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General => General discussion => Topic started by: Egg On Toast on 15 November 2011, 12:01

Title: Porsche 944
Post by: Egg On Toast on 15 November 2011, 12:01
anyone ever owned one?

My mate was looking into getting one for a resoration project, and I suggested a 944 as they aren't overly pricey to buy, and look pretty nice. plus. It's a porsche.

his argument against it was that they aren't overly reliable. Wanted to know if anyone knew just how true this was.

or maybe suggest another classic "super" car.
Title: Re: Porsche 944
Post by: R32UK on 15 November 2011, 12:05
I would get a 968 over a 944 anyday  :cool:
Title: Re: Porsche 944
Post by: fecked_tt on 15 November 2011, 12:06
I would get a 968 over a 944 anyday  :cool:

have you looked at the prices?  :rolleyes:
Title: Re: Porsche 944
Post by: Jack3559 on 15 November 2011, 12:16
Father in law had a 944 and he said it was brilliant.

This was 30 years ago though...
Title: Re: Porsche 944
Post by: R32UK on 15 November 2011, 12:42
I would get a 968 over a 944 anyday  :cool:

have you looked at the prices?  :rolleyes:

Yes. "....getting one for a restoration project". Which is why this would probably be more worthwhile
Title: Re: Porsche 944
Post by: Egg On Toast on 15 November 2011, 12:51
he isn't looking to spend the earth :p I'll suggest it though :)

I said his best bets to have a look at a few and speak to the owners, they know the cars better than most i guess
Title: Re: Porsche 944
Post by: Horney on 15 November 2011, 12:57
Get over to retro rides. There's a few 944 owners on there. A good cheap and fun way into Porsche ownership.

nick
Title: Re: Porsche 944
Post by: Egg On Toast on 15 November 2011, 13:32
my hope is he will do the resotration then sell it to me :p his handy work is nothing short of impressive that's for sure. besides, how cool could it be to be a 20 year old with a porsche? lol
Title: Re: Porsche 944
Post by: fecked_tt on 15 November 2011, 13:40
my hope is he will do the resotration then sell it to me :p his handy work is nothing short of impressive that's for sure. besides, how cool could it be to be a 20 year old with a porsche? lol

how cool would it be to be overtaken by diesel mondeos in your porsche though?
Title: Re: Porsche 944
Post by: Horney on 15 November 2011, 13:51
my hope is he will do the resotration then sell it to me :p his handy work is nothing short of impressive that's for sure. besides, how cool could it be to be a 20 year old with a porsche? lol

how cool would it be to be overtaken by diesel mondeos in your porsche though?

Amusing when you do them under braking and turn in on the next roundabout.

Speed isn't everything.

nick
Title: Re: Porsche 944
Post by: Egg On Toast on 15 November 2011, 14:05
what does that matter? they wouldn't be in a porsche cruising ;) I've overtaken many 911s in my MK3 doesn't make it better... doesn't mean they were racing either
Title: Re: Porsche 944
Post by: Wayne on 15 November 2011, 14:06
944 is a better bet than a 968, engine has a lot more issues / problems on the 968.

Also forget the Turbo just get a S2 on as late a plate as you can for budget.
Title: Re: Porsche 944
Post by: Jack3559 on 15 November 2011, 14:09
my hope is he will do the resotration then sell it to me :p his handy work is nothing short of impressive that's for sure. besides, how cool could it be to be a 20 year old with a porsche? lol

how cool would it be to be overtaken by diesel mondeos in your porsche though?

Mr. Diesel Mondeo can do what he likes. He's not driving a Porsche.
Title: Re: Porsche 944
Post by: Egg On Toast on 15 November 2011, 14:17
944 is a better bet than a 968, engine has a lot more issues / problems on the 968.

Also forget the Turbo just get a S2 on as late a plate as you can for budget.


that was the idea Wayne :)

once he's done he's confirmed I can have it :p so I'll keep it for weekend/summer fun I think. fuel would be horrendous to drive it daily XD
Title: Re: Porsche 944
Post by: nige_s on 15 November 2011, 14:20
his argument against it was that they aren't overly reliable.

Rust will be the main concern, B posts and sills, engines are only as good as services it's had. Problem when they get to a certain age and value good quality services often goes out the window.  Cambelt changes are critical

Why buy a restoration project when you can get a pretty decent one for about £3k and modify from there.
Title: Re: Porsche 944
Post by: The Mighty Elvi on 15 November 2011, 14:42
Try to get one with the rare optional extra:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4eE8ZTdQ9Uc

Title: Re: Porsche 944
Post by: hobbiniho on 15 November 2011, 17:55
if your budget can stretch to it get a turbo as they have a lsd and the uprated suspension AFIK the 944 has pretty much 50/50 weight distribution making it a pretty good handling car
Title: Re: Porsche 944
Post by: Mr Blue on 15 November 2011, 18:00
Not my cuppa.


993 ftw :tongue:
Title: Re: Porsche 944
Post by: DOA on 15 November 2011, 18:33
As already said, go for an S2 and fit the 968 suspension as well as an LSD. Id have one on outside the house in a flash if I could commit to my job.
Title: Re: Porsche 944
Post by: Egg On Toast on 15 November 2011, 19:22
If I was to look into buying one myself I'd be stupid and just get a turbo with low miles and probably spend over the odds for it.

I don't really know of any other older cars to suggest. Ford Capri is never a good idea after all...
Title: Re: Porsche 944
Post by: MrBounce on 15 November 2011, 20:04
First thing you should be wary of is the electrics, especially the fusebox. Iirc it's in an area under the scuttle panel which attracts moisture and if it gets wet you will have nightmares and nothing will work properly.

My friend bought an early 944S 16v (1986) which had this issue. It's worrying doing a fair lick on a country road at night when you lose all your instruments and lights...  :shocked: :laugh:
Title: Re: Porsche 944
Post by: Egg On Toast on 15 November 2011, 20:50
cool thanks for the insight, ill let him know :)

I myself am looking to save for an Impreza =D
Title: Re: Porsche 944
Post by: DOA on 15 November 2011, 21:28
I don't really know of any other older cars to suggest. Ford Capri is never a good idea after all...

Lotus Excel SE. Like the Porsche, old school RWD fun with just enough power to make it interesting. Most of the major bits are Toyota so no major worries there but the rest has all the usual Lotus problems (ie everything bar rusty bodywork, that just crazes instead lol). A friends dad had one when they did the runout models, it was awesome (but I was quite young so it would be lol) and Ive always fancied one but for the fact that 944's are similar money, look better and are better built.
Title: Re: Porsche 944
Post by: Screech16v on 15 November 2011, 22:12
STEP AWAY FROM THE PORKA!  seriously ,done aload of work on one for my boss it was a 89 s1 16v ventilier £1200 nail, sills where they meet the floor none existant bottom of wings rotten ,boot damper than a mk3 floorpan,scuttle leaked water into the drivers footwell,petrol tank strap rotted off electrical issues,antirollbar broken,it took ages to put it all right and then he only got £1650 for it,so if you are going to get one check check check every thing,make sure its had cambelt and waterpump done,this car is suppossed to have around 200 hp but it felt more like 100,hope you find a goodun  :grin:
Title: Re: Porsche 944
Post by: cняis on 15 November 2011, 22:25
cool thanks for the insight, ill let him know :)

I myself am looking to save for an Impreza =D

chav!  :kiss:
Title: Re: Porsche 944
Post by: Egg On Toast on 15 November 2011, 23:14
you love it chris =D
Title: Re: Porsche 944
Post by: porsche on 16 November 2011, 07:29
As usual it comes down to condition & buying the best you can afford. Get your mate to contact his local region of The Independent Porsche Enthusiast Club (TIPEC). These guys know the cars inside out & usually work on their own cars.

I've personally owned 3 944s & I've got one in my garage at the moment, they're great cars & as cheap to keep on the road as most old cars. Shop around for parts & use specialist breakers (much like owning a Mk2 Golf!)

The 944 is often thought of as the poor mans Porsche (by people who've never owned or driven them) I previously had a Turbo model & it was one of the best cars I've driven, nicer to drive than my old 911 & more practical as a daily car than my Boxster.

Tell your friend to look out for a 924S as well. They usually sell cheaper than the 944, the sills are less prone to rust & it's got the same 2.5L engine. The one I had had more BHP on the rollers than most of the 944s at a rolling road day I attended.

Engine wise they're pretty much bomb proof, regular servicing like any car is a must. Check the belts have been changed & hopefully the waterpump has been done at the same time.
Title: Re: Porsche 944
Post by: Egg On Toast on 16 November 2011, 10:45
cool thank you mate,I'll get him on the case. He seems pretty set on getting an old porsche as apposed to something else now which is good because it means I don't have to try find something else :p