pettybird

I'm sold on the new interior...I own both. The 924 turbo has the old interior and feels classic and old. the 87 and 89 feel a LOT more like modern cars.

Definitely buy the better car, or if they both suck, pass and try again, especially since you're on the east coast and they're everywhere.

I wouldn't worry too much about the parts costs, either--lots of people parting later cars to help you out. Sure, a new strut mount is $400 but I picked up two low mile, M030 turbo S pieces for like $50 shipped on here.

hockeyhead019

Wow... well that's a rather important thing haha never knew that. Thanks for that info! And pettybird that's my game plan in terms of parts haha look for people who are just parting them out, I've already found 3 or 4 on craigslist and I'm sure I can get some responses on a WTB thread here

Dawgz83948

It comes down to asthetics and weight. Early is lighter, late is heavier. Late interior looks "nicer", early looks older. Late is far more complicated electronically and like to catch fire because of fuel hose routing, early likes to melt your headlight wires because of faulty/old vw headlight switch, but earlies are less likely to catch fire from deteriorating fuel lines because of hose location. Also with the 83 you might luck in the non-leaking manual rack, whereas EVERY 944 power rack leaks.

hockeyhead019

Thanks dawgz, you didn't really highlight any positives of either lol but anyways about the power racks leaking is there a fix for that or just gotta grin and bear it?

Also with the fuel lines, what the preventative maintenance needed for that? Cuz I'm not trying to have my car catch on fire lol

pettybird

you'll find broken odometers in both generations, too...homework is more important than the reading on the dash.

Dawgz83948

They are basically the same car, so positives are great handling, decent fuel mileage, early has slightly simpler electronics and a programming glitch that causes a shudder on decel (can be fixed by getting late AFM and DME). Preventive maintenance is the same on both, replace the rubber ont he lines before they fail. The Late car routes the fuel lines over the exhaust (German engineering indeed) and the early car routes the fuel lines up the firewall over the intake manifold. You can replace the rack (~500+) and it will probably not leak for a while, or you can try to reseal it yourself, although there may be special tools required. Some people just pull the power steering belt off and drive it manual, however a manual rack is MUCH easier to drive in a manual mode.

The late car also uses the "standard" (if there is a German word for standard) offset that all the new Porsche's use so wheels are easier to get. Earlies have replaceably ball joints, late don't (sorta). Lates use alloy arms (but really aren't lighter than the steel arms that the early cars use. The biggest drawback to the early is, there is not option for rear coilover shocks.

Butters944

The carfax on my car showed mileage records. You wouldn't have known it was low miles by looking at the faded paint and torn up interior, but the engine runs so well it can't be 195k.

hockeyhead019

Now hang on because I've heard carfax is usually crap for these cars (don't really know the reason) but I was always told to go get a PPI for sure...

And also butters your owner could have swapped out the engine lol

Dawgz83948

If the motor was well maintained, then I've know Chevy 3800's that run like new at 195000 miles. The 2.5 can reach upwards of 300k and still run well.

StoogeMoe

I have an 86 and an 83. See below. Hands down, the more fun car to drive is the 83. It's more direct, edgier, and more sprightly. The 86 is better for long leisurely cruises. It has way better HVAC and the interior looks a lot more modern. They are totally different cars in my opinion. Spend some time with both and make a decision.

hockeyhead019

Thanks stooge, that was along the lines of what I was looking for! And yea I'll definitely feel em both out and make a decision.

ernie9468

Carfax won't show a motor job being done or a rebuilt motor being drop in the engine bay.Also don't tell you how good the car has been maintain over the years & what is the real condition of the it, for example show me a Carfax that mention the wheels bearings being done at so & so miles on the car your planing to buy.That why it's so important to have maintenance records & a PPI by someone who really knows 944s in & out before you put your money down.All carfax tell you is how many time the car has change hands during it's lifetime plus if it was in any accident.Personally I don't trust them,but like mention a PPI is the way to go.

hockeyhead019

Ok thanks for that explanation ernie... I won't bother blowing any money on the carfax then, I'll just get a full PPI done and go from there

racer

I have an '87. They are the best!

Jrboulder

And READ the service records. If it's a huge stack so what.