Porsche 944 .. opinions please Guys?
Discussion
I am looking at replacing my old day to day cavalier with something else.
One of the options I am considering is a 944, can you shed any light on the reliability and general running costs of the cheeky little things?
Are there any specifics to watch out for?
I do from time to time take my PC away .. so 21" monitor needs to go in, plus the odd weekend away fishing, so space may be an issue?
One of the options I am considering is a 944, can you shed any light on the reliability and general running costs of the cheeky little things?
Are there any specifics to watch out for?
I do from time to time take my PC away .. so 21" monitor needs to go in, plus the odd weekend away fishing, so space may be an issue?
Ever thought about a Lotus? Talk about value for money! Not wishing to sound like arfur Daley! 
but my Elite is for sale. Its as quick, if not quicker than a 944, will accomadate 4 people and their luggage (including Fishing gear) handles better and looks nicer than a 944, is rarer but still has a wealth of spares available. Has recently had a complete overhaul including reconditioned Engine/ gearbox/differential, is in vgc and can be yours for £2500.
but my Elite is for sale. Its as quick, if not quicker than a 944, will accomadate 4 people and their luggage (including Fishing gear) handles better and looks nicer than a 944, is rarer but still has a wealth of spares available. Has recently had a complete overhaul including reconditioned Engine/ gearbox/differential, is in vgc and can be yours for £2500. 
944's are excellent cars, well built(unlike the elite) with very well balanced handling.
Would recommend an S2 as this has a respectable amount of power, unlike all the others execpt the turbo.
I ran a 944S2 for 4 years with no major mechanical dramas, I hated to see it go which is more than can be said for many of the cars i have owned.
Now v.cheap of course.
Would recommend an S2 as this has a respectable amount of power, unlike all the others execpt the turbo.
I ran a 944S2 for 4 years with no major mechanical dramas, I hated to see it go which is more than can be said for many of the cars i have owned.
Now v.cheap of course.
It depends how much you want to spend really. For £2500 you could get a 944, but it may not be in the best condition and is likely to have quite high mileage. In terms of performance/handling and practicality, I think it would be similar to the Lotus. I'm guessing the Porsche might be more reliable (ok i'm biased) and the parts are probably more widely available.
At these prices it really depends on which you think looks better - I know which I prefer
At these prices it really depends on which you think looks better - I know which I prefer
The 944 is really in 2 categories. The s2 is basically 10 years newer than the previous model ( I have driven both and currently run an S2). The oldercar is a bit cheaper to run, whereasthe S2 is more akin to the 968 which is a better car altogether. All sorts of crap is talked about porsches but basically they will all do everyday motoring and provide turnkey reliability. I am not sure this is the case with other perhaps more makes.
When looking for a porsche you have to really look, there is loads of money to spend on ones that have been mistreated and some of the dealers leave their excrement on the steering wheel (clocking and forgeing history). If in doubt, don't buy it and whatever you buy, throw it at the main agent and expect to spend a grand putting right the mess the specialists have made. The 944 has loads of space (My mate his 2 kids and all their christmas shite plus my overnight, no problem.) The seats fold and it is a very practical car. If you do loads of miles then expect to lose a lot in residuals, but bear in mind the fun you will have, also will the lotus still handle when you have added 50k on the clock?
When looking for a porsche you have to really look, there is loads of money to spend on ones that have been mistreated and some of the dealers leave their excrement on the steering wheel (clocking and forgeing history). If in doubt, don't buy it and whatever you buy, throw it at the main agent and expect to spend a grand putting right the mess the specialists have made. The 944 has loads of space (My mate his 2 kids and all their christmas shite plus my overnight, no problem.) The seats fold and it is a very practical car. If you do loads of miles then expect to lose a lot in residuals, but bear in mind the fun you will have, also will the lotus still handle when you have added 50k on the clock?
This Lotus will, its been rebuilt stem to stern. IMO a far better bet than a Porsche. For perfomance it seems neck and neck with the sandard 2.5 Lux as stated earlier, the 907 produces 160bhp @ 6200rmp and achives 0-60 in 7.8 secs, with a similar top speed. Its true that the Elite has its problems and reliability is known to be one of them, but all the German reliability in the world cannot make up for the 944 being an UGLY car, whereas the Elite is a design Classic, a masterpeice of aerodynamic achivement and in a head turning competition would run rings around this opposition!
(Thatshouldhavestrirredthemup
)
(Thatshouldhavestrirredthemup
)
Simonelite501 said: This Lotus will, its been rebuilt stem to stern. IMO a far better bet than a Porsche. For perfomance it seems neck and neck with the sandard 2.5 Lux as stated earlier, the 907 produces 160bhp @ 6200rmp and achives 0-60 in 7.8 secs, with a similar top speed. Its true that the Elite has its problems and reliability is known to be one of them, but all the German reliability in the world cannot make up for the 944 being an UGLY car, whereas the Elite is a design Classic, a masterpeice of aerodynamic achivement and in a head turning competition would run rings around this opposition!
(Thatshouldhavestrirredthemup
OK Ill buy it
£50.00 and well worth it I am sure? £50 just for the pleasure of offering to buy! Fantastic, now you do realise that I could only offer you about two thirds of the 944's actual value as a trade in don't you, so if you give me the price of the Lotus plus the £50 holding fee, and I give you the trade in value of the Porsche, that means you owe me £2525 Deal!
If you are willing to spend 5k then you could probably get an integrale. It won't be the best one but it will be much better than a Porsche or an Elite (sorry Porsche and Elite chaps) and performance/handling wise it will eat both of them alive, twice. Mine is a particularly nice integrale but I love all of them, they handle and go so well for the money it is untrue. And they are beautiful 
moleamol said: If you are willing to spend 5k then you could probably get an integrale. It won't be the best one but it will be much better than a Porsche or an Elite (sorry Porsche and Elite chaps) and performance/handling wise it will eat both of them alive, twice. Mine is a particularly nice integrale but I love all of them, they handle and go so well for the money it is untrue. And they are beautiful
Just don't leave it outside in therain or it'll disolve faster than Alka Seltzer!
Simonelite501 said:
moleamol said: If you are willing to spend 5k then you could probably get an integrale. It won't be the best one but it will be much better than a Porsche or an Elite (sorry Porsche and Elite chaps) and performance/handling wise it will eat both of them alive, twice. Mine is a particularly nice integrale but I love all of them, they handle and go so well for the money it is untrue. And they are beautiful
Just don't leave it outside in therain or it'll disolve faster than Alka Seltzer!
But still go faster than pretty much any Lotus, does my baby look rusty? I think not. Look on my profile chaps, That is a real car
I do hope you all realise that I'm only having a bit of fun. I wouldn't wish to cause any offense to anyone. Both the 944 & the Lancia are splendid cars and are worthy of much praise, as is the Lotus too of course, good luck in finding what you want Clegg, I'm off to bed now, good night to you all. Simon. 
Simonelite501 said: £50 just for the pleasure of offering to buy! Fantastic, now you do realise that I could only offer you about two thirds of the 944's actual value as a trade in don't you, so if you give me the price of the Lotus plus the £50 holding fee, and I give you the trade in value of the Porsche, that means you owe me £2525 Deal!
You missed out the decimal point £ 25.25
Simonelite501 said: I do hope you all realise that I'm only having a bit of fun. I wouldn't wish to cause any offense to anyone. Both the 944 & the Lancia are splendid cars and are worthy of much praise, as is the Lotus too of course, good luck in finding what you want Clegg, I'm off to bed now, good night to you all. Simon.
Well, You were almost right, the Lancia is a splendid car
Simonelite501 said: I do hope you all realise that I'm only having a bit of fun. I wouldn't wish to cause any offense to anyone. Both the 944 & the Lancia are splendid cars and are worthy of much praise, as is the Lotus too of course, good luck in finding what you want Clegg, I'm off to bed now, good night to you all. Simon.
Hehe - Its good fun to have a bit of inter marque rivalry! Anyway, I still have a diecast model of an Elite somewhere - can't remember when I last saw a full sized one, so they must be pretty exclusive
Hang on - I've just looked in an old box and found it! not in mint condition though. Now I come to think about it, there was also a trailer with a light aircraft on it. Gone all nostalgic now
Gassing Station | Porsche General | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff