Buying a Porsche 944

You might check rennlist.com - great Porsche resource.

Given the performance, resale value and reputation of the 944 series, I'd say go for a 911. The 944 Turbo S is probably the only real performer of the lot, and likely also the most costly to maintain.

The '87-'89 911's are real values right now. Not sure what your budget is, but that's where I'd be heading with $20K-$30K in my pocket.

 

They're fun cars to drive, but they're getting old and will start to need more expensive parts.

I agree with Bullfigher, go with a 911, you'll be happier. I liked my 964, but not enough to keep it after I bought Ferrari #2...

 

umm well you are gonna need 4Gs more which will probably go towards replacing the water pump. And to get a good 944, you'd be looking in the 8k-10k range.

 

I have had my 944 turbo since 1996 and I have really enjoyed it.

Here is a site that has a lot of info;

http://www.clarks-garage.com/

 

As stated, it will take $8K-$10K for a well sorted driver. A $4K car is going to require work. Parts are actually very easy to find, but they are not cheap. The car is relatively easy to work on yourself if you are inclined to do so, otherwise you can get in deep paying Porsche service rates.

Buy a good example and take care of it and you should have relatively few problems. We have a 968 that is used for a daily driver and have spent about $500/year in unscheduled maintenance in the 3 years we have had it. Mostly electrical gremlins, nothing too major.

 

You can easily by a good 844 for 5000$ or so - folks may be asking more, but they are nuts. I paid 6000$ for my 86 944 turbo, and sold it for more. According to excellence magazine, the MOST expensive 944 is only worth about 6000$ - pay more, and you overpaid!

A stock 944 is an absolute slug by todays standards...at least in straight line performance. It does look cool, though. 10-13,000$ buys you a 1970's 911, with some needs. Awesome cars!

 

I'd second the motion for Rennlist.com, that was where I did the majority of my homework before buying my 944 turbo. I would think that $4k would get you a decent naturally aspirated 944, perhaps budget another $1000 or so to do the belts, water pump, etc to be on the safe side. Aside from that, especially living here in FL, I went 944 over 911 b/c there is no old 911 that can even remotely hang with my 944 in A/C capability. Check them out, they can be great, but expensive, daily drivers - parts costs are still exorbitantly high, esp. in comparison with older Bimmers which are probably a little easier on the wallet in every regard, and also likely out-perform the 944 n/a in most regards...HTH

 

Make sure it is a model year 85 1/2 or newer so you get the newer interior. 87 started with the dual airbags. I had a few back in the day and liked the turbo and the cabriolet.

 

More importantly than 'do you think he'll bite' is 'do you think he has anyone else interested in the car'...if you're the only one showing serious interest and he know's what time it is, he should be willing to take whatever realistic offer is thrown at him. I can pretty much say with assurance that old 944's are not flying off the shelves. I think $3500 would be a reasonable offer, if all that he says was done, but that also depends on what year it is. Offering someone $500 below asking shouldn't insult even the most thin-skinned of sellers, so make sure that when you offer $3500 you do it with the confidence that you know you're offering him fair value. I'm betting if 3999 was his asking, he's not expecting anything more than 3500 anyhow. Ditto on what was said earlier about making sure you go for an 85.5 car - significant improvements in almost every area of the car, not just the dash - easier to find parts, etc.

 

$3k is 25% below his asking price. How would you take it? When you look at the car and talk to him, you should be able to get a feel for what he really wants out of it. Also be sure to determine what you think the car's worth. Don't feel bad about paying more than $3,500 for a $7k car.

 

Does it have service records? If you can't say for sure the engine was serviced, then plan to get it done along with any other work that needs doing by building it into the price of the car.

 

After a couple articles in some car magazines about the 944/968 I've noticed the prices have crept up. Along with the 911's, people are asking a lot for their Porsches these days. 1987 and newer 944's are a good choice because of the redesigns. The non-turbos are not particularly fast, but they are well balanced and quick around the turns, braking and handling are good. Also, is it an S version? Those have the 16 valve as opposed to 8 which will help out.

 

The pre-964 911's are really crude (particularly in the suspension geometry, which probably dates back to the early 1960's) compared to the newer cars. Porsche essentially stopped development of the 911 for almost 10 years, since they thought the 928 was going to replace it. I'd at least try for a 964 (Carrera 2 starting in 1990 and Carrera 4 starting in 1989).

The 944's had a major suspension redesign in 1987, ideally you'd want that year or later.

944's are very nice to drive, but will never have the cachet or resale value of 911's.

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OK, before I get blasted here, let me say that I own a 1987 944 Turbo Cup race car (bought new from Porsche Motorsport America), and have previously owned a 1982 911, 1984 911, and 1989 C4).

 

Roger that.

I had both - 944 Turbo S, '87 911 and '88 930. IMHO, the 944 was a blast (once you got it rolling), came on like a freight train at 3200 rpm, handled like it was on rails at speed and wouldn't bite if you got into a turn too hot and backed off a bit. But if I could have any one of the three again it would hands down be that black 911. I always felt like I was flying a Messerschmit when I drove that thing. 930 was plain effing scary.

Quite awhile ago I read an article that quoted one of the Porsche factory drivers (can't recall which) who said, "The 944 will make a hero out of an average driver. The 911 will humble the best."

 

Yeah, exactly.

If you want a car that drives so weird that you have to "master" its idiocyncracies, an old 911 is for you.

If you want a car that is easy to drive, slow or fast, there aren't many better than a 1987 or later 944.

 

There are a gazillion 944's out there, don't fall for the old "I've got two guys coming to look at it" routine.

If this one doesn't pan out, there are plenty more.