Does them owner have receipts for the belts? Ask to see them. If he doesn't have them ask for the name of the shop that did it and ask them.

Always the cynic...

 

Ben, for what its worth, I have an 83 with the shudder from 60 to 70. Around 65 is the worst. Gets smoother the faster you go I cruised from Columbus, OH to Atlanta, GA at 85 the whole way last year. Rock solid.

PS I-75 is a damn raceway. I thought I was going fast until a Krispy Kreme truck came up behind me. I normally don't mind getting passed, but damnit enough is enough... Needless to say he stayed in my rearview until he turned off

 

BenPatient, first off, congrats on the 83, and welcome aboard!! The 60-70 mph shimmy could be improper tire balance and or front wheel bearings that are a little too loose, or worn. Maybe tie rods, or bushings as others have mentioned, but check the easiest first. Most here don't have manual racks, jealousy sets in, then the thread loses it's intended target. It happens. Stick around!

 

well, i'll let you guys know how it works out. I'm going to talk to his mechanic, whose done all of the work since he bought the car, and then take it by thoroughbred. I'm only paying for half the car up front and then the rest in a couple weeks, so if something big is wrong, i'll find out about it and try to get the second "payment" down a little for undisclosed problems. Hopefully, there won't be any, and we'll both walk away happy.

me with another car and him with ~2500 dollars...

 

BenP,
Sounds pretty good, I got my 83 a year ago last October, payed 3800 for it with 92K miles. It has also been repainted. Have had some minor issues with it, also the shimmy, good tire balance took care of most of that. Tie rods were shot, replace both, cheap to do. Recently I found the left ball joint slopy, got the new one but just haven't had the time to put it on yet, the right ball joint has already been replaced. As others have said the little minor problems are easy to fix and not too expensive. Have not done any upgrades yet, but do have a set of sway bars from an 86 turbo sitting in the garage waiting to go on.
Hope it checks out good for you and have fun.
Bill

 

The 83 model year engines also came through with cross drilled crankshafts in addition to the forged rods.

When you get the PPI make sure the shop does a compression and leakdown test. If all is well buy it. The early 944 makes great a car!

 

The 83 parts are pretty cheap compared to later models, espcially balljoints. The price sounds good. The door latch is another easy fix. It may be as simple as a part worked loose or needing a new rod end. Either way, easy to do and not too expensive.

I'd jump on that car, put some more into bringing the front end back to snuff, balljoints, tierods etc and then enjoy the car. Just don't go asking about how to turbo !

 

Funny this post should come up as I am also a new 944 owner. I bought an '83 2 days ago and have not slept since. The car I bought is very similiar to the one described. Mine is Red, 104k miles, power steering. removable top, all maintenance done recently, etc. etc...I paid $2500 for it and feel like I stole it. My WRX is great but this 944 just rails!

 

well, it's official...currently sitting at work with the porsche ignition key in my pocket...Yeah!

I got him down to 2500 just by whining about the ignition and door locks not matching, along with the other probs...

anybody have some advice on the cheapest liability insurance for under-25 guys with a constantly garaged 83 german sports car as their 3000-miles-a-year second vehicle? my current insurance company wants 1000 a year for the 83...

 

great buy! i drive my '84 sunroof delete car daily. i have gone to manual steering to make it more '83 like (my family also owns a pristine '83. fabulous car!). lucky for me i have a low mileage '83 motor sitting in my garage, so eventually when it becomes a track car, it can undergo the 83.5 conversion.

enjoy your car! the door handle will be an easy fix, and keep those drains clean and you'll have no problem.

-Michael-

 

Ben, congratulations!

BTW, I'll give you $3,000 for the car...

Just kidding, but it sounds like a car I would buy in a heartbeat. Post pics soon!

 

Congrats!

Shabba- nice garage, I had a 83 280ZX fun car

 

ERAU-944 what is the 83.5 conversion?

 

haha, it consists of putting 83 motor/steering into my '84 when i convert it to track use. now, if only i could get my a/c to die so i could rip it out of there.

-Michael-

 

What would the pro's of using the 83 motor be ?