Porsche 944

[MrBounce]

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... 

[Egg On Toast]

cool thanks for the insight, ill let him know

I myself am looking to save for an Impreza =D

[DOA]

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.

[Screech16v]

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 

[cняis]

cool thanks for the insight, ill let him know

I myself am looking to save for an Impreza =D

chav! 

[Egg On Toast]

you love it chris =D

[porsche]

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.

[Egg On Toast]

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