Stupid idea alert

[thinfourth]

I am thinking of buying a sensible car seeing that i have 2 rather silly ones

Now looking at about 2 to 3 grand maybe more

So would a 924/944 be totally stupid

I find most modern cars a little dull so after something with a bit of a sparkle and not too dull to drive. Also a working heater would be a novelty

Things that concern me is do they rot, how reliable, how cheap are spares, how much fuel is it going to consume.

it is basically going to be used for a long distance hack and a shopping car

[james s]

944 would be a great choice, particulally an S2. 30 mpg, galvanised body and a modern drive but with character. Most consumable parts not too expensive, though change a few and it can add up a bit

[wildoliver]

They don't rot (well assuming they are looked after they are not prone to rot, except early 924's front wings/nosecone and doors which are all bolt on panels anyway).

924 should be under budget, early 944 around budget and a nice s2 just over budget.

Great cars reliable, cheap, comfortable, practical, easy and cheap spares, easy to work on and economical if driven sensibly.

[Andy T]

Get an original Mk1 MR2. You can pick a really nice one up for under 2K. I had one before my Elise. Absolute blast to drive, brilliant engine. You can even get a supercharged version if you look really hard.

[Davey S2]

Ford Focus.

Very practical, good build quality and fun to drive.

Even my G'F's 1.4 is good fun even if it is underpowered.

[thinfourth]

MR2 erm no thanks Tin worm can be bad i think on the older MR2s and it has to be a little bit practical

Ford focus was also on the short list but maybe a little bit too sensible

I'm more interested in something that will be cheap to run and a bit fun not looking in the ultimate in sports car as there is some fun toys in the toy box already

So where is a good buying guide for 944's

[Henry-F]

Forget the 924, they are a very heavy drive and more for someone on a really tiny budget. Get yourself an oval dash 944 (`86 model onwards). A lot of crud to sift through I`m afraid but if you can find a good one they make great cars for the money.

Henry

[wildoliver]

Well if you want a ppi on a 924/944 speak to me and I'll happily come with you I have quite a lot of experience with the model.

[fieldl]

I run a 1.8 Zetec Focus as my 'beater'
Been a great car, reliable and cost very little to run. Infact it's been more reliable than my 911 and it's cost less in 2 years than a minor service on the 911. Mind you it is nowhere near as much fun

Only washed it once since I've owned it. Can leave it anywhere without worry and as it's silver it's invisible. Which is great sometimes apart from when you can't find it at the supermarket.

[zcacogp]

944 S2 will do up to about 27/28mpg on a run, and has a practical boot. Not hugely cheap to run, but that depends upon what is 'expensive' to you.

I've had one for just under a year, as an only car (can't afford a 911 like you boys!) It's a good car, I really like it.

I think mine's a good example; I looked at 7 before buying one. More info in my profile and do ask questions if you want.


Oli.

[PJS917]

924S is a great car, better than an early 944 and will offer all the practicallity
ease of drive, character etc of the 44 but will be cheaper, more economical and a tad
quicker.

The most practical 44 is the S2 a fantastic car with values at an all time low at the moment. They do rot along the botttom edge of the front wing and the sills due to crud building up in the lower plastic trim, look out for bodge jobs to hide the rot.

Both cars will offer great practicallity as long as you don't have 3 or more people to ferry around, the boot is a good size, 2 mountain bikes fit in with the seats down. They are great handling, well built robust cars that provide huge smile/mile ratio.

[thinfourth]

Thanks for the replys

I agree completely that a focus would be far more sensible idea but i have 2 problems with that course of action

1 its a sensible idea as they seem to be great cars

2 i recently had one as a hire car for a while and i kept loosing it in car parks stood trying to get into the wrong car is embarrassing

[zcacogp]

thinfourth said:

2 i recently had one as a hire car for a while and i kept loosing it in car parks stood trying to get into the wrong car is embarrassing

Oh don't worry about that. "My other car is a Porsche" stickers are cheap, and you could put several in each window - that would solve the problem.


Oli.