Might be getting a 944

DustinWayman · 06-02-2002, 07:54 AM

Hey everyone,
I have decided to sell my 2000 Celica GT-S in order to get a Porsche 944, the question I have do you is what model/year shall the 944 I get be? To tell you the truth I dont "Need" a turbo, but if the turbo has better brakes and suspension set up I am all for it. I plan on doing the basics on the car: Chip, intake, exhaust, struts and springs, headers, possibly upgraded brakes. just the basics for now. If anyone is in Texas and knows of some cars for sale that would also be great! I appreciate all of your help guys and gals!

Thanks,
~Dustin Wayman

AFJuvat · 06-02-2002, 09:00 AM

All of them are great cars - Though they tend to be the "bastard children" of the Porsche community, they combine the best of both worlds Good handling, good speed and a bit more affordable than the 911 series. Arguably, you can say that maintenance is a bit easier on the 911, and overall cost of ownership is lowest on the 914 series.

This link below will give you a general list of what to look for whatever you decide to get. Short answer, you will enjoy any model you buy, they are all very fun cars to drive. As a general rule of thumb, turbo's and the S series cost more to maintain, and are a little more difficult to repair.

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

Welcome to the dark side, we'll teach you the secret handshake when you buy one.

AFJuvat

SoCal Driver · SoCal Driver's Garage

Quote:

Originally posted by AFJuvat
Welcome to the dark side, we'll teach you the secret handshake when you buy one.

AFJuvat

Is that the one with the folded $20 in it to the service writer so you can have access to the repair manuals?

Scott R · Scott R's Garage

Do the turbo! You wont regret it.

Scott R · Scott R's Garage

Do the turbo! You wont regret it.

todwic · todwic's Garage

But we'll welcome you to the fold, brother. Anyone that has to do as much PM as we do are anything but undedicated p-car lovers.
Just don't rice it out, man. Brake upgrades aren't needed tho, these babies stop on a dime. Go to 944 faq or Bill's site: 944 world. There's lot's of 411 to be had at platz mall or you could even (you had to know it was comming) see my web site, I have a link or two. I would suggest you read the archival post here at coveted Pelicanparts, esp. post by AFJuvat, he is a veritable font of information

DustinWayman · 06-03-2002, 05:42 AM

Haha, the last thing I would do is rice it out. I am going to this car from a pretty much stock celica (other than various suspension parts) just to be 100% rice free! My family is HUGE fans of porsche and I am proud to be the owner of one already. Thanks again everyone!

~Dust

Z-man · Z-man's Garage

Dustin:
I see in your siggy you have a 914! Cool beans: Love those cars!

Anyway, regarding the 944 series, here are some pointers. Note that within the 944 community, there are many opinions about the 944 series (924/944/968), and these opinions aren't always the same. That said:
1. Get the best car you can buy for your dollar. You're better of spending the same amount of money for a well taken of car that is a "lower model," than for an abused, more powerful model. (ex: Super Clean 944 Turbo vs. a tired 944 Turbo S).
2. If you are interested in performance modifications, the turbo models are the best way to go.
3. The 944S and 944S2 (16 valve cars), are probably the 'least best' cars to do performance modifications on. For one, the 16 valve head is not fun to work on, and for another, (esp. with the 944S2), the Porsche engineers have tweaked that engine pretty well.
4. It's better not to buy a 944 n/a and plan on turbo charging it. While some people have had success with that, you'll save tons of $$ in the long run by starting with a turbo if forced induction is an ultimate goal of yours.
5. Regarding brakes/suspension: the turbos and 944S2 have upgraded suspension components that depending on the car, can be fitted to the other 944's. It may take some 'creative' engineering! (Again, it may be cheaper for you to start off with a turbo or S2 that already has the upgraded hardware.
6. Cars with maintenance records are desireable. (My car had 12 full years of service records!) Also: once you get your 944, bear in mind that keeping up with the maintenace is vital for happy 944 ownership! Stuff like timing belts, rollers, seals...etc need to be replaced at regular intervals. A 944 requires more attention in this respect than a 914.

Oh, if you're looking at 944's already, I have a checklist that may help you weed out the bad ones. This checklist is loosely based on a checklist in Excellence magazine from a few years back. While it is not a substitute for a pre-purchase inspection done by a knowledgeable Porsche mechanic, it can get you started in your quest. If you want it, just let me know what your eddress is, or email me direct: z-man@pelicanbbs.com

Good luck on your search! Once you get your 944, make sure to get involved with PCA's driver's ed program!
-Zoltan.
My Gallery:

mattdavis11 · 06-03-2002, 12:38 PM

Dustin, I haven't seen very many N/A's for sale. The statesman has had an 86 or 87 951 in the classifieds for $11500, but the ad is now gone. I'll keep my eyes peeled, I hope you find one! When you do we'll have to get together for a cruise. Good to see a felow member here in Austin. Black 83 N/A.

Harp · 06-03-2002, 01:08 PM

Go for an S2 if you can find one. That's my vote if you aren't a definite Turbo kinda guy. I would've bought an S2 but they were still too much $$ when I bought my N/A. I love my N/A but I would love it more if it had 50 more horses, for a total of 208 which the S2 has.

pete13 · 06-03-2002, 05:29 PM

I just may have a very nice '88 n/a for sale soon..... all service records, beautiful condition, etc. e-mail me if you want details. petes944@hotmail.com

DustinWayman · 06-03-2002, 09:18 PM

You guys are great! Thank you so much for all of your help. I think that the Turbo is the way to go for me. My father is a porsche guy and has been his whole life so I am really glad to be working with him on it. He raced/owned various 924/944 series cars and the one that I fell in love with was the 944 S2 Cabriolet, that was the only one i acutally remember anyways! But I totally love the 944 series cars and I am ready to finally have one. Right now I am working on trying to sell my Celica and hopefully within a month or two i will be in a Turbo. As for now all I can do is work and wait for the car to sell, I am sure it will all pay off. Thank you all again so much, your advise means a lot to me.

~Dust

mattdavis11 · 06-03-2002, 11:39 PM

Dustin, I have only seen 1 S2 in Austin, non cabrio, and I keep a watchful eye. Around the corner from me there's a black 951 just driving me nuts. I've never seen it move from under its garage in 7 years. I'm sure it's plush interior wise. I want that car so bad but I'm scared to knock on their door and ask about it. I hope someday I'll bump into the owner on the street, and give a big wave! I think it's sad that it has to sit like that. BTW- There was a guy in town a few months back that wanted to trade his 87 Alpine White/Black 951 (Calf. car, stage 2 chip, test pipe) for my dads 91 Land Cruiser (I was driving/selling pops cruiser while my N/A was out of commission)

he wanted $9,000 with 140K and sharp condition. I still have his #, and would be happy to give him a jingle if you wish.

Harp · 06-04-2002, 06:27 AM

Hey Matt, just put a note in the guy's mailbox if you don't want to knock on his door. That car has your name on it. It's destiny.

CHA914 · 06-04-2002, 01:51 PM

Strange small world...

I am a 914 owner in Austin, and I am considering buying a 944 ... but I want to but it to have a fun, reliable street car (good A/C, put a good stero in etc...), so I am not really interested in mods.

The 914 is my race car is really no good for any kind of distance on the street.

I am guessing that a 944 n/a from 85.5 on would be my best bet from what I have read...this sound about right?

Dustin, I think you emailed me a while ago, but the email you gave me bounced...tonytchavez@yahoo.com

Thanks all,

Tony

CHA914 · 06-04-2002, 01:58 PM

Strange small world...

I am a 914 owner in Austin, and I am considering buying a 944 ... but I want to but it to have a fun, reliable street car (good A/C, put a good stero in etc...), so I am not really interested in mods.

The 914 is my race car is really no good for any kind of distance on the street.

I am guessing that a 944 n/a from 85.5 on would be my best bet from what I have read...this sound about right?

Dustin, I think you emailed me a while ago, but the email you gave me bounced...tonytchavez@yahoo.com

Thanks all,

Tony

gixer02 · 06-05-2002, 09:45 AM

I would love a 951 but with themoney I had if I had to buy one right now I would do what Z-Man says and get the best car for my money. In my case it would be a super clean n/a rather than a 86/87 951(951 refers to 944t if you didn't know). Personally the n/a is enough for me and I'm 17.... Sure when I have the money I will get a 951S and pump it up to 400hp or so but for now the n/a is right for me. And whoever said the brakes were great already was right. Anyway... I say get the best for the $ like Z-man said

Welcome to the WPC (water-pumpers club)- I just made that up, it's catchy, do you guys think it could rival the SCWDP? Maybe we should explore this idea...

Pat