Reliability, Your experiences..

[jknapp3]

Ok, they are now in their 20's, You don't see many on the road. The forums all seem to be filled with cars with "Issues". So, just how reliable are the 944's (in all forms) I have a 1967 912 renegade, (914 motor, regeared tranny, and the list goes on) Its about 99% reliable, just old, and not as nice a ride.
Lets hear some stories... I want to drive my 944 to "Porsche Escape" in Eureka Springs in Nov. so I have a long time to sort this thing out..

[mytrplseven]

Where's Eureka Springs? If it's November, heat shouldn't be a problem. Are you planning on buying a 944 to then drive to this event? Please clarify over plans.

[romad]

The 944 is as reliable has any car. Brand new thru 100,000 miles(probably thru 200000) compares to any car made.
20-25 years old with STD to above std mileage will be a factor of its maintenance history and use, just like every car you would consider buying. I brought my low mileage 85 with excellent documented care and use, and I would take this car on any cross country trip.

I have a 2000 Corolla and a 96 GMC, both did rough service with high mileage, and I won't recommend taking them out of the county.

So yes the 944 is as reliable as any car with equal service and use.

Forums are not good indicators of relibality.

[jknapp3]

Ok, I bought a 87 944 NA. about 85K, odometer died at 77K. A stack of receipts to choke a horse. So far EVERYTHING works! I'm having an issue with a morning no start, but I think it was a poor connection on the DME, that's another story here on Pelican.

Porsche escape is in Eureka Springs AR. Nov. 7th -11th, It was called Porsche Palooza in the past, but for 2012 it's got the Escape. I enjoyed it last yr with my 912. It's about 10 hours from Austin, TX. There's always a group that caravans there. Safety in numbers....

So what spare parts do you take when you travel?

[Dimi 944]

I'd say as reliable as or possibly better than any other car that is being regularly maintained. I've owned my '86 944 NA for the last 11K miles (5 years). It recently turned 100K. I put around 2000 street miles on it and then I turned it into a dedicated track car. It has been driven really hard and I have not had any major issues for the last 9000 miles. I drive it to the track and back which includes long drives sometimes. Most of the things I have done on the car are upgrade related and some preventative maintenance. Everything else has been great with it. I replaced my rod bearings last winter and they looked almost new.

[GorillaFoot]

If you mean being stranded at the side of the road, my 951 has been extremely reliable. Never left me stranded in 6 years. I think the 944-968 have very stout engines, some of the best made ever. However, there have been a few oil leaks and preventative maintenance is a must. I have replaced many parts, belts, hoses and seals over the years. It IS a 23 year old car....

[968 GUY]

Always carry a spare DME relay.

[Dave Colangelo]

I have never driven any thing by Porsche's and I have never had an issue. I had an 88 924S in high school that was beat up bad. It ran hot and had lots of body and interior issues. FOES was way over due and every thing smelled funny. That being said I got the car for free from a friend and I was a giddy high schooler with a Porsche who had no idea what FOES was or how often it needed to be done. The ODO was broken and the car most likely had 200K or more on it. That turned in to a 911SC 3 years latter which was a true blast to drive. There really is nothing like a 911. A few months ago I picked up a really clean 87 944NA which has been great. It is my DD and I have not had an issue yet. The clutch slave cylinder did go but it took about 45 minuted to replace and the car was back on the road.

All that being said, as you know from your 912 there is nothing that will ever compare to driving a Porsche and I say if you are looking at a 944 go for it. Like any other Porsche they require service that can not be put off. FOES must be done every 50K or so. You must keep a close eye on your water pump and replace it as needed. General service can not be put off when it needs to happen it needs to happen. As long as you do it these cars will be as reliable as any other car. Even if it costs you 500$-1000$ (which it most likely wont) more a year for general service its worth is!

Regards
Dave

[Techno Duck]

Have owned a 944 series car since 2001 if i remember right, daily drove up until 2008 or so. Never been left stranded by any of them, a 924S, n/a 944 and a 951. My Jeep Cherokee Sport with the indestructible i6 4.0L has left me stranded twice.. once a dead crank sensor and another time a seized alternator.

My 924S was well over 100k miles, odometer was broken so dont know. Put probably 30k trouble free miles on it.

My 944 as bought around 60k miles and sold with around 120k miles. Only problem i had was a leaking headgasket due to age (the fire ring had split). Car actually drove fine also! Many track days and auto-x's on it.

My 951 was bought with 100k miles and has 127k on it right now. Many track days and a few auto-x's with not to many serious issues. Most of the problems i have had with it were due to how much i modified it. Only time i got close to getting stuck was from a bad ignition switch.. was still able to pop start the car and get it home though.

Properly maintained i think these are pretty reliable cars. With most of these cars pushing 25 years old there are many beat ones out there though.

[944Larry]

It is as reliable as YOU make it. Skip your maintenance, and you wind up walking.

[88Silver924S]

Look at the rubber fuel lines in the engine bay on any 20+ year old car. Years ago I saw a 944 with an engine fire, it is a very sad image. Flex the rubber hoses and look for microscopic cracking or other age problems. See: SharkSkin - Shark Attack Round Thirty Four - Fuel Lines ; it is about a 928 but easily extrapolates to the 4cyl Porsches. As you know carry a spare DME relay, I put my new one in and save the old "known-working" one as backup. Good luck and Happy motoring.

[Cocacolakidd]

My Wife drove a Mercedes 4 cyl. diesel for slightly more than 500,000 miles, and the car was still running good when we sold it. The only car that I can compare with the Mercedes is my 85.5 Porsche 944. I'm still driving that car from late summer of 1985, and with regular maintenance it has reached 366,759 miles. Fuel pimp went out once while leaving work, died in the parking lot, so I had to get a ride home to get a pump. Now I always carry with me a fuel pump and a DME fuel pump relay. With over 350K I would still head out for a coast to coast trip, and know I would get there

Now I always carry a fuel pump and a fuel pump relay where ever I go, along with a small selection of tools and band-aid supplies.

Replace the belts and pulleys on time, change out fluids on time (Hydraulic, antifreeze, gear oil, and of course motor oil and filter, clean and service my K&N air filter, and replace it every 50,000mi). Clean the leather seats monthly, and use leather conditioner every 6 months. Complete monthly inspections for other service or repairs as necessary - Spark plugs every 20K - spark plug wires every 100K - Etc, etc...

I have personally seen several 944s with over 300K, and they are still running strong and reliable.

[VirginiaF1]

Originally Posted by Cocacolakidd

My Wife drove a Mercedes 4 cyl. diesel for slightly more than 500,000 miles, and the car was still running good when we sold it. The only car that I can compare with the Mercedes is my 85.5 Porsche 944. I'm still driving that car from late summer of 1985, and with regular maintenance it has reached 366,759 miles.

I have personally seen several 944s with over 300K, and they are still running strong and reliable.

Well said as always..
Add the fuel line caveat to Cola's prescriptions and drive confidently...

Along with early 1990's Accords, the 85.5+ 944's get my vote for best longevity.

[Rasta Monsta]

Bought my 924S with X27,000 on the clock, beat to hell. $900.

My wife daily drove it for five years (including driving once across town bone dry of coolant), and it never failed. It is now our race car. Tough and reliable as a tractor.

[mytrplseven]

I bought my first one in TX and being a novice and naive drove it to Wash DC. Only issue was thermo switch and I got through the trip by keeping the A/C on to run the fans. Back up switch was bad but that was it. It was a 85 1/2 car. I'm now on my third. The one I have now I bought in Santa Fe and drove it fearlessly to SW Florida with a Mouse Nest fully filling the air cleaner box. Still got nearly 30 mpg. I have been on a campaign to replace all the rubber seals bumper to bumper and everything vacuum and rebuilt the injectors. Since I'm a fearless "roadie" and a bit more educated, I keep a small box in the rear side storage areas with a set of basic tools, fuel pump relay, volt meter, a bit of wire, some crimp connectors.

[hangar21]

Jkmapp, if your driving near Eureka Spring, Ar., I can recommend several roads that are "great"! I would start with route 309, up one side of Magazine Mt. And down the other, with of plenty side roads to stop and enjoy the view. Our drives would start in Hot Springs and end in Eureaks springs or continue across the Missouri border to Big Cedar lodge. There are plenty of great roads in the area. Have a great time.
All the best,
Terry

[black_falcon]

Owned my 86 n/a since 2003, used as a daily until 2005, and have put a total of 32k on her. The only time she left me stranded was when it dropped an exhaust valve at 125k (car had apparently been overheated in the past and weakened a valve seat). Otherwise, It's been nothing but a dependable and solid car. I wouldn't hesitate to drive it anywhere, at anytime. Regular maintainence is the only way this is possible, however. If I added up all my service records, it would be... A lot.

They're reliable and fun enough that if gas prices spike to $5-6/gal, I'd consider using mine daily again or finding another nice early car for the daily grind.

[jknapp3]

Hanger21, This would be my second run up there, Great Roads! Porsche Palooza is a regional event, but for 2012, Porsche is using it as Porsche Escape. No judging, just fellowship, and great cars. Nov. 7th - 11. PCA Palooza - A Porsche Club of America Event

[sasquatch]

Bought my 87 944 in 1996 with about 110k on it. It is now on the verge of going over 200k. Runs like a top. Only left me once when I broke the differential carrier in two. Must have been one too many hard auto-x or hill climb starts. Put in an S2 transmission.

I have spent a lot of hours working hon her, but not a lot of that was actual repairs, mostly just normal maintenance. I have spent a metric ton of time and $$ on upgrades, restoration, modifications and such though.

Car has been extremely reliable. But as others have said, with a car this old there is a lot of parts that need replacing just due to age/miles. Fuel lines, intake gaskets, injector flushes, vacuum lines, FPR and Damper, all brake hoses, coolant lines (all of them), door hatch and sunroof seals, etc. You get my point.

But even with the miles, I would not hesitate to drive her across the country at a moments notice.

[jknapp3]

My next issue is the rubber clutch. It feels fine, and no noise. At about 100K (no odometer working) and no clutch receipt, I wonder how long it has. My neighbor has two 44's, a 951, and a spec 44. He thinks??? the 87 and up didn't have a rubber clutch. But he's not sure. But she shifts good, and feels good, so, why worry.... lol