Is 212,000miles really bad?

boxerfreeflow00 · 06-17-2002, 07:15 PM

i'm considering buying a 1988 porsche 944
but it has 212,000miles
engine looks and runs great
new transmission too
is 212,000 really bad for a 944 2.5 liter inline 4
how much is too much
thanks

stray15 · stray15's Garage

As long as the car has been taken car it can last forever. Be sure to have a PPI done before purchasing. Are their any records with the car? How much are they asking?

boxerfreeflow00 · 06-17-2002, 08:53 PM

is a PPI an inspection, if so yes its being done the 25th of june
i believe he has all the records, wat do i look for?
he is asking $3500
but i'll talk him down some because interior is pretty bad looking
lmk
thanks

jagar · jagar's Garage

Knowing what I know now..I would specifically inquire about the last time the timing/balance shaft belts were replaced, along with the water pump. You may inquire if the clutch has ever been replaced. I've learned the hard way on both of these items. If the routine maint. has not been kept up, you could be looking at spending several hundred dollars in preventative maint. just to ensure you don't end up with one of those over $2,000- jobs. If they can't tell you that take it into consideration and adjust your offer accordingly. Other than that have fun it's a very rewarding car to own when they're on the road..

fly944 · 06-18-2002, 03:57 AM

I have an 86 na w/205,000 miles and my car runs better than the day I bought it. I personally beleive that a car older than 10 years should not be judged on milage, mechanical condition. as long as this car was taken care of you should have no problem. Definitely get a ppi w/leak down and compression test. And find out about belts.

RPM'S S2 · 06-18-2002, 09:52 AM

Be careful. A well-maintained car at that mileage might be fine. But I have always found that the shape of the interior directly reflects the shape of the mechanicals. If the owner cannot/will not take care of and repair the parts of the car he saw every day -what are the chances he properly cared for the parts he could not see.
On a 944 anything over 200k is getting onto the rebuilt engine zone, to say nothing of suspension/clutch/electrical,etc. Not always, some can run much further - but I would be very careful.

boxerfreeflow00 · 06-18-2002, 10:17 AM

from wat the owner has told me, all the belts were replaced when he got the new transmission about a month ago
as far as water pump, i'll found out
will a normal inspection include a leak test?
thank you guys for ur help
if anyone has anything to add it would be appriated
thanks

keith

boxerfreeflow00 · 06-18-2002, 10:23 AM

one more question
how much does it cost to rebuild the engine on a 88' 944
about?
thanks

keith

jagar · jagar's Garage

Something that may give you ideas on what things are going to start costing you is to got to a books a million and pick up a copy of Excellence magazine. Many companys show their prices or provide web links to obtain information about your interests. There is at least prices on rebuild kits etc. It'll give you a starting point. Good luck

dogslovetrucks · 06-18-2002, 01:10 PM

By the time you rebuild it, you could have bought another car with far less miles and have taken a trip to Cancun. 212k is a lot of miles on a chassis too don't forget- things like springs do get tired and bushings tend to get a bit tired. Personally, I'd bump your shopping budget up another 2k and get into something with less miles- but that's just me.

dogslovetrucks · 06-18-2002, 01:12 PM

damn, should have proof read that but you get the idea.
Anyway, as a price comparison, I bought my 88 with 78k 4 yrs ago for $5800 and a clear PPI
I'd keep shopping if I were you.

wolfrpi · 06-18-2002, 01:36 PM

$1000-$1500 max. Anymore and you're paying too much for a car near the end of its useable life span. I've been there and done that with used 924S/944S/951 (2)/951S.

For $3500 try to find one with about 100k - it will likely nickel dime you the least.

For reference here are the purchase prices and conditions of my past 944s...

87 924S (195k) - $3200 - excellent (owner represented as 95k)

88 944S (148k) - $3600 - excellent - mint (needed clutch)

86 951 (208k) - $3800 - good

89 951S (150k) - $6500 - mint-

86 951 (123k) - $2500 - fair- good (showed 123k and needed paint)

Harp · 06-19-2002, 06:56 AM

$3500 is way too much for 212,000 miles and crappy interior. You won't even enjoy the car if the interior is sh_T, and it's not worth fixing the interior if the car is mechanically iffy. Get yourself a nice car that you can be proud to own. Then go pick up some chicks. Rock on.

scottmandue · 06-19-2002, 01:01 PM

What year car are we talking?

FYI -
bought my 1984 two years ago for $4000 141K miles, records, recent maintenance, paint a little chipped and scratched but looks okay, small cracks in dash. Car runs better than when I bought it but prices are still dropping, I advertised at $2500 with 143K miles, got a few calls but no takers.

There are many Porsche nuts out there with cars in great condition that have to sell there 944 for some reason (one 968 owner was selling because he just bought a NEW 911 turbo... poor baby), $3500 can get you a good to very good condition car with around 100K miles.

I read some Porsche books over vacation and they suggest the 944 engine can go 300K miles or more.

hope that helps

951carter · 06-19-2002, 05:27 PM

The mileage would not scare me at all. I would do a leak-down and compression test on it though. I have seen 40-80,000k cars with ALOT more troubles than 200+ cars. In a way it is good, it means it has been a dependable runner. Alot of times some cars have low mileage because they were in the shop all the time and the owner was scared to drive it. The worst thing you can do to a car is not drive it. I would consider an 88' to be worth quite a bit more than an early car. IMHO, the price is pretty good.

lordgrommit · 06-19-2002, 05:28 PM

Well we have to remember we are in auto fantasy land here in Southern california..other places in the country our rides would be the pride of the neighborhood out here.. I can't even get them to Valet park the green monster up front. SO as they say YAMMV

Matt

scottmandue · 06-20-2002, 07:56 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by scottmandue
What year car are we talking?

DOH.. should of read the first post more carefully.

Okay it's 88 and the engine may have a few more years in it but how much life is left in the body/suspension?

You may want to take a look at autotrader.com to see what's out there in your price range.

Good Luck

boxerfreeflow00 · 06-21-2002, 01:17 PM

car seems to be in good shape, shocks were ok

i live in maryland not much porsche action here
lucky to find anything
lol

anymore thoughts
thanks

951carter · 06-21-2002, 10:29 PM

not trying to offend, but.....IMO the suspension should be changed by 70k anyway and these chasis wear like steel shoes, they'll take a he77 of a beatin.

dogslovetrucks · 06-24-2002, 08:55 AM

What part of MD? I lived in Frederick when I bought my car out of the Autotrader in the Northern VA area - lots of little rich boys who are now upgrading.