neunfünfeins

Yes, I have that problem as well... I'm about ready to yank 3 of the spark plug wires to slow her down, too. Her average MPG is routinely the City MPG estimate, even though she does mostly highway driving.

I think you're being wise. 944s are small, so why not two? A nice Turbo/S2/968 for you, and a tamer NA for the kid.

Me personally, when my kids reach driving age, they're getting an Asian-make sh!tbox appliance as their first 'trainer'. Like we had. They'll get to drive something cooler when they earn it. Like we had to do. Odds favor a kid's first car getting a few hard knocks, or worse. I know it would bother me quite a bit to see any car I cared about suffering the consequences of inexperience.

944s require a fair amount of upkeep, compared to let's say a Nissan Sentra. Couple of universal truths to keep in mind:
1) No such thing as a "cheap" Porsche, in the long run
2) Porsche parts prices are... well, Porsche parts prices (suitable aftermarket alternatives aside)

GL

FRporscheman

FYI, when I was in university I borrowed my mom's 1984 944. I was meeting my friend to study for a test. His dad was a 911 guy so he loved to rip on my mom's 944. When we went out for lunch (in the 944), I crashed on the first corner. So even 148hp can get a kid into trouble.

944 NAs are cheap, just start with one, and if you (and/or your son) like it enough to "move up" you can sell it and buy a turbo. The NAs are easier to work on. I remember being 19 and my dad showing me how to work on cars. He said I could have the 944 if I could replace the clutch in it. I was perplexed by how to remove a CV joint... a 951 would have made me cross-eyed! But I also remember being really excited and thinking about owning a Porsche. So unless you want to surprise your son, get him involved in the hunt for the car so you guys find a car that you both like (interior style / color / wheels etc).

My vote is for 1985.5+ NA, because of the later electrical system. If you guys like Fuchs wheels, get 85.5-86. If you like any other Porsche wheel, get 87+.





True, but most of us are mechanically inclined nutjobs. Not a lot of fathers buying project cars for their sons around here.

SloMo228

It all depends on your skillset, of course, but these cars are quite easy to work on, IMO. The 951s are probably a bit worse due to the extra stuff for the turbo, but overall they're a very DIY-friendly car.

I do all the work on mine out of a fairly modestly-equipped home garage. The only things I would feel the need to farm out are transaxle rebuilds and engine machine work, personally.

951Dreams

I got the 87 cheap, and the body and interior are ruff anyway. So I feel it's perfect for a first car. If it was a 6-7k NA, not so much. Unless he totals it, I'm really not at a loss.

alordofchaos

Ummm... thanks?

Too late for the dead kid, and you aren't gonna be plugging an OBDII device in a 944/951

Like 951Dreams said, the kid ain't gonna be drag racing anyone, at least not after he gets embarrassed after the first time he tries it

g-50cab

nevermind

norbtx

Hey guys what do you think of this listing? This same car was on BAT and most recently on ebay. This was the lsat listing on ebay.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/1985-Porsche...vip=true&rt=nc

and now listed here.
https://www.carsforsale.com/vehicle/details/31100458


BAT listing.
http://bringatrailer.com/2017/04/20/...5-porsche-944/


Thanks guys!

951Dreams

One ad says 21k, another 17k, and the last 9k?????

Also, one says Ohio, after Alabama??? WTH??

The pictures suck, but if it's as nice as they say, and really 20k miles, it's for sure worth mid teens. But of course, it's only worth what someone is willing to pay....