Best 944 to buy?
Discussion
Hi, Newbie here.
Looking to get my first sports car.
Unfortunately it has to be semi practical (more than 2 seats) and reasonable priced.
So I'm thinking a 944, but which one is the best of the later (smooth dash) models.
Also what faults/weak points to look for when viewing?
Thanks in advance.
Looking to get my first sports car.
Unfortunately it has to be semi practical (more than 2 seats) and reasonable priced.
So I'm thinking a 944, but which one is the best of the later (smooth dash) models.
Also what faults/weak points to look for when viewing?
Thanks in advance.
.A lot will depend on your budget & how much you have spare having bought it. Spending £1K or more a year is not difficult & very common in the first year.
The 16V engines are more expensive to run than the 8V ones & Turbos generally more expensive than both the N/As.
Loads of buyers guides on the forums, one I wrote a few years ago on the TIPEC.Net site which people are still using.
Big issue is rust, rust & more rust! A 16V needs tensioners & chain done at around 100K max, better at 80K & this is still catching people out. The pool of decent cars is shrinking & the ones being sold as bargain basement stays the same. The latter will always be marginal & demand a bucket of cash every year to keep going & will always be so so cars. I think the value of the better cars is starting to harden, certainly not depreciating. But I know of a near concours 2.7 that sold last year for 4k with ll the jobs done & immaculate paint & interior. Most people expected it to be worth more.
The 16V engines are more expensive to run than the 8V ones & Turbos generally more expensive than both the N/As.
Loads of buyers guides on the forums, one I wrote a few years ago on the TIPEC.Net site which people are still using.
Big issue is rust, rust & more rust! A 16V needs tensioners & chain done at around 100K max, better at 80K & this is still catching people out. The pool of decent cars is shrinking & the ones being sold as bargain basement stays the same. The latter will always be marginal & demand a bucket of cash every year to keep going & will always be so so cars. I think the value of the better cars is starting to harden, certainly not depreciating. But I know of a near concours 2.7 that sold last year for 4k with ll the jobs done & immaculate paint & interior. Most people expected it to be worth more.
tr7v8 said:
I know of a near concours 2.7 that sold last year for 4k with ll the jobs done & immaculate paint & interior. Most people expected it to be worth more.
2.7's aren't exactly thick on the ground though an added bonus is there's a fairly straight forward conversion to 3.0 without having to tell the world about it.Maddog Tanner said:
Hi, Newbie here.
Looking to get my first sports car.
Unfortunately it has to be semi practical (more than 2 seats) and reasonable priced.
So I'm thinking a 944, but which one is the best of the later (smooth dash) models.
Also what faults/weak points to look for when viewing?
Thanks in advance.
It would help to know your budget?Looking to get my first sports car.
Unfortunately it has to be semi practical (more than 2 seats) and reasonable priced.
So I'm thinking a 944, but which one is the best of the later (smooth dash) models.
Also what faults/weak points to look for when viewing?
Thanks in advance.
Maddog Tanner said:
Cheers for all the replies chaps!
I've heard the 16v can be abit fragile, true?
Like the idea of a Turbo (just because of power) but are they higher maintenance?
Are there any model/years/engines to avoid?
I'm thinking circa £5k.
At 5k, you might just find a decent S2. I think you are too late for the turbos though. That ship has left the port!I've heard the 16v can be abit fragile, true?
Like the idea of a Turbo (just because of power) but are they higher maintenance?
Are there any model/years/engines to avoid?
I'm thinking circa £5k.
Concentrate on finding a decent S2 and check it VERY carefully. There are many things to inspect, but the main things are rust and the camshafts and chain.
Expect to need another 2k sorting out stuff you didnt know about or spot and then 1k per annum if you are lucky.
Good luck!
Maddog Tanner said:
Cheers for all the replies chaps!
I've heard the 16v can be abit fragile, true?
Like the idea of a Turbo (just because of power) but are they higher maintenance?
Are there any model/years/engines to avoid?
I'm thinking circa £5k.
can be fragile, yes. The engine on the S and S2 (not the Turbo S) is a twin cam. One cam is driven from the engine via the cambelt. It connects to the other camshaft via a chain between cylinders 2 and 3. So on top of cambelt worries, you have this chain as well. It has its tensioner, and this needs replacing too. But, as autocar said at the time:I've heard the 16v can be abit fragile, true?
Like the idea of a Turbo (just because of power) but are they higher maintenance?
Are there any model/years/engines to avoid?
I'm thinking circa £5k.
"The best 944 by a mile. The S2 growled, the rest grumbled"
Turbos can be fine. I drove mine in all weathers, including snow. If you keep it below 3k rpm, there is no turbo boost to worry about. The bad weather didn't help the chassis, though. Watch for rust and rust.
If it were me, I would avoid the early years as they have the 924 dashboard. The latter dash is nicer. In my personal opinion, in order of preference it would be Turbo, S2, S, 2.7, 2.5 late, 2.5 early.
Have you thought about a 968??
Maddog Tanner said:
Is the 968 a better car then?
Although to be honest, imo, the lights (front and rear) are nasty.
I'll keep an eye out for a late, minty, 3ltr S2 then.
Thanks for everyones opinions.
No offence, though get real, a good S2 with less than a 100k isAlthough to be honest, imo, the lights (front and rear) are nasty.
I'll keep an eye out for a late, minty, 3ltr S2 then.
Thanks for everyones opinions.
10-12k now if you can find one. 5k nowadays does not buy any
decent Porsche that does not need everything overhauled, even
a good 924 S is 4k..........You can buy a Boxster, but its a Boxster
Maddog Tanner said:
Is the 968 a better car then?
Although to be honest, imo, the lights (front and rear) are nasty.
I'll keep an eye out for a late, minty, 3ltr S2 then.
Thanks for everyones opinions.
Not sure a late mint S2 is 5K either. Also make sure you have a repair fund to hand, generally even on really good cars there can be a bill lurking!Although to be honest, imo, the lights (front and rear) are nasty.
I'll keep an eye out for a late, minty, 3ltr S2 then.
Thanks for everyones opinions.
No offence taken. I'm new to the Porsche world (although had several prota-types..... Beetles, lol) all advice/opinions welcome.
What are peoples thoughts on this one? Liking lots about it look/history etc. Obviously not perfect. Thoughts? Anyone nearby been to see it?.......
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/201371880952?_trksid=p20...
What are peoples thoughts on this one? Liking lots about it look/history etc. Obviously not perfect. Thoughts? Anyone nearby been to see it?.......
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/201371880952?_trksid=p20...
Maddog Tanner said:
No offence taken. I'm new to the Porsche world (although had several prota-types..... Beetles, lol) all advice/opinions welcome.
What are peoples thoughts on this one? Liking lots about it look/history etc. Obviously not perfect. Thoughts? Anyone nearby been to see it?.......
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/201371880952?_trksid=p20...
Looks good, the hockey stick for the spoiler will be a pain to find. Generally looks an excellent car. Location & interior colour may put some off. What are peoples thoughts on this one? Liking lots about it look/history etc. Obviously not perfect. Thoughts? Anyone nearby been to see it?.......
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/201371880952?_trksid=p20...
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