Jay Gratton

OK,
Here is the situation I have found myself in. I am currently looking for another Porsche car to play with at the track. I have come across 2 very interesting 944's that I am looking for. My Fiance is very happy because she thinks she is going to get to take it out on the track to use as well (this is fine with me, it keeps her away from the 911 and 914).

944 #1 - 1985, 100K, needs water pump and timing belt done (they are not bad, but need to be done), roll bar, sway-bars, koni's, H&R springs. It is in average condition. $3,000.

944 #2 - 1987 944 S - 160K, new timing belt (no other records), car is stock and needs at least tires. Been sitting in storage for 4 years (so probably needs all the lines, fluids, belts, and brakes replaced. Also $3,000.

Here is the problem, I like the sound of the '85 for a track car. But the '85 is a thousand miles away round trip and probably needs a grand of work put into it anyway. The "S" is in town and needs probably way more work then the '85. So here is the question, you have some money (but not much to play with), which one would you grab? Thanks for the help and I look forward to all your comments. I can't wait to get back into a 944 on the track. Best wishes - Jay Gratton

Chris_924s

consider the local first. you can drive and personally inspect it, as well as save the transportation costs and hassles.
I have first hand horror stories about obtaining correct parts on the 85.5 (some are old 944 parts, some are new 944 parts etc..)

But if you really LOVE Fuchs there is no choice..

Dave

They both need timing belts, the replacement interval is 30,000/4 years to the prudent owner.

85.1 or 85.5? The early cars have the old dash and steel suspension components, the 85.5 cars have the same interior as the S you're looking at and have the aluminum suspension parts. Without more info, I'd be leaning toward the '85, but I'm not going 1000 miles for anything that's not an amazing deal, and this doesn't sound like one.

Macfreak007

I wouldn't necessarily grab either, but, if you were looking to do track stuff i would probably go with the '85, it is already track prepped it sounds like, the only thing is how many track events has it seen"? THe '87 although it is an S has been sitting, so it is definately not in as good of driving condition. I know this from expreience, after sitting for that long seals are destroyed, and parts that normally would be fine start to dry rot and rust etc. I would steer away from that car, even though i own one that was let sit. I think The rod bearing just blew on the engine though, prime example....
So, i would go with the '85, do you have any other info? has it been in track events? if so how many? andy other problems? mileage on konis? etc.

Shutemup

I don't think the 87 will need brakes or lines simply because it was sitting for 4 years.

Fluids of course, maybe the belts.........

Jay Gratton

Chris,
I left the best part out, it is a early 85. That means it has the old school dash! I have been all over the east coast in my life time looking at Porsches I thought would be great. I don't think I could handle another wild goose chase. But the '85 has all the work done that I would need to do anyway. So many angles to look at. - Jay

Jay Gratton

The 1985 was set up by a Porsche guy who seems like a decent guy who knew what he was doing. He actually owned the car for I believe 8 years. I hasn't seen many track days. He took it to the Glen a couple of times and hated the lack of power and got a Turbo instead. That was over a year ago, since then it has sat. I asked him why he didn't replace the TB and WP and he said he was told it was OK. Didn't make me feel any better. TB's need to be done more often then every 100K. - Jay

Dave

Early cars DO make nice track cars, cheap balljoint replacements and $50 control arms! Their biggest drawbacks compared to the later cars (eg, HVAC issues) aren't important on the track. At $3k and needs belts though, it better be in nice shape. Then there's that distance issue....

Jay Gratton

Dave, the owner told me that the paint was not so good and the interior was fine. As far as getting parts, that isn't a problem for me considering the business I am in. But it is nice when they are even cheaper. - Jay

Dave

Oh yeah, forgot about that detail, actually I bet there's a big difference in a lot of it even at your cost. Kinda makes the early/late thing a wash.

3 grand for bad paint, needs belts, plus shipping...I'd keep looking.

Tom R.

there was a guy in exeter selling a silver 88 or 86 NA. i spoke to him and the car sounded nice until i ran a carfax and the odo was set back about 40k in texas in the early 90s. he wanted 4500 i think. i didnt want to rent a car when i was in boston two weeks ago to look at it. he said it had 133k i believe.

the guys name was andre, and i saw the ad on the NCR website. just another lead to chase.

Jay Gratton

Thanks Tom,
I thank you for the heads up. I am looking into as many cars as I can right now. I will look into this one as well. Thanks - Jay Gratton

Tom R.

here is part of the carfax, it is an 88

CARFAX searched more than 3 billion records from over 5,300 sources
and found 9 record(s) for this 1988 PORSCHE 944 (WP0AB0940JN470716).
------------------------------------------------------
Date: 01/19/1988
Odometer Reading: 214
Information Source:
Illinois
Motor Vehicle Dept.
Schaumburg, IL
Title #E4522155

General Comments:
Title issued
First owner reported
Loan or lien reported
Registered as lease vehicle

------------------------------------------------------
Date: 02/02/1993
Odometer Reading: 102,925
Information Source:
Auto Auction
Central Region

General Comments:
Vehicle sold

------------------------------------------------------
Date: 06/14/1993
Odometer Reading: 62,600
Information Source:
Texas
Motor Vehicle Dept.
Grapevine, TX
Title #39135938

General Comments:
Title or registration issued
New owner reported
POTENTIAL ODOMETER ROLLBACK

CARFAX Advisor(TM)
The readings causing this rollback were
collected by a DMV or other verifiable
source. Please verify the mileage with
your dealer or a qualified mechanic.

------------------------------------------------------
Date: 11/08/1995
Odometer Reading: 65,572
Information Source:
Texas
Motor Vehicle Dept.
Dallas, TX
Title #00022200048817613

General Comments:
Title or registration issued

------------------------------------------------------
Date: 04/30/1996
Odometer Reading: 71,100
Information Source:
Texas
Motor Vehicle Dept.
Dallas, TX
Title #05721035171091602

General Comments:
Title or registration issued
Loan or lien reported

------------------------------------------------------
Date: 03/04/1998
Information Source:
Texas
Motor Vehicle Dept.
Irving, TX
Title #05753535847121004

General Comments:
Title or registration issued
Exempt from odometer reporting

------------------------------------------------------
Date: 02/04/2000
Odometer Reading: 93,503
Information Source:
Massachusetts
Motor Vehicle Dept.
Shrewsbury, MA
Title #AT964426

General Comments:
Title or registration issued

------------------------------------------------------
Date: 02/04/2000
Information Source:
Massachusetts
Motor Vehicle Dept.
Auburn, MA
Title #AT964426

General Comments:
Title or registration issued

------------------------------------------------------

Date: 04/23/2004
Information Source:
Porsche Cars North America

General Comments:
No recalls open for repair
and this is his email eam944@adelphia.net it may be worth a look. i dont think he knew the odometer was set back so many years before he bought the car, but with the carfax, the value should drop significantly.

Chris_924s

Jay- If it were me, I'd keep looking.
IMHO the 85 sounds better.

Jay Gratton

Thanks Chris, I appriciate your advice. That is why I posted, so I could get all of your opinions. Best wishes - Jay Gratton