Advice on buying a very early 944
Discussion
I have been priced out of the Porsche market over the last few years with the excpetion of the Boxster. Now the Boxster is a nice enough car, but I dont fancy a convertible and need occasional kids carrying space.
The 944 - especially the early square dash non PAS cars are taking my fancy. Obviosuly not a monster in the performance department any more, but the chasis is sublime.
Any advice on what to look for? The sills and rust obviosuly, but anything else?
Do these cars do well to be covered in Dintrol or similar?
Thanks
The 944 - especially the early square dash non PAS cars are taking my fancy. Obviosuly not a monster in the performance department any more, but the chasis is sublime.
Any advice on what to look for? The sills and rust obviosuly, but anything else?
Do these cars do well to be covered in Dintrol or similar?
Thanks
I know there are loads of people who know more than me, but as no one has taken up the request. I have a 1984 sq dash. Body is good as my car is in the tropics. Mechanically I've found the car outstanding never had a big issue, but again only 30K on mine. I've had electrical issues with dry switches and the replacements are very poor quality, had to rebuild the old ones. Only other issue I've had is plastic trim, seals and rubber, hoses engine mounts. I've replaced loads, brake, cooling pipes etc, and some interior trim. Every thing you need can be bought on Ebay or one of the UK breakers, for good prices. New part support is great I use Pelican in the US as they are much cheaper than quotes from the UK. Had problems with dirty sensors, all solved by removing and cleaning, and cooling fans not switching on again, again just cleaning of connections relays etc, I have bought various relays second hand when available, as they are fairly expensive if you need to now from Porsche. The car is very easy to work, there is an unbelievable amount of info on the web, I just put a new dash in the detail in the instructions I downloaded was amazing. Car is great yo drive, its certainly not slow, and in the bends will leave lots of things in trouble. I don't understand why they are so unloved, (well maybe I do as I've posted else whee on here I ignored mine for years and only came back to it when I got in it to sell).
Get a good rust free one and anything else can be sorted economically and at home if you have reasonable mechanical skill.
I have friend whose wife runs a 1985 car as a daily driver, it has never seen a Porsche garage, serviced by a local 'butcher' and it unbelievably reliable in 12 years it has never let her down, it is the best advert for build quality on a 944 I've ever seen.
Get a good rust free one and anything else can be sorted economically and at home if you have reasonable mechanical skill.
I have friend whose wife runs a 1985 car as a daily driver, it has never seen a Porsche garage, serviced by a local 'butcher' and it unbelievably reliable in 12 years it has never let her down, it is the best advert for build quality on a 944 I've ever seen.
Condition is key, so don't get too hooked up on mileage- be aware that square dash cars only show 5 figures on the tach so many cars are sold as 'low mileage' where there should be at least a 1 on the front of the milometer. You're already aware of the rust issue and that really is the main consideration as it's potentially the most expensive issue to resolve. A good level of recent and on-going maintenance is the other main consideration. make no mistake that some jobs and parts can be pricey, but at least the earlier cars do have some slightly cheaper VW-based parts... Be wary of cars with sill trims as there's a good chance these are hiding nasties.
Make sure the belts, rollers and water pump have been replaced recently, or budget £400 to do this yourself or £600+ for an indie to do it.
They're great cars though and are starting to come into their own as a true classic and whilst they'll never reach the dizzy heights of their aircooled, rear-engine cousins their values are being driven up by current demand.
Also don't rule out a 924s as they're mechanically very similar to the early 944 in the narrower body.
Make sure the belts, rollers and water pump have been replaced recently, or budget £400 to do this yourself or £600+ for an indie to do it.
They're great cars though and are starting to come into their own as a true classic and whilst they'll never reach the dizzy heights of their aircooled, rear-engine cousins their values are being driven up by current demand.
Also don't rule out a 924s as they're mechanically very similar to the early 944 in the narrower body.
Thanks for the replies - I appreciate the help.
I have been to see the car(s) in question today.
1) White car - 1984 no sunroof, no pas. Pinstripe interior. 62k miles from new. Some history. I couldnt find any rust on the car at all. Sticker in boot was still there. Helpful chap wants £1600 for the car with new MOT. for an extra £200 he will sort the paint (looked a bit dull) but said he would mop it (no laquer on these?) and Dintrol the sills.
2) Black car - 1985 sunroof, pas, square dash. 85k miles. Just had new sills from Porsche, Porsche script black interior, looked mean on 17" boxster wheels. £2.5k.
3) Red car - 1987 944 S, oval dash, 132k miles, black interior, needs engine as 16v cam chain tensioer slipper failed. New engine fitted, car will be on sale for £4 - £5k. New sills fitted (Porsche).
I have heard horror stories about the 16v engine, so this discounts the red car. But what about the others?
Any help appreaciated.
I have been to see the car(s) in question today.
1) White car - 1984 no sunroof, no pas. Pinstripe interior. 62k miles from new. Some history. I couldnt find any rust on the car at all. Sticker in boot was still there. Helpful chap wants £1600 for the car with new MOT. for an extra £200 he will sort the paint (looked a bit dull) but said he would mop it (no laquer on these?) and Dintrol the sills.
2) Black car - 1985 sunroof, pas, square dash. 85k miles. Just had new sills from Porsche, Porsche script black interior, looked mean on 17" boxster wheels. £2.5k.
3) Red car - 1987 944 S, oval dash, 132k miles, black interior, needs engine as 16v cam chain tensioer slipper failed. New engine fitted, car will be on sale for £4 - £5k. New sills fitted (Porsche).
I have heard horror stories about the 16v engine, so this discounts the red car. But what about the others?
Any help appreaciated.
For £200 you could either get it done professionally or save your money and lavish some elbowgrease for an afternoon, as for squirting some dinitrol in, that doesn't take long either
With mine, I would take about 6 hours every spring to Liquid Clay bar, followed by Zymol cleaning wax followed by Turtle wax, and then 3 hours per month to Zymol and Turtle it to keep the shine:
Having said that, the Black one sounds the most sorted and ready to use and if the Sills are kosher then that is a big worry sorted. Being square dash you will have cheap suspension parts (Mk1 Golf at the front mostly) and a more sporty drive than the series 2 (oval dash) cars
I haven't driven the 'S' but they do have some stories attached, I am not sure if they are true or just urban tails. i remember a comparison between the 'S' and the 2.7, the former had a bit more go at the upper end, but the latter didn't need to be reved as hard...it is what you prefer
With mine, I would take about 6 hours every spring to Liquid Clay bar, followed by Zymol cleaning wax followed by Turtle wax, and then 3 hours per month to Zymol and Turtle it to keep the shine:
Having said that, the Black one sounds the most sorted and ready to use and if the Sills are kosher then that is a big worry sorted. Being square dash you will have cheap suspension parts (Mk1 Golf at the front mostly) and a more sporty drive than the series 2 (oval dash) cars
I haven't driven the 'S' but they do have some stories attached, I am not sure if they are true or just urban tails. i remember a comparison between the 'S' and the 2.7, the former had a bit more go at the upper end, but the latter didn't need to be reved as hard...it is what you prefer
Both cars sound interesting.
I'd be erring on the side of the white one but probably have it inspected to properly check for rust.
The lack of sunroof is a real bonus.
As for general stuff, as said above really. In order of importance:
1) Rust
2) Belts, rollers & tensioners all done on time
3) General condition
As for paying someone to make them shiny - if you have the time to do it yourself then do, it's a great way of getting to know a new car as you go round every inch of it. You can check all the seals and stuff that'll just make it nicer to use day to day. It makes such a difference when the glass is cleaned up properly, the lights and heater work as designed etc.
I'd be erring on the side of the white one but probably have it inspected to properly check for rust.
The lack of sunroof is a real bonus.
As for general stuff, as said above really. In order of importance:
1) Rust
2) Belts, rollers & tensioners all done on time
3) General condition
As for paying someone to make them shiny - if you have the time to do it yourself then do, it's a great way of getting to know a new car as you go round every inch of it. You can check all the seals and stuff that'll just make it nicer to use day to day. It makes such a difference when the glass is cleaned up properly, the lights and heater work as designed etc.
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