944, Usable Classic?
Discussion
I had 1984 2.5 lux back in the day, sold it my pal who ran and maintained it himself. Its stood for a year. I have the chance to buy it back.
I'm prepared to spend some money on it, arguably more than I could buy a good one for.
Any advice on weak points
Once completed do they make a usable classic?
I'm prepared to spend some money on it, arguably more than I could buy a good one for.
Any advice on weak points
Once completed do they make a usable classic?
I use mine daily (ish) and it's fine but it's not cheap to run.
Since it was yours you'll know the state of the bodywork but they really like to rust. Mechanically everything is available and often cheaper from Porsche.
It will take a while to get a non runner, firstly running, and then running reliably so you'll need to be dedicated.
Since it was yours you'll know the state of the bodywork but they really like to rust. Mechanically everything is available and often cheaper from Porsche.
It will take a while to get a non runner, firstly running, and then running reliably so you'll need to be dedicated.
"oh, it is just a little bit on the outside...". Yeah, no it isn't it. It is rotten and it will cost a fortune to repair.
Outer sill
Inner rear sill
Into the floor
Base of the A-pillar
Into the footwell
Battery tray (series one and series two)
Torsion tube mounting area - this is the killer
Most 'repaired' cars have had an outer sill bodge to varying degrees. A structural repair on a 'slightly rusty' 944 will cost a minimum of £3,000 and you could easily spend double or more, depending on how far your leg gets lifted. Paying a lot is no guarantee that it has been done thoroughly, or well.
Outer sill
Inner rear sill
Into the floor
Base of the A-pillar
Into the footwell
Battery tray (series one and series two)
Torsion tube mounting area - this is the killer
Most 'repaired' cars have had an outer sill bodge to varying degrees. A structural repair on a 'slightly rusty' 944 will cost a minimum of £3,000 and you could easily spend double or more, depending on how far your leg gets lifted. Paying a lot is no guarantee that it has been done thoroughly, or well.
For maintenance and repairs, yes: if they're factory trained. If they have only been on a Boxster and 996/7 course then I'd look elsewhere.
For the chassis, avoid The 944 Restorer' or whatever the clown calls himself.
A little searching on the marque forums will reveal why the charlatan should be avoided. Ignore too his status as a magazine expert: they couldn't find their arse with both hands.
For the chassis, avoid The 944 Restorer' or whatever the clown calls himself.
A little searching on the marque forums will reveal why the charlatan should be avoided. Ignore too his status as a magazine expert: they couldn't find their arse with both hands.
From an owner of a 944 Turbo for over a decade my best advice is only get one if you have a garage. Left exposed to outside conditions, even with a car cover, they disintegrate fast.
Great cars but I found it a stressful drive...somewhat down to lack of airbags, but on the whole it, it felt like it could easily kill me.....you are just constantly waiting for the next thing to break on it.
Great cars but I found it a stressful drive...somewhat down to lack of airbags, but on the whole it, it felt like it could easily kill me.....you are just constantly waiting for the next thing to break on it.
Ran one for ten years, probably the first 4 as our family car. So holidays and Christmas trips.
Very practical for shopping and going to the tip.
Was great in the snow, once it had new tyres, and was just brilliant at being a car, and was great fun too.
It has probably been the cheapest and second best value car we have owned. Bought it for peanuts and got most of our money back when we sold it as an MOT failure project car.
I would have no qualms in getting another and using it the same way. Would cost more now and I would go for an S2 rather than 2.5.
Great fun cars and fairly modern for a classic.
Very practical for shopping and going to the tip.
Was great in the snow, once it had new tyres, and was just brilliant at being a car, and was great fun too.
It has probably been the cheapest and second best value car we have owned. Bought it for peanuts and got most of our money back when we sold it as an MOT failure project car.
I would have no qualms in getting another and using it the same way. Would cost more now and I would go for an S2 rather than 2.5.
Great fun cars and fairly modern for a classic.
julian987R said:
... Great cars but I found it a stressful drive...somewhat down to lack of airbags, but on the whole it, it felt like it could easily kill me...
Crikey, none of my classics have airbags and I had a 924 Turbo, then a 944 as every day cars for years. Didn't even think about airbags. Edited by RichB on Tuesday 16th November 21:16
julian987R said:
Great cars but I found it a stressful drive...somewhat down to lack of airbags, but on the whole it, it felt like it could easily kill me.....you are just constantly waiting for the next thing to break on it.
Stress due to a lack of airbags! How do you even drive a car?
Well a Caterham is out.
A 944 is such a sure footed and well mannered classic. The tail can be provoked but they're beautifully balanced.
g7jhp said:
julian987R said:
Great cars but I found it a stressful drive...somewhat down to lack of airbags, but on the whole it, it felt like it could easily kill me.....you are just constantly waiting for the next thing to break on it.
Stress due to a lack of airbags! How do you even drive a car?
Well a Caterham is out.
A 944 is such a sure footed and well mannered classic. The tail can be provoked but they're beautifully balanced.
julian987R said:
From an owner of a 944 Turbo for over a decade my best advice is only get one if you have a garage. Left exposed to outside conditions, even with a car cover, they disintegrate fast.
Great cars but I found it a stressful drive...somewhat down to lack of airbags, but on the whole it, it felt like it could easily kill me.....you are just constantly waiting for the next thing to break on it.
This really is absolute nonsense,
Great cars but I found it a stressful drive...somewhat down to lack of airbags, but on the whole it, it felt like it could easily kill me.....you are just constantly waiting for the next thing to break on it.
This really is absolute nonsense,
freedman said:
julian987R said:
From an owner of a 944 Turbo for over a decade my best advice is only get one if you have a garage. Left exposed to outside conditions, even with a car cover, they disintegrate fast.
Great cars but I found it a stressful drive...somewhat down to lack of airbags, but on the whole it, it felt like it could easily kill me.....you are just constantly waiting for the next thing to break on it.
This really is absolute nonsense,
Great cars but I found it a stressful drive...somewhat down to lack of airbags, but on the whole it, it felt like it could easily kill me.....you are just constantly waiting for the next thing to break on it.
This really is absolute nonsense,
They don't hold up well to mother nature.
They break alot
They aren't the safest of cars.
challenge me with some context and effort applied to your response, rather than just claim it is nonsense.
I can't say I've ever felt it's a stressful drive, No it doesn't have newer drivers aids but that's progress. If that's what is desired then early 90s cars won't be the target.
I drive mine every week in most weathers, although having spent a small fortune on bodywork this year I'm loathe to get the underside plastered in mud as is likely this time of year. But as a daily it works just fine and is very practical. It's great to drive, comfortable, heated seats work really well and with a saratoga roof it's very light inside.
I don't feel it breaks alot but it is usually not cheap to fix when it does. Like most cars, use them and fix things and you get to a stage where they become pretty reliable.
Yes it's not cheap to run and prices for good ones are high - I don't think I'd spend £25k+ for a decent turbo and then use it daily.
Mine has silly miles on it so will never be top of the heap but it means I can use it.
I drive mine every week in most weathers, although having spent a small fortune on bodywork this year I'm loathe to get the underside plastered in mud as is likely this time of year. But as a daily it works just fine and is very practical. It's great to drive, comfortable, heated seats work really well and with a saratoga roof it's very light inside.
I don't feel it breaks alot but it is usually not cheap to fix when it does. Like most cars, use them and fix things and you get to a stage where they become pretty reliable.
Yes it's not cheap to run and prices for good ones are high - I don't think I'd spend £25k+ for a decent turbo and then use it daily.
Mine has silly miles on it so will never be top of the heap but it means I can use it.
Edited by DKL on Wednesday 17th November 14:23
julian987R said:
it really is not absolute nonsense. A decade is a long stint with a car. I feel my POV is grounded in tens and tens of thousands of miles.
They don't hold up well to mother nature.
They break alot
They aren't the safest of cars.
challenge me with some context and effort applied to your response, rather than just claim it is nonsense.
I daily drove an S2 (10 years old at the time) as a daily for nearly 3 year,s including commuting into London 5 days a week, They don't hold up well to mother nature.
They break alot
They aren't the safest of cars.
challenge me with some context and effort applied to your response, rather than just claim it is nonsense.
It was perfectly comfortable, and safe
Nothing ever dropped off it and when I sold it it was as good as the day I bought it.
Your comments are nonsense
freedman said:
julian987R said:
it really is not absolute nonsense. A decade is a long stint with a car. I feel my POV is grounded in tens and tens of thousands of miles.
They don't hold up well to mother nature.
They break alot
They aren't the safest of cars.
challenge me with some context and effort applied to your response, rather than just claim it is nonsense.
I daily drove an S2 (10 years old at the time) as a daily for nearly 3 year,s including commuting into London 5 days a week, They don't hold up well to mother nature.
They break alot
They aren't the safest of cars.
challenge me with some context and effort applied to your response, rather than just claim it is nonsense.
It was perfectly comfortable, and safe
Nothing ever dropped off it and when I sold it it was as good as the day I bought it.
Your comments are nonsense
My experience differs, whats with all the heat. Its like I've kicked a hornets nest.
julian987R said:
You are not saying that in three years that something didn't break or needed attention. I don't think you are saying that, it suggests you are, and if you are, fair enough.
My experience differs, whats with all the heat. Its like I've kicked a hornets nest.
In all fairness Julian the “heat” comes from your often somewhat incendiary comments, that frequently prove to be groundless or completely erroneous.My experience differs, whats with all the heat. Its like I've kicked a hornets nest.
There’s no harm in that, just expect equally or more robust responses, seemingly often from those better qualified to opine
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