Vjgtrybno1

I've just purchased an 89-944 with only 12,000 miles on it. It's 400+ miles away and I need to bring it home. I've had a mechanic check it out and he says everything is fine. My options are to take a trailer out there and tow it home or fly out and drive her back. I would love to hear thoughts on these options. My inclination is to trailer the car. Does anyone have any experience with the U-Haul trailers in terms of whether there are things to watch out for like maybe they could damage the front air dams or something.

Campeck

whoa....did you buy it because you want to keep it uber mint?
cause if so dont put 400 miles on it!

If you are about to drive it everyday....It will be sad to see such a low-mile car go..but then you can drive it. lol.

shmucklebuckle

I've used the U-Haul full size trailer twice with my 944. Didn't have any problems.

TRWright

I have also used the uhaul trailers, just make sure you get a full trailer and not the crap dolly.

Vjgtrybno1

I'm not looking to drive this one everyday, but it is not going into a museum or anything. I'm probably looking at 4-5,000 miles per year and in two years, I can sell it as a 20,000 mile car or keep it. Hopefully by then I will understand alot more about them than I do now vis-a-vis other Porsche alternatives.

fezz

you should drive it the 400 miles and run the engine for heavens sake. At least put a bra over the nose to spare the paint the miles.

I've come to the realization that since the cars are worth squat on paper - the only thing left is to drive them.

sharky47

I LOVE the Uhaul trailers, used them several times and wish I had one to own!

SoCal Driver

Don't drive it anywhere or run the engine till you change the timing belt. These start rotting after four or five years and can seperate. Since the one on this car is at least 16 years old you are just asking for a valve job.

__________________
83 944 = It's NOT a 'real' Porsche -- Its Better!!!!
When was the last time you changed your timing and balance belts
and/or cam chain and tensioner?

The 83

Vjgtrybno1

Belt has been changed!

Legoland951

If you don't know how to drive while towing a trailer, have someone who is experienced. There is a much higher probability of damage in my opinion while its being loaded, trailered, and unloaded than just driving the car if the car is mechanically sound. If all you are doing is going on an interstate with wide streets unlike L. A. narrow city lanes, traffic, and parked cars, or if you are experienced towing a trailer, then trailer it.

Porsche-O-Phile

DRIVE IT!!!

MichelleJD

What about gaskets/seals? If it's been sitting a long time you're just asking to blow a water hose or gasket. Trailer it. I, too, have used the Uhaul trailer. They won't rent you a dolly if they know it's for a 944. If you've got a big enough truck to pull it, go for it.

SoCal Driver

Tires too. Seems about the only thing that is still unquestionable after 16 years and less than 13,000 miles is the engine bearings.

__________________
83 944 = It's NOT a 'real' Porsche -- Its Better!!!!
When was the last time you changed your timing and balance belts
and/or cam chain and tensioner?

The 83

Matt H

If you tell Uhaul what you are towing, they wont rent you the trailer, tell them it is a Neon.
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Matt O.

Why do you say this? What was their reason to you? I've towed with UHaul many times (5 that I can remember off the top of my head) on the two Porsches I've own (one was even comp'd for Uhaul Corporate's stupidity on a different matter). I always just said "89 Porsche 944" and received the "auto-transport" with no problem.

Do make sure you tell them you want all four wheels off the ground.

Also, if money is not an issue, I had a friend who had a 951 shipped from TX to Orlando, FL, for ~$850.

Oh and if the car has been lowered be sure to use some wood blocks to get the wheels up a bit higher as you take it up the ramp. If not, it WILL rub the lower front valance and on a 12K mile cherry you don't want that. I usually just back my 944s up the ramps.

-Matt