What would you do?

[firefighter7128]

im seriously trying to decide what to do with my car. I need to swap my rear axles, do the rear wheel bearings, heat is always on, just got parts to do the speedo, needs light body work, Paint would help, sunroof cable is binded, i hear clicking in the front end on turns. just did the wheel bearings, have an oil leak coming from the front of engine, needs rear shocks, needs rear breaks, light interior work, i hear a "clink" when i push the clutch in sometimes, none of the buttons near the shifter are working(all unplugged)

..... I think if i sell the car i wont get $1500 for it.
Not sure if i can part it out fast enough to buy a new car. what would you do?
I also think if i put another $1000 into it i will have a $1800 car.
Im limited of funds and skills and its my daily driver. Sell whole, Fix it, Part it? Pull the ignition and Burn it?

[krystar]

check the clutch inspection port. if it needs a new clutch....probably want to sell it and eat the loss. and get a more reliable car.

[CJFusco]

Probably want to sell it and... what, tell the buyer that it needs a new clutch (that would be the honest thing to do)? You'd get $1000 or less.

It seems to me that car is a perfect track car candidate. If that isn't on your radar, sell it to me for a couple hundred and I'll make sure it gets treated right

In all seriousness, if you love and want to keep the car, buy a reliable "beater" (Honda, Toyota, 1980s Volvo) for $1500-2000 and bring the 944 back a few pieces at a time.

[krystar]

or a 80's mercedes diesel hehe. built like a tank.

it would be nice to keep it and fix it up. but do the brakes and bearings and shocks first. rest of that list looks like luxuries. how bad is that oil leak? wet seepage? or actual losing quart/100miles?

[CJFusco]

The Mercedes Diesels and Volvo 240s and 740s from the 1980s have to be among the best-built cars in the world. I've heard of several examples running for 300K, 500K, even approaching a million miles!

My own 740 has 253,000 on it...

[John_AZ]

Fayetteville pricing,
www.cars.com
http://www.cars.com/go/search/search_results.jsp?ct=20&tracktype=usedcc&searchType=21&cid=&dlid=&dgid=&amid=&cname=&mdnm=944&mknm=Porsche&rd=500&ddrd=&zc=72701&makeid=41&modelid=389&pageNumber=&numResultsPerPage=50&largeNumResultsPerPage=0&sortorder=descending&sortfield=PRICE%20descending&certifiedOnly=false&criteria=K-|E-|M-_41_|D-_389_|N-N|R-500|I-1,7|P-PRICE%20descending|Q-descending|Z-72701&aff=national

I agree with CJFusco and fix the clutch DIY.

If you plan to just sell the car get only the clutch disc-$199
http://www.**********.com/ShowItem/677%20Porsche%20Power%20Friction%20Clutch%20Disc.a spx

Reuse the PP & TO and hand surface the flywheel. You did not mention a rear crank leak so skip the seal. Get new pilot and fork bearings. BTW what is the mileage?????? (some other stuff may be needed )

Swap the rear axels/repack CV joints-skip the rear bearings unless dangerous, get a new heater control valve $20 and maybe a cable clip-this may be your problem anyway.
Put KYB shocks on the rear or a set from salvage yard and new rear brake pads.

If you do all this yourself maybe under $500 for parts.
Labor-DIY-2 to 4 weeks.

Value of car with work done, my guess $3500-$4000 (not doing paint and interior)---you have a 1988. Only about 3700 were sent to the USA.
http://www.pelicanparts.com/944/tech_specs/production_runs.htm

AS IS-Your first quess of $1500 or less as is is close for someone who knows 944s or $2200 for a kid with a new drivers license and taking an auto shop class.

Another option is to trade it in and bargain for a big truck gas guzzler. They are cheap on lots now and your car is a 4 cyl that sips gas. The used car shop will "touch up" the mechanics and paint and you will see it for $4999 next week on sale.

GL Matt
John_AZ
1988 924S 59K + 1987 924S 112.8K DD
1979 924 + 1977.5 924 + 1970 914 1.7 + MG Midget +++==gone, past tutors

[CJFusco]

I think just replacing the clutch disk would be dishonest; if you do it, you might as well do it right. I would be pretty pissed if I bought a 944 and found out that the PO did a half-assed job getting the car ready.

[firefighter7128]

all good info. For now this is what im going to do. I have all new rear bearings and some good rear axles. Im going to rebuild the rear and see what that does. i had posted before about response and there is a bit of a slip before the rear engages... i think. im going to start there. if it looks like the clutch is going im certainly not goingto put the money into the car. I would rather sell it as "944 just needs clutch" rather than do a 1/2 ass job. Im sure i can get whatever parts i need from guys on the board for a reasonable price. Im going to go with John_AZ's suggestions to start and see how far i get and how things are looking. I really dont want to sell the car. I like the old volvos but i think i would prefer to be pimpin in my 944.
This car is my 2nd. im trying to take baby steps and eventually get into a turbo by my 4th 944.

[John_AZ]

Half-assed job!! Give me a break
I have read many worse things done to our cars on this forum.

The 1988 engine has a higher compression 10.2 and is somewhat valuable for the pistons. Whatever you do take care of the engine

Selling the car with "needs clutch" means you will get offers of $500 or less.
Cost for parts for a proper clutch job will be about $1000 and more if you need a new flywheel or clutch fork. Labor not included.

There are a few used clutch kits on EBay-Of course-Gently used. I have even seen a few rubber center discs-now this would be a real shame to install.
Many members reuse the PP and touch up the flywheel. OK, get a new TO.
If the rear seal is not leaking, put it off. Again depends on your mileage.

Glad to read you will be giving the car a second chance-for now.

GL
John_AZ

[porsche4life]

If you decide to sell whole let me know. My dad may be interested in buying it and is close enough to come get it.

[HHI944]

Originally Posted by krystar

or a 80's mercedes diesel hehe. built like a tank.

Got a bright yellow '82 240D, absolutely indestructable and slower than anything else on the road. Seriously, an S10 pulling a 40ft yacht could accelerate faster. Gotta love it though, almost never in the shop, great mileage, blah, blah, blah.......

[Arizona_928]

fix it!!!

[Dave L]

Buy another 944 and keep this one for parts. Sell off some off the decent parts that you know you wont need (body panels etc.) to help fund the purchase of the new car. Also when buying the new car buy a decent one with a PPI, no ratty cheap ones! Also forget about any concept of the car being "worth" anything, a car is lousy investment.