Looking to buy a Porsche 944, need info

[Jason86Z28]

I may have a chance to buy a 944 in the next few months. I'll most likely be looking in the $2000-$3000 price range. I've always loved the look of the cars, but never had an oppurtunity to get one. What kinds of things should I look for? From some brief reading I know I should ask about the timing belt, but what else is a common problem with these cars? Are there any certain good years or bad years? I refuse to get an automatic, so are there any specific issues with the manual trannies?

From the little bit of research I've already done I found that they're roughly 2500 lbs and have 150hp, I couldn't find any TQ numbers though. Anyone know that? how about 1/4 mi times?

I want to try to learn as much as possible about these cars in the next 1-2 months. I don't want to think I'm getting one thing, and end up with another.

Oh yeah, were all 944's 2+2's, or was it an option like in the 2nd gen RX7's and the 1st gen 300ZX's?

[NVMY944T]

I'm in the same boat. Looking at buying one and had questions too. If you want goto http://www.pelicanparts.com/cgi-bin/vb/forumdisplay.php?s=&forumid=35

My topic is "Need Answers from Experienced Owner"

You did have a question about TQ and all that jazz.
I've seen specs on 86 - 88 944's on there site. Can't remember exact link but you should find it.
Start here! Good luck!

Here is the site
www.rennlist.com

[AFJuvat]

I typed up a buyers guide for 924/944/968. Send me an emial and I will send you the article.

AFJuvat

[Z-man]

Other areas to watch out for:

1. Clutch: the non-turbo cars had a rubber center on the clutch hub. Since these cars are over 12 years old, the rubber has deteriorate in most of the trannys, regardless of mileage. Clutch jobs are very difficult on these cars, since it has a rear-transaxle. They run about $1500 to $2000 alone. When test driving a car you hear a lot of clanking coming from underneath the car, the rubber clutch hub is probably shot. Drivetrain backlash is also a sign of this defect.

2. Lower A-arms on 1985.5 and up cars: these were fabricated out of aluminum, and are prone to stress fractures, especially if the car is lowered. Not a big problem if they are dealt with in a timely manner, and inspected regularly for cracks. If neglected, they can lead to CATASTROPHIC suspension failure.

3. Cam chain guide: if these aren't replaced around 100k miles, they could fail, and cause major engine head problems.

4. Motor mounts: if these go, your car will vibrate very much at idle. Most motor mounts are replaced with beefier ones from 944 Turbos.

5. You already know about the timing belt: if it breaks, you in for some bent valves, and possibly an engine head re-do.

There are many varieties of the 944: Turbo, non-Turbo, 8 valve, 16 valve..etc. Choose carefully. Buy the best one you can find in your budget. Get one with good service records. While there are some points that need attention, if a 944 is properly maintained, it is one of the most rewarding performance cars money can buy.

I have a checklist guide that I used when searching for my car. It's loosely based on an article from Excellence magazine. If you want a copy (it's in MS-Word format), just send me an email, or respond here, and I'll gladly forward it to you.

Good luck in your searching!

-Zoltan.
------------------
My Toy:

[RaF944]

If you buy one for 2-3k you will end up puting in another 2-3k unless its a steal. Sometimes its better to pay a little more because the belts clutch and everything is else has been dealt with. As always get it checked out first, who knows you might get a real good car at a real good price

[theFONZ]

Another thing to watch for is the clutch pedal releasing high, this could also be a sign of an aging clutch.

[Jason86Z28]

Any checklists would be greatly appreciated... you can e-mail them to me at cheezwiz27@aol.com

How hard is it to work on 944's? I'm comming from a domestic world where its pretty easy to do a lot of things yourself. Would I be able to do the water pump, timing belt, and/or cam chain guide myself?

Clutch jobs are very difficult on these cars, since it has a rear-transaxle.

I'm not sure what you mean here... Is the transmission in a 944 set up like a typical front engine, rear drive car? Or is it reverse mounted so the rear end and the transmission are together instead of the engine & the tranny?

I noticed the cost of a clutch kit on this site is upwards of $800 but is the labor involved in replacing a clutch that much more expensive than a typical front engine, rear drive car? Could your average mechanic do it, or is it something someone that deals with 944's should do?

[justin]

The engine is up front,then your clutch mounts to it(just like a domestic) here's where it gets different, you have a torque tube running in place of a driveshaft(a hollow tube w/ a bar in the center of it that spins like a driveshaft) goes back to your transaxle, which is actually your transmission and rearend. That is one of the reasons these cars handle so well,their balanced damn near perfect. It's funny how Porsche has been doing it this way for 15 years or better and chevrolet corvettes just started figuring this out. Well I hope this helps,if you have questions we have the answers. Good luck

[Allldi]

You should also check out the 944 FAQ.

[RPM'S S2]

The March 2001 issue of Excellence had a very thorough 944 valuation guide and model overview. They repeat this every year or so. I think the the next issue should be out in a few weeks and will have the latest 944 buying guide.

[2coupes]

You have gotten some bits and very informative pieces of advice here with much knowledge behind them, but I couldn't help emphasizing the one reply that tells you if you spend $2-3k you'll put that much more into it to even approach what you want. I have watched to many friends "buy a bargain" and pay for it two or three times over. Spend more than you want to spend for a car that a good mechanic(Porsche of course) has been through for a couple hundred bucks of expense BEFORE you say yes. If it's found to be lacking but not onerous to repair get some commitment from the seller to dig down in his pocket or reduce the price accordingly.If it's a mongrel, keep walking .Jim H

[944guy]

i have a 1984 Porsche 944 5spd. and i love it. i painted it a old 1970's corvette red and put a new exhaust, struts, shocks,tired, rotors, break pads, back glass, head unit, and 4 new X speakers in it. i love the car. but i am looking to sell it for another project car and I'm selling it for five grand. in my book. thats a steel.

[kfanazini]

If you spend 2 to 3k for one expect to put in another 2k into it. The base 944 na or non turbo is slow. It really is not a 1/4 mile car. It is built to turn, not to turn in fast times in the 1/4. If you want fast look for a 951 (turbo), but the are much more expensive to buy and maintain. If you are not good with a wrench then forget it. Labor charges will kill you, unless you have deep pockets. I am warning you these cars will nickel and dime you, mostly because of neglect coupled with the age of the car. I bought a nice example with perfect interior and very good paint and a new clutch for 5k. I did the TB,WP and a bunch of other stuff this summer all motor related and I spent 1,200 in parts and tools.

[James Chimney]

I would say find a good shop in your area (worth their weight in gold) and have them go over any car you find with a fine tooth comb (was the best $150.00 I spent when I was a "newbie"), what they find may help you decide if that $2000.00 car is worth it after you have to put $3-4000 + into it.
Can you do any work your self? This is a good think for $$$ and self satisfaction.
You have a great resource here for to ask questions, find used parts and Pelican is great for new ones.

[ernie9944]

Suggest you do a u-turn & stop here & read (Purchasing a 944) before buying Clark's Garage Home Page There is to much things to be aware off when buying a $2-3k 944 to list it here.GL

[John_AZ]

Originally Posted by 944guy

i have a 1984 Porsche 944 5spd. and i love it. i painted it a old 1970's corvette red and put a new exhaust, struts, shocks,tired, rotors, break pads, back glass, head unit, and 4 new X speakers in it.

i love the car. but i am looking to sell it

for another project car and

I'm selling it for five grand. in my book. thats a steel.

Did I miss something?

He wants to sell his car.....

This is his first post on an old, real old post. 2002

[ernie9944]

Originally Posted by John_AZ

Did I miss something?

He wants to sell his car.....

This is his first post on an old, real old post. 2002

+1 Just got it never look at the date WTF going on here.

[John_AZ]

Gotcha!

Bazinga !

Bazinga

A catchy phrase to accompany your clever pranks.

As popularized by Sheldon Cooper (The Big Bang Theory).

I just replaced your toothpaste with denture cream. Bazinga!



John

[Cocacolakidd]

For all of you that want to DRAG Race a 944, they are not built for the drags. A 944 is a track car and one of the best made for track racing - Every thing is set-up for twisty, windy, up hill, down hill, right and left turns. As is the suspension and balance is better than any other oem stock car - One can make very nice improvements on the OEM Porsche suspension for professional racing, or even an owner who wants a very tuned suspension - it just gets better.

[ernie9944]

LOL the Kid got suck in to.