Korsair970

Well, I was going to type up a big long hello, but I'm about to go look at the best example of a 944 I'm considering in just a bit.

I'm just looking for a decent fun car to drive right now, maybe turn it into my daily in a while.

The one I'm looking at now is an 1985 (unsure if it's 1985 or 1985.5)

I've lurked enough to know about the timing belt and water pump, but I'm going to talk to Zim's Autotechnik about getting it done reasonably, and going with the aluminum pump while I'm at it.

I'll be doing most of the work myself otherwise, I'm no mechanic, but my blood is German and I love tinkering.

Anyway, anything else I should be looking for? I'll be talking to Zim's about a PPS while I'm at it.

The car I'm looking at has a good looking history, I'll see if I can get more about maintenance and such when I look at it.

I'll see if I can borrow my sister's SLR and take some pics while I'm at it.

And by the way, I want to say thanks to all the members, there has been some great reading from people projects, and I hope I can provide the same soon!

Geldfalle 944

Good luck! You will be hooked.

krystar

real easy to identify 85 vs 85.5

83-85 3 gauge in a box


85.5-on curved dash

theporscheguy

Service history, PPI, and carfax would be a great start. Give the car a thorough shakedown. The 944 is a great car. I had a ton of fun in both of mine. Good luck and keep us posted.

Yarf

@ http://www.clarks-garage.com/
Purchasing a 944 is worth reading.
Service records are a great source of information.
Good luck
Keith

J Berk

Good luck with the purchase plans and if you do buy then welcome to the fold !

As others have said...do a PPI...infact...DO NOT BUY A CAR PRIOR TO GETTING A PPI ...PERIOD.

You'll really want to know in advance what the car needs before you strike a deal.....you could wind up easily spending 2 to 3 x what you paid for the car in getting it up to spec if it has not been fully maintained.

best

Joe

Korsair970

Alright well I checked 944 #1

It looked amazing in photos (doesn't it always?) well the moment I looked at the badge, it was faded and the enameling was cracked, so it was a bit of a let down as the overall condition was about the same. It had been (poorly) resprayed, had some dents, other issues, interior issues, but as soon as we (my friend and I... I kinda suck at driving manual... for now!) fired it up, I wouldn't mind spending hours upon hours of careful work to make it the car it is.

So I got to take it for a spin as well, and man if I thought I loved the 944 before and would get one to start my Porsche love affair, now I have to have one.

So the mechanical aspects of the car seem to be in much better condition, engine sounded amazing (but first time I've heard one so what do I know) Trans also seems okay, shifts nicely.

I've had a conversation with my dad and we've reached an agreement, as long as I'm back home being broke and saving money, I'll half the 944 with him and pay him back over the next few months, and he gets to drive it around until he gets his personalized out cayman for retirement So I'll be buying in two weeks... I can't wait!

Per his direction I'm looking for recommendations for a really good mechanic to do a PPI. I'm going to Zim's on monday to chat with them, and he's asking a friend who has a 944 s1 where he goes, any other suggestions for the DFW area?

I just called the place that my mom get's her bug worked on (Krauss in lewisville) and while they've always been fair to her, I'm not sure I trust them for a Porsche since they don't normally work on them.

well I've babbled enough.. I've taken some pictures, and had some questions, so here goes..








This is only on one side... so?


They did some 'improvements'





one other issue that bothers me, the spedo and oil temp bounce around a lot... I'll take it it's not an easy fix?

krystar

man...that thing is really red inside.

bouncy gauges is prob related to bad ground. most likely something easy but hard to say.

most importantly, does it have service records. last timing belt, last water pump.

Korsair970

oh yea! Okay so I checked some of the records out, had receipts for timing belt, but, and I quote the crazy Russian guy selling the car, "I ask mechanic about water pump, he say oh cleanest water pump ever see!" So that's a no on that one...

J Berk

So I gather it's an early 85....

A few quick thoughts:

Check the options code sticker...

go in the trunk and right where the latch is for the hatch, un-snap the carpet...there should be a sticker in there with numbers on it...get the numbers and you can tell what options came with the car....like Limted Slip Trans, etc.

Try the sunroof to make sure it works...they commonly break.

Make sure the windows and mirrors work as well

It's missing a headlight surrond on the right headlight.

Check for leaks...the sunroofs often leak as does the hatch at the top where the hinges are

When was the timing belt done?

How does the clutch feel? Make sure it's checked as a part of the PPI...it's EXPENSIVE to change.

Ground (electrical ground) problems are common on these so it would not be that surprising to have dim dash lights or a bounce in a guage.

Good luck!

carlege

how much does this guy want for the car? i mean i dont think i would pay more then 3k for it and seeing the interior i would offer 2500

ernie9468

First Korsair welcome on Rennlist ___But couldn't agree more with what carlege is saying ,as the 944 market stand rigth now there is so much choice when buying a 944 either early or late model that one can afford to be picky & should not buy the first car thrown at him unless it's in real decent shape,one thing about buying your first Porsche is that we get all exicted about it & it's very easy to make the wrong decision when doing so , Korsair I suggest you take a step back & try to figure how much $$$$ it will cost you to bring the car up to what you want it to be ,then add that money to the asking price & I bet you that the amount you'll come with will buy you a very nice 944.This is the sticker Joe is talking about in the trunk. Good Luck.

Darwantae951

Where are you at in DFW? I live in Arlington and will be home in May from a deployment. If you need any help checking cars out, let me know. I know my way around them pretty well and I'm free! Zims would probably be the best place to get a PPI done that I know of. Mayo Performance would be good as well, but they are mainly older 911 specialists.

Dogberri

one can afford to be picky & should not buy the first car thrown at him unless it's in real decent shape,one thing about buying your first Porsche is that we get all exicted about it & it's very easy to make the wrong decision when doing so , Korsair I suggest you take a step back & try to figure how much $$$$ it will cost you to bring the car up to what you want it to be ,then add that money to the asking price & I bet you that the amount you'll come with will buy you a very nice 944.This is the sticker Joe is talking about in the trunk. Good Luck.[/QUOTE]

i second this, i unfortunately did exactly the wrong thing when buying mine.

steve g

Korsair

Please keep looking. The later cars are better - especially 87 and later.

The side rubstrips look wrong - was this car repainted ?

The re-upholstry 2 tone look is well...a matter of personal taste...but sure looks homely to me...

This is the first one youve actually seen right ?

Let us know where you are and someone will chime in and recommend a shop that works on 944 cars and that knows 944 cars.

Pick up the latest issue of Excellence magazine - good article on buying a 944 car.

Here is a listing of all other 944 cars in Texas. Check cars.com and Autotrader.com

http://www2.jaxed.com/cgi-bin/mash.c...mit=++++go++++