Geo

I think the care is restorable. That's not the issue however. The issue is at what cost?

That car might make a good candidate for a race car since so much gets tossed away when building a race car (hmmmm, now how would I know that?). But, you would need carpet, and seats, possibly a headliner, probably a steering wheel, a gearshift ****, a shift boot, and..... The list goes on.

Parts for the 944 can generally be found at reasonable prices. Some things will still make your eyes pop out though. I've found the things that do that to be surprising.

Like everyone else, as a resto, you're going to sink way too much into it. You would be better off starting with something else. The only way I'd say go for it is if you were going to build a not so fun to live with road car or a race car. If I were to use that for a road car project, the carpet and sound deadening would be stripped and a light weight, but long wearing material would be laid down in its place, including the rear (poor excuse for) seats and the hatch area. IOW it would be a stripped down play toy. Not the kind of car your wife would probably like.

Sounds like you've already made a deal, so good luck with whatever you do.

MichelleJD

You said you checked around and parts are inexpensive? All of us want to know where you're getting them

The stuff that's gonna kill you is that you MUST purchase new. If you were to put new bearings, rings, and gaskets in it you'd be looking at $800 or more. A new interior would run you $1K or so. Body work and new paint, $5K at least? That's not counting the little suff you would run accross. You'd have $8-10K into a car that's worth half that. ANother vote for part it. The best thing this car can do is teach you about the 944 so you'll be ready to fix the little things on the next one.

And yes, it's a girl's car

patracy

Not to "flame" anyone, but I just get the feeling that most people here have mechinics to do there work. I've built several other trucks starting with nothing but a frame. The GSXR was just the latest wreck I've put back together.

I'll evaluate how much the interior will cost to restore. That and how the engine runs will be the outcome of if the car is a rebuilder. (I'm NOT trying to restore the car, just something to go run around in) If the engine is good and interior costs to much I'll gut it.

I've got friends that paint cars, so thats taken care of.

MichelleJD

I believe that would be an incorrect assessment.

patracy

So how many people here actually turn there own wrenches? I'm just stating that from a eariler responce about the engine needing to be rebuilt because the air filter was off. Heck I've got a 76 cadilliac el dorado to run after setting for 12 years. WITH NO BREATHER. And believe me it looked alot worse than this car. I've been reading up on the 2.5 I see the main weakness is the timing belt. But the layout of the car seems it'd be a heck of a lot easier to work on than some of the FWD cars I've changed belts on.

Not to brag or anything, but I learn from getting my hands on things. Heck I had Terrys car running in a matter of minutes. (course it was simple) The only thing I refer back to manuals for are torque values for fasteners.

UDPride

dude, im the only one here who DOESNT turn a wrench.

but i can recommend a killer wax and rubber treatment for ya.

88BlueTSiQuest

trashed

inactiveuser92616

looks like a good parts or race car canidate, for a street car look elsewhere. I only turn my own wrenches BTW. I have only ever taken it in once, and that was for time on the emissions dyno to troubleshoot a mixture problem.

Mike C.

I've been turning wrenches on the 944 for a dozen years now. I'm sure there's no question that you can bring this car back, it's only a question of economics. Even doing the work yourself, I suspect it will still cost you quite a bundle to make that car reliable and presentable. It can be that much more gratifying though when you start with such a rough base. As long as the body is straight and there's no rust (and you have plenty of time/patience), I'd say go for it. I'm sure you can buy anothger parts car or a whole interior from someone on this forum for a reasonable sum. Used engine/trans/suspension parts are readily available. If the engine turns out to be locked up, it would probably make more sense to buy a good used one and freshen it up. On the other hand, you should be able to get your money back (at least) by parting it out. It may also be a good race car candidate.

MichelleJD

Even the girl here turns her own wrenches

Geo

I think Michelle has it exactly right, the interior is the real bugaboo. The rest isn't so bad. But it'll get well over $1k to resto the interior

I turn my own wrenches. And then some.

I built this.....

88BlueTSiQuest

gone

88BlueTSiQuest

trash

88BlueTSiQuest

gone

Geo

I wish I could claim responsibility for the welds, but I cannot. I weld like a blind monkey most of the time. My neighbor's brother did the welds. And indeed he did do a fine job. I have to have him come over and redo one of my hack jobs.