Devia

Hi, guys, this is a 1984 944, blk/blk. It has about 202k on it, and would be in fair shape, if thieves hadn't tried to steal it. The owners told me that it was running pretty good before that. I have asked for documentation.

Damage to the interior of the car is the ignition key cylinder is missing, and has been chiseled out through the metal. You can see a screw awry in the open gash. I am not sure if the whole steering column would have to be replaced, and if so, how much. The seats need to be restored, but the rest of the interior is pretty nice, even with the original cassette holder in the center console. Back hatch is in nice condition, with the hatch cover still there, but off of it, and the original black canvas holder for the sunroof.

Engine has leaked oil into the water container, so is either an oil cooler gasket, or head gasket, but several people think it's the first. He also said there was some sort of pin on the drive shaft towards the back of the car that his mechanic said needs to be replaced.

Exterior damage is a hit in the driver's side front, but mostly a scrape on the spoiler, and the bumper is forward about an inch on that side. Also looks like a truck sat on it above that, and the center panel between the headlights is shallowly dented.

Paint is in fair shape, since it has paint chips out of it down to the primer, with the rearview mirrors too. Looks to be original paint, so normal wear and tear.

Fuchs wheels, with the black inserts, but also need repainting.

Asking price is $500, or they junk it for that price.

Is it worth it, or should I just save up a few more k, and buy one in better shape to begin with? I don't have room for a garage queen, need a driver over the next few months.

Your advice, please! Thank you. <img border="0" alt="[burnout]" title="" src="graemlins/burnout.gif" />

- Julie

tod84944

I don't think it is junk. I own a 84. I also take care of my best friends 86 and currently putting a 87 s back together. From what you have described it would not take a whole lot to get that car in running condition. You could pick up a steering column used and the rest of the parts also. These cars are actually pretty reliable and well built cars. I also am parting out a 83. I'm not sure what kind of condition the steering column is in. If you purchase this car you can e-mail me with your parts needs and I will see if I can help. Also check the classifieds here and on the other board for great deals on parts.(pelican)
Todd

Luis de Prat

I hate to disagree, but I do. Don't walk away from that car, RUN.

There are so many 944 cars on the market in MUCH better condition for reasonable prices that I see no reason for you to have to deal with piecing together a car that is so trashed. Leave that for hobbyists with cash to spare. It may not seem like it, but it's very easy to spend much more than the difference between a $500 car and a decent car in running condition.

L.A. is probably the biggest car market in the world. Keep looking and find a better deal.

The best to you.

sweanders

It's almost always ceaper in the end to buy a nice car from the beginning, and it saves a lot of time.

J Berk

depends upon what you want it for...it's obviously a long way from a daily driver. I bought my '84 for $1200 ...it had 78k original miles and needed seats, a sunroof gear, a driver's side front fender and had a 12" long x 2" deep gash in the rear driver's quarter. It's a 3rd car, bought for pleasure ( working on it as much as driving it) and I am into it now for about $4500....and it's not painted yet.

I could have bought a nice, late NA or tired 951 for not much more...no doubt a better financial choice...but I am not sure I'd be having as much fun!

Luis de Prat

Just some observations:

*$1,200 is a far cry from $500
*78K miles is a far cry from 202K miles
*$4,500 will buy a very decent 944NA

Dave

</font><blockquote><font size="1" face="Verdana,Tahoma,Helvetica">quote:</font><hr /><font size="2" face="Verdana,Tahoma,Helvetica">Originally posted by Luis de Prat:
<strong>
*$4,500 will buy a very decent 944NA</strong></font><hr /></blockquote><font size="2" face="Verdana,Tahoma,Helvetica">Not around here it won't

That being said I don't think the car you have in mind is the most economical way to go but that doesn't mean you shouldn't buy it. Get it, part out a few major items and make a few bucks toward the right 944. Come on, the Fuchs alone are worth more than $500.

Luis de Prat

Dave, I think you're exaggerating. I have close to $20K in maintenance into my street-only 83 with 202K miles in 9 years of owning it and seriously doubt I could get $4,500 for the car, even in the Caribbean where 944s and Porsches in general are worth at least 20% over continental U.S. values.

944NAs are about as depreciated as ever. They're barely listed at all in the Panorama classifieds, and those offered are generally well kept examples for prices right around $3-4K.

Notice I didn't say "perfect" or "modded" or "track prepped" examples. Just a very decent car. Furthermore, this is a 1984 NA we're talking about, fuchs or not, 16,618 of these cars reached U.S. shores that year (more than any other 944 production year) and they have very low resale value.

IMHO Devia should hold out for a better car that's in running condition and has half the mileage.

Dave

Yeah, I forgot the high miles. Around here though "decent" starts at $5k, "very decent" is closer to $7k. Anything under $5k is either an automatic (the last few of those I saw were asking &gt;$6k) or needs major work. It's one of the drawbacks to living in the NYC area.

ERAU-944

if you have some spare time, and a willingness to learn about the car, that would make an awesome parts car. actually a few guys around here would love to buy that and use it as a racecar...

those fuchs most likely dont need repainting, just a good polishing! you'd be suprised. if you bought the car for 500, you'd easily get more than that out of the wheels alone. like i said, it takes time and patience and a willingness to learn. and often an ebay account. if the car were here i'd be buying it today.

good luck!
Michael

p.s. if you're going to get a car, get the nicest example you can find. check my website. $4500 produced the 84 i drive daily, then 700 more took care of belts/rollers/waterpump. well well well worth it. if you really really want you can toss up 4500 for the 85.5 we have and i'll deliver it to you

pete944

I'm with Dave. I always hear about these nice 944's for $2000 or $2500 but in this neck of the woods they're priced around $6K to $7K for a 'decent' car.
$4500 won't buy a nice car around here.
That being said, I'd buy the car for $500 and part it out. Like Dave said, the Fuch's alone are worth the asking price.
A running engine-$700.00 (fix the oil cooler seals for $25)
Trans-$200
Hatch glass-$150-$200
Steering rack-$125
Interior parts-$300-$500
Fuchs-$500
Add that up and subtract the price of the car and you can make an easy $1500. You still have lots of misc. body and mechanical parts to sell.

Luis de Prat

Pete, you make some valid points.

However, Devia doesn't sound like the type of buyer who is looking to (or has the space to) buy a car to "part out."

Whether you like it or not, decent 944NAs in running condition (with a lot less than 202K miles or the headaches that this $500 prospect promises) are abundant for reasonable prices right around $4,500 or less.

Have you tried selling a 944 lately? It's completely a buyers' market.

icat

I'd buy the car for the parts - but not to restore. You'll wind up with many thousands of dollars in repairs and you'll still only have a car worth $3000 or so.

My first 83 944 was a basket case and I put over $10,000 into it trying to bring it back to life. I finally sold it for $2000 and bought my 951. Sometimes you just have to cut and run.

In contrast, I have $3250 in my 87 924S and the car needs NOTHING. It has just over 100K on the odometer and is in great condition.

M758

Sounds like candidate for a 944-spec race car.

Chris_924s

Julie- would make a nice parts ot track car.
If you aren't afraid of investing several hundreds of hours in your own labor, at least you would know exactly what you have and what has been replaced.
Devil's advocate..the Miles are a detractor- expect to do head gasket, WP, belts, ground cables. yadda, yadda, yadda. and you would never get your investment in parts alone out of it.

A decent NA ranges from 1500 $(running basket case) to 18 grand around here (15K miles , pristine shape, showroom fresh w/ a 1 year bumper to bumper "including drivetrain" warrantee from a Porsche dealer.. )

It sounds like a project, if you are willing, it would be a nice hobby- expect on a year of parts on your garage floor.

Best wishes and Good luck!