Tell me about used 944's

[John se]

about 1985, non turbo, what should I look out for and ask about. I am good with a wrench but still "send out" for some work thats ugly. What should I beware of?
thanks everyone!

http://phoenix.craigslist.org/car/239848049.html

Like this one they seem plentiful.

[racer]

1) Do a search for something like www.clarks-garage.com . Its a 944 board. LOTS of FAQ's and guides about 944 buying. Also model year breakdowns and changes.

Pre 1985.5 will have the "old dash" which is well, old. Post 85.5 will have a more modern dash with useable dash vents.

No N/A 8V 944 is "fast". 150hp. not easy to "make faster". If speed is your need, look for a Turbo now. Don't even think you can make an NA fast, unless you drop in a chevy V-8.

Its a 20+ year old car. Likely had a few owners.

Timing Belts/Water Pumps are the key maintenance items. Clutches too (as a replacement is quoted at about a bazilliion shop hours - figure $2k) so, figure that a new clutch, belts and wp could be as much or more than the cost of the car! Then you realize why many people simply "abandon" 944's when they break.

Steering racks are big $$ too so check that out thoroughly.

No mention of mileage on the car in the ad. Or about maintenance history. 944's can be cheap to buy, but NO porsche is cheap to properly maintain.

Also realize, its a 20 + year old car. Some parts may be getting harder and harder to find.

[John se]

Yeah, thats kind of what I figured, I hit that point with Z-cars, so an owner gets to about 125-150K miles, is looking at tires, clutch, belts (are there 3?), shocks, bushings, various other tid bits, and figures the car is totaled!, so if I find one from the obcessive complusive owner I'll buy his!!!
thanks

[racer]

Originally posted by John se
Yeah, thats kind of what I figured, I hit that point with Z-cars, so an owner gets to about 125-150K miles, is looking at tires, clutch, belts (are there 3?), shocks, bushings, various other tid bits, and figures the car is totaled!, so if I find one from the obcessive complusive owner I'll buy his!!!
thanks

That's very true. I was looking for a 944 NA for a while. Saw some horrible ones. Drove some all over the board in how they drove despite similar characterisitcs (ie miles, options, etc.)

Then I realized I wanted more power so I ruled out the NA 8V and drove S2's and 968s. These are much better cars from almost every standpoint.

I'm not sure exactly but it seems somewhere around the $5k mark, the 8V NA cars got much nicer. Fewer owners, a history was available, records etc. The 6-9K was well maintained and may have been worth it, given their condition, but lots of folks want to treat 944's as 2-4K cars and then spend their time and money (say another 4-5k) making them work dependably. Why not just buy better to begin with.

In the end, I gave up my 944 pursuit. As much as I drove them, they were still missing a feel I enjoyed with my 911 and 914. So I got a Boxster instead and love it.