Vjgtrybno1

Good Day All,
I'm a newbie to Rennlist and I need a little sage advice. I caught the fever last year when my son and I restored a 75 914 - 1.8 (For Sale BTW!). We're looking for something a little more substantial as a summertime driver and have settled on a 944, circa 1989-1991. Two questions - all else equal, would a ultra low mileage car (10-20k miles) be preferable to a mid mileage (60-70k miles) car? I'm wondering if the ultra low mileage car has really been broken in. And what about the over 100k miles cars?
Question 2 - It appears that Edmunds and Kelly BB prices are not good guides based on actual selling prices - what is a good place to find accuratte market value? Thanks, everyone.

Tom R.

big difference between an 89 and a 90. the 89 came as a turbo, NA (normally aspirated) 160hp and a S2 16v 208hp.

in 90 the NA and turbo were dropped and the S2 became the 944.

S2s go for about 3k more than a NA, have airbags, abs, and the turbo nose and suspension.

go to the top of the forum and read the FAQs a few times. there is a lot of good stuff there. welcome and good luck. a lot of guys in your area with cars that can help..

Porsche-O-Phile

Mileage doesn't mean much on these cars. More important is upkeep with maintenance and staying "on top of" them. They're intensely rewarding but not for the person that wants a turn-key car that all they have do do is throw oil into every few months. They're a lot more demanding than that. Rewarding, but demanding.

Plenty of 944s out there with WELL over 100K on the clock and running as good as day 1. Plenty of 944s out there with well over 200K on the clock and running as good as day 1. Even some 944s out there with over 300K on the clock and running as good as day 1.

Pricing varies a little bit based on specifics and region. When you find a few candidates, post 'em here and let the wisdom of the 'list be your guide. KBB is worthless for anything other than guidelines - keep in mind it's a tool by the insurance and automotive industry to feed the "depreciation" machine and those that benefit from it (namely insurance companies and auto manufacturers). You'll get far more honest assessment of a car's dollar value from the market and from the people here than you will from a book.

Also keep in mind that a lot of the "value" of these cars is intangible. My wife's '02 Toyota Solara has a book value twice what my 951's is. Guess which one we enjoy more? See what I mean?

Vjgtrybno1

Thanks vey much, guys. I am staying away from the turbos for a couple reasons, one being maintenance. I know the 89 has a smaller engine and that seems ok, should I worry that that engine was in production for only one model year?. I want to ensure that I get the abs and airbags and an S2 with the turbo nose. I'm not the best at posting links yet, but the competing vehicles - for the low mileage a black 89 - it just ended unsuccessfully on EBay - NY owner wants at least $18,000. For the mid mileage - cars.com has a red 91 for 14,750 and a black 90 for 13,000, both in Virginia.

Porsche-O-Phile

Those prices seem quite on the high side unless these cars are MINT. There are a lot of people that will try to "sucker" people into believing that just because it says "Porsche" it has to be very expensive. Such is not the case, especially with these watercooled models. Don't get me wrong - I LIKE to see good specimens fetch good money. It's motivational. I also like to see the values of our cars go up, not down, but those numbers seem extremely high and something you'd see either for concours-winning garage queens or predatory sellers (or perhaps ignorant ones). I'd have to see pics and more information to give a more detailed assessment, but as a general statement I'll say any '80s 944 that's more than 10 or 11k is reason to be skeptical. Maybe one out of 30 that ask that price are really worth it. Some certainly are, but most aren't.

Mighty Shilling

^ What he said. Welcome!

MichelleJD

I wouldn't go for an ultra-low mileage car unless you're willing to replace all of the rubber and gaskets. Sixty to seventy thou is GOOD mileage. I agree that S2's in the mid teens is a bit high unless mint, but prices on these cars are starting to go up as people see what a good bang-for-the-buck they are. I also wouldn't count out a turbo just b/c of maintenance. Some turbos can be had for less that a comparable S2 and the maintenance is not that bad unless you keep your foot stuck to the floorboard or mod it. Drive one. You'll definitely like it.

Vjgtrybno1

I'm trying to post a few of these:
http://www.autotrader.com/fyc/vdp.js...g=&cardist=300

http://www.cars.com/go/search/detail...3&aff=national

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eB...551554983&rd=1

Forgive me if I messed up!

Tom R.

the ebay car is priced way more than anyone in their right mind will pay.

the red is fairly priced assuming it hasnt been hit/flooded/etc.

the black cars.com is high, and no mileage etc listed. need more info on the red and black.

Chris_924s

Welcome to Rennlist.

There are a LOT of garage queen's locally that can be had for that kind of cash. I know of a few but most are unwilling to sell.

FWIW- There is a PCA GTG at 7PM, next tuesday (June 7th) night at Dave & Buster's at Tri-County mall, I encourage you to attend. You'll get plenty of insight and some 944 "seat" time if you wish- this may help you in comparisons and help decide what you are looking for.. HTH

Vjgtrybno1

Wow,
Appreciate the info - The black has 81k miles and the red needs a timing belt, water pump, seals replaced and new tires. Takes the 9900 up 2-3 grand, correct?

Porsche-O-Phile

Not if you be a good 944 owner and learn the joys of DIY. . .

Tom R.

the red one will be 15k before you blink.

i think the black was on the market a long time. i looked into one like that in the DC area in the fall of 03. had a lot of new stuff, but i think was smoked in.

i paid 11500 for my red 89 S2 with 56k on it in 00. had 26k into it in sept 03 when it was stolen. 5k was for a motor rebuild it didnt need. you get the idea.

Vjgtrybno1

Obi-Wan,
I promise that I will try - oops I guess in your world there is no 'try' - either do or not do - to DIM, but remember, I'm a numbers guy! Here's one more that I've been shying away from due to higher mileage - 114k. It's been on EBay and I've talked to the previous owner and the mechanic as well as the owner.
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eB...546951284&rd=1

I can get an inspection of this vehicle, priced at $10,800 and an 89 S2 in Philly with 12k miles, priced at $17,000 Both CARFAX reports are clean.

Tom R.

for 17k you can get a 911.

10800 is high. it doesnt have a timing chain! that alone makes me weary of the whole car.

slow down. you just found five rare S2s.

if you are that anxious, I will sell you my gray 89 S2 with 55k and two sets of wheels and tires (16 and 17") for 14k and have made a nice profit on the car. timing belt replaced last year when it had 54k.