944 advise

[xjsjohn]

Hi Folks,

I am shopping around for a new summer toy since the demise of the old Jag and i am thinking about a 944.

I think i am looking at an S2 around 1991 in age (perhaps be extravagent and get a convertable) with a budget of around £6 - 8k - am i being realistic?

I am sure there is info on buying these here, but the porsche forum is a busy place and i was just burried in information.

Does anyone have any bookmarks for good 944 buyers advise threads or websites?

Also any pointers on what i should look for / walk away from?

Finally, what sort of insurance are people paying for these (thirty something, car in a garage, probably on 6k miles)

cheers in advance for any pointers.

[willdew]

You're getting into the bottom of 968 territory with up to £8k. And I'd think you'll find a few good cars too. I'd think it's worth a look.

See www.porsche968uk.co.uk/phpbb/index.php

[stevep2000]

Also have a look at;

www.hartech.org.uk/buyers.html

www.porscheclubgbforum.com/tm.asp?m=38842

[xjsjohn]

willdew said:

You're getting into the bottom of 968 territory with up to £8k. And I'd think you'll find a few good cars too. I'd think it's worth a look.

See www.porsche968uk.co.uk/phpbb/index.php

cheers ... i know that in theory a 968 is better, but i have never owned a car with pop-up lights before

[planetdave]

Just bought an '89 turbo.

£429.11 for a 5K limited in a dicey suburb.

See my thread from wednesday.

[softinthehead]

xjsjohn said:

willdew said:

You're getting into the bottom of 968 territory with up to £8k. And I'd think you'll find a few good cars too. I'd think it's worth a look.

See www.porsche968uk.co.uk/phpbb/index.php

cheers ... i know that in theory a 968 is better, but i have never owned a car with pop-up lights before

The lights on the 968 also pop up. they just dont have cover plates on them like the 944

[planetdave]

xjsjohn said:

willdew said:

You're getting into the bottom of 968 territory with up to £8k. And I'd think you'll find a few good cars too. I'd think it's worth a look.

See www.porsche968uk.co.uk/phpbb/index.php

cheers ... i know that in theory a 968 is better, but i have never owned a car with pop-up lights before

Pop-up lights are cool

968 is vastly overpriced for the gains you get. SII with MO30 suspension and castor mounts and a chip looks like a vastly better proposition for the cash

In my vast experience

Now owned a 944 for over 12 hours

[968csreading]

Although it may buy you a 968 there is no knowing what one at that sort of price will need doing to it so you could end up with some rather big bills which would blow your budget.

My 968CS will be up for sale again soon and has had the head done, new cams, new clutch and is having a new flywheel fitted as we speak. It will be £9500.

I think you would be best to get a nice S2 or Turbo and have some money put by for any work that is required.

[softinthehead]

planetdave said:

968 is vastly overpriced for the gains you get.

youve a point, to an extent, though I might take issue with the "vastly". I do wonder about this "overpriced" label that gets applied to 968s. No one seems to apply the same label to the 993 which replaced the 964 at roughly the same time as the 944 went to 968. Comparing the changes 944 to 968 and 964 to 993 there are an awful lot of similarities. The 993 is still selling for perhaps 40-60% more than the 964 but few people bash on about it being overpriced in comparison.

[planetdave]

Well maybe they should.

Take a look @ the PH classifieds.

944 to 968 with equivalent mileages. OK, not an exact science and the 968 is a better car, but the asking prices are getting on for nearly double.

[silvers2]

You will get te best of 944's for that sort of money, and yes it's true the 968 tends to be a bit more expensive but offers not a lot more for your cash (but they do look a bit more modern).
basically the late model 944's (they stopped making them in 91/92) offer the same package more or less as the 968, The S2's represent excellent value for money IF YOU BUY THE RIGHT ONE, because buying the wrong one will be a sorrowful experience indeed.
Have a look at some of the related threads in the forum, thats what I did and I have ended up with one of the very last S2's, I would say that if I'd known then what I know now I would have gone for a better condition(possibly older) one, nothing major has gone wrong but putting right loads of small niggly little things has proved much more costly than I had imagined.
Do become an expert, and I'd take along somebody who knows either 944/968's or porsches if you are thinking of viewing, there is a wealth of advice on here, and all you have to do is ask and somebody will help

Good luck.
Andy
91 S2

[willdew]

I'm always amused by the 944 boys insisting the 968 is overpriced.

I'd wanted a 968 for years, and knew nothing about how closely related the 968 was to the 944 when I was looking for mine. I had no interest at all in a 944 in any guise. The 968 to me is a very attractive, (relatively) modern looking car. It is one of the greatest drivers cars of all time and is a rare sight. And you can stand side by side at a petrol station with a Ferrari, 911 GT2, Intergrale etc etc and both you and the driver of the other car will acknowledge one another as both appreciating quality sports cars. IMHO the 944 is not in that same league (ducks and runs for cover). A lot of 944's are starting to look like old cars now and are increasingly not being taken care of, meaning there's a lot of scruffy ones about. You don't see many scruffy 968's around.

I completely agree that a 944 represents more car per pound. But as with anything, I'd suggest that if you want to maximise your product/price ratio, don't start with a premium brand. If your budget only stretched to £5k, I'd definitely back the idea of a 944. However, with up to £8k to play with have a good look to see if you can find a decent 968 and then make your mind up.

Have a look on the 968 forum I posted a link to. Everyone there is very friendly and will give lots of help and advise.

Edited by willdew on Friday 1st December 14:53

[softinthehead]

yep, Willdew, that sums it up perfectly

Edited by softinthehead on Friday 1st December 14:42

[simonharrod911]

Ferrari, a 'quality' sports car. Oh right, it's friday. You guys!

[xjsjohn]

By 'eck this is a right friendly place, isn't it ... nothing at all like the italian car owners said it would be

Many thanks to all the posters, and for all the links and information. Looks like i have plenty of reading to do over christmas!!!

I do rather like the looks of the 968 as well, but a "dated appearance" is not a major issue to me, given that this will be replacing an XJS, and my daily driver is a flying house brick (aka Range Rover).

I am seeking something a little less "neurotic" than the jag, that actually stands a chance of getting me home from a long run more often than 1 in 4 (it makes a TVR look like a reliable option !!!!) hence going back to German, and i always ws rather taken by the 944's looks (knowing that a 911 of any generation will probably cost more £££ / year than i want to be spending)

anyway, i am rambling ... i shall start the learning process on both 944 and 968 and see what i cars i wind up looking at come January!

Once again, thanks for all the information a big

[softinthehead]

xjsjohn said:

I am seeking something a little less "neurotic" than the jag, that actually stands a chance of getting me home from a long run more often than 1 in 4 (it makes a TVR look like a reliable option !!!!) :

defo on the right track then. Once sorted, both the 944 and 968 are very, very reliable, very sorted cars, just SO competent, well-built and brilliant fun.

Whilst we may spend the next few years spatting over whether one or the other is over/under-priced/valued the fact remains that the performance per pound ratio is streets ahead of most other cars you are likely to meet, new or old.

[xjsjohn]

softinthehead said:

xjsjohn said:

I am seeking something a little less "neurotic" than the jag, that actually stands a chance of getting me home from a long run more often than 1 in 4 (it makes a TVR look like a reliable option !!!!) :

defo on the right track then. Once sorted, both the 944 and 968 are very, very reliable, very sorted cars, just SO competent, well-built and brilliant fun.

Whilst we may spend the next few years spatting over whether one or the other is over/under-priced/valued the fact remains that the performance per pound ratio is streets ahead of most other cars you are likely to meet, new or old.

every marque has its internal "discussions" as to what varient and evolution is better !! Its an essential pleasure of ownership after all. If we all thought that every model and marque was as good as the next, what would we have to discuss over a pint in the pub???

I am starting to lean towards a 944 S2 Cab i think .. pop up lights and wind in the hair motoring, all within budget. (and neatly removes the 968 without too much offence )

[willdew]

xjsjohn said:

softinthehead said:

xjsjohn said:

I am seeking something a little less "neurotic" than the jag, that actually stands a chance of getting me home from a long run more often than 1 in 4 (it makes a TVR look like a reliable option !!!!) :

defo on the right track then. Once sorted, both the 944 and 968 are very, very reliable, very sorted cars, just SO competent, well-built and brilliant fun.

Whilst we may spend the next few years spatting over whether one or the other is over/under-priced/valued the fact remains that the performance per pound ratio is streets ahead of most other cars you are likely to meet, new or old.

every marque has its internal "discussions" as to what varient and evolution is better !! Its an essential pleasure of ownership after all. If we all thought that every model and marque was as good as the next, what would we have to discuss over a pint in the pub???

I am starting to lean towards a 944 S2 Cab i think .. pop up lights and wind in the hair motoring, all within budget. (and neatly removes the 968 without too much offence )

968 Cab!!!

[xjsjohn]

willdew said:

xjsjohn said:

softinthehead said:

xjsjohn said:

I am seeking something a little less "neurotic" than the jag, that actually stands a chance of getting me home from a long run more often than 1 in 4 (it makes a TVR look like a reliable option !!!!) :

defo on the right track then. Once sorted, both the 944 and 968 are very, very reliable, very sorted cars, just SO competent, well-built and brilliant fun.

Whilst we may spend the next few years spatting over whether one or the other is over/under-priced/valued the fact remains that the performance per pound ratio is streets ahead of most other cars you are likely to meet, new or old.

every marque has its internal "discussions" as to what varient and evolution is better !! Its an essential pleasure of ownership after all. If we all thought that every model and marque was as good as the next, what would we have to discuss over a pint in the pub???

I am starting to lean towards a 944 S2 Cab i think .. pop up lights and wind in the hair motoring, all within budget. (and neatly removes the 968 without too much offence )

968 Cab!!!

Seriously, they are over budget for me, i dont want a left hooker, and i dont want something with starship milage, so will have to be a 944.

[silvers2]

willdew said:

I'm always amused by the 944 boys insisting the 968 is overpriced.

I'd wanted a 968 for years, and knew nothing about how closely related the 968 was to the 944 when I was looking for mine. I had no interest at all in a 944 in any guise. The 968 to me is a very attractive, (relatively) modern looking car. It is one of the greatest drivers cars of all time and is a rare sight. And you can stand side by side at a petrol station with a Ferrari, 911 GT2, Intergrale etc etc and both you and the driver of the other car will acknowledge one another as both appreciating quality sports cars. IMHO the 944 is not in that same league (ducks and runs for cover). A lot of 944's are starting to look like old cars now and are increasingly not being taken care of, meaning there's a lot of scruffy ones about. You don't see many scruffy 968's around.

I completely agree that a 944 represents more car per pound. But as with anything, I'd suggest that if you want to maximise your product/price ratio, don't start with a premium brand. If your budget only stretched to £5k, I'd definitely back the idea of a 944. However, with up to £8k to play with have a good look to see if you can find a decent 968 and then make your mind up.

Have a look on the 968 forum I posted a link to. Everyone there is very friendly and will give lots of help and advise.

Edited by willdew on Friday 1st December 14:53

ho ho, Not as amused as the 944 owners with two or three grand in their pockets for what is basically the same car (well except for the 968 back end that looks like a hippos arse).

The older 944's are getting dated sure, but the value for money they represent is fantastic.
I mean I quite like the 968 don't get me wrong, but just not that much more than my S2.

Ah, you're right though, they are in a different league, a whole differnt price league.....