MelissaInNJ

Saw 3 944's this weekend....One in guard's red...PERFECT! Obviously garage kept and let out for the weekend. One in white...this one was sad and painful to look at. Something wrong with the suspension as the back end wasn't right, paint horrible. Someone really let this one go. And one in gray...great condition. Obviously 944 owners in the area were letting theirs out to play for the weekend!!!

I told my husband that I am definitely making the switch to the 944. It's not if now...just when.... He thinks I am insane trading in a new car for a 15 year old car as my daily driver. I say I am only young and stupid once....might as well do it while I am young an stupid. I'd rather live and learn (and possible regret) than have a life time of "what if's".

I washed and waxed my Baja this weekend...I had hoped it would turn it into a 944. Didn't seem to work...

Melissa in NJ

Luis de Prat

Buy the nicest car you can afford. Gray is a wonderful color. Very Porsche and easier to care for than red. Red is nice too, but I like it better on Italian cars.

Like I said in your previous post, if you're not tracking the car, I don't see why it would cost any more to maintain than what you had budgeted initially.

Good luck and I know you'll enjoy it.

MichelleJD

I took Beabea to MI this weekend and only saw one other Porsche...and it was another 951 Unfortunately I was in a hurry and couldn't stop to give him a rennlist card

MelissaInNJ

Yes I saw that post. Thank you! As a concession to my husband I promised I'd have a certain amount in the bank before I made the switch. Then I'd continue banking money. That way I'd have plenty for routine maintenance, and a cushion for the unexpected. Also clearing my credit cards in case there is something REALLY REALLY unexpected. I will definitely get the best 944 for the money I can with all the records. I have been watching listings too to keep an eye out. And doing research. My husband is not sure who this woman is he amrried. I am spouting automotive terms left right and sideways and read Car and Driver last ngiht. <grin> I have decided I want a 944S. I think the turbo, while great to drive I am sure, is not the 944 maintenance cost I want to get my feet wet with!

Melissa in NJ

pete944

Look for an S2, not an S. The S was made from 87-88 and the S2 from 89-91.
There seems to be more cylinder head problems with the S model than the later S2. The consensus is that the S head was a little on the fragile side. The S is the same as the standard 944 NA with the addition of the 2.5L 16 valve engine with 188hp.
With the S2 you get the body, suspension, and brakes of the turbo with a 3.0L 16 valve 208hp engine that makes about the same power as the early turbos without the lag. If you stay ahead of the maintenance items (timing/balance belts, cam chain tensioner, & water pump) the S2 has a dead solid reliable motor.
Good luck!

Luis de Prat

Unless you're springing for an S2 like Pete suggests, I would stick with the original plan and buy an 8V car. S2s are outstanding cars, but generally not in the same price range as the 8V cars. OTOH, you get a ton of car for the money.

AndyK

Another "buy now" factor--since these cars are only getting older, waiting a year or two will only mean you have a smaller selection of even OLDER cars (well, 2 years older).

Plus, in a few years, you may decide to go Boxster, etc, missing out on owning a classic!

Good luck!

MelissaInNJ

I'd like to buy tomorrow! <GRIN> Realistically though I am hoping that by year end the deal will be done. I have used this "the 944's are only getting older" point as one of my arguing tactics with my husband.

As for the S2 and the 8V, I'll look for both. Thanks for letting me know about the S model . Learn something new each day!

Melissa

eurotrash

I saw 3 914's this weekend and I have not seen one of them in like a year.