanding of just what a well-adjusted/maintained example is truly capable of. Also know that the turbo versions, depending on what you truly need/want, aren't necessarily the better choice.