Should I buy this 944
03-21-2005, 04:06 AM
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Should I buy this 944
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Default Problems with the 944
hi guys
This is what has been picked up from the mechanical inspection. Do I buy this?
1. R front park light lens cracked, reflector discoloured
2. R front windscreen washer blocked (not a biggie can fix)
3.R number plaqte blown (new bulb)
4. C/O lever to high at 38% (i have no idea what this means)
5. A/c stuffed (I already knew this and have priced repairs)
6. Engine breather hose repired with tape (?)
7. Coolant leak at upper radiator hose level.
8. Lower cam cover bolt missing
9. Exhaust leak at front muffler joint
10. Unable to open hatch (think i saw solutions to that elswhere on Rennlist)
11. Whine from behind cam belt cover
How much is this gunna cost to fix?
Is it worth it?
There were a few extra , non essential, problems as well.
Quick replies appreciated. i really would prefer this to a Proton Gen 2!!!!!
Join Date: Mar 2005
Location: Cairns, FNQ, Australia
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Default Problems with the 944
hi guys
This is what has been picked up from the mechanical inspection. Do I buy this?
1. R front park light lens cracked, reflector discoloured
2. R front windscreen washer blocked (not a biggie can fix)
3.R number plaqte blown (new bulb)
4. C/O lever to high at 38% (i have no idea what this means)
5. A/c stuffed (I already knew this and have priced repairs)
6. Engine breather hose repired with tape (?)
7. Coolant leak at upper radiator hose level.
8. Lower cam cover bolt missing
9. Exhaust leak at front muffler joint
10. Unable to open hatch (think i saw solutions to that elswhere on Rennlist)
11. Whine from behind cam belt cover
How much is this gunna cost to fix?
Is it worth it?
There were a few extra , non essential, problems as well.
Quick replies appreciated. i really would prefer this to a Proton Gen 2!!!!!
03-21-2005, 05:19 AM
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carbon monoxide level too high by 38%? By 38 parts per million?
Who did the inspection? A Porsche expert should be able to tell you something about the belt besides "whiny".
All depends on the price vs. value in your area & how much you're willing to spend to get it in the shape you want it in. Doesn't sound too bad. If Oz has something akin to a salvage title ( totaled by insurance and rebuilt ) or flood records - I assume you checked out the VIN for that?
Who did the inspection? A Porsche expert should be able to tell you something about the belt besides "whiny".
All depends on the price vs. value in your area & how much you're willing to spend to get it in the shape you want it in. Doesn't sound too bad. If Oz has something akin to a salvage title ( totaled by insurance and rebuilt ) or flood records - I assume you checked out the VIN for that?
03-21-2005, 10:07 AM
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What to you mean by "whine from under belt cover"? All 944s have a whirring sound that comes from the balance shaft and belt and whatnot.. Are you sure it isn't from that?
I'm not trying to insult you or anything, I just remember you saying in your introductory thread that you were new to 944s. Hopefully, that "whine" is supposed to be there.
BB.
I'm not trying to insult you or anything, I just remember you saying in your introductory thread that you were new to 944s. Hopefully, that "whine" is supposed to be there.
BB.
03-21-2005, 05:37 PM
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All of the above is what the RACQ Inspector put in the report. His words not mine.
I'm un insultable anyway! LOL
I'm un insultable anyway! LOL
03-22-2005, 09:57 AM
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Beeg,
There are, roughly speaking, two types of 944: the ones that have been looked after properly, and those that haven't. You will certainly expect to pay a price premium for the ones that have been looked after, but the difference in price between the good ones and the bad ones is very small compared to the costs differences you will be looking at once you get the car.
It sounds pretty clear that this car has not been looked after properly. I think a stuffed a/c, a broken hatch mechanism, and duct tape(!) on the air hose are dead giveaways. My advice: Let this one go. Look for the one that has the service records back to when the car was new, preferably all done at the dealership, all according to the factory handbook schedule. There are more cars like these than you might expect; 944 owners (and Porsche owners generally) can be quite fanatical about keeping their pride and joys as perfect as possible. Wait until you find an example like this. Your patience will be rewarded.
BTW, I'm on my second 944. I was very happy with my first; it belonged to an owner of the type I described above. I knew what to look for when I bought the second one; I applied much the same formula. On the other hand, there are now a number of ill-maintained cars out there that have been let go so badly that even if they were free they would not be economical to take on, at least not if you actually wanted to drive one of them. Their only true possible value would be as parts cars.
Anyway, whatever you decide, best of luck!
-Mark
There are, roughly speaking, two types of 944: the ones that have been looked after properly, and those that haven't. You will certainly expect to pay a price premium for the ones that have been looked after, but the difference in price between the good ones and the bad ones is very small compared to the costs differences you will be looking at once you get the car.
It sounds pretty clear that this car has not been looked after properly. I think a stuffed a/c, a broken hatch mechanism, and duct tape(!) on the air hose are dead giveaways. My advice: Let this one go. Look for the one that has the service records back to when the car was new, preferably all done at the dealership, all according to the factory handbook schedule. There are more cars like these than you might expect; 944 owners (and Porsche owners generally) can be quite fanatical about keeping their pride and joys as perfect as possible. Wait until you find an example like this. Your patience will be rewarded.
BTW, I'm on my second 944. I was very happy with my first; it belonged to an owner of the type I described above. I knew what to look for when I bought the second one; I applied much the same formula. On the other hand, there are now a number of ill-maintained cars out there that have been let go so badly that even if they were free they would not be economical to take on, at least not if you actually wanted to drive one of them. Their only true possible value would be as parts cars.
Anyway, whatever you decide, best of luck!
-Mark
Last edited by Mark944na86; 03-22-2005 at 05:18 PM.