Porsche 944, any good?
Discussion
There should be a buyer's guide for the 944 on PH.
Quick google: http://www.pistonheads.com/porsche/default.asp?sto...
Old article, but not as old as the cars.
I bought a 1986 RX7 instead of a 944. I'm currently trying to blackmail my brother in to going halvesies on a 944 as a replacement for it.
Edit to add - that link includes this casual racism: "So if you ever meet Mr Mitsubishi and he tells you that the 944 is a "velly glood car" its probabally not the driving dynamics he is praising!". Nice work PH.
Quick google: http://www.pistonheads.com/porsche/default.asp?sto...
Old article, but not as old as the cars.
I bought a 1986 RX7 instead of a 944. I'm currently trying to blackmail my brother in to going halvesies on a 944 as a replacement for it.
Edit to add - that link includes this casual racism: "So if you ever meet Mr Mitsubishi and he tells you that the 944 is a "velly glood car" its probabally not the driving dynamics he is praising!". Nice work PH.
Edited by Captain Muppet on Wednesday 25th April 17:04
I had one for a bit, parts aren't that cheap and watch for rust on doors and sills. Otherwise it's a good car
One of my repair tales here: http://www.pistonheads.com/doc.asp?c=52&i=2053...
One of my repair tales here: http://www.pistonheads.com/doc.asp?c=52&i=2053...
I had a lovely 944 a few years ago, nice cars, well built, not a nimble car in any way, the steering is heavy as is the gear change but it's 80's engineering it feels very solid.
Gearboxes are prone to wearing the diff bearings and can whine a bit but not heard of any failing, make sure the clutch is ok as they use a torque tube, hollow tube that goes from bell housing to gearbox, prop shaft runs through it can be a pain to do clutch and maybe expensive if your paying someone to do it.
Mine was a 1988 2.5, wish I had kept it.
If you find a nice one I am sure you will love it!
Gearboxes are prone to wearing the diff bearings and can whine a bit but not heard of any failing, make sure the clutch is ok as they use a torque tube, hollow tube that goes from bell housing to gearbox, prop shaft runs through it can be a pain to do clutch and maybe expensive if your paying someone to do it.
Mine was a 1988 2.5, wish I had kept it.
If you find a nice one I am sure you will love it!
Somnophore said:
What else should I be looking at, don't fancy jap turbo nutter car lol.
What are you after? Is it a 2+2 coupe or a 2 seater coupe and what sort of age? Remember the 924 is a 70's car and the 944 is just an upgraded 924 really.The RX-7 even in a n/a form (Gen2) is a direct competitor, as would a Nissan 300ZX Z31 or maybe a 280z, s13 200SX could also be seen as an alternative, but is turbocharged.
3rd Gen Camaro's and Firebirds could be seen as alternatives in the US market, although a lot cheaper to buy. Same with Fox body Mustangs.
Sports car wise a TR7 or TR7 V8 was around in the late 70's early 80's as are Wedge shape and S series TVR's.
Lotus Excel was aimed at the same market as the 944's.
£4-5k might see you in a early C4 Corvette as an alternative to a V8 TVR.
Mazda RX-8.
Go look here http://forums.tipec.net/viewtopic.php?f=25&t=5...
Main issues are cost of belts & water pumps, need doing every 3-4 years or 45K, Rust in sills, Clutch.
Main issues are cost of belts & water pumps, need doing every 3-4 years or 45K, Rust in sills, Clutch.
I had a minty S2, very late car with a big history and in tip top shape. Paid 4.5k for it.
It was very well made, handled brilliantly (possibly the best handling car i've owned) and was quick enough (more in a linear way than fast fast)
However I could never love it in the way I did my XJS before or my TVR since, it just felt a bit souless.
However still a great car and i'd 100% recommend one! Just look at lots and be fussy.
Incidentally when I sold it I didn't lose a penny!
Only other car i've experienced that with was my XJS....also very late and minty (miss that car so much
)
Just don't by a 928
ever!
It was very well made, handled brilliantly (possibly the best handling car i've owned) and was quick enough (more in a linear way than fast fast)
However I could never love it in the way I did my XJS before or my TVR since, it just felt a bit souless.
However still a great car and i'd 100% recommend one! Just look at lots and be fussy.
Incidentally when I sold it I didn't lose a penny!
Only other car i've experienced that with was my XJS....also very late and minty (miss that car so much
)Just don't by a 928
ever!It's hard because I don't really know, I have a car for work so this will be a second car for SDP, budget is £4-5k and could be anything, either hot hatch, coupe or sport car, mpg not so important but not ruinous in repairs,
I like cars that are something different, ie not evo/imprezza or something really common.
Thoughts so far (long list)
Golf GTI Mk1 or 2
Corrado VR6
Racing Puma
GTM Libra
106 Rallye
Whatever that supercharged corrola was called
Porsche 944
E30 325
E36 328
Saab 900 T16
Lupo GTI
That's just top of my head, looking for views on these or things I haven't thought of. Key is can be used few times a week won't cost too much to repair or insure (limited mileage/classic insurance should help) and be fun to drive.
I like cars that are something different, ie not evo/imprezza or something really common.
Thoughts so far (long list)
Golf GTI Mk1 or 2
Corrado VR6
Racing Puma
GTM Libra
106 Rallye
Whatever that supercharged corrola was called
Porsche 944
E30 325
E36 328
Saab 900 T16
Lupo GTI
That's just top of my head, looking for views on these or things I haven't thought of. Key is can be used few times a week won't cost too much to repair or insure (limited mileage/classic insurance should help) and be fun to drive.
Somnophore said:
It's hard because I don't really know, I have a car for work so this will be a second car for SDP, budget is £4-5k and could be anything, either hot hatch, coupe or sport car, mpg not so important but not ruinous in repairs,
I like cars that are something different, ie not evo/imprezza or something really common.
Thoughts so far (long list)
Golf GTI Mk1 or 2
Corrado VR6
Racing Puma
GTM Libra
106 Rallye
Whatever that supercharged corrola was called
Porsche 944
E30 325
E36 328
Saab 900 T16
Lupo GTI
That's just top of my head, looking for views on these or things I haven't thought of. Key is can be used few times a week won't cost too much to repair or insure (limited mileage/classic insurance should help) and be fun to drive.
Out of those i've owned (some briefly)I like cars that are something different, ie not evo/imprezza or something really common.
Thoughts so far (long list)
Golf GTI Mk1 or 2
Corrado VR6
Racing Puma
GTM Libra
106 Rallye
Whatever that supercharged corrola was called
Porsche 944
E30 325
E36 328
Saab 900 T16
Lupo GTI
That's just top of my head, looking for views on these or things I haven't thought of. Key is can be used few times a week won't cost too much to repair or insure (limited mileage/classic insurance should help) and be fun to drive.
944
E30 325
E36 328
A normal Puma (not a Racing but gives an idea)
As it's a second car i'd urge you to go for something special, out of your list and from my experience i'd go 944 or E30
My 325 was a hoot to drive and a good one shouldn't lose any money. The 328 while quicker doesn't have the same character as it's older sister IMHO.
Just my 2p
I bought a S2 Cab three months ago, I do like it and they make sense but they can be total money pits, these are old cars now, the newest being 21 years old.
Mine had six grand spent in the previous ownership of three years so was in decent fettle but it still needs stuff doing, like its developed an oil leak at the back of the engine which occasionally drips onto the exhaust, also I am seeing bits of rust creeping in as mine lives outside, not horrendous but I will attend to it this summer, I checked the inside of the sills with an endoscopic cam, 30 quid off Ebay and it is invaluble for checking 944 sills, mine were all grey paint inside but some look like the titanic.
the clutch is a big job so a recent clutch change is a bonus, on the S2 the top end needs careful regular maintenance, the previous owner spent three grand to sort the clutch and top end, the sprockets on the cams were knackered and as these are integral to the cam they got replaced, the belts will be due in Sept as they recommend four years, about £400 but buy one that has had recent belts, tensioners and preferably a water pump. I think they give a feeling of robustness, they are robust but they still need maintenance.
To drive they are quite mechanical, as has been said, the steering is heavy, the clutch and gearchange also, the wheel is quite low set so try one to check you can get comfortable, they can be a bit clunky round town to drive but they come alive on a backroad, for their age they handle brilliantly, much more involving than a lot of modern stuff regardless of power, RWD with balance, they are fairly forgiving to a point but can bite and there are no electronics to bail you out, 208 bhp from an S2 might not sound like much but it is still plenty to get you going faster than is sensible and enough to send you hedge bound, plus the fact they can be a bit are close to the floor means they probably feel faster than they are.
Parts prices arent horrendous, can get loads of stuff from specialists, Euro, breakers, Ebay etc. Even Porsche still supply a lot and the prices arent as bad as you may imagine.
Look for an enthusaist car, preferably on refreshed suspension and a good history, regardless of mileage, the Cab is nice but some may prefer the sharper drive of the coupe, coupe is also a little quicker due to the cab beign a bit heavier.
Not had the pleasure of a turbo, for big power its the only way to go as the S2 doesnt have many options, a few bhp here and there for a decat, chip, air filter, exhaust etc but it is small gains, mainly in drivability rather than outright power, not that they need it really, the S2 has a lovely feel to it's delivery, some prefer the S2 to the turbo but for big numbers its the turbo, some people are seeing 400 bhp plus, trouble is the temptation to fiddle gets very expensive, 400 is probably overkill for a 1300 kilo 21 year old car. It isnt just that the turbo is better, more powerful certainly but there is a lot of "different" about it rather than just more power = better.
Mine is not great on fuel, early twenties mpg but I do mainly shorter journies and I have changed the Lambda sensor hoping it will improve matters, also it has a huuuuuge tank, like 21/22 gallons, over 100 to fill.
Brakes are not bad but watch out if they are rubbish as "plate lift" can be a problem on S2's and turbos, they use a steel plate in the aluminium caliper and it corrodes.
Tyres are cheap sizes, avoid cars with bigger wheels unless they have been set up for it, i.e. the later suspnsion mount and geometary set up.
You ned to be fairly hands on other wise unless very lucky wou will be back and forward to a garage.
I have so far,
Changed the Lambda sensor
Installed new coolant pipe and bled the system, refilled
Changed the PAS belt
Installed a new Battery
Sealed the leaky hood (Autoglym hood portector)
Selaed the leaky boot (Silcone) - they all pretty much leak, even Coupes
Sorted the slow windows (a feature of all 944's)
greased the gear linkage
Installed a new blower knob (£15)
Installed a remap chip (pain of a job, made little difference)
All small jobs but they add up,
Need to sort the oil leak and head the rust off, then book it in for belts and possibly a head gasket if I cant sort the oil leak. Might recondition the leather as well.
Insurance £262 for the year (can get it cheaper), tax is £215 and depreciation should be nil, just depends on how much I have to spend to keep it running but every car will cost some money, a lot of people will pay more for insurance over a year than this costs in total.
They also dont sound that special, ok comapred to most mundane stuff they make a nicer noise but compared to six or eight cylinder stuff it is a bit nondescript, enough to keep me interested though.
Mine had six grand spent in the previous ownership of three years so was in decent fettle but it still needs stuff doing, like its developed an oil leak at the back of the engine which occasionally drips onto the exhaust, also I am seeing bits of rust creeping in as mine lives outside, not horrendous but I will attend to it this summer, I checked the inside of the sills with an endoscopic cam, 30 quid off Ebay and it is invaluble for checking 944 sills, mine were all grey paint inside but some look like the titanic.
the clutch is a big job so a recent clutch change is a bonus, on the S2 the top end needs careful regular maintenance, the previous owner spent three grand to sort the clutch and top end, the sprockets on the cams were knackered and as these are integral to the cam they got replaced, the belts will be due in Sept as they recommend four years, about £400 but buy one that has had recent belts, tensioners and preferably a water pump. I think they give a feeling of robustness, they are robust but they still need maintenance.
To drive they are quite mechanical, as has been said, the steering is heavy, the clutch and gearchange also, the wheel is quite low set so try one to check you can get comfortable, they can be a bit clunky round town to drive but they come alive on a backroad, for their age they handle brilliantly, much more involving than a lot of modern stuff regardless of power, RWD with balance, they are fairly forgiving to a point but can bite and there are no electronics to bail you out, 208 bhp from an S2 might not sound like much but it is still plenty to get you going faster than is sensible and enough to send you hedge bound, plus the fact they can be a bit are close to the floor means they probably feel faster than they are.
Parts prices arent horrendous, can get loads of stuff from specialists, Euro, breakers, Ebay etc. Even Porsche still supply a lot and the prices arent as bad as you may imagine.
Look for an enthusaist car, preferably on refreshed suspension and a good history, regardless of mileage, the Cab is nice but some may prefer the sharper drive of the coupe, coupe is also a little quicker due to the cab beign a bit heavier.
Not had the pleasure of a turbo, for big power its the only way to go as the S2 doesnt have many options, a few bhp here and there for a decat, chip, air filter, exhaust etc but it is small gains, mainly in drivability rather than outright power, not that they need it really, the S2 has a lovely feel to it's delivery, some prefer the S2 to the turbo but for big numbers its the turbo, some people are seeing 400 bhp plus, trouble is the temptation to fiddle gets very expensive, 400 is probably overkill for a 1300 kilo 21 year old car. It isnt just that the turbo is better, more powerful certainly but there is a lot of "different" about it rather than just more power = better.
Mine is not great on fuel, early twenties mpg but I do mainly shorter journies and I have changed the Lambda sensor hoping it will improve matters, also it has a huuuuuge tank, like 21/22 gallons, over 100 to fill.
Brakes are not bad but watch out if they are rubbish as "plate lift" can be a problem on S2's and turbos, they use a steel plate in the aluminium caliper and it corrodes.
Tyres are cheap sizes, avoid cars with bigger wheels unless they have been set up for it, i.e. the later suspnsion mount and geometary set up.
You ned to be fairly hands on other wise unless very lucky wou will be back and forward to a garage.
I have so far,
Changed the Lambda sensor
Installed new coolant pipe and bled the system, refilled
Changed the PAS belt
Installed a new Battery
Sealed the leaky hood (Autoglym hood portector)
Selaed the leaky boot (Silcone) - they all pretty much leak, even Coupes
Sorted the slow windows (a feature of all 944's)
greased the gear linkage
Installed a new blower knob (£15)
Installed a remap chip (pain of a job, made little difference)
All small jobs but they add up,
Need to sort the oil leak and head the rust off, then book it in for belts and possibly a head gasket if I cant sort the oil leak. Might recondition the leather as well.
Insurance £262 for the year (can get it cheaper), tax is £215 and depreciation should be nil, just depends on how much I have to spend to keep it running but every car will cost some money, a lot of people will pay more for insurance over a year than this costs in total.
They also dont sound that special, ok comapred to most mundane stuff they make a nicer noise but compared to six or eight cylinder stuff it is a bit nondescript, enough to keep me interested though.
Edited by J4CKO on Wednesday 25th April 17:56
Edited by J4CKO on Wednesday 25th April 18:01
I own a 944S and personally think it is one of the nicest cars I have ever owned. I have had it for a year now and have had no problems with it at all. I use it daily and have to admit that I do not look after it as I should. I find it very easy to drive and comfortable too . I have owned a 944 and a few 924s too which are also lovely cars to drive. So...yes...very good choice.
I'd be very tempted to go for a Golf Mk 2 gti at that price bracket. You'd get a lovely low mileage one.
I was looking at them for a few months, but didn't quite have your budget. But I did have the opportunity to drive a very well sorted, low mileage, immaculate example. It was an early one without PAS, etc. But it felt incredibly light and nimble. A real joy to drive compared to modern heavy overly-assisted hatches.
Not massively powerful, but it many respects it was all the better for it.
I was looking at them for a few months, but didn't quite have your budget. But I did have the opportunity to drive a very well sorted, low mileage, immaculate example. It was an early one without PAS, etc. But it felt incredibly light and nimble. A real joy to drive compared to modern heavy overly-assisted hatches.
Not massively powerful, but it many respects it was all the better for it.
Gruber said:
I'd be very tempted to go for a Golf Mk 2 gti at that price bracket. You'd get a lovely low mileage one.
I was looking at them for a few months, but didn't quite have your budget. But I did have the opportunity to drive a very well sorted, low mileage, immaculate example. It was an early one without PAS, etc. But it felt incredibly light and nimble. A real joy to drive compared to modern heavy overly-assisted hatches.
Not massively powerful, but it many respects it was all the better for it.
The 944 has more than a hint of Golf feel about it, have had a few MK1's and 2's, plus a MK3 but we wont mention that,if I were going for a Golf I think it would need to be a 20VT converted one as not sure 112 bhp would be enough for me these days though I do have an urge to try one again, wouldnt pay over the odds when you could have a Porsche instead though, unless it was a sorted 20VT.I was looking at them for a few months, but didn't quite have your budget. But I did have the opportunity to drive a very well sorted, low mileage, immaculate example. It was an early one without PAS, etc. But it felt incredibly light and nimble. A real joy to drive compared to modern heavy overly-assisted hatches.
Not massively powerful, but it many respects it was all the better for it.
Mk1's are great but are a bit hopeless nowadays unless uprated, the brakes are rubbish for a start, the MK2 is a much better package.
J4CKO said:
...as not sure 112 bhp would be enough for me these days...
I thought the same, but came away pleasantly surprised. How long one's feeling of satisfaction would last, of course, is perhaps another matter.J4CKO said:
The 944 has more than a hint of Golf feel about it...
Funny you should say that. I gave up on finding a decent GTI in my price range and ended up with a 924 instead, for "shed" money. Which perhaps goes to show that there's something oddly similar despite completely different drivetrain set-ups.
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