I'm a 911 guy but recently changed jobs that ended up in a 60 mile round trip commute. I've been looking for a commute vehicle but it seems that $1500 buys a trashed Honda and then prices jump to around $4000 for anything decent. And then there are these 944s for $2500 - 2900... Would getting one of those be pure folly as a DD?

 

Not at all, lots of people here use their 944s as daily drivers. I'm one of them (though I don't commute).

Take care of it and you shouldn't have any trouble.

Tell ya what I'm gonna do ... I'll trade my '87 944 NA for your 911. Even swap! Deal?

 

I use mine as a daily driver.

 

944's can make a great commuter.. If the weather is decent I use my turbo as a DD as often as possible! "kyledonley" uses his every day as well. The only down side is that there may come a day mid winter when you are FORCED to take the 44 down for service, and you will either be stranded, or you will have to use your carrera!! The car will not be cheap to keep on the road by any means, but it shouldn't break the bank. If you expect it to be as reliable, and hold itself together as well as a carrera, you WILL be disappointed. Although, the creature comforts might win you back over...

 

I have an 86 na with at least 160k on it, (odemeter broke 2 years ago) drive it 100 miles round trip 5 days a week. Been doing this for a year and a half, no problems at all.

What I love about this car is it loves to be driven every day, I had more problems with it when it sat in the garage as a second car for 4 years than I ever had in the 60k + miles I have added driving it every day. I don't even miss an automatic with the heavy Chicago traffic.

The key is having a back up plan so you can do the needed maintainance when needed, belts, brakes, and other stuff. I even got the air working decent enough to be comfortable.

I love it and look forward to driving every day.

 

I use my 951 as a DD during the summer when its not broken.

 

I use my 944 for my commute and I dont have a back up car, ( I have my winter beater at my parents place but thats 160 miles away

 

IMO, 944's are a gold mine if you turn your own wreches. I have one as a race car, but I've been really wanting one as a street car too (too bad I really need a suitable tow vehicle instead). They look good and can be nice cars, but they go for cheap because they're old and need work, and p-car mechanics charge a fortune, so it's hard for people to justify the expense for a non-911. However, they are surprisingly easy to work on yourself, so it really doesn't need to be expensive. There are only a few parts that are more expensive to replace than the typical car. I dread doing a timing belt on a modern FWD car, but I could do a 944's in my sleep. For some things, my 944 has been the easiest car to work on that I've ever owned.

 

my 924S has been my daily driver for almost 4 years now, i've had to tow it like 3 times, but i use it rain/snow/shine. although now its getting a rest because i've got a bike now too.

 

No your not nuts. There are even people here using 944 turbos as daily drivers. I used mine everyday for about five months but I still haven't done more than 3k miles this year. The 944 series is pretty reliable if you maintain it.

 

Mines been a DD for a year and a half now...

if you keep it maintained itll last forever.

 

Thanks for all the replies. Hmmm, since I pretty much do all my own work and also have backup drivers maybe my "commute beater" will have some class. Now to convince the missus...

 

Can we have another Porsche? pleeeeeeaaasseee

 

I've used both of mine as DD's. they're great for it!

 

i daily drive mine. It will def add some fun to your commute. Especially if there are any twisties involved! I recommend getting a 16 valve model though if you can shell out around $4k, it will give you the extra power to compete with modern cars without the extra maintenance that comes with the turbo.