Thinking about getting a 944
10-17-2003, 06:50 PM
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Thinking about getting a 944
Hello guys,
First of all, I'm a newcomer here, but it looks like you guys have a really neat forum going with lots of information, so I was hoping for a little insight. In just a few months I will have my license, so I am planning on getting a car soon, and I have had my eye on the 944 for a while. Now, though, it's time to get serious about it. I really love the looks of the car, and would probably like a nice red n/a 944, probably the 85 1/2 and higher style. I see them going at fairly resonable prices on ebay, but I'm wondering what kind of expenses will come up after the purchase. How well do the 944's hold up? If I go out and buy a 1986 or so, is there a good chance that things are going to start falling apart on me, making the car much more expensive, or do they hold together fairly well? If things do start falling apart, are the parts really rare and expensive? I'm not as worried about labor, as I'm really into doing things myself.
Another important factor would be the insurance. I haven't really looked into prices (I'm in NJ), but I suspect they would be a bit higher than normal for a 17 year old with a Porsche. How much higher, I'm not sure. Would the fact that it's older help keep it down? Any ideas on what insurance would run me? I'm willing to pay a little higher insurance, as I love the car, but I don't want to pay double the car's value every year.
Also, how much am I looking at to get a typical 944 up to nice-looking condition? Would it be typical to get a repaint on a car of this age? Anything else I should know?
Basically, I'm just trying to get an idea of what I'd be getting myself into before taking a plunge like this. I really appreciate any suggestions!
Thanks,
Dan
First of all, I'm a newcomer here, but it looks like you guys have a really neat forum going with lots of information, so I was hoping for a little insight. In just a few months I will have my license, so I am planning on getting a car soon, and I have had my eye on the 944 for a while. Now, though, it's time to get serious about it. I really love the looks of the car, and would probably like a nice red n/a 944, probably the 85 1/2 and higher style. I see them going at fairly resonable prices on ebay, but I'm wondering what kind of expenses will come up after the purchase. How well do the 944's hold up? If I go out and buy a 1986 or so, is there a good chance that things are going to start falling apart on me, making the car much more expensive, or do they hold together fairly well? If things do start falling apart, are the parts really rare and expensive? I'm not as worried about labor, as I'm really into doing things myself.
Another important factor would be the insurance. I haven't really looked into prices (I'm in NJ), but I suspect they would be a bit higher than normal for a 17 year old with a Porsche. How much higher, I'm not sure. Would the fact that it's older help keep it down? Any ideas on what insurance would run me? I'm willing to pay a little higher insurance, as I love the car, but I don't want to pay double the car's value every year.
Also, how much am I looking at to get a typical 944 up to nice-looking condition? Would it be typical to get a repaint on a car of this age? Anything else I should know?
Basically, I'm just trying to get an idea of what I'd be getting myself into before taking a plunge like this. I really appreciate any suggestions!
Thanks,
Dan
10-17-2003, 06:54 PM
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10-17-2003, 06:58 PM
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You should buy my 87 S... 7500 for a near perfect car... 130k on the odo, and you know what, i am 20 years old, i have totaled a car, and my insurance is super low.... now, i am covered under my fathers policy so that helps alot, but still, i only pay 80 bucks a month for full coverage... if you are interested in my car, please send me an email or pm... echo9@***.net
Oh yeah, welcome to rennlist!!!
Oh yeah, welcome to rennlist!!!
10-17-2003, 07:07 PM
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Jonas, thanks, but I don't really have that kind of money to spend, nor am I ready to spend it just yet. It reassuring to hear that you have fairly cheap insurance for this car, thanks!
Thanks again,
Dan
10-17-2003, 07:11 PM
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Originally posted by dmurray14
I was thinking about saving about $5000-$5500, and getting a ~$3000 944. Would this be logical, or would I still be unable to keep this thing going?
I was thinking about saving about $5000-$5500, and getting a ~$3000 944. Would this be logical, or would I still be unable to keep this thing going?
10-17-2003, 07:12 PM
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Dmurray, I usually pay $1200/yr for liability insurance in Jersey. I have no points, but the only problem is i'm 19.
But, I wish I would have never bought the 944 n/a, because the 951 is one hell of a car. The n/a was just too slow.
But, I wish I would have never bought the 944 n/a, because the 951 is one hell of a car. The n/a was just too slow.
10-17-2003, 07:15 PM
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Absolutely, I'm a hardcore DIYer, and would definitely want to do as much work as possible on it.
v944god, that, too is good news...doesn't sound too bad. I still think I should stick to a n/a, as I really don't need a fast car in my first years of driving...the temptation to get some speed will be too great. Maybe after I get a feel for the car, a 951 would be nice...
v944god, that, too is good news...doesn't sound too bad. I still think I should stick to a n/a, as I really don't need a fast car in my first years of driving...the temptation to get some speed will be too great. Maybe after I get a feel for the car, a 951 would be nice...
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10-17-2003, 07:35 PM
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If you plan on saving 5000-5500 on a 944, then I suggest looking for the best car you can get in the 3500-4000 range. Make sure the car you found has a recent record of clutch replacement, water pump replacement ( needs to happen every 60k miles) and timing belt (every 30k miles)
My car was $3300, it has 130k miles when i got it. Car is in fantastic mechanical conditions, with the clutch, water pump, and timing belt all replaced at 110k miles. The car needed some cosmetic stuff done (no doorhandle on pass side, and seats are torn), but that's not going to be too much to fix. I'm 16, and i'm paying 900 a year on insurance.
Wise choice on picking the N/A, I'd probably kill myself if I had a Turbo.
Good luck!
My car was $3300, it has 130k miles when i got it. Car is in fantastic mechanical conditions, with the clutch, water pump, and timing belt all replaced at 110k miles. The car needed some cosmetic stuff done (no doorhandle on pass side, and seats are torn), but that's not going to be too much to fix. I'm 16, and i'm paying 900 a year on insurance.
Wise choice on picking the N/A, I'd probably kill myself if I had a Turbo.
Good luck!
10-17-2003, 08:13 PM
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About the insurance, I have a squeaky clean record and when I got my 944S, insurance did not change. I was driving an 89 Honduh Accord.
10-17-2003, 08:35 PM
#11
Drifting
Even if you do ALL and I mean ALL the wrench turning yourself. Plan on 1500 right off. I purchased the car for 1500, and with towing (they know the way to my house w/o directions) plus the cost of parts, some needed, some probably just "thrown" at a problem I'm at about 4500. Soon I'll start the cosmetics.
With the help of Rennlist, you should be able to maintain the car yourself. Find the best 4000 car you can, records, clutch, belt, waterpump. Have a pre purchase inspection done, some of the NJ guys should be able to recomend someone.
I bought my car even though I knew it was a gamble (nothing more expensive than a cheap Porsche). But I'm almost done with it, and I love it.
I hope to give it to my son when he turns 18. Then I'll need a 968!!!
With the help of Rennlist, you should be able to maintain the car yourself. Find the best 4000 car you can, records, clutch, belt, waterpump. Have a pre purchase inspection done, some of the NJ guys should be able to recomend someone.
I bought my car even though I knew it was a gamble (nothing more expensive than a cheap Porsche). But I'm almost done with it, and I love it.
I hope to give it to my son when he turns 18. Then I'll need a 968!!!
10-17-2003, 08:56 PM
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Up here in Alaska, I was pretty damned lucky to find a 944, and so far, its been pretty good, but more work than i expected
my 84' 944 NA cost me $5500 (after repairs, damn slave cylinder!)
it opnly had 24,600 miles on it and it was in mint shape, only problem is that it has so few miles, it actually hasnt been driven enough! and it hasnt reached the miles to replace anything (though I am going to, simply due to sheer age)
the seals on the slave cylinder were believed to have dried out and failed due to underuse
It Is in beautiful shape outside and In, everything worked (damn power windows went out, must've blown a fuse or a dead relay... ill get to it when i bring it out of hibernation) And its damned sexy
I drove it all summer, averaged about an hour a day driving it.
I certainly enjoy it, even though its not fast, its fast enough
and under my parent's insurance, its pretty cheap, under 900 a year full
but these are all gonna be over a decade old, so look for maintenance and expect some work on your part
I wish i had the car for part of teh school year... woulda been the coolest car in the lot... well, there were a couple other ones, like this old mercedes that was awesome, a few WRX's, but not much else
and we did have our share of Rice - toyota paseo black plastic body kit held on with DUCT tape, NOS stickers everywhere (no nos, though), KHAOS RACING on the windshield, Big *** Wing on the back (someone was a jerk a smashed it)
anyway, They arent bad for insurance, and not very expensive cars, but be prepared to work a bit for it
I know i will be (coulda replaced the slave cylinder myself for $70 instead of the $400 it cost me)
my 84' 944 NA cost me $5500 (after repairs, damn slave cylinder!)
it opnly had 24,600 miles on it and it was in mint shape, only problem is that it has so few miles, it actually hasnt been driven enough! and it hasnt reached the miles to replace anything (though I am going to, simply due to sheer age)
the seals on the slave cylinder were believed to have dried out and failed due to underuse
It Is in beautiful shape outside and In, everything worked (damn power windows went out, must've blown a fuse or a dead relay... ill get to it when i bring it out of hibernation) And its damned sexy
I drove it all summer, averaged about an hour a day driving it.
I certainly enjoy it, even though its not fast, its fast enough
and under my parent's insurance, its pretty cheap, under 900 a year full
but these are all gonna be over a decade old, so look for maintenance and expect some work on your part
I wish i had the car for part of teh school year... woulda been the coolest car in the lot... well, there were a couple other ones, like this old mercedes that was awesome, a few WRX's, but not much else
and we did have our share of Rice - toyota paseo black plastic body kit held on with DUCT tape, NOS stickers everywhere (no nos, though), KHAOS RACING on the windshield, Big *** Wing on the back (someone was a jerk a smashed it)
anyway, They arent bad for insurance, and not very expensive cars, but be prepared to work a bit for it
I know i will be (coulda replaced the slave cylinder myself for $70 instead of the $400 it cost me)
10-17-2003, 10:36 PM
#14
Drifting
I'd say that a "good" example will run you 1500 in repair right off, here's how simple it is.
Plug wires $125
Distributor cap/rotor $65
Coil $60
Timing Belt $150 parts
Water Pump $150 parts
Clutch $450 parts
Brings your total to $1000 plus tax and labor
Now IF those items have been replaced AND you have documentation of the repair, maybe you could get by without doing them. Personally I'd at least do the water pump and belts. Cheap insurance against a top end rebuild.
Plug wires $125
Distributor cap/rotor $65
Coil $60
Timing Belt $150 parts
Water Pump $150 parts
Clutch $450 parts
Brings your total to $1000 plus tax and labor
Now IF those items have been replaced AND you have documentation of the repair, maybe you could get by without doing them. Personally I'd at least do the water pump and belts. Cheap insurance against a top end rebuild.
