Advice?

Underhill · 03-10-2003, 04:02 PM

Hello all, I’m relatively new to theses forums and am considering the purchase of a 944, and need some advice from the people that know best.

I’m 17 right now and looking into purchasing my first car. I don’t have much money, (to say the least) but that’s mainly due to my lack of employment. For a long time now I have been looking at the 944 as a possible purchase option, but I just don’t know if it would be the right car for me. As I mentioned my budget is slim, at best, so the chance of $2000 plus repairs on a $4000 car is a frightening thing. I want to make sure that if I bought this car it wouldn’t be down for weeks at a time while I get the cash to make the necessary repairs. Also I would like to know if this is the kind of car that a relatively experienced driver should be learning on. I have been driving for about 2 years now, but its mostly been done in a Mercedes c 280, which handles and goes (acceleration wise) like, well, a Mercedes c 280, and not a Porsche. I would eventually like to begin Auto crossing and would like to begin with this car. In short I merely want you’re to hear your opinions, and experiences with the 944.

P.S. If you don’t think I should purchase this car, any opinions on other cars would be great as well.

CJFusco · CJFusco's Garage

a 944 is a great first Porsche. You shouldn't be as scared of repair costs as you might think... the parts and labor are more expensive than the average car, but the 944 is very reliable. Plus, once you start visiting forums like Pelican Parts, you learn how to find these parts cheap.

My experiences? I bought my 1983 944 with 36K miles in 2000. The only repair costs I have paid were after I had a minor accident. It has been nothing but a joy to drive. My advice to you is to hang around the forum for awhile (a couple months); that will give you some idea of what kinds of issues and repairs are common.

Good luck and welcome.

85944na · 85944na's Garage

If $4000 plus $2000 scares you....run! I bought my car for $5900, and well lets just say I have over 10grand in it. A $4,000 944 is not a pristine example in most cases. That being said, I bought mine when I was 16, and I have no regrets, if you can afford the car, DO IT! It's a ton of fun, and a great car. But if you are on a tight budget, you can't afford a 944. What kind of money are you willing/able to spend on a car? If you want something reliable that won't break down, buy a honda, vw, or something.

TheCooler · 03-10-2003, 04:26 PM

Get it checked out by a professional. Im 17 too and I just bought mine a while ago. It runs nice. Also talk to the person who you are buying it from. Get to know him/her and see who owned the car, ask for records and repairs on it, and make sure you get it checked out. I strongly recommend this and Im sure a lot of other people here would agree unless you are a 17 year old porsche mechanic or something of the sort. If the person says it needs something, see if you can coax then into fixing it for you. But anyways, wait until some other people post that know more than me

Macfreak007 · 03-10-2003, 06:39 PM

I'm 16, I have an early '85 porsche 944. I got lucky and got a steal. I only paid about $1600 for it, and I had it prechecked by a professional porsche mechanic. It was a trade in at a Land Rover dealer, so you can get lucky if you wait for the right opportunity. But its a risk, so probably look for the best example. I just like to live on the edge! GOOD LUCK

AFJuvat · 03-10-2003, 06:46 PM

Get the best one you can afford.

Start here:

http://www.pelicanparts.com/techarticles/944_buyers_guide/944_buyers_guide.htm

Not all encompassing, but it will at least give you an idea what to look for.

Cannot stress the importance of having the car inspected before you buy. A few hundred on an inspection can save you thousands down the road.

Budget a few hundred dollars for maintenance the first year (assuming nothing nasty comes up in the pre purchase inspaction)

Welcome to the group

AFJuvat

Pike · 03-10-2003, 08:11 PM

If there is no rush, wait, as long as you can. I am 19 and just bought a 924. It was first offered to me about a year ago at $1500. I waited, and the owner fixed some of the quirks it has and finally gave up. So, he sold it to me for $150. I got it running for about $1.50 and some hard looking at the engine. It not in the best of shape, but my waiting paid off.

Underhill · 03-10-2003, 08:21 PM

Thanks for all of the replies. At this point I’m still not in a serious position to purchase the car. Which may be a good thing, for if I did have the cash on hand I wouldn’t hesitate to rush out and buy one? At least this way I have some time to mull over the various problems that might arise during ownership of the car. The biggest of which, seems to be breaking the timing belt, leading to engine failure. Is this a valid concern? Or better put, is this something that should deter me from buying a 944? Also knowing that replacing the belts myself would be impossible frightens me a bit.

And just out of curiosity, how well would you say that these cars handle, I have read good things but I want the opinion of the everyday 944 driver. None the less, thanks for the help so far.

Pike · 03-10-2003, 08:29 PM

Most cars are hosed if the timing belt breaks. I don't think that Porsches are in there own catagory here. Please correct me if I am wrong

Wolf1 · 03-10-2003, 09:12 PM

Nope, Porsches are not the only cars sent to the bone yard with broken belts/bent valves/piston damage/etc. last week I sent a Mitsubishi 3000 GT VR4 (ya know the twin turbo type) to that great salvage yard in the sky. All 12 intake valves bent/broken, guides cracked and 3 pistons whacked really good. Customer wanted to fix the car to sell but repair costs almost matched the vehicle value, so he opted to sell it to the scrap yard and end its (and his) misery.

TheCooler · 03-10-2003, 09:24 PM

How do they handle you ask? Im sure its one of the best handling car for the $$. I was whipping around some pretty tight corners today at around 45-50 without feeling the back of the car go out. Actually when I think about it Ive never fishtailed or anything since Ive had my car. I do have brand new cooper cobras on it though which help just a little.

Dave951M · 03-10-2003, 09:31 PM

They can be had in the $2k range in so so shape. If you don't do your own work, count on some heavy bills at first, like the timing belt, waterpump and seal job. Neglecting this will lead to the bent vavle syndrome and that is only cured by $$$. Not so bad if you do your own work but an ounce of prevention....

Dave

85944na · 85944na's Garage

The belt should not deter you, but be sure if you get one to be positive the belt is in good shape along with the rollers for it and the water pump. The clutch is another major issue. Other than that they are great handling cars and a ton of fun, but don't expect to buy one cheap and fix it up on a budget, buy the best one you can afford like the others said, and have fun! I've never been stranded in mine, but I have had a lot of repairs. Like I said..no regrets

CJFusco · CJFusco's Garage

Welcome to the board, Mister "Underhill".... or should I say, "BAGGINS!" *shrieks as he plunges broadsword into bed*

Underhill · 03-11-2003, 11:07 AM

Gee thanks again for the helpful replies, I just wanted to make clear the reason I stated I couldn’t do the timing belt replacement myself was because I was under the impression that it took a 400 dollar tool from Porsche to get the right amount of tension. I think I remember reading something about doing it with out the tool, but it sounds risky to me.

P.S. Good to see there are other LOTR fans here as well =-)

Rot 911 · 03-11-2003, 11:19 AM

I would advise against buying a 944 for just the reasons you outline. If something does go wrong, it won't be cheap to fix. This is why you have so many $2000 944's for sale out there. I just wish they were all selling for $8000 and above. That way the people buying them would keep them fixed up instead of just discarding them when something goes wrong. My advice? Spend $3000-$4000 and buy a nice pre '74 MGB or if you have $5000-$6000 buy a decent Miata. Both are a blast to autocross and in the case of the MGB one of the most inexpensive cars there are to repair. Let the flaming begin.