arbeitm

I've always wanted a 911, but ended up getting the 944 a few years back figuring it would be an easier car to maintain (since I do all my own work). The other day I went with a friend to look at a 944 turbo and while I was there I started checking out the 911's that they had (mostly SC's).

Anyway the guy at the place told me it was actually easier to maintain the 911's than the 944's. Since he's said that it got me thinking that maybe I'd really rather have the 911. And looking through the manual, most of the jobs don't seem that bad. Even removing the engine looks pretty straight foward.

So...for those of you how do your own maintenance, is this really the case?

theiceman

I had a 944S for 8 years before getting my SC. Maintanance is WAY easier on my Sc and you can do a lot of things I would never dream of on my 944. Taking the engie and tranny out is just one of them. Don't get me wrong CIS can be tricky, but if you have access to a fuel pressure guage and a CO meter you can do a lot. I did a LOT of maintanance on my 944 in 8 years and I have probably done twice that stuff in the last year and a half on my 911. Not that it needed it , I just enjoy tinkering with my car. I am an average dude with average skills and a craftsman tool kit .. here is a list of the projects I have done on my 911.

hmm where do I start ..... okay here is the list of things I did just after buying my car ... before I put it on the road.

Repaired WW pump
repaired headlight pump
repaired headlight pump relay
replaced front rubber impact strip
replaced front marker lens
replaced wipers
replaced steering shaft bushing
replaced front strut inserts
Turbo tie rod upgrade.
replaced brake lines
replaced front wheel bearings
replaced front cargo carpet
replaced antenna
replaced all fluids including brake, gear oil and engine oil
replaced relectric mirror switch
replaced stereo and 4 speakers
removed entire interior down to the tub and refurbished
replaced all shifter bushings and coupler bushings
instaled rear seatbelts
replaced all cv joints
replaced clutch cable
replaced pedal bushings and refurbed cluster
replaced all instrument light bulbs
replaced front sway arm bushings
replaced rear sway arm bushings and drop links
replaced rear shocks
replaced plugs, wires,valve cover gaskets, cap rotor, fuel filter, oil filter,
replaced engine sound pad,
replaced engine deck lid and front struts
replaced heater blower motor
refurbished alternator and replaced bearings
cleaned and polished fan and housing
replaced bumperettes
repaired targa roof panel
replaced injector o- rings, sleeves and sleeve o rings
removed cat bypass repainted and reinstalled with new gaskets and hardware
Replaced motor mounts
Replaced Transmision mounts and studs.
Replaced door stays and installed re-enforcement plates

The other thing was driving the car. My 944S had about 189 HP , my 911 has 185.. I would NEVER go back , power is much more linear and the car is fun to drive ..

Hope this helps.

SeattlePorsche

Matt,

Yes, it is the case. This february my mechanical skills consisted of changing oil on my old Saab. Then I bought Wayne's book before I even bought an SC. When I saw an SC and told it was mine for $7000 if I wanted it, I bought it right away. But it was in sad shape. A meticulous PPI had already been done, and the seller let me have it, and the list of things needed looked like Wayne's chapter list. I called the manager of the PPI shop and he said the car was "undrivable". I bought the car and bought some Craftsmen tools. The car also came with all six volumes of the pertinent Porsche workshop manuals.

It is definitely drivable now. I think I've only spent about $1000. The big jobs so far were re-doing the shocks, the entire front suspension and brakes. Kept the old A-arms but installed new bushings. Took out the windshield and found a hole (that the PO drilled for an early, obsolete cell phone antenae), got that professionally fixed. Dropping the engine next weekend. I will redo all the "classic" oil leak seals, which is minor stuff, but you need the engine out. I will rebuild my first gear syncro.

And I have had a ton of fun. I admit I also bought new SSI heat exchangers and a Monty muffler, but I don't count that yet in my costs because they are not in the car yet. After a month of doing a little work here and a little work there, you feel like there is nothing you cannot do on that car. My advice to you is get a good PPI (pre purchase inspection) from a small Porsche specialist shop who knows the older cars. Make sure the engine is still solid with a compression test and a leak down test. After that, it doesn't matter how crappy it is, because as long as it hasn't been in a big wreck, you can fix it better than stock.

g-50cab

Come on in, the water is fine.

arbeitm

You guys are making me want it worse.

I was truthfully thinking about an 84 so I can get the 3.2 engine.

What about driving styles. I've only test driven two 911's and that was like 10 years ago. I do a lot of autocrossing. I wish someone would let me take their car for a few runs so I can see how it is. I imagine it's totally different from the feel of the 944.

Anyone have experience with 944's and 911's that can comment?

butzip

Matt,

I had a 1988 944 turbo S, it was a deal I couldn't pass up. It was a great, fast car.... 930 fast. I've had 911s before and after it ranging from 1969 to 1988. In my personal experience, 911s are much easier to work on. No head gaskets, no radiators, no coolant!! I hate that stuff..... no torque tubes, crappy a-arm ball joints. Not to say 911s don't have their share of issues. But in 20 years NOBODY besides me, has put a wrench to one of my cars and every 911 issue I've experienced has been managable and relatively affordable.

Brgds, Peter

GothingNC

You are doomed now !!!

There is no known cure for the 911 bug once you are infected.

There is no turning back, you might as well cave in to the tempation

arbeitm

I know. I can feel it already taking over.

The one thing that will prevent it is $$$.

I'd have to sell my 944 first. Then convince my wife to let me use an additional $ 10,000 +/- to buy a 911 all while we are in the midst of having a baby and planning on buying a house.

I'm figuring SC's go for $ 8 - 10K

And an 84-85 Carrera for $ 12K - $ 15K

Auto_Werks 3.6

I own both a 944 turbo and an 83 911, and I can say that the driving style is quite different. If you are a good driver, and have an 80's 911 with decent suspension, you will be pleased with the car's handling near the limits. I have never driven a 944 NA that handled as well as my SC does, (though I have not driven many modified NA's), and my turbo was not nearly as crisp until I put leda coil overs on all four corners. The 911 is also as everyone has mentioned is quite a bit easier to work on.
There are also a few draw backs when comparing an SC or Carrera to a late dash 944. The first thing you will notice is the 915 transmission is NOT as easy to use on the track or at autocross (I find this a fun challenge others do not). There is also some comfort left to be desired with an older 911. The AC will not be as good as your '44, nor will the heat. The ride quality will also probably be worse. All things concidered, I think I still prefer my 911, but I also have no plans to sell my turbo. It's weird because I feel like the two cars compliment each other. The more I enjoy having the turbo for a given list of reasons, I find myself becoming more attached to the 911 for an almost opposite list. I can say that if I was going to have ONLY one car around, but I was going to use it for drivers education / track time / street driving, I would choose the 911, as I feel it is more durable. Good luck with you search...either car you choose will not be a poor decision!!

arbeitm

Thanks for the comparison. Exactly what I was looking for.

Why is this?

Don't care too much about this. My AC doesn't work now. And I don't use the car in the winter.

In what aspect?

Thanks...although I already have the 944. Just trying to decide if I should "upgrade".

Auto_Werks 3.6

The 915 trans is just a little slower shifting and probably sloppier than the gear box in your 944. The transmission in the 944 is more scimilar to the G50 gearbox found in the latest carrera models. It's really not a big deal, will just find yourself shifting differently, and possibly having to double clutch to shift quickly. As far as ride quality, I never really noticed it until I upgraded the suspension on my 944... I just notice the really harsh bumps more in the 911. Again not that big of a difference but if I was going from Ohio to south carolina I would rather have the 944, other than that its pretty much a non issue. I regularly used my 911 for 200 to 300 mile round trips.
My bad about the upgrading thing... I thought you were shopping for the 944 turbo, but it must have been your friend. My personal advice would be that you should definitely try to upgrade from your NA to an SC if you could...totally different world, but at that point you could buy a darn nice 951 as well, which would also be a big step up in performance. You also can't go wrong with just keeping your car, if you're up on the maintenance, then its a good car and you already own it. If you upgrade though, I don't think you will ever look back.

theiceman

If you join our ranks .. That Avatar just HAS to go .. can't stand to keep lookin at the guy .. :-)

FotoVeloce

What to do!?!??! SURRENDER!

Edgy01

Keep in mind that the 911 is just a hopped up VW Beetle,--and if you can find your way around a Beetle engine (which is simplicity to the max) then you're going to be fine around a 911. All they did was add a couple of cylinders, sort of.

arbeitm

LOL...the 944 guys are too hot on it either.