obx_944

Is it as bad as ive heard?

Reimu

No, probably not. I'd go for manual no matter what though, unless its a good deal. I hear they get annoying at highway speeds and being a 3 speed it will be somewhat difficult.

BeerBurner

I'd like to drive one and potentially buy it for the future missus. She refuses to learn how to drive a stick.

That said, I also have issues with buying her a car when I can just as easily buy another one for myself.

BB.

obx_944

Well I have been looking at an 85' automatic, 54,000 original miles clean carfax in excellent condition and I think im going to buy it as the automatic transmission fits better with my lifestyle. anyones opinion/input is greatly appreciated and thanks to those who have answered other questions of mine.

Stien

Whenever I see one I just think to my self: "sacrilege".

DMB14

I drove one... It was in amazingly bad shape though, so I can't give a fair assessment...

Red1

I hope you get it cheap.

I've done a half dozen 944/951 clutches. No sweat. I helped with one auto damper plate. I will never ever touch another auto 944 after that. Biggest PITA of anything I've ever done to a 944.

924RACR

I wouldn't count on the CARFAX report too well on our cars - have seen clean CARFAXes on pretty messed up cars.

I did the damper once, didn't seem that much worse than a clutch.

They do turn a bit higher revs on the highway, yes - but performance otherwise should be fairly decent. Only downside with the higher revs is, no surprise, somewhat reduced longevity in the bottom end. The same car I did the damper on wanted a fresh set of rod bearings when I got it, think it was somewhere above 167kmi? Did that along with a bunch of overdue maintenace, etc, when I got and restored the car before reselling.

FWIW, the auto I speak of (an '87 924S, black on black, very clean and pretty, good cosmetic shape) may be coming back on the market, as the current owner no longer has a need for it...

Mike C.

Have you driven other 4 cylinder cars with 3 speed automatics? It's usually not a very good combination. An automatic consumes more HP through mechanical/hydraulic losses compared to a standard, plus, a 3 speed uses direct drive for top gear (no overdrive) so you have to rev the engine faster to cruise at a given speed. Really 3 speed automatics are dinosaurs...

Pcar944

Dont do it. An automatic is a completely different beast. If you have to have one get a 928, at least its got the extra power.

bearone

i loved mine but had a trade i couldn't pass up and would get another one in a flash if price/maint/condition were all decent.

it's great on hills from a stop.

87951

PCA 944

Automatics are fine. I haven't driven a manual 944 NA before but I have driven a manual 924, 931 and 951. If the car is well sorted, you won't be distracted by the shifting of the automatic as it's fairly smooth and quiet. Still, if I could go back.. I'd probably have gone with a manual. Shifting your own gears is much more engaging, and the market for automatics is fairly small if you decide to sell.

Techno Duck

The lack of overdrive is what kills the car. It revs at 3k+ at 60mph on the highway. If you can live with the fact acceleration is slower than the 5-speed 944, its really not to bad around town.

ritzblitz

That's like having an automatic s2000.

Legoland951

I had 4 automatics in the past and 1 presently. I converted 2 to 5 speed, parted the other 2, and have one that I have not decided to part or convert. I will not drive an auto 944 unless I have to. Unless you like the engine to rev at 4500 RPM at freeway speeds wearing awaying everything including seals and gaskets, you probably won't like one either. The cost of a damper for the automatically is about twice as much as a clutch set and I would rather do 2 clutches than one auto damper. I just remember the cable and shifter assembly was ridiculously engineered and that circlip on the torque tube is impossible to get to.