Discussion
Was going to post in the Porsche section but it all seems a bit 997/993/GT3RS/911 turbo in there so thought I would stick this in general, regarding whiffy old 944's, specifically the S2 variant, any opinions ? a mate of mine knows someone with an S2 Cab for sale, any reason to avoid the cab, is it a bit wobbly ?
I know they have a great reputation as a drivers car, does the Cab lose any of that ? what are the main things to look out for, I am aware they can have issues with the sills for rusting and the engines need to be looked after more relative to the old 8 valvers, plus old car general creakiness.
Like the idea of the turbo but they seem quite a bir more expensive, some very optimistically priced ones out there and some very cheap ones that I anticipate will be ruins. Just after a fun car, thats a bit different, been thinking MX5 but this 944 came up so want some info before I have a look and buy a turkey.
I know they have a great reputation as a drivers car, does the Cab lose any of that ? what are the main things to look out for, I am aware they can have issues with the sills for rusting and the engines need to be looked after more relative to the old 8 valvers, plus old car general creakiness.
Like the idea of the turbo but they seem quite a bir more expensive, some very optimistically priced ones out there and some very cheap ones that I anticipate will be ruins. Just after a fun car, thats a bit different, been thinking MX5 but this 944 came up so want some info before I have a look and buy a turkey.
My S2 was starting to become costly so beware. I'm not saying don't, I'm just saying you need to seek out the right car as some parts are still costly and rust is becoming an issue (especially sills and chassis)
Have a look at the list of things I did to mine: http://www.pistonheads.com/doc.asp?c=52&i=2053...
and look out for blocked drainage holes too: http://www.pistonheads.com/news/default.asp?storyI...
Rusty brake calipers are expensive to fix too
Have a look at the list of things I did to mine: http://www.pistonheads.com/doc.asp?c=52&i=2053...
and look out for blocked drainage holes too: http://www.pistonheads.com/news/default.asp?storyI...
Rusty brake calipers are expensive to fix too
The S2 doesn't lack power but it's not fire-breathing by modern standards. Hot-hatch quick.
Personally I wouldn't go for a cab, as these cars are all about the handling.
Even the newest cars will be 20 years old now but if maintained they last forever - the adage "they don't build 'em like they used to" - really does apply.
The Porsche Club GB 944 forum is very lively and populated by many knowledgeable people.
Personally I wouldn't go for a cab, as these cars are all about the handling.
Even the newest cars will be 20 years old now but if maintained they last forever - the adage "they don't build 'em like they used to" - really does apply.
The Porsche Club GB 944 forum is very lively and populated by many knowledgeable people.
Gizmo! said:
Is the cabrio's boot actually as shallow as it looks?
Some photos it looks like it'd be completely useless for shopping.
A half-crate of Bollinger, obv. This is PH.
Yup it is shallow as the transaxle is below it. Some photos it looks like it'd be completely useless for shopping.
A half-crate of Bollinger, obv. This is PH.
Come over to www.tipec.net there is at least one cab currently for sale there.
Buyers guide here http://forums.tipec.net/viewtopic.php?f=25&t=5...
I had a 944s (2.5 16v) for a while,and I loved it. Great handling although mine did have 911 turbo wheels so gained some tyre width there. As pointed out sills and wing bottoms can be trouble but the rest of the car only ever had minor 80's car niggles.
It was quite quick,kept up with most sub 300bhp tin tops on track days too.
I don't know much about the cabriolets,apart from them looking nice but a coupe would be my choice.
It was quite quick,kept up with most sub 300bhp tin tops on track days too.
I don't know much about the cabriolets,apart from them looking nice but a coupe would be my choice.
I had a 944 S2 Convertible for 12 years. Started out as my daily driver and ended up coming out of the garage when I remembered it was there. Most of it's life was spent in Oz, other than a couple of years back here in Scotland, so it didn't suffer any rust. Mechanically I had no problems in all that time, the servicing wasn't high on the priority list for the last 5 years as I probably only did 5K KM's in that time, but when I did take it out it started everytime and drove well.
Problems I had:
Power steering groan (!!) at low speeds..changed the fluid several times and the pump, but couldn't get rid of the problem.
Temperature gauge was extremely erratic, tried a few things, and finally a new rad fixed the problem.
Central locking was a bit hit and miss.
Got 3rd degree sunburn driving down the freeway in Perth
Great car, only sold as I was moving back to Scotland again and figured it was too old and not worth enough to ship it again. If you want a fun car for reasonably little money, get one. Oh and get the Cab...
Problems I had:
Power steering groan (!!) at low speeds..changed the fluid several times and the pump, but couldn't get rid of the problem.
Temperature gauge was extremely erratic, tried a few things, and finally a new rad fixed the problem.
Central locking was a bit hit and miss.
Got 3rd degree sunburn driving down the freeway in Perth
Great car, only sold as I was moving back to Scotland again and figured it was too old and not worth enough to ship it again. If you want a fun car for reasonably little money, get one. Oh and get the Cab...
pilchardthecat said:
J4CKO said:
Porsche 944's
I have nothing useful or constructive to say, but wanted to point out the rogue apostrophe before someone else did.Please consider yourself told.
That will be all.
I am running an S2 right now as a daily driver. Love it to bits. £3k will get you a good one. Check sills, brakes, wishbones and electrics. I put a new stainless exhaust on and de cat too so it's got a lovely sound- the sound it should have had originally.
Don't be put off by mileage, they will run forever if maintained. Noisy transaxle can spell trouble or warrant a fluid change. Mine was bought with 155000 on the clock and now has 163000 and a huge history file. That's what counts. Bag yourself a good one and you won't regret it.
Don't be put off by mileage, they will run forever if maintained. Noisy transaxle can spell trouble or warrant a fluid change. Mine was bought with 155000 on the clock and now has 163000 and a huge history file. That's what counts. Bag yourself a good one and you won't regret it.
Dad's had his 944 for 5 years this year, been a great car. Now, sills, yes they are prone to rust. Prior to us owning the car the sills were rotten, so beware. The boot is very shallow in these cars, but there's is still plenty of room. Handling. Well I haven't driven a coupe but drove dads around Goodwood and the handling was very good. I'm sure a coupe would be sharper but it is nearly impossible to kick the back out even in the dry/damp due to the near 50/50 weight distribution.
Reliability. Well it's an 1980's German built car, so very reliable. Dads car is 151,000 miles young and no faults to report (ok the battery went flat because we left it standing for 2 months with the interior light on, but that was our fault). A lot of 944's cover over 200,000 miles with ease.
Be aware though. A 944 will cost more to run than a MX5. Porsche prices aren't cheap usually, but if like us you run it's a weekend car prices aren't bad.
Hope this was helpful
Phil
Reliability. Well it's an 1980's German built car, so very reliable. Dads car is 151,000 miles young and no faults to report (ok the battery went flat because we left it standing for 2 months with the interior light on, but that was our fault). A lot of 944's cover over 200,000 miles with ease.
Be aware though. A 944 will cost more to run than a MX5. Porsche prices aren't cheap usually, but if like us you run it's a weekend car prices aren't bad.
Hope this was helpful
Phil
tr7v8 said:
Yup it is shallow as the transaxle is below it.
Come over to www.tipec.net there is at least one cab currently for sale there.
Buyers guide here http://forums.tipec.net/viewtopic.php?f=25&t=5...
Mines the one for sale over on tipec http://forums.tipec.net/viewtopic.php?f=35&t=1...Come over to www.tipec.net there is at least one cab currently for sale there.
Buyers guide here http://forums.tipec.net/viewtopic.php?f=25&t=5...
They really are great cars, like others have said check the sills and ensure the belt and water pump have been changed (every 4 years). I've travelled away for long weekends in mine, boot can hold a couple of overnight bags plus my camera and laptop bags.Buy on condition and enjoy.
I've got a 2.7 944 and have had a 2.5 as well over the past 4 years.
The cars are very well built and will do stellar miles, my 2.7 had it's engine swapped at something over 250 000 miles!
The S2 version has the 3.0 litre twin cam and has loads of torque and revs very nicely, very easy car to drive "swiftly".
Cabs have triple (I think) floors and are slightly less stiff than a coupe, but in no way floppy.
Sills are the only major rust problem (aside from old accident repairs which sometimes will allow rust in) but you can check them.
Join the Porsche Club GB Forum and look at the 944 section there, you don't need to be a club member and there is a good buyers guide there too.
Edit - The boot in the cab is quite shallow, but you will get the weeks shopping in, there's loads of space in the coupe!
The cars are very well built and will do stellar miles, my 2.7 had it's engine swapped at something over 250 000 miles!
The S2 version has the 3.0 litre twin cam and has loads of torque and revs very nicely, very easy car to drive "swiftly".
Cabs have triple (I think) floors and are slightly less stiff than a coupe, but in no way floppy.
Sills are the only major rust problem (aside from old accident repairs which sometimes will allow rust in) but you can check them.
Join the Porsche Club GB Forum and look at the 944 section there, you don't need to be a club member and there is a good buyers guide there too.
Edit - The boot in the cab is quite shallow, but you will get the weeks shopping in, there's loads of space in the coupe!
944 turbo is a good car, a few choice mods and it's a great car - very checkable, and incredibly saveable when you overcook it. Never been in a Cab, but suspect wobbly - I once near lost my left fingers when holding the cage in ours, flexed so much the gap to the a pillar got vey small indeed!
Oh, and they look gorgeous on car graphics / bbs...
Oh, and they look gorgeous on car graphics / bbs...
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