How Much to Pay For A 944?

[porschefan2014]

I have been interested in buying a 944 for some time, and been a long time lurker of this forum. I am looking at a base model and have noticed asking prices are all over the place. I am not looking for a total project, but I dont mind a few little things that need attention. what should I expect to pay?

I have noticed a few on ebay:
Porsche 944 944 | eBay

Porsche 944 944 | eBay

Porsche 944 944 | eBay

[grendiers]

Car buying noobs, regardless of brand, can get taken, so to speak. Tons of information on this board regarding pricing, condition, maintenance, etc. Also, check out clark's garage as well. Have as much information about a particular car, year, requirements before venturing off. Good luck!

[jwade944]

I believe that a good condition 944 with current maintenance (documented) is worth around $6000. You can certainly buy one for less, but if you plan for it to be your primary transportation, you will need to spend at least the difference in correcting deferred maintenance and repairs. If you have some mechanical ability, you may be able to purchase a lower priced car and beat my number. There is a lot of great information describing the typical issues. I have owned a number of these cars since 1986 and love them. Generally, I have found them to be mechanically solid, but rubber, leather, plastic and electronics are not immune to age. In my opinion, the miles are not nearly as important as the maintenance history.

[John_AZ]

Originally Posted by porschefan2014

I am not looking for a total project,

but I dont mind

a few little things that need attention.

You should pass on the 924S/944/951 series.

There are many little things that become major repairs. If you are not prepared to do the hard labor yourself, finding a skilled 944 mechanic will be difficult and expensive.....but they love the repeat business!!

...that is why the 944s for sale are soooooo cheap.

J_AZ

[PorscheChef]

What part of the country are you in?

[mikepellegrini]

John's right. If you're only looking for "a few things" to fix, a 944 is probably not a good match. These cars will nickel and dime you to death. All with frequent big ticket items along as well.

Secondly, I would NEVER buy a car, particularly a 944, sight unseen off ebay or anywhere else. There are just too many potential problems.

The first example you gave, an 85 944 with 36,000 miles - is likely 136,000 or 336,000 miles. He did say the odometer is broken and that is a frequent problem. But I've never seen one that broke that early. I'd want to see a whole lot of documentation before I'd ever believe it was <100K. I would really be suspicious of this car. It looks nice, but a real 36K mile car would be presented in a whole different manner.

The second car looks real but the buy it now price is kinda high for an NA.

The third car is also supposedly low mileage but the work he lists having been done would more typically be done on a higher mileage car (axles, CV joints, engine mounts, etc.) which makes me suspicious of the mileage. As does the "noise from the differential" (transaxle is probably going out). Plus the car's an automatic, which sucks, even if it is 69K miles.

Plus, if you buy on ebay, you'll be looking at shipping which can be a real killer.

I don't know what your area is like but in this part of the world, craigslist is the place to buy/sell 944's. seattle cars & trucks classifieds "944" - craigslist

Real cars that you can drive before making a decision.

[Bradical]

I honestly don't know why someone who isn't mechanically inclined or remarkably wealthy would chose to own a 944. You have to be at least one of these things, and usually both.

[924CarreraGTP]

You are better off to buy locally, and look for a deal. $6,000-$8000 is the going price for a pristine 944 with everything working correctly. Sunroof, windows, odometer, A/C, lights, timing/balancer shaft belt maintenance, water pump, clutch etc.
That being said a good running car with no routine maintenance isn't worth over $2,000 to $3000 to most Porsche 944 collectors. The belt maintenance is about $1,500 at a shop, and there's a whole car to worry about after that. Clutch, brakes, shift bushings, computer brains that go out, routine motor mount changes, leaky steering racks, delaminating rear windows, CV joints, etc. That's not even including the interior dash cracks, broken consoles, torn seats, carpet, etc.
When buying a 944, you want the nicest one for the lowest price with the most receipts, and maintenance records.

[VirginiaF1]

Originally Posted by porschefan2014

I have been interested in buying a 944 for some time, and been a long time lurker of this forum.

I'm giving 2:1 odds he/she never posts again...

In case he/she does...
Dear PF14:
FWIW , I was lucky enough to snag an '88 n/a off local Craigslist for $1,700 inspected and running about 40 months ago.
New timing belt and rollers had just been completed.

This forum and Renn has routinely saved my bacon; great blokes all.

The Red Baron is my daily driver ( 50 miles round trip) during all 4 seasons here in Richmond.
I've invested $1,600 in OEM parts thru Pelican, Lindsey, Zims, Only944, Sunset Porsche and Automotion.
All of my labor has been either myself, Sears, AllTune or the wonderful chap who sold it to me. $400 Total

I've driven it 40,000 miles on top of the ~231,000 it had already.
Thus, I've spent only 9 cents/mile.

Having ALWAYS wanted a 944 since high school ( yes, in the early 80s), I was fully committed to fixing WHATEVER was required to run it..
John_AZ's quote is key in that "not minding a few little things" pretty much requires the $6,000 car that jwade describes.
Unless you find a lucky charm as I did..

My hope is that you indeed join us with a purchase as these cars have a unique intangible about them..
unmatched any any other brand's model. IMHO

Welcome to the Forum..
mikey

[porschefan2014]

Thanks for everyone's input.. This is not going to be a daily driver, mostly a weekend car, car shows, maybe even a track day. as for working on it, I have owned several old Jaguars and did most of the work to them my self, as far as 944s go I do not anticipate them being any more complex then an old jag.

[jwmc1]

Originally Posted by mikepellegrini

John's right. If you're only looking for "a few things" to fix, a 944 is probably not a good match. These cars will nickel and dime you to death. All with frequent big ticket items along as well.

Secondly, I would NEVER buy a car, particularly a 944, sight unseen off ebay or anywhere else. There are just too many potential problems.

The first example you gave, an 85 944 with 36,000 miles - is likely 136,000 or 336,000 miles. He did say the odometer is broken and that is a frequent problem. But I've never seen one that broke that early. I'd want to see a whole lot of documentation before I'd ever believe it was <100K. I would really be suspicious of this car. It looks nice, but a real 36K mile car would be presented in a whole different manner.

The second car looks real but the buy it now price is kinda high for an NA.

The third car is also supposedly low mileage but the work he lists having been done would more typically be done on a higher mileage car (axles, CV joints, engine mounts, etc.) which makes me suspicious of the mileage. As does the "noise from the differential" (transaxle is probably going out). Plus the car's an automatic, which sucks, even if it is 69K miles.

Plus, if you buy on ebay, you'll be looking at shipping which can be a real killer.

I don't know what your area is like but in this part of the world, craigslist is the place to buy/sell 944's. seattle cars & trucks classifieds "944" - craigslist

Real cars that you can drive before making a decision.

I got lucky, I bought mine on eBay, but it was local. The car was in great shape...but even so, I had to replace the transmission damper...not unusual, but very expensive. If you want one of these it better be because you like them and can afford the extra $2 or 3,000 repair here and there, otherwise find yourself a Chevy.

[jwmc1]

The white one is decent, the red one is ok and the black one is a POS...I wouldn't pay more than $4,500 for the first two..there are a bunch of things that you should look at...this site has the list of what you should look at before you buy...timing belt, water pump, etc...if they haven't been replaced, they will need to be.

[holtzy822]

I just read an article saying how 911 owners artificially inflate the price of their cars...sometimes I wish we did the same lol but I'd say for a perfect base 944 ~6000 would be right. for a turbo 6k doesnt even get you in the door anymore looks like the turbo guys are following in the 911s footsteps

[MrAlien]

0-$1000 gets you a non running base model, or parts car.
$1000-2000 gets you a running car that needs work soon, with very poor interior, poor body, cracks in glass
$2000-3000 gets you a running base model 944 with faded paint, small dents, rips in seats, no AC, cracks in dash, running condition.
$3000-4000 gets you a good running car, clean paint and body, good interior, recent service history, but maybe needing some little things.
$4000-6000 gets you a very good condition base model, very clean body, very clean interior, service history, needing very little.
*excludes race cars
** excludes factory LSD cars and real euro cars.

[pfarah]

I love the ads that begin with "In great condition" or "Classic" then proceeds to mention a whole list of broken/inoperable components. Even better: "All maintenance performed; timing belt checked and looks great!" Plan on starting from scratch unless there is definitive proof of completed work.

[porschetub]

Originally Posted by pfarah

I love the ads that begin with "In great condition" or "Classic" then proceeds to mention a whole list of broken/inoperable components. Even better: "All maintenance performed; timing belt checked and looks great!" Plan on starting from scratch unless there is definitive proof of completed work.

Well put,without documented history its a worry,they will run for years as a daily driver but you need to sort the issues first yourself if the don't have the paperwork otherwise the asking price is very much in the buyers favour.

[porschefan2014]

whats the difference between the early models and the late models? is one particular year better? I am seeing a lot of 944s with odometer issues, do they break often? looking at one 1983 model on ebay, the owner said the odometer only goes up to 99,999 miles is that correct?

[starryknite]

the early models (83-85.1) odometer is 5 digits, not 6 like the new models

[VirginiaF1]

Originally Posted by MrAlien

0-$1000 gets you a non running base model, or parts car.
$1000-2000 gets you a running car that needs work soon, with very poor interior, poor body, cracks in glass
$2000-3000 gets you a running base model 944 with faded paint, small dents, rips in seats, no AC, cracks in dash, running condition.
$3000-4000 gets you a good running car, clean paint and body, good interior, recent service history, but maybe needing some little things.
$4000-6000 gets you a very good condition base model, very clean body, very clean interior, service history, needing very little.
*excludes race cars
** excludes factory LSD cars and real euro cars.

Good tiering..

[VirginiaF1]

Originally Posted by porschefan2014

whats the difference between the early models and the late models? is one particular year better? I am seeing a lot of 944s with odometer issues, do they break often? looking at one 1983 model on ebay, the owner said the odometer only goes up to 99,999 miles is that correct?

Pelican Technical Article: 944 Buyers Guide...