Like the name says...
07-26-2002, 03:40 PM
#1
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Like the name says...
I'm looking for a 944 S2. I've been doing some research for a while now and have decided that this will be my very first Porsche.
The reason for my post here is to ask you all for some advice on finding a car that will suit my budget. I hope to spend around $8k for a completely stock example. Am I off base on that figure? What are some issues with this car that I should be aware of? Are there any specific problem areas that I should be wary of?
Also a little off topic, but how good are inspection companies like Magoo's? Thanks in advance for the help.
The reason for my post here is to ask you all for some advice on finding a car that will suit my budget. I hope to spend around $8k for a completely stock example. Am I off base on that figure? What are some issues with this car that I should be aware of? Are there any specific problem areas that I should be wary of?
Also a little off topic, but how good are inspection companies like Magoo's? Thanks in advance for the help.
07-26-2002, 04:08 PM
#2
Race Director
Welcome to rennlist!
I bought my S2 a little over a year ago and paid $8k for it, so you're not off with your budget. HOWEVER: it's going to be tough to find one in this area!
The biggest issue with the 944S2 is the cam chain tensioner and guide. After about 100k miles, it needs to be replaced. Over time, the plastic guide becomes brittle, and if it snaps, the cam chain can ride off the drive, and viola: bent vales, and busted head. A snapped timing belt can also cause similar, catastrophic conditions.
The rubber centered hub on the clutch disk deteriorates over time. Expensive to fix.
Your best bet is to find a well maintained 944S2 that has all the maintenance records. It's better to pay the premium up front rather than find a fixer upper. And even if you buy a cream puff, expect to spend $$ on it. I bought a near perfect 944S2 (dealer maintained, always serviced on regular intervals), and yet I've still put over $5k into it since I've gotten it. (Granted, much of this was because I use the car on the track and needed some upgrades!
)
Check out <a href="http://www.wantadpress." target="_blank">www.wantadpress.</a> (Local NJ/NY/CT ads). There's a Burgandy 944 Turbo for sale for $9500k in Oakland, NJ, and there's an '83 Guard's Red 944 n/a in Wayne for $6900.00 (I think that's too high for an '83.)
Just be patient and you'll find the right car.
May I ask why you've narrowed down your search to an S2? There are other cars in the 924/944/968 line that are desireable. As an S2 owner myself, I'm just curious.
-Zoltan.
944S2
<a href="http://www.pelicanparts.com/gallery/Z-man" target="_blank">
</a>
I bought my S2 a little over a year ago and paid $8k for it, so you're not off with your budget. HOWEVER: it's going to be tough to find one in this area!
The biggest issue with the 944S2 is the cam chain tensioner and guide. After about 100k miles, it needs to be replaced. Over time, the plastic guide becomes brittle, and if it snaps, the cam chain can ride off the drive, and viola: bent vales, and busted head. A snapped timing belt can also cause similar, catastrophic conditions.
The rubber centered hub on the clutch disk deteriorates over time. Expensive to fix.
Your best bet is to find a well maintained 944S2 that has all the maintenance records. It's better to pay the premium up front rather than find a fixer upper. And even if you buy a cream puff, expect to spend $$ on it. I bought a near perfect 944S2 (dealer maintained, always serviced on regular intervals), and yet I've still put over $5k into it since I've gotten it. (Granted, much of this was because I use the car on the track and needed some upgrades!
) Check out <a href="http://www.wantadpress." target="_blank">www.wantadpress.</a> (Local NJ/NY/CT ads). There's a Burgandy 944 Turbo for sale for $9500k in Oakland, NJ, and there's an '83 Guard's Red 944 n/a in Wayne for $6900.00 (I think that's too high for an '83.)
Just be patient and you'll find the right car.
May I ask why you've narrowed down your search to an S2? There are other cars in the 924/944/968 line that are desireable. As an S2 owner myself, I'm just curious.
-Zoltan.
944S2
<a href="http://www.pelicanparts.com/gallery/Z-man" target="_blank">
</a>
07-26-2002, 06:04 PM
#3
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Oh great another S2 shopper for me to bid against. 
Well at least your in NJ so you won't be much competition.
But seriously... welcome to the club, do everything Z-man tells you and no one will get hurt.
Oh and someone is going to tell you to buy a turbo instead, but not me!
<img src="graemlins/burnout.gif" border="0" alt="[burnout]" />
Well at least your in NJ so you won't be much competition.
But seriously... welcome to the club, do everything Z-man tells you and no one will get hurt.
Oh and someone is going to tell you to buy a turbo instead, but not me!
<img src="graemlins/burnout.gif" border="0" alt="[burnout]" />
07-26-2002, 08:20 PM
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Need_an_S2:
FWIW,
when shopping for any 944 there are three things to consider,
condition, condition, condition... and receipt from the work done.
FOUR things to consider,
condition, condition, condition, receipt from the work done... and get the car inspected by a good Porsche mechanic who knows 944's.
FIVE things to consider,
condition, condition, condition, receipt from the work done, get the car inspected by a good Porsche mechanic who knows 944's... and get a CARFAX.
SIX things....
NO ONE EXPECTS THE SPANISH INQUISITION!
Sorry for the Monty Python reference.
<img src="graemlins/icon107.gif" border="0" alt="[icon107]" />
FWIW,
when shopping for any 944 there are three things to consider,
condition, condition, condition... and receipt from the work done.
FOUR things to consider,
condition, condition, condition, receipt from the work done... and get the car inspected by a good Porsche mechanic who knows 944's.
FIVE things to consider,
condition, condition, condition, receipt from the work done, get the car inspected by a good Porsche mechanic who knows 944's... and get a CARFAX.
SIX things....
NO ONE EXPECTS THE SPANISH INQUISITION!
Sorry for the Monty Python reference.
<img src="graemlins/icon107.gif" border="0" alt="[icon107]" />
07-27-2002, 03:04 AM
#7
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LOL...thanks for all the advice guys. The reason for making my mind up on the S2 is pretty simple. I currently own a turbocharged VW and now I'd like a N.A. car. I only drive German cars. 
To me, the S2 seems to be the ultimate incarnation of the NA 944, hence my choice. I realize it will be hard to find a nice one (or any one at all) but I'm the kind of person who can wait and wait until he finds something he likes.
Another quick set of questions if you will.
I realize that this is a Porsche and parts can't possibly be "cheap", but how much should I expect to budget towards maintanance assuming I find a very nice example (but not perfect), and I plan little to no racing for this car? Also, with all my research, I have not seen any gas mileage figures. What can I expect for an average mpg? What is the capacity of the fuel tank? This car will be my daily driver so I need to get some kind of idea of cost of ownership.
To me, the S2 seems to be the ultimate incarnation of the NA 944, hence my choice. I realize it will be hard to find a nice one (or any one at all) but I'm the kind of person who can wait and wait until he finds something he likes.
Another quick set of questions if you will.
I realize that this is a Porsche and parts can't possibly be "cheap", but how much should I expect to budget towards maintanance assuming I find a very nice example (but not perfect), and I plan little to no racing for this car? Also, with all my research, I have not seen any gas mileage figures. What can I expect for an average mpg? What is the capacity of the fuel tank? This car will be my daily driver so I need to get some kind of idea of cost of ownership.
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07-27-2002, 08:06 AM
#9
Difficult to find an S2 in the Tri-state area??? I see them pretty frequently in our local classified paper. I would think that outside of southern Cali., our area would be the easiest place to find an S2. Lets ask some Montana Rennlisters how difficult it is to find an S2.
07-27-2002, 07:39 PM
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[quote]Originally posted by Need_an_S2:
<strong>
To me, the S2 seems to be the ultimate incarnation of the NA 944, hence my choice. I realize it will be hard to find a nice one (or any one at all) but I'm the kind of person who can wait and wait until he finds something he likes.
</strong><hr></blockquote>
I don't know, but I have been told that the 968 is "the ultimate incarnation of the NA 944". Of course they cost about twice of what a S2 will run ya so I am back shopping for a S2.
Have you tried looking at autotrader.com? I have had good luck finding Porsches there.
<strong>
To me, the S2 seems to be the ultimate incarnation of the NA 944, hence my choice. I realize it will be hard to find a nice one (or any one at all) but I'm the kind of person who can wait and wait until he finds something he likes.
</strong><hr></blockquote>
I don't know, but I have been told that the 968 is "the ultimate incarnation of the NA 944". Of course they cost about twice of what a S2 will run ya so I am back shopping for a S2.
Have you tried looking at autotrader.com? I have had good luck finding Porsches there.
07-28-2002, 10:25 AM
#11
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8g sounds low. in the fall of '00 I paid 12 for one with 56k and no paint work ever... new belts, and a new clutch. that was for a Philly area car bought from a dealer in Nassau county.
It was also the only S2 I looked at, and i didn't want the extra headache of worrying about the extra camshaft for my daily driver to park at the LIRR.
In the 14k since I bought the car I replaced the brakes, CV boots, wheels & tires, oil cooler seal, 16v ramp for the cam chain tensioner, timing belt rollers, clutch (included in cost of car - research my earlier posts) and am now in the process of replacing the shocks ( i mean my mechanic is).
Z - how many miles on yours when you bought it?
Good luck, remember there were less than 3,000 S2's imported to the US and about a million NAs imported, and a quarter million 951's imported, and less than 3,000 968s imported. Also in '89 the S2 listed for about 45k, and the 300ZX and RX7 listed for under 30k and came standard with more luxory goodies that acutally worked like the hatch release, and came with a stereo that wasnt offensive to the ears...
It was also the only S2 I looked at, and i didn't want the extra headache of worrying about the extra camshaft for my daily driver to park at the LIRR.
In the 14k since I bought the car I replaced the brakes, CV boots, wheels & tires, oil cooler seal, 16v ramp for the cam chain tensioner, timing belt rollers, clutch (included in cost of car - research my earlier posts) and am now in the process of replacing the shocks ( i mean my mechanic is).
Z - how many miles on yours when you bought it?
Good luck, remember there were less than 3,000 S2's imported to the US and about a million NAs imported, and a quarter million 951's imported, and less than 3,000 968s imported. Also in '89 the S2 listed for about 45k, and the 300ZX and RX7 listed for under 30k and came standard with more luxory goodies that acutally worked like the hatch release, and came with a stereo that wasnt offensive to the ears...
07-28-2002, 11:25 AM
#12
Minor correction for Tom R., 4661 968's, coupes and cabs, brought into North America. Vast majority of those were sold in the US. I do agree 8 grand seems low. And I have the 10 speaker hifi sound option, and it's lousy as well.
07-28-2002, 06:46 PM
#13
Race Director
[quote]Originally posted by Tom R.:
<strong>
Z - how many miles on yours when you bought it?
...</strong><hr></blockquote>
Well, alot more than yours: 118k miles!
With a 12 year old car, sometimes maintanence is a bigger factor than mileage. When I did my search, I saw SEVERAL low mileage 944's that needed much, much more work than mine.
-Z-man.
<strong>
Z - how many miles on yours when you bought it?
...</strong><hr></blockquote>
Well, alot more than yours: 118k miles!
With a 12 year old car, sometimes maintanence is a bigger factor than mileage. When I did my search, I saw SEVERAL low mileage 944's that needed much, much more work than mine.
-Z-man.
07-28-2002, 07:12 PM
#14
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I paid $7200 for mine.very nice condition with alot of records.I put another $4k into it.Bilstein coilovers,brakes,17in rims/tires,sparco seats,etc and its a beast at the track.