944 as every day classic?
Discussion
Having recently sold the 996 (and feeling like I've lost a limb in the process 
) I'm looking for another steed. My plan is to wait 18 months until 997Ss are in my price range.
In the meantime I'm looking for some old skool cool. Must be rear wheel drive, manual, 4 seats, and cool
My present list is:
E9 CSL / CSi
E24 M635CSi
E34 M5
Then, I suddenly thought, what about a 944, I've always loved the design, and they fit the criteria.
So, is a 994 as reliable, fun, depreciation-proof, and cool as an old BMW?
Or, are they a little 'trying too hard', 'poor mans porc' etc., etc.
) I'm looking for another steed. My plan is to wait 18 months until 997Ss are in my price range.In the meantime I'm looking for some old skool cool. Must be rear wheel drive, manual, 4 seats, and cool
My present list is:
E9 CSL / CSi
E24 M635CSi
E34 M5
Then, I suddenly thought, what about a 944, I've always loved the design, and they fit the criteria.
So, is a 994 as reliable, fun, depreciation-proof, and cool as an old BMW?
Or, are they a little 'trying too hard', 'poor mans porc' etc., etc.
I bought a 1986 944 LUX ummm 2 years ago. It has 66000 miles on it. 3 Owners. Full History. Well the list goes on and on. Its never let me down (ok a flat battery!!) drives fantastically .... Oh I could go on waxing lyrical!
The key is and in capitals FIND THE RIGHT ONE!!!
Lots out there but lots and lots have been hammered! Used and abused as now cost wise they are within anyones reach.
Mine was hard to find but!!
The doors close with a reasuring thunk. It drives really "tightly". Has a lovely feel and sound!! Looks fabulous I think. I guess pritty much depreciation proof. Servicing -next to nothing!!
I would love to keep it but my other half is scowling as the 911 has sort of replaced it!! Deep Sigh!!
Its up for sale and I would say it could be yours but sadly its an Auto! Mind you kick down at 80 MPH is a great auto box!!! If you can live with that I would guess a few years free motoring!
Now how do I stick a photo on here!!
I even did a day at Silverstone in it!! Ok I was the slowest car there I'm sure but great fun.
The key is and in capitals FIND THE RIGHT ONE!!!
Lots out there but lots and lots have been hammered! Used and abused as now cost wise they are within anyones reach.
Mine was hard to find but!!
The doors close with a reasuring thunk. It drives really "tightly". Has a lovely feel and sound!! Looks fabulous I think. I guess pritty much depreciation proof. Servicing -next to nothing!!
I would love to keep it but my other half is scowling as the 911 has sort of replaced it!! Deep Sigh!!
Its up for sale and I would say it could be yours but sadly its an Auto! Mind you kick down at 80 MPH is a great auto box!!! If you can live with that I would guess a few years free motoring!
Now how do I stick a photo on here!!
I even did a day at Silverstone in it!! Ok I was the slowest car there I'm sure but great fun.
4 seats in a 944? Only if you're very small!
Great cars but getting on a bit and unless you buy very carefully or from a known source even the nice looking ones tend to need a couple of grand throwing at them to iron out the worn bits. After that however they are fantastic.
IMHO bearing in mind the above its only worth having an S2 or a turbo or even a 968?
Great cars but getting on a bit and unless you buy very carefully or from a known source even the nice looking ones tend to need a couple of grand throwing at them to iron out the worn bits. After that however they are fantastic.
IMHO bearing in mind the above its only worth having an S2 or a turbo or even a 968?
After Shock said:
I bought a 1986 944 LUX ummm 2 years ago. It has 66000 miles on it. 3 Owners. Full History. Well the list goes on and on. Its never let me down (ok a flat battery!!) drives fantastically .... Oh I could go on waxing lyrical!
The key is and in capitals FIND THE RIGHT ONE!!!
Lots out there but lots and lots have been hammered! Used and abused as now cost wise they are within anyones reach.
Mine was hard to find but!!
The doors close with a reasuring thunk. It drives really "tightly". Has a lovely feel and sound!! Looks fabulous I think. I guess pritty much depreciation proof. Servicing -next to nothing!!
I would love to keep it but my other half is scowling as the 911 has sort of replaced it!! Deep Sigh!!
Its up for sale and I would say it could be yours but sadly its an Auto! Mind you kick down at 80 MPH is a great auto box!!! If you can live with that I would guess a few years free motoring!
Now how do I stick a photo on here!!
I even did a day at Silverstone in it!! Ok I was the slowest car there I'm sure but great fun.
Shame its an auto, I'd have been around with cash this evening.......The key is and in capitals FIND THE RIGHT ONE!!!
Lots out there but lots and lots have been hammered! Used and abused as now cost wise they are within anyones reach.
Mine was hard to find but!!
The doors close with a reasuring thunk. It drives really "tightly". Has a lovely feel and sound!! Looks fabulous I think. I guess pritty much depreciation proof. Servicing -next to nothing!!
I would love to keep it but my other half is scowling as the 911 has sort of replaced it!! Deep Sigh!!
Its up for sale and I would say it could be yours but sadly its an Auto! Mind you kick down at 80 MPH is a great auto box!!! If you can live with that I would guess a few years free motoring!
Now how do I stick a photo on here!!
I even did a day at Silverstone in it!! Ok I was the slowest car there I'm sure but great fun.
DKL said:
4 seats in a 944? Only if you're very small!
Great cars but getting on a bit and unless you buy very carefully or from a known source even the nice looking ones tend to need a couple of grand throwing at them to iron out the worn bits. After that however they are fantastic.
IMHO bearing in mind the above its only worth having an S2 or a turbo or even a 968?
Only need ickle rear seats, only have ickle daughters (but sometimes need to do the school run).Great cars but getting on a bit and unless you buy very carefully or from a known source even the nice looking ones tend to need a couple of grand throwing at them to iron out the worn bits. After that however they are fantastic.
IMHO bearing in mind the above its only worth having an S2 or a turbo or even a 968?
Your comment is what I expected, however, it would be the same with the BMWs I mentioned initially.........
DKL said:
4 seats in a 944? Only if you're very small!
We've only had 944s since my boys were in short trousers. They are now 17 and 14 and taller than me (5'10). If they ever moan about space I agree and turn Autotrader to the Mondeo pages - they soon shut up 
Buy wisely and budget £1k a year in maintenance over 12k miles and you will lose hardly anything in depreciation
It's the old chorus. Get an S2. Rubbish. If they were new I would agree. Keep an open mind & buy on condition. There are some very good '44s out there in amongst the dross. Mileage doesn't matter. So long as it's been maintianed regardless of cost. Mine has 140000 on it & it will still out gun a 2.5 Boxter. Well sorted they are great. The S2 has the same chain driven cams & cylinder head as the 944S that everyone says to avoid. It's £1000 for new cams so be careful if you find an S2 that the teeth still have life left. I wouldn't buy an s2 without a report. The 2.5 Lux is under stressed & a safer bet at this age. Cost not less than £1000 a year maintenance in everyday use. Or your running it into the ground.
Nurburglover said:
It's the old chorus. Get an S2. Rubbish. If they were new I would agree. Keep an open mind & buy on condition. There are some very good '44s out there in amongst the dross. Mileage doesn't matter. So long as it's been maintianed regardless of cost. Mine has 140000 on it & it will still out gun a 2.5 Boxter. Well sorted they are great. The S2 has the same chain driven cams & cylinder head as the 944S that everyone says to avoid. It's £1000 for new cams so be careful if you find an S2 that the teeth still have life left. I wouldn't buy an s2 without a report. The 2.5 Lux is under stressed & a safer bet at this age. Cost not less than £1000 a year maintenance in everyday use. Or your running it into the ground.
Hi from another lux owner 
Was just wondering if you were a TIPEC member. Think I might recognise you from porsche1.net
I use mine practically every day and it runs much better than when i leave it stood for a few days.
Never a fan of the 944 but was getting bored of my diesel estate run around.
Got rid, bought an S2 and have to say its a brilliant little run about..not going to get the hairs on the back of your neck standing up or your heart miss a beat but great daily fun...
get the right car and you can't go far wrong
Got rid, bought an S2 and have to say its a brilliant little run about..not going to get the hairs on the back of your neck standing up or your heart miss a beat but great daily fun...
get the right car and you can't go far wrong
Nurburglover said:
It's the old chorus. Get an S2. Rubbish. If they were new I would agree. Keep an open mind & buy on condition. There are some very good '44s out there in amongst the dross. Mileage doesn't matter. So long as it's been maintianed regardless of cost. Mine has 140000 on it & it will still out gun a 2.5 Boxter. Well sorted they are great. The S2 has the same chain driven cams & cylinder head as the 944S that everyone says to avoid. It's £1000 for new cams so be careful if you find an S2 that the teeth still have life left. I wouldn't buy an s2 without a report. The 2.5 Lux is under stressed & a safer bet at this age. Cost not less than £1000 a year maintenance in everyday use. Or your running it into the ground.
Generally I agree with much of what you say, but equally much of what you say (buy on condition; get a report; mileage is irrelevant) aplies whether you buy an S2 or not. Moreover I think there are good reasons for looking for an S2:1. they are generally newer than all the other cars except the turbo
2. they are more powerful than all the other cars (except the turbo)
3. they are (in my shallow view
) better looking than all the other cars (except the turbo, which are equally good looking)tertius said:
Nurburglover said:
It's the old chorus. Get an S2. Rubbish. If they were new I would agree. Keep an open mind & buy on condition. There are some very good '44s out there in amongst the dross. Mileage doesn't matter. So long as it's been maintianed regardless of cost. Mine has 140000 on it & it will still out gun a 2.5 Boxter. Well sorted they are great. The S2 has the same chain driven cams & cylinder head as the 944S that everyone says to avoid. It's £1000 for new cams so be careful if you find an S2 that the teeth still have life left. I wouldn't buy an s2 without a report. The 2.5 Lux is under stressed & a safer bet at this age. Cost not less than £1000 a year maintenance in everyday use. Or your running it into the ground.
Generally I agree with much of what you say, but equally much of what you say (buy on condition; get a report; mileage is irrelevant) aplies whether you buy an S2 or not. Moreover I think there are good reasons for looking for an S2:1. they are generally newer than all the other cars except the turbo
2. they are more powerful than all the other cars (except the turbo)
3. they are (in my shallow view
) better looking than all the other cars (except the turbo, which are equally good looking)1. At the age they are all at now, the extra couple of years that the late lux's have over the S2s is not that relevant - how they have been used and maintained will be the biggest factor.
2. Can't argue with the power issue, but my 2.7 has oodles of torque and from low revs so as far as I am concerned it is still every bit the drivers car.
3. a lot of people add the S2 front to their lux's though I don't see the need myself. Also, the S2/turbo rear under spoiler was an option on later lux's and could be added after market without too much drama.
Best,
Li Moo Bai
Go for the turbo. The 8 valve turbo motor is actually a very reliable, simple unti which shouldn't cost an arm & a leg to maintain if it's already been looked after.
I don't think there is a "Poor Man's Porsche" attitude to the 944 amongst genuine Porschefiles. There are plenty of people on this forum who have had 911s & 944s & would say that they're both quite different & in an ideal world they'd have an example of each. The 911 has heaps of character & takes skill & experience to safely extract its best & the 944 is a practical, cheaper to maintain car which while not as quirky or eccentric as a 911, is a fine piece of design & engineering. As with all cars this age you have to assume the suspension is way past its best.
I don't think there is a "Poor Man's Porsche" attitude to the 944 amongst genuine Porschefiles. There are plenty of people on this forum who have had 911s & 944s & would say that they're both quite different & in an ideal world they'd have an example of each. The 911 has heaps of character & takes skill & experience to safely extract its best & the 944 is a practical, cheaper to maintain car which while not as quirky or eccentric as a 911, is a fine piece of design & engineering. As with all cars this age you have to assume the suspension is way past its best.
I'm actually looking at this now. Used to have a slightly rough 924S and thinking about getting a good example of the breed (944 of some description or possibly even another '24S, which is mechanically identical).
The rear seats are a complete joke, I'm 5'11 and I drove with the seat touching the rears! That aside, practicality is very good for a 'proper' sportscar. The luggage area is pretty big and the huge hatch makes the most of it. It actually had more usable space than my current saloon because of that I reckon!
I reckon a 944 will feel more special, but bare in mind something like a BMW 328 coupe will probably be quicker and even more practical than an 8v.
This thread may be of interest - http://www.pistonheads.co.uk/gassing/topic.asp?h=0...
As for being try hard. No ones going to buy a 944 for the image! I dare say a good few people do with the 911 though, depsite the fact the engine is in the wrong place
Only joking
The rear seats are a complete joke, I'm 5'11 and I drove with the seat touching the rears! That aside, practicality is very good for a 'proper' sportscar. The luggage area is pretty big and the huge hatch makes the most of it. It actually had more usable space than my current saloon because of that I reckon!
I reckon a 944 will feel more special, but bare in mind something like a BMW 328 coupe will probably be quicker and even more practical than an 8v.
This thread may be of interest - http://www.pistonheads.co.uk/gassing/topic.asp?h=0...
As for being try hard. No ones going to buy a 944 for the image! I dare say a good few people do with the 911 though, depsite the fact the engine is in the wrong place
Only joking
Edited by Chris71 on Friday 15th June 10:52
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