FRporscheman

Hey everyone,

I found a 944S I was thinking of buying. $1200, runs and drives. I think the mileage was less than 150k. The only real issue with it is the damage pictured. It has other issues like the seats won't mount (probably a captive nut problem) and other minor things - those don't bother me.

I haven't had a chance to go see it in person yet, it's 1.5 hours away. I thought if anyone here could tell me definitively it IS frame damage, it could save me a 3-hour round trip. If the frame is bent but it won't really affect chassis squareness or driving behavior then I don't care.

I know it is impossible to know all this without looking closely at every edge and corner. But maybe someone has had a smash similar to this and can give input. At the very least, it would be good to have advice on HOW to inspect the car when I go see it. I've never tried to assess body/frame damage before. Any tips? Any input is appreciated - I'm really hoping to buy this car if it's not one of those "run away, now" cars.

My plans were, if it won't be a huge deal fixing that smash, to clean it up, service the engine (belts, seals, cams... the usual) and give it to my mom for her birthday in late april. Her car is (was) an '84 Zermatt Silver 944. She's always loved ZS and 944s are her 2nd favorite car. Her favorite is well out of my budget (500SL). Anyway, her car is having some cooling issues, and the paint is HORRENDOUS and offensive. The car creaks with steering, lacks passing power, and looks like ***. My dear mum deserves better.

Darwantae951

Judgins from the damage on the door and the hood position, I bet the A-pillar is tweaked. I'd have a body shop look at it and then go from there. If anything you can part it out and at least make the $1200 back easy to use for another car for your mom.

-Darwin

xsboost90

if the a-pillar was tweaked the windshield would be broken- not much behind there to mess up besides the charcoal canister-probl toast-and maybe the top of the cowl since the hood hinge looks bent. SHouldnt be too much work w/ a fender and some hammers.

Jay W

You will need a hood hinge and definitely a door. The hood may be hard to get adjusted properly. It is possible that someone bent the door like that while opening it into the bent fender. Hard to tell for sure with only one picture to look at. If the motor runs it is worth at least the $1200 in parts, then everything else is a bonus.

xsboost90

i think the spot on the door may be a reflection...

Tom R.

I am willing to bet the shiny zermatt silver paint in the picture has clear coat issues when you get up close. I say this because you mentined paint problems with her current car.

it is a common problem with the clear coat cars.

tifosiman

Can't really tell from the photo if there is frame damage or not. The only way to tell would be to get some measurements under the hood when you go look at it. John Hajny once posted a nice jpeg of the underhood diagonals to check. I know I saved it but I think it is on my other laptop.

I would also be curious about the panel gaps on the other side of the car.

Darwantae951

I looked at it a little better, and the A-pillar is probobly ok, but your statement isn't entirely accurate. I have wrecked a car myself (I wish I still had it, a wonderful 83 wolfsburg Scirocco...R.I.P.) and the windshield remained 100% intact, but the A-pillar was bent outward approx. a half inch. I believe you're right tho about this car, damage seems minimal as far as structure is concerned.

-Darwin

P.S. I never really was a huge fan of the boxed rockers...

FRporscheman

My mom's Zermatt car never had clearcoat issues - it's just that a few years ago I made the foolish decision of crashing my mom's car into a parked Range Rover. We had the damaged fixed by a professional shop, but instead of having them match-paint the area for $900, I thought it was better to just paint the whole car for $600 at Earl Scheib. Ha. So ever since then I've wanted to make it up to her for ruining her car.

Anyway, I'll see if I can go see it soon. I'll take many pics, for sure. And parting it out is a definite option.

Airflite40

Tom R.

I think it affected the later cars. it cracks from underneath. from five feet away the car looks great. get up close and you see what looks like car wash brush marks on the car.

Like this:

But from a few feet away it looks like this:

500

Thanks Tom, that picture shows it well. I have been reading about this but was curious about the actual appearance.

FRporscheman

Hmm, thanks for showing me that - I'll have to see if the 944S comes with that "option". I really hope not, because I just asked my mom if she'd like a replacement Zermatt Silver car with a "an interior like my 968's" (i.e. late interior)... and she lit up! I hope it works out well.

The pic I posted is actually a very high-res pic that I shrank down. I looked closely at the high-res version, and the part of the door that looks tweaked is actually a reflection. Also, the door is open.

UncleMaz

What a cool mom!

Scuba Steve

I say go for it. The car would be a fun project.