Looking to buy a 944
Discussion
Hello everyone. Just looking for opinions and advice really.
-What are 944's like for everyday use?
-Is the S2 really that much better than the earlier 2.5 machines?
-What are the major mechanical/bodywork problems to look for when viewing a prospective purchase?
-What about turbos, any specific problems or massive increases in costs?
-I've noticed I can insure an early S2 for less than an earlier Lux any ideas why this may be?
-Are parts hard to come by for the early cars?
Lots of questions I know.
Any help, pointers, opinion or general PH style wild speculation welcome. I looked at a few S2's many years ago but ended up with a Cosworth, I know, don't start.
I now open the floor to you. Many thanks in advance.
-What are 944's like for everyday use?
-Is the S2 really that much better than the earlier 2.5 machines?
-What are the major mechanical/bodywork problems to look for when viewing a prospective purchase?
-What about turbos, any specific problems or massive increases in costs?
-I've noticed I can insure an early S2 for less than an earlier Lux any ideas why this may be?
-Are parts hard to come by for the early cars?
Lots of questions I know.
Any help, pointers, opinion or general PH style wild speculation welcome. I looked at a few S2's many years ago but ended up with a Cosworth, I know, don't start.
I now open the floor to you. Many thanks in advance.
S2's a far more muscular drive than earlier 2.5s. I personally loved my 944 turbo but many people don't like the laggy power delivery. Sills tend to rot hence must watch out for them. Make sure cambelt change has been done. Electric switches/interior switch lighting can be troublesome and check the AC is working.
Still think its probably one of the best handling cars Porsche has ever made. Shame they never gave it 350 bhp. (Le Mans 944 racer was running circa 350bhp and was placed seventh one year I believe - may be wrong here)
They're very old cars now hence if you don't mind fixing things that inevitably go wrong they're fun cars. Other areas to look at before purchase are head gaskets, clutches, steering rack, and torque tubes. On turbos make sure there are no leaks in hoses. Take for at least an hours drive in both traffic 9to check cooling) and open roads.
If a mint turbo turned up I'd probably buy it! It will leave a 911 turbo or a 911 3.2 of similar period for dust on a give and take road.
Still think its probably one of the best handling cars Porsche has ever made. Shame they never gave it 350 bhp. (Le Mans 944 racer was running circa 350bhp and was placed seventh one year I believe - may be wrong here)
They're very old cars now hence if you don't mind fixing things that inevitably go wrong they're fun cars. Other areas to look at before purchase are head gaskets, clutches, steering rack, and torque tubes. On turbos make sure there are no leaks in hoses. Take for at least an hours drive in both traffic 9to check cooling) and open roads.
If a mint turbo turned up I'd probably buy it! It will leave a 911 turbo or a 911 3.2 of similar period for dust on a give and take road.
Buyers guide here. I loved mine, and would have another any day. Parts are easy to come buy from the usual suppliers. Sills are a major problem if they are rotten right through. Great car, go for it if you find the right one. Plenty guys have 944 daily drives on TIPEC.net. Try joining up (free) and see how you get on? Some guys use the PCGB forum too, there is loads of advice between all the forums.
IMI A said:
If a mint turbo turned up I'd probably buy it!
A friend is likely to be selling his in the new year. F reg, guards red, full black leather, bought in May last year (bereavement sale of one of my neighbours) when it was checked over by Unit 11 and ALL work found was done (new brakes, new dampers, belts etc etc), Mike at Sports and Classic converted the aircon to R134a gas and got it all working, it then later had the head fully reconditioned at Unit 11 before a trip to Wayne at Chipwizards to be mapped, more for driveability and flexibility than outright power (it goes very very well indeed but could be made quicker if that's what you wanted). It also had a new fancy stereo fitted with Bluetooth handsfree and replacement speakers, refurbished alloys, new mats from Southbound, new front foglight lenses (expensive!). The car is extremely solid (never had rotten sills) and could just do with a couple of cosmetic bits (like new stone-chip film on the wheelarches - it's cracked and discoloured). He's only selling it as he needs a more economical practical car for doing loads of miles in (the 944 has done 20,000 miles since May 2010). From starting with a very nice tidy car it's had another £6-7000 or so spent on it and is now absolutely bob-on and might be just what you're after? 
blade7 said:
SEARCH, not trying to be rude but the subject has come up several times recently, all I'll add is if the car hasn't had much spent on it for the last 10 years expect expense.
Having used the search function and found bugger all of any use before posting this thread. I'd be delighted if you could link to "all of " these threads from recently. Not trying to be facetious.Yup. If you read the 65 pages you'll find most just contain the wording "Porsche 944" and contain no information with any value. Hence my thread. I like to do my research, not just regarding buying the car.
Do you have anything of value to add to this thread Blade? Any experiences of Porsche 944 ownership perhaps?
Do you have anything of value to add to this thread Blade? Any experiences of Porsche 944 ownership perhaps?
Try Hartech (www.hartech.org.uk/) they have a good buyers guide, which is free to download from their site. I've owned 2x 944s since Dec 93. The first an 88 Lux which I traded for an S2 in Apr 96 and still have today. I think it's a great all round car that still holds its own in most circumstances, making me smile every drive, whether that is a B road blast or a 500 mile motorway jaunt (32.5mpg at 75-80mph). Other sources of good advice are the 944 forum on the Porsche Club GB site, don't need to be a member but have to register and the TIPEC site.
like everybody says - great car. Just one thing to bear in mind - i live in London and use my S2 on a semi-daily basis.
it's a bit cumbersome to drive/get around in central london and not the easiest car to be inching up the Westway Flyover on a Friday rainny evening for example. Many a times the clutch overheated though admittedly it's in traffic jam going up the flyover for ages. and mine doesn't have air-con so simple things like misting up windscreen etc can be a bit of an issue if you are used to new cars.
but the up-side is it's surprisingly good for soaking up ramps on roads (Mine is not lowered)
but once the road opens up a bit, defo one of the best handling cars I've driven and actually (I find) more forgiving than the 3.2 i have, and demand less of the driver than even my 993 - as not everybody wants to be 120% involved after a day's work.
Otherwise it's a high performance car so maintenance/wear and tear parts will need to be budgeted accordingly.
But do have to look carefully as some have not been maintenaned to the standard it deserves
it's a bit cumbersome to drive/get around in central london and not the easiest car to be inching up the Westway Flyover on a Friday rainny evening for example. Many a times the clutch overheated though admittedly it's in traffic jam going up the flyover for ages. and mine doesn't have air-con so simple things like misting up windscreen etc can be a bit of an issue if you are used to new cars.
but the up-side is it's surprisingly good for soaking up ramps on roads (Mine is not lowered)
but once the road opens up a bit, defo one of the best handling cars I've driven and actually (I find) more forgiving than the 3.2 i have, and demand less of the driver than even my 993 - as not everybody wants to be 120% involved after a day's work.
Otherwise it's a high performance car so maintenance/wear and tear parts will need to be budgeted accordingly.
But do have to look carefully as some have not been maintenaned to the standard it deserves
Thanks Mike, that's exactly the sort of advice I'm after. I've come from a background of fast Fords and laterly Jap stuff so I'm used to running performance vehicles. Having rummaged around the various specialists service and consumable parts seem to be on a par with most high performance vehicles. I think I just have to find the right car now and I'm beginning to think the S2 is the way forward with its many updates.
Keep the info and experiences coming guys and girls.
Keep the info and experiences coming guys and girls.
Though the S2 is great, try to find a good turbo as you will eventually want more power looking at your previous cars.
As said rusty sills and front wing bottoms, look for history and a belt change would be nice.
I have 2 Turbos, one being over 300 bhp, which is easy to reach, it is rapid, practicle, and comfortable, bits are not a problem Porsche can still supplky 99% of bits and there is an army of specialists and breakers.
Good cars must soon start going up in value.
As said rusty sills and front wing bottoms, look for history and a belt change would be nice.
I have 2 Turbos, one being over 300 bhp, which is easy to reach, it is rapid, practicle, and comfortable, bits are not a problem Porsche can still supplky 99% of bits and there is an army of specialists and breakers.
Good cars must soon start going up in value.
Well done Blade, 3 posts so far, one now deleted by yourself and still nothing useful to contribute. With the vehicle that you own I would have thought you'd be a mine of usefull information and only too happy to share with a prospective purchaser. But it seems I may have overestimated your generosity of character. Thanks for your contributions.
Some good feedback here so far. They are great cars and extremely practical as Frenchy states - I can get a fully assembled road bike in the boot with the rear seats folded down. I own a Turbo and an s2. The turbo boost is addictive but the s2 is a great car. Sounds like the power opportunities with a turbo may be more interesting to you.
You will also get some good feedback and advice on PCGB and TIPEC too.
Parts are freely available - some parts surprisingly inexpensive but others are surprisingly expensive - like a clutch kit @ circa £500. This makes it all the more important to buy well in the first place and look for a car with a clutch in the history, fuel lines, rot free (as much as possible), belts & water pump done etc.. Don't be put off by mileage - buy on condition. If a car doesn't have a big job done documented in thie history then don't pass it up if it is otherwise a good car - just be aware of it.
If you buy properly in the first place, you won't regret it and probably won't lose much money (if any of it). I also think they will have their "day" in the coming years when prices start creeping up. At the moment you can get a lot of car for little cash.
You will also get some good feedback and advice on PCGB and TIPEC too.
Parts are freely available - some parts surprisingly inexpensive but others are surprisingly expensive - like a clutch kit @ circa £500. This makes it all the more important to buy well in the first place and look for a car with a clutch in the history, fuel lines, rot free (as much as possible), belts & water pump done etc.. Don't be put off by mileage - buy on condition. If a car doesn't have a big job done documented in thie history then don't pass it up if it is otherwise a good car - just be aware of it.
If you buy properly in the first place, you won't regret it and probably won't lose much money (if any of it). I also think they will have their "day" in the coming years when prices start creeping up. At the moment you can get a lot of car for little cash.
Register on the PCGB and TIPEC forums, you don't need to be a member, you will get a huge amount of 944-specific advice.
I have run my Turbo for almost 3 years as a daily driver and she will hit 223,000 miles this week.
Buy on condition and recent maintenance regime, not on age and mileage
The only place they rot is the sills and the rear valance, but both are easily repaired by a competent body-shop.
The Turbos can still put it out there in modern competition and can also return high 20s MPG (I get around 27)
Maintenance is relatively cheap if you find a friendly indy, especially compared to modern boring stuff, and some of the basics you can do yourself.
Mintex Brake Pads are £25 an end and take about 20 mins to do once the wheels are off, I have just put new Falken 452s all around and were £90/each for the Front 205s and £122.50 each for the rear 255s fitted on 17" wheels
I have run my Turbo for almost 3 years as a daily driver and she will hit 223,000 miles this week.
Buy on condition and recent maintenance regime, not on age and mileage
The only place they rot is the sills and the rear valance, but both are easily repaired by a competent body-shop.
The Turbos can still put it out there in modern competition and can also return high 20s MPG (I get around 27)
Maintenance is relatively cheap if you find a friendly indy, especially compared to modern boring stuff, and some of the basics you can do yourself.
Mintex Brake Pads are £25 an end and take about 20 mins to do once the wheels are off, I have just put new Falken 452s all around and were £90/each for the Front 205s and £122.50 each for the rear 255s fitted on 17" wheels
Totally agree re. mileage - high mileage is not a problem at all as long as it's maintained properly. It's luggage space is also surprisingly huge. I once moved a Chesterfield sofa in it.
Another thing is the headlights are pretty rubbish so some type of upgrade will be useful if you do a lot of night driving, but then so is my 993! Someone once said they're the same a a mk 1 golf.....
But go for it, s2 is an addictive car, until you start thinking "should I have got a turbo"...........
Another thing is the headlights are pretty rubbish so some type of upgrade will be useful if you do a lot of night driving, but then so is my 993! Someone once said they're the same a a mk 1 golf.....
But go for it, s2 is an addictive car, until you start thinking "should I have got a turbo"...........
Whats the budget OP?
£1500 good 924 or 924s
£3000 good early 944/very sorted 932
£4500 good S2
£5000 good 928
£6000 968/boxster/last 944 turbo
£8000 good 914 911 needing some love
£10000 996 perfect boxster
Porsches lots of choices,pays your money....................
However if 944 is your desire then the cam belt is the thing to check
£1500 good 924 or 924s
£3000 good early 944/very sorted 932
£4500 good S2
£5000 good 928
£6000 968/boxster/last 944 turbo
£8000 good 914 911 needing some love
£10000 996 perfect boxster
Porsches lots of choices,pays your money....................
However if 944 is your desire then the cam belt is the thing to check
bristolracer said:
However if 944 is your desire then the cam belt is the thing to check
Really? I'd suggest that the first thing to check would be bodywork; that's potentially a restoration that will run in to many £000s.Mechanically, the braking system on later cars is going to be expensive if it needs a total refurb, mine was nearly £2K. Clutch is a grand, suspension can easily be over a grand to refurb.
Belts are important, of course. They're 40K/four years max and often low-use cars are overdue. You could need water pump, rollers and oil seals as well, and timing chain etc. on 16V cars, but still under a grand in most worst-case scenarios. Belts are like tyres, they're a regular cost to factor in but not a deal-breaker compared to other things.
OP, you need to look at a 944-specific forum as well as this one for proper research, as mentioned above.
pauljmcnulty said:
Really? I'd suggest that the first thing to check would be bodywork; that's potentially a restoration that will run in to many £000s.
Mechanically, the braking system on later cars is going to be expensive if it needs a total refurb, mine was nearly £2K. Clutch is a grand, suspension can easily be over a grand to refurb.
Paul, agree about the body. How the hell did you manage nearly 2k on brakes, gold plated brembos?Mechanically, the braking system on later cars is going to be expensive if it needs a total refurb, mine was nearly £2K. Clutch is a grand, suspension can easily be over a grand to refurb.
A big thank you to all those of you who have given sensible advice. Much sense spoken and I have looked at PCGB amd TIPEC for further advice. In the New Year I will be purchasing an S2 or a turbo, if I can find one for the right price. I'm not bothered about tuning any more, been there, done that. I just want a well built, fun car with fantastic handling and having looked at an S2 when I bought my Cosworth the desire has not waned. So here we go, if anyone spots anything around the place that they think is worth a look pop a not or a link on here and there may be a beer in it for you at a future meet. Cheers guys, and girls.
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