Z-man

If you have a level head about you, you should be able to get a decent 944 and enjoy the car. The fact that you realize a turbo's out of your range is a good start.

The 944 n/a's aren't very fast in a straight line, but they will eat up many 'faster' cars in the corners.
And do enough burn-outs and harsh starts, and you'll be looking for new CV-joints!

The 944 is a more expensive car to maintain over a Honda due to it's age and marque. Labor rates are higher on Porsches, but even if you do the work yourself, the parts will cost more than Honda parts. Laws of supply and demmand, as well as the fact that Porsche is considered an 'upscale' car.

If you want a 944 because you want to tinker around with a German sports car, like to drive on curvy roads, and want to get into a sports-car manufacterer, then I say go for it. Look for the best example your budget allows.

-Zoltan.

tifosiman

Welcome to Rennlist!

Where do you live? The reason that I ask is that prices of 944's (and what you get for that price) vary by region of the country. For example, here in the Midwest, a $2500 944 is more than likely going to be a basketcase (there are exceptions to that, but that is usually the case). Where-as, apparently in Kalifornia, 944's, according to some people, are as cheap as water and are abundant.

The most important thing you can do is get the car checked out by a knowledgable porsche mechanic before you buy it. That may save you some headache, and $$$, down the road.

Good luck!

CCCP

Thanks everyone for the replies. Some more info on my situation; I live in Boston where there aren't too many 944's for sale, and those that are have not been garage kept and exposed to new england winters. So I will have to consider a long distance pick up or shipping.

Oh and i just got off the phone with my insurance comp and I will not get the discount at 19. it's 19 and a half when I will get it. (3 years after you've been liocensed). Whatever, just gives me more time to research my new car. Right now I'm paying $2,600 a year to cover my civic. That's with no tickets / accidents and points as low as they can get for an 18 year old. When I hit the 3 eyar mark my ins should go down about $1K.

Also I will not be replacing my civic, I'll just be adding the porsche. But yea I do plan on driving it pretty much daily, this will not be a weekend track car. I plan on doing work on the car myself. Well as much as I can. So far I'm thinking early fall I'll be able to get one for $2000-2500 and put in mabye $600 for a thourghou tuneup? oil, plugs, coolant flush, tranny fluid, timing belt, possibly water pump, possibly gaskets. Sound good? Do these cars start selling for less as winter comes rolling around? Like convertibles do.

And again thanks for the info and support guys. Can't wait to join the club. (eventually)

Blue S2

What you might want to do as grab a VIN number off ebay and run it by your insurance to REALLY see what the quote is going to be.

Second, its been said, and i will emphasize it even more: PRE-PURCHASE INSPECTION BY A PORSCHE SPECIALIST!!!! Its the best $100 you will ever spend, trust me. Even if you dont by the car, its money well spent. And not just an "inspection" , the PRE-Purchase covers specifics. This is the most important step before paying anything for the car!

$600 wont start to do all the work you just mentioned unless you do it yourself. A normal oil-change at a Porsche shop (non-dealer) can run $120 depending where you go. (15w50+1-hour labor) The rest of the work is labor intensive. For a normal service of everything you just mention, i would say at least $1000. If you did waterpump, etc... factor in more for parts! Again, its stuff you CAN do on your own, but there will be special tools you need. Don't neglect that. We have a great support base though, so im sure there are people in your region that might even tag along and bring some tools!

With all Porsches, just be smart going in and do your homework! They are the most enjoyable cars and when kept up correctly, dont cost as much as people think. Neglect it and its a fortune.

Good luck finding a car, you'll love it! Especially if you take the time to find the right one!

Tony K

^^^ I second what Tony said about the VIN. When I bought my 83 (my first 944), I got a quote from my agent before buying. Then I bought the car, gave him the VIN, and my premium was about 30% higher. I was very upset.

Yabo

In Boston, you are not going to find a 2.5-3k 944 in very reliable (not needing work) shape. Maybe if it's an automatic, but those aren't in much demand.

Well, I won't say CAN'T, but alot of them around here suffer from poor roads, lack of maintenance etc. If there is anywhere to be in the northeast, it is Boston, for these cars, because of money I guess. But, I imagine it will still be difficult. a year ago when I was looking, it was rare to see one below 3k, and I only had bout 2500 to buy one. I admit I didn't take a long time looking for the right one. My dad gave me the OK on one i was watchign on ebay, and I lost, but that gave me the idea that I can actually buy a porsche, so I kept bidding on the cheapest ones that weren't in too bad shape, and found mine, in PA mind you, for 2750.

It was pretty reliable actually, but i've done a fair amount of work, and now my headgasket is gone.

CCCP

Oh this car will defienlty be a manual. And yea I don't like the idea of buying a new england 944 unless its been garage kept. I will definelty do that PPI, thanks for the suggestion. Anyone know how much it would cost to ship a car from CA to MA? I'm thinking that they would be cheapest in CA and in the best condition. I can have the seller inspect it and fax me the report.

Yabo

Well, one thing to remember, these cars are undercoated, so unless they have been in an accident, or the undercoating has been removed for some reason, there shouldn't be any rust problems. So I wouldn't really worry about garage kept, in that respect.

You are only going to find one in CA for about 1,000 cheaper maybe in good condition, and it will cost you AT LEAST 1000 to ship.

odie

19? want a Porsche? buy a 924. Cheaper parts, low maintenance...Porsche wise, no T-belt issue, Audi engine, VW parts.

Over all, not a bad little sports car. and a good starter Porsche

The only people who will give you **** are the snobs...

Jake951

I'm also in the Boston area. Here's an '89 944 for sale locally that I happen to know about. It has the 2.7L engine instead of the 2.5 from earlier years. I have no affiliation with the shop that's selling it, although I am a long-time customer there. Good luck!

PorscheDoc

There is absolutely nothing more expensive than a cheap porsche.

Blue S2

As far as shipping the car, it will be cheaper to fly out and drive it back. I know many of us have. Rennlist just picked up a new sponsor which is a transporter. I would call them and get quotes. For an enclosed carrier to go coast to coast, it will be AT LEAST$1500. I was getting quotes of $1000 just to go 1/3 the way! (then again, i wasnt part of rennlist yet!) An open carrier will be maybe 60% of the cost of an enclosed carrier.

EDIT: Oh, and with insurance, get a quote based on a random 944 VIN from VARIOUS insurance places. Insurance companies dont like to see the word Porsche. Trust me. On a funnier note though, i called my insurance company to quote a Lamborghini Gallardo. (hahaha, the lady was like WHAT!?!?!?!) HAHA, i said im "looking around still." (im a few years off...) Anyways, as long as they didnt have to pay to replace the Lambo if it was my fault or if someone stole it, they would happily insure me at $300 year! Not bad! Oh yeah, and 2500 miles driving restriction! But still, Lambo for $300 / year!

Kevin Baker

I found mine for $1500 three years ago. It had some body damage. Passenger side door was hit in parking lot. It had been sitting for the better part of two years, and need some maintence work. In the first 6 months of ownership I spent 2K on it. That did include towing, I had the number memorized and they still send me cards thanking them for the business. When I would call for a tow truck, give them my address (home, as that's were I did the work on it) they'd say "oh is it that the black Porsh?" And I live in the fourth largest city in the country. Not to discourge you, but find one that is in good shape, and have it inspected (ppi) before you buy. That said, welcome to Rennlist, best of luck on your hunt, take your time and find the right one. You won't be sorry. Without Rennlist, I would not have been able to work out the problems I had with mine. Thanks guys.

Serge944

Very well put.

As for a cheap porsche being the most expensive...ONLY true if you dont do the work yourself or you let porsche's scams (like the p9201) lead you to buying excessive crap. In retrospect; a friend of mine has an 86 951, with most "s" parts, sport seats, a kickin stereo....very nice car overall. He has put nothing but oil into it in the past year of ownership. He bought the car for under 6 grand with low mileage for its age.

My point? The cost of ownership depends on the owner. I'm not talking about cutting corners or buying "made in mexico" parts. Many people today lack resourcefulness; its quite unfortunate.

To compare to my "pos, project, should have gone to the junkyard" 944...i hardly spent a thing on maintenance. 2 sets of wheels, 3 sets of tires, big swaybars, and others...i consider toys (bought out of want, not need). Thats probably 3/4 of the money i've spent thusfar.

The way you drive also has a huge effect. If youre gonna be a moron and do burnouts in a car prone to breakdown...youre not going to get very far. When you gun yoru 951 from 20 psi vaccum to 18 psi boost....youre not going ot get very far. Its not all about respect for the car, it also has ot do with a little sense.

How do you guys strip bolts torqued to 15 lb/ft?

Seems like im very bitter. Take care

UDPride

Absolute words to live by. You cannot reproduce unblemished originality in excellent condition no matter your skills. You can bring an old car to new life, but up close you can see money has been thrown at it to get it there. The difference between a 944 dash with one crack and a 944 dash with 0 cracks can be $1000. I mean, its either cracked or it isnt. For those who dont care, its not important. At least is isnt until you need to sell it. Its just an example as I realize dash cracks dont impede drivability. Point is bringing cars from the dead is more for the owner than it is for the car. Its a point of fun and self pride. But more often than not, it costs a lot more benjamins than just buying a no issues car from the start. If you are willing to accept that, then I dont see the problem. Once you start with a beater and start fixing, you better be in it for the long haul though.