Buying a 944 at auction - sitting for 3 years

[RobertsStole2nd]

Hi everyone - I have come upon what may be an interesting opportunity. I have the chance to participate in an auction on Saturday that includes an '83 944 that has been sitting in a garage for roughly 3 years, give or take. I only know the following about it:[list][*]It does not have keys[*]Visual inspections only are allowed[*]It may or may not be locked, so access to the engine bay and interior may not be possible[*]It did run before it was stored, mileage unknown until I get to the auction


Word is that I might be able to pick this up for just a couple hundred dollars. I won't be able to see it until Saturday morning, right before the auction. I understand that I'm providing very little information, but what does everyone here think? Is it difficult/expensive to rekey a 944? Other than the basics like flushing the fuel system, changing fluids, brake lines, tires, etc., what costs would you estimate I would incur to get it roadworthy, assuming the mileage is somewhat reasonable and remembering that it did run before it was stored. Also, I'm considering either fixing it up to keep for myself or fixing it to resell. Is an '83 944 even worth it? Any thoughts would be appreciated.

Todd

[many944s]

*BEWARE*

I got just as lucky!?! When I picked up an 83 944 about a year ago.

If it has been sitting for that long, you are looking at replacing the the following parts:
Timing belt
Balance shaft belt
hoses

And possibly:
waterpump
front seals
rollers
ignition wires
tires

I know it sounds like a great bargain at the time, but there is definitely a chance when getting into an earlier 944 like this, that it could end up being a money pit! There are several other things to consider if you are planning on selling it in the long run... Is it an automatic or Manual trans? If it is an Auto, good luck getting your money back out of it, as they are alot harder so sell. Would you be doing to repair work on the car, or are you going to pay a shop to do it?

Unfortunately, there is no real way of knowing what your getting into until you have a chance to inspect the car. And if you do get it re-keyed, I would triple check your timing belt before even trying to turn it over! Keep in mind when these timing belts let go, you are looking at replacing the valves, and possible pistons and the head itself.

Having said all of that, I am not trying to discourage you! In fact I would say go for it! If you can get it for less than $500 it could definitely be worth it, you may get lucky and have a real nice flip on your hands. And if it looks like a nightmare, then your only out a few hundred....

Good luck,
-Nick

[floorMatt]

If you get in for under $1000 and the car is not a complete wreck, you can always get your money out in parts if things don't work out. (give or take a few hours of work)

[RobertsStole2nd]

Nick - I'll have to see the car Saturday and make a gametime decision. I have no idea if it's an auto or manual, if it's auto I wouldn't buy it anyway. I have some skills turning a wrench, but likely not enough to do everything you list. But you're right - for a few hundred bucks, why the hell not?

floorMatt - that's a great point. That's my "out" if I buy it and it's more of a headcase than I thought.

Thanks for the responses - I'll post an update sometime after the auction on Saturday.

Todd

P.S. Nick - is Peyton scared to step foot in Foxborough Sunday night?

[many944s]

Probably...
Any one can pull one game out of their a$$, I don't know if he can do it twice in a row??

-Nick

[Eldorado]

the way i see it is... if you buy it for 500 bucks, and even if you put 4 grand into it after purchase for repairs.... you'll have a hell of a good car for 4500 bucks.... I'd still do it.

[RobertsStole2nd]

Originally posted by many944s
Probably...
Any one can pull one game out of their a$$, I don't know if he can do it twice in a row??

-Nick

Hey I respect the guy, but I still think he's got something to prove. Anyway, I'm sure it'll be a great game. He can be happy about one thing at least - at least it won't be snowing!

[Dantilla]

Non-running 944s can be found for 500 bucks if you look around.

An engine is worth 800 or so, the manual tranny another 300, if it has Cookie Cutters, 200, Fuchs, 7-800. Seats, a couple hundred a pair, a non-cracked dash is worth around 400.

It doesn't take long to get your money back if it's a lemon. It does, however, take up space and time to part out a car.

[rammstein]

Under $500, its a no brainer provided you have a garage for this. And if you are married, you will have to be very sneaky about it until its too late for her to get the garage back.

[lateapex911]

Man, thats a nightmare waiting to happen. Sorry, LOL. Early 944s are dirt cheap...if you want to end up with a running, reliable and good day to day car, this is the risky approach.

On the other hand, if you get in CHEAP ...REALLY ChEAP, you can't be hurt IF you make the right call early when you get it.

But, as it doesn't run, you have no idea if the engine is good, (or frozen to the block, only to snap a ring when unfrozen?) or the transmission works well, (or has awful sysncros) and so on.

You have to assume the brakes are shot and might need some work, and a host of other issues that result from long term storage. (Mold, mildew, surface rust on all the undercar components, rats nests, mice in the clutch, chewed wires, corroded electrical connections and so on)

So, go in with your eyes open, and be conservative. If you see enough parts that you are sure you can sell for a conservative number, and the buy in is less than the total you can get for the parts, then what the heck. But be careful! It's easy lose a shirt on these things !

[Eldorado]

about the "early 944's are dirt cheap" comments.... all these cars are dirt cheap... and in my opinion, the earlier generation is the better one anyway

[jezza944]

For $1000 or less, wild horses (or kangaroos) wouldn't hold me back from buying it if it were here in Oz!! I'm with you Kyle.

[P0WER]

Dont forget about possibly having to replace the fuel lines, injectors, fuel pump and having to have the gas tank pulled and recoated inside.
My friends sat 3 years and had to do all that was listed above and what I listed and I am probably forgetting some stuff.

[RobertsStole2nd]

Luckily I have the garage space, and an understanding wife, at least until this petrified water pumper darkens her doorstep. She's already come to terms with the Rover belching the contents of its transfer case all over the driveway. As you guys suggested, I'll just set a ceiling price based on a conservative estimate of the potential value of the parts. I'll take some pics of this monster and post them on Sunday. Thanks for everyone's input.

Todd

[lateapex911]

Good call, divoorces are expensive, LOL>

[Eldorado]

Originally posted by lateapex911
Good call, divoorces are expensive, LOL>

true... but wives are MORE expensive :P

[JonA]

Let me know if you part it out. I'm just down the road (Buzzards Bay) and need a few small things for my 924S that may interchange.


Jon

[RobertsStole2nd]

I ended up not picking up the 944. It was completely trashed - I wish I had remembered to bring my camera. One of the Massport reps said it had been seized during a drug bust. Shattered windshield, hatch glass and side window. Three flat tires. Where the paint wasn't horribly faded there was surface rust where the paint was peeling. Passenger seat torn up, center console cracked and broken, in fact the whole interior had been exposed to the elements for what seemed like a long while. I got the hood open and found chewed wires, rust everywhere...I couldn't even buy it for the wheels - it had cookie cutters, so I didn't stick around to find out what it sold for. Disappointing to say the least.

[lateapex911]

Smart move. It's nearly suicide to buy a car that can cost so much to get running based on so little info. Put some money aside every so often, and look for something with known problems, and known history!