I test drove a 944 today, but want to talk to an expert

[hartlandcarr]

I test drove a 944 S2 today, which I am considering buying. I read up plenty on them, but having not driven any other examples I can't be sure how it compares, and whether the noises it made were normal or 'expensive' noises.

I would dearly love to be able to speak to a knowledgeable person this very evening (because I have until 10am tomorrow to make up my mind) and discuss some things.

Are you that person? Could you help me?

[hartlandcarr]

You're right of course, but there are only so many of them about, especially in the right spec/colour/condition/price for what I'm looking for. I've studied guides carefully (e.g. http://philipraby.co.uk/porsche-944-s2-buyers-guid... and did my best to check out all the obvious areas. It would appear to be a very original car in pretty decent shape.

The things that specifically concerned me were:

- a groan from the steering in very low-speed manoeuvring. Presumably one of the many issues that can haunt power steering hydraulics.

- frankly, it didn't seem quite as fast as I had expected (not appreciably quicker than my turbo diesel Skoda Octavia estate, though I suppose my Octavia does have a great whoosh of low-down torque from the turbo) though it was very smooth and comfortable. Certainly no 'shove in the back' acceleration. Maybe there's something not quite right in the engine that's holding it back? Or maybe my expectations weren't quite set right.

- Oil pressure gauge showed 5 throughout the test drive: both when idle and when revving. Maybe this indicates great oil pressure and an engine in good nick, but I read that I would expect 2.5 at idle when cold (and it did start from cold).

Any thoughts on this late Saturday night are very much appreciated :-)

[hartlandcarr]

Thanks all for your very useful input! I'd have been thanking you earlier and continuing the conversation this morning, but unfortunately the forums were locked down for all new users "due to abuse", so I was literally not able to.

Well, more fool me, but I have bought the car. For around the £7k mark I wasn't expecting perfection from a 25 year old car. I get the impression you need to spend £10k or more for a really sweet example, but it's original and seems very straight. It drove nicely - smooth and comfortable. One tiny bit of rust bubble on what look like untouched, original sills. The all-critical belts etc. were changed within the last 12,000 miles BUT it was 11 years ago because the car has been sitting mostly idle (indoors) for a lot of the intervening time. The first thing I will do is take it to my local Porsche specialist (JAZ, St Albans) and get that sorted out. Those rubber belts are pretty elderly and I fear for them! It's had a new clutch within last 15,000 miles and the clutch seemed entirely fine when driving. Interior carpets all immaculate, not the slightest traces of rust in the boot or footwells. History folder is all in good order, in plastic pockets, suggesting careful owner that takes some pride.

Here begins the adventure! I'm expecting it to involve spending money.

[hartlandcarr]

Thanks again for the advice. I intend to blog about the whole experience at http://justthesam.com.

Here are a couple of exterior pics. I'm expecting somebody to now pipe up saying that this specific car is a notorious basket case.

[hartlandcarr]

Yes, I do hope that it can be pepped up a little bit after some attention, but to be fair, my 2.0l turbodiesel probably has more torque and is probably not a dissimilar weight overall.

I've blogged about buying the car: http://justthesam.com/2016/04/hooking-up-with-a-be... and I expect to blog more as I get further to grips with it.

[hartlandcarr]

It's currently at a local Porsche independent having a few things done. I went over the car with a very nice chap who knew his 944s and decided to address the following.

- Cam belt change
- Balance belt change
- Power steering belt change
- Investigate power steering fluid leak - hopefully just new clips needed on a pipe
- Investigate coolant leak - may involve a new pipe
- New brake fluid
- New clutch fluid
- Fix leak on gearbox from side plate
- Test boot release cabin switch to see if it is faulty
- Get new carpet clips for the boot to tidy it up

I have also discovered a lot of rainwater is coming in through the rear hatch latches. The drains work fine on them, but it seems the water goes past the big fat squishy rubber seal, through the closed-over metal panel of the body and then out out of the panel seams internally. The rubber things are in decent condition so a bit hard to see how to prevent it, but I have been recommended to use RTV sealant in there to try to stop the problem. Any thoughts welcome!

[hartlandcarr]

There is some rust in the ends of the sills, but still in unimportant areas. It will need attention at some point in the not too distant future mind you.