Talk to me about 944's!

[geeks]

Ok so i am in process of sticking between 2 and 3k together for a weekend/summer car and have always loved the 944 as a kid and although i have been seriously considering a BMW 328 Coupe my hankering for a Porsche just wont go away and i find myself looking at them on Autotrader almost daily..

So oh wise PH Porsche owners (specifically 944 owners) tell me, are they worth my attention? I am a constant fettler when it comes to cars so i am not afraid of getting greasy hands etc. What are the parts like to source? how are they priced and what are 944's like to live with?

[blade7]

£2-3k could buy a very good 328 coupe......

[Sifly]

I've had both a 2.5 lux and 250 turbo.
Great cars, built to last, fantastic handling, hugely practical too.
Proper 80's / 90's retro sports car, buy the best you can and enjoy it!

Give me a good 944 over a cheap boxster anyday!

For £3,000 i'd aim for a good well looked after 2.5 or 2.7 oval dash car.
Check all around the lower bodywork, arches, cills etc for corrosion or poor repairs.
Good service history is a must obviously!

I'd give a cheap S2 (or turbo) a miss?!

Edited by Sifly on Tuesday 12th February 18:08

Edited by Sifly on Tuesday 12th February 18:09

[andymac47]

I have a s2 & its just brilliant. You just can't buy anything anywhere near it for the same sort of money.
Mine's done 124k was built in '91 & still goes'handles'& looks awesome.
It gets loads of attention as you don't see many around these days.
Love it
Get one mate..

[matsleight]

I had a couple of S2 and loved them, I did about 40k miles in one over 4 years as it was my daily diver - other than some dodgy electrics due to a failing immobiliser- had no problems in those years.
I never had problems finding parts with places like Bert Gear, Type 911, Design 911 etc.
Managed to fettle a few things myself and I'm not that mechanically minded and you can get a Haynes manual . So if you are happy to give it a go, you'll keep your costs down. There were a few people on the Titanic 944 forum who did everything on their cars.

Personally I preferred the S2 as a cruiser and wasn't confident in my driving ability to take a risk on the turbo, given I'd heard a few horror stories - mostly due to lag catching people out and then the boost coming in unexpectedly - I believe with modern mods etc they can be got so there is minimal lag anyway. Also the turbo was more expensive than the s2 when I was looking. S2 was plenty speedy enough for me ;-) Preferred the looks compared to the early lux style.

There are a few things to look out for - sills tend to rust through, cambelt and tensioners need regular replacement (for age if not miles) and that process is one where I would prefer an Indy to be involved. Brake/calipers corroding, any of the lines under the car rusting too.

I would strongly encourage you to get one and find the best you can afford, keep a spare DME relay in the glovebox and off you go!

[slodge]

Hi

I bought a gold 944 (albeit a tricked up track focused one) in December 2012 and I've got to say pound for pound it's the most fun I've had in a car. I am lucky enough to have 3 x 911s in the garage inc GT3 so that really is high praise.

If you get the suspension done they handle so well. Chassis is superbly balanced and the oversteer when provoked is benign and very controllable. I am absolutely converted!!! Do not delay get one today.

Cheers

Slodge

[Fat Albert]

I loved my 944 Turbo, sold it at 231,000 miles and only let me down once in 3 years/36,000 miles



Very practical sports car, could get my mountain Bike in the boot and my daughter's Hockey Goalie kit



They are easy to work on (mostly) and most of the day to day parts are much cheaper than modern cars

I bought a new DME relay, fitted it and put the old one in the Glovebox...less chance of it going pop and you know the old one works!

[geeks]

Fantastic guys thanks for the tips, now i just need to finish saving i think the 944 is the way forward

[PDenyer]

I still miss my old one..

[BertBert]

I really enjoyed my time in a 944 turbo in the 90s and went off to find a good one last year. I gave up in the end as it was easier to find a boxster in proper condition than a 944 (obviously more money).
Bert

[sy247]

I've got a 944 S2 in the garage that needs a bit of TLC. Going to get it MOT'd and back on the road this summer. Great car, when I got my 996t I couldn't part with it. There is something great about 80's cars. I like BMW E30's as well...

[kingston12]

BertBert said:

I really enjoyed my time in a 944 turbo in the 90s and went off to find a good one last year. I gave up in the end as it was easier to find a boxster in proper condition than a 944 (obviously more money).
Bert

Which was more money? I am finding it is easy to find a very nice condition 2.7 Boxster for sub-£7k, where as decent 944 Turbos are much thinner on the ground at that sort of money.

I am quite relieved actually as I have a 987 Boxster already so having a 944 Turbo as well is a bit unnecessary!

[edh]

I'd agree that you will find a reasonable 986 now for less money than a 944 turbo or probably S2. Loads of them about & some incredible bargains to be had. (I have a 944 and a 986 )

[delays]

As a weekend car, they are outstanding.

[benjj]

delays said:

As a weekend car, they are outstanding.

This is absolutely 100% correct.

However it also misses out that they're a great car day to day too I just sold my Range Rover as I hated the . I now run the 944 daily with a decent set of Yokohama cold weather tyres. I start every day with Fleetwood Mac's Rumours and a Marlboro. It really is like being back in the 80's again.

[SidewaysSi]

I too grew up in the 80s and loved the look of the 944. think I very nearly bought Slodge's 944 in November. Great balance and so well made. They look retro cool too..

[slodge]

SidewaysSi said:

I too grew up in the 80s and loved the look of the 944. think I very nearly bought Slodge's 944 in November. Great balance and so well made. They look retro cool too..

Glad you didn't as am absolutely in love with it!!!

[pauljmcnulty]

geeks said:

Ok so i am in process of sticking between 2 and 3k together for a weekend/summer car and have always loved the 944 as a kid and although i have been seriously considering a BMW 328 Coupe my hankering for a Porsche just wont go away and i find myself looking at them on Autotrader almost daily..

So oh wise PH Porsche owners (specifically 944 owners) tell me, are they worth my attention? I am a constant fettler when it comes to cars so i am not afraid of getting greasy hands etc. What are the parts like to source? how are they priced and what are 944's like to live with?

With that budget, stick to a Lux IMO. Buy well, and they are a steal at the moment. If you really insist on the later-style dash then fine, but if you're happy with the older interior then a 924S has the same engine in a lighter body, for even less money.

Parts are rarely an issue, and if you can work on it yourself it's not complicated. Labour, at £65 per hour plus VAT near me, is the killer when running one these days. New parts are often surprisingly cheap, and there are no end of cars being broken for used parts.

To live with? If you are prepared to accept that it's a 25-30 year old car then incredibly easy. They are better with regular use, but as long as you buy well, and keep it serviced, they're better than anything else of their age as an all-round, cheap, practical classic, and put a lot of more modern cars to shame as well. You might need to make sure that it's running well, the suspension is fresh, and it's had a proper alignment, but that should be within budget.

The key is to buy the best, and let someone else take the hit on big costs. The best places to look for advice are the PCGB or Tipec forums; learn as much as you can before buying and you'll save a lot of trouble.

[mollytherocker]

Absolutley do it! Just buy well in the first place. Concentrate on a good rust free body.

[SidewaysSi]

slodge said:

SidewaysSi said:

I too grew up in the 80s and loved the look of the 944. think I very nearly bought Slodge's 944 in November. Great balance and so well made. They look retro cool too..

Glad you didn't as am absolutely in love with it!!!

Great to hear it. I couldn't make my mind up in the end and eventually went in a different direction but it was a far from clear decision. Enjoy, it seemed very nice.