Wildman4x4

Well it has been years since I saw my first 944. And then I lucked out and bought a 924 for $400 and drove it for 3 years before selling it. But I have always wanted a 944 Turbo/951 and next weekend I will finally realize that dream.
I am buying a 1987 951 that has been sitting for about a year now. The last time the owner tried to start the car it wouldn't start. Now it was running when he parked it so hopefully it will be an easy fix. As soon as I can attach pictures I will load up some shots. I am buying the car sight unseen which I know can be risky but I'll take the chance.
Once I get the car home and can start working on it I will be on here tons asking all kinds of questions. I'm like a little kid at Christmas and can't wait for 3 Oct to get here so I can go get the car.

Aston Bonin

I have seen that car for sale on craigslist. It's cheap, but it is going to be a big project. Goodluck!

Wildman4x4

Why do you say it is going to be a big project? Is this not the first time you have seen it on Craigslist?

Aston Bonin

Its been on craigslist a couple months I think. He had another 944 turbo that was in worse shape than this one for sale too. It had some dents in it, he was trying to sell them as a package. Its just the things like the cracked dash, bad paint, the fact it's been sitting, mostly cosmetic items that make me weary that the car hasn't been cared for.

ried

This is the one here in Washington that's been sitting by the border. Been for sale for at least six months. He did have two, not sure where the other went. Agreed that this has probably lived a hard life and deferred maintenance and repairs are both big considerations.

ried

Yeah, it's this one:

http://vancouver.craigslist.ca/pml/cto/5224708370.html

I encourage you to have it inspected before purchase. Actually, I strongly encourage you to walk away, quickly. "Ran when parked" is cliche in this business, and the no start condition could be anything from a bad relay (cheap) to a broken timing belt and bent valves (not cheap).

Since this is your first 944, move on. Otherwise this dream may very well become a nightmare.

Free advice from someone who's owned three of these cars and restored two of them over the course of twenty years.

odurandina

he'll run through the 7 stages of 944T ownership quicklier than most would assume was even possible....

by means of skipping a few of the stages by God.

Wildman4x4

Okay being a newb on here what are the 7 stages of 944T ownership?


So is everyone saying walk away from this one? I can do that until the end of the week.

ried

You can walk away from it for longer than a week, my friend. No one else is going to buy it (unless it's for parts). There's a reason why it's been for sale for so long.

As for the 7 stages... Search the forums

Auto_Werks 3.6

ill play devils advocate here....
yes that car looks like a ton of work to get right, but it looks pretty straight, and it seems to be all there. if youre mechanically enclined and got a decent price on it, maybe ok. at a minimum though you should bring a compression tester with you, and run through all four cylinders before you buy it. .. at least that way you can identify if it's likely an internal or external problem
is hard to tell from the photos but it actually looks like that paint MIGHT come back with a buffer too.

a word of warning though, cheap 944s are almost always more expensive in the long run than saving to buy a nice example. you'll save and pay the money either way, the only difference is whether you have a parked 944 disaster in your driveway while you do

Voith

As long as you know you are buying old car, inspect it and if basic things are ok, go for it.

You can probably get it for $3k and that is really cheap.

Humboldtgrin

Oh boy... Again.... The comment that you will be on here a LOT to asked questions is going to very true if you buy that car. Save up a few thousand more and get one that has all the work done to it, and runs. If you don't know these cars like we do, and don't have the tools your going to be in for a treat. A real bitter sour treat! So don't let this first 944 leave a bad taste in your mouth and buy a good example, not one that we would turn into a parts car. If you do get it then let us know. We will help with advise on how to fix it. Heck it will give us something else to think about to.

F18Rep

Looks like a good deal to me, just has to be a little closer.... Bruce

ried

Until you know exactly what's wrong with this car, assume the worst. If the head needs to come off so the valves can be replaced, the timing belt and water pump need done, and everything else that goes along with it, this car may not even be worth saving. It'd be a Lart's Parts special.

First step is an inspection. Wildman4x4, don't even consider buying this sight unseen, or you may have a very expensive paperweight. Trust me, we're trying to save you from some heartache. Go with a better example for your first 944/951.

Wildman4x4

I really do appreciate all the help and advice. I guess I should explain a little more about myself here. That 924 I bought was a basket case. But I got it running again and drove the heck out of it until I sold it. So I am not unskilled. I've been a mechanic for about 40 years off and on. I'm retired now so I have time on my hands to work on toys.
I am not looking at buying this car with blinders on. I know it is going to need some work to get it running and I also know that a 30 year old rig is going to have it's own set of unique issues that will have to be dealt with. If I get up there next weekend and the things is a pile then I won't buy it. But if I feel it is fixable and is something I want to tackle then I'll buy it.