Rose Tinted Glasses on again

[zappo]

Hi All, I need your advice, of the two types of car I am considering, TVR S3 and 944, the Porsche has me drooling a bit, I have the serious "Hots" for one down south, and we have'nt even met yet, got loads of pics of her, can some of you guy's who have returned to earth give me some guideance, I can spend between 5-6K (closer to 5, less grief) what can I expect to get and what should I be looking for? Prices seem to vary a bit!

[bobfrance]

What would you be planning to use it for?
Everday motoring? Weekend car? Trackdays?

[diver944]

Please don't buy the first you see, you may be lucky and it's a belter but until you've driven a few how will you know. With clutches costing £600-£1000, engine rebuilds in the £1000's you don't want to get stung

The prices vary so much because there are some absolute dogs and there are some absolute minters. The trouble is they will look very similar. All 944's are galvanised so most still look very good when all polished up.

Some sellers overprice theirs because they look in Autotrader, see a comparable model with similar 'claimed' mileage and of course everyone thinks their car is the best ever. In the same vein, a very good car could be at a bargain price, because the owner doesn't really know what he's got.

5-6K should get you an absolute mint 2.5 Lux, a goodish S2, or a possibly a ropey Turbo

Check these buying guides for what to look for:

www.connact.com/~kgross/FAQ/944faq.html

www.pistonheads.com/porsche/default.asp?storyId=6090

www.chpltd.com/911_porsche_world/features_944.html


These are great cars, but now that they are cheap there are more and more bought by people who can't afford to maintain them. You don't want to get caught picking up the pieces

[zappo]

bobfrance said:

What would you be planning to use it for? Everday motoring? Weekend car? Trackdays?

This will be a weekend car only, a quick polish and off for a spin type of thing, the S2 being my preference, dont think I need a turbo!

[bobfrance]

Well given that it's an weekend car. It would have to be a convertible I'm afraid. Looking at your profile It appears you've had mostly large tin tops. You really need to have a go in a nice sporty convertible to get an idea how special it feels on a nice sunny day.

As for 944 Vs "S" - Id say 944's are better built but S's are much cheaper to fix.

[neon_fox]

S's cheaper to fix? 944's are cheap as chips mate! At least with a 944 you won't be stopping every few miles to pick up the bits that have fallen off

Fox
---
964C2

P.S. Sorry - don't _really_ mean to start the old TReVor reliability debate :-) If you can pick up a sorted S3, or better a V8S it's a lovely motor, great fun.

[zappo]

bobfrance said:

Well given that it's an weekend car. It would have to be a convertible I'm afraid. Looking at your profile It appears you've had mostly large tin tops. You really need to have a go in a nice sporty convertible to get an idea how special it feels on a nice sunny day. As for 944 Vs "S" - Id say 944's are better built but S's are much cheaper to fix. Absolutely right, I'd love a Convertable, hence my interest in the TVR, but I dont think I will be able to find a half tidy 944 S2 in my budget range, I've just come back from viewing a 91 S2 black - Luuuuuvly! and a Red 91 S2 tomorrow perhaps, cant wait. If you now of any, let me know.

[bobfrance]

neon_fox said:

S's cheaper to fix? 944's are cheap as chips mate! At least with a 944 you won't be stopping every few miles to pick up the bits that have fallen off Fox --- 964C2 P.S. Sorry - don't _really_ mean to start the old TReVor reliability debate :-) If you can pick up a sorted S3, or better a V8S it's a lovely motor, great fun.

Easy Fella!

I'm not having a go at Porkers, as you know I'm considering getting a Porcine Powerhouse myself. Just pointing out that a two seater convertible would be more of a change from his daily driver than a 2plus2 coupe.
If it was to be used everyday I would probably plump for the Porche.
Probably.