Triple_T

Just speaking with a fellow 951 owner here in Alberta. It seems some one is buying up all the 944 and 951's in Canada and shipping them to China to get rebuilt.

Is this really happening? A new trend? Is this happening in the States too? Is this so they can copy parts or rebuild the car?

I really don't think that I would buy one of these rebuilt Chinese Porsches. I have an authentic one... for now

Would you buy one?

thirdgenbird

This is the first I've heard of it. Maybe they have noticed how much we spend on parts and want a piece of the pie.

Reimu

More and more people in China are able to buy cars now. I guess the prospect of cheap Porsche ownership is a nice thought for some of them with their newfound wealth.

Considering all the nice $2500+ n/as I see on craigslist its good that SOMEONE wants them at least.

CyCloNe!

Wouldn't bother me... the Chinese make turbo's for Garrett so why not something else. The biggest thing to worry about is the standard being established, if the manufacturing is strict to reproduce pieces to be authentic as possible or not.

mytrplseven

If they're reverse engineering the car or making sub-standard parts, we're really going to have to watch what we buy in replacment parts down the road. On the other hand, I don't know what they pay for gas in China, but properly maintained, these cars are great fun with a 30 mpg rating making it cost effective (one of the primary reasons I've stayed with the N/A vs going bigger or more powerful).

odurandina

with all the 944s being sold by Hyundai, Scion, Subaru, Infinity, etc here in the states,

what's the target market? China?

ChrisRL

Yup, China. They bought pretty much all the used Lexuses when they were trending, awhile ago, mainly for their own use. And of course since they have the capability, they started making their own spares, and then selling them too.

murrayg

How about the Chinese now make the transmissions for new Porsches??

J Berk

I've always wondered if people would by a 'new' refurbished 944.

If you could get in for under$2k...spend about $8k in resto/refurb (shop cost) and sell for $15k you might have a good business model.

For that $ you might be able to include a v8 conversion as well...and then have one hell of a unique and solid car for $15k

Offered refurbished and with a warranty I think it might make a nice business model.

mytrplseven

Here's an interesting thought. After the Cuban embargo was established, there were gobs of American cars up to the mid 50's that proliferated the country. Over the subsequent years most have been kept running and in most cases by making their own parts and in some cases, replacing the engine and transmissions with Russian ones. It's fun to see a 49 Cadillac or 56 Chevy Bel Aire running around Havana, although not sounding like the original motors. They're very popular there. Could it happen to 944's in China...maybe so.

MY83944

Someone is buying up all the cheap 944's, I can't get a serious nibble on mine at $4K and over the past decade, I've dumped over $20K in the car - and it's $@%#ing bone stock, coulda/shoulda of done a V8 conversion -

Still could I guess.....

Gawernator

I'll be in Cuba in too long for work, I've heard there are still 356's kicking around so I'll be on the lookout

(Yes American, work for the Government)

odurandina

you should feel lucky, you get to still keep driving it, and dumping money in.

hundreds of others here on the forums didn't get to be so lucky.

(moment of silence).

1933beer

if China keeps buying it will cause others to not be able to as well.
think about it. at some thing like 4 times the population as the US, Cina has 4 times the people who might want a porsche. Since there is only a hand full of 944s in Canada. ( i don't know the # of 944s in canada but I know it is less than Astrailia or the UK) Supply and demand would make for a good buisness model in China.

MY83944

Amen

RIP Jim Cooper, one of the first people I met on this forum, well over a decade ago.

Anyone else remember this?



I'll never forget when I flew from here in the good old Midwest to Redwood City CA for business and Jim, who lived in Manteca, drove down to meet me for dinner.

He allowed me to drive his Blue 944 through some of the most incredible roads I've ever seen.

Back up behind the skyline, back behind the roads most traveled, some very memorable moments, to say the least.

He only knew me from the forum, yet went above and beyond to kindle a friendship.

We became friends and kept in touch, up until his passing.

I'm not so sure that he is not driving a reliable, trouble free 944 where he is, but I can not be sure.

Anyway -

My 83 944 sold this last week - Went to a good home in Kansas.