bshah1976

Which 944 would you choose - please help
Help with decision about buying a 944
So - I have located 3 cars that I like and looking for opinions:

1. 84, 944 with 12K documented miles. Pristine condition.
No Sunroof and Auto. Red/Black. Maint up to date.

2. 87, 944 with 20K documented miles. Showroom condition.
Has sunroof and 5 speed. Red/Black Maint. up to date.
Problem is the guy is not that communicative and the car looks pink-ish in the picture...however, it has been inspected and is guards red.

3. 85.5, 944 with 36K documented miles. Also in awesome condition.
No sunroof with has 5 speed. Red/White Onyx Interior (rare). So pristing, the plastic on the carpet is still there from when it was first bought. Need timing belt maint. done.

Let's just say they were all $10K.

Any advice/thoughts/opinions...please let me know.

Thanks in advance.

WizPorsche944

Is that mileage correct ???


1- Can you live with an Auto ?

2- Best & most common color combo, I'd look at this one

3- t/b and w/p job will run you $1500


How close are these cars to you ?

CorsePerVita

Could just be the picture, but if #2 is showroom condition.... well.... you just don't see that too often

bshah1976

they are all pretty much showroom. the third one still has the plastic on the carpet. I like the white onyx leather...but not sure about NOT having a sunroof. #2 seems to be the best bet...but if I can't get it...then I guess #3. Do most people have sunroof issues????

CorsePerVita

Honestly if she's a daily, and you like driving around a coupe, my personal preference is no sunroof since it's more weight and one less thing to worry about. One less point of potential failure to fix later on. I do have a car with a sunroof by my fiance likes it more than I do. But I'm more bare bones when it comes to cars.

bshah1976

nope...no daily - more leisure. maybe 3 to 5K a year.

thirdgenbird

i LOVE my sunroof. it may be added weight but its worth it. i leave mine in the hatch and its only used when i get caught in rain.

spoolinturbo

$10k or more, i would find a turbo 944...screw N/A and no autos haha

sunroofs...one more thing that breaks

Van

Unless you're going to turn it into a track car, get the sunroof. I'd also suggest the '87 because of the late offset wheels.

Skip the '84 - you'll enjoy the updated interior on the later cars.

thirdgenbird

that last post was well thought out

jsaindc

My thoughts would be with Van. #2 sounds the best given the information. I think you will really enjoy the sunroof, the updated interior, and the extra pedal. Besides, the color combo will be easy to unload if you would choose so down the road. Once you make your decision post the details of the other 2 cars. These low mileage vehicles sound interesting. Good luck.

aj986s

I, too, vote for #2. Would rather not have the sunroof; mechanisms prone to failure, and IMHO its a pain to have to stow when removed. But then both my street 944's have sunroof; I just never seem to take them out. But I do often tilt them up for venting, so that may actually be a sunroof plus. 87 also has better updated bits here and there. I wouldn't worry about the picture; red is actually a challenging color with digital pics. Also, FWIW, these cars have such low mileage, that I would actually suggest TB and WP replacement on all of them. Even though they may be well below the recommended replacement mileage (around 40K), the age may be an issue. Better safe than sorry I tend to say.

Good luck with the purchase. They all sound like nice cars. Although I am a bit suspect of the prices. $10K is alot for 944 NA's, although a low mileage pristine example might be worth it. Have you looked at latest valuations in Excellence Mag? For around $10K, you can find examples of 944S2's, which are more powerful and have better brakes, though probably not with such low miles.

PorscheDude1

At the age and lack of mileage, I'd say there is some big maintainance items coming.

bshah1976

aj986s - you said you would vote for #2 (but that has the sunroof) but say would rather NOT have the roof.

The oyster white in the sunroof delete car is rare. With regards to price - anything less then 40K miles in showroom condition is taking around $10K. This car with 36K is asking $9K. This one needs belt and w/p done...so another $1500. Maybe a little negotiating and I will be at $10K all said and done - with maint. up to date and no sunroof leaks to worry about.

The red/black with 20K had the belt replaced already...not sure about the water pump. Also showroom condition. Person is asking $11K, but has the original phone dial rims with tires along with new 18's with new tries. Personally, I would sell the 18's as I do not like them so that will potentially bring down the cost of the car...let's say I get $1K for them (he said he has receipts showing he paid $3K).

The 85.5 and 87 have same style interior.

Thanks for your replies...keep them coming...it's a toss up.

I will have to look at Excellence Mag...but I heard S2's can have some major issues.

aj986s

I don't think I'd make a choice based upon sunroof alone. But if I was looking at 2 otherwise identical cars, I'd probably lean toward the non-sunroof car. But that's strictly a personal preference. The tilt venting feature is actually nice, but I don't like having to remove & stow the top; but others do it all the time. The top mechanisms have also been known to fail; nylon gears eventually give up. A mildly challenging DIY repair if it does happen.

For collector/concourse type of use, a sunroof certainly wouldn't hurt. And it sounds like that's what your after. But for track duty, non-sunroof would be better, especially for taller drivers.

The belt replacement on the 87 is a plus. WP is an easy while-you're-in-there at the same time; I wouldn't be surprised to find it was done at same time.