norbtx

Been a 993 owner for a while, so thinking of getting a 944 for myself and then on to my son in a couple of years. They seem fairly in-expensive. Lots of great info here. Any advice on which year, what to look for would be great. Easy enough to wrench with my son? I'm looking as a future car for him but also some father son bonding. Thanks!

melman911

I've owned a 993 and loved the heck out it. Very fun car to drive. Just bought a 89 951 and again a blast to drive. I wouldn't get anything other than a turbo. It has just enough power. Anything less might not be enough for me. It's just my 2 cents. Good luck.

951Dreams

I like the 85.2+ personally. I like the dash better, and they did make improvements throughout the run. So the newer, the "better". Later cars have just a bit more power, and little stuff here and there. ABS and airbags on 87+ (optional). Stuff like that.

I think they are easy to work on, and this community is amazing and helpful. If it wasn't for the people here and in the other 944 forum communities (mainly here) I'd have given up long ago, and I would have never gotten my 951.

And these offer tons on father/son time opportunities. They all need deferred maintenance. Unless it's an excellent to concurs car, but you don't want to drive those.

phast930

I have an '86 944 for sale if interested, may be able to persuade me to sell my other '87 944 turbo also.

guidon112

The 944 is a true pleasure to drive, and yes it's reasonably easy to work on. The later models are probably a better investment, even though I prefer the early ones.
Some things to look for, start with maintenance records, a well kept car should have good records.
Original condition, regardless of some opinions, a car that is all original is a better investment.
Trouble areas are, the battery tray, the Jack points, weird electrical issues, odometer / speedometer, Brake lines, fuel lines, vacuum lines, DME, timing belt, and the rubber clutch.
The 951 is probably not the best car to give to a teenage driver, they are fast enough to get in lots of trouble. MHO.
The 944 is a labor of love, mine is my favorite thing.

norbtx

Thanks for the replies so far. You know as a kid of the 80's, my heart loves the classic 944 with the front bumper and "exotic" original interior. But my 2010'a brain says get the latest S2 or turbo. This will be fun adventure! One reason I don't mind getting a 944 for my son, is that the early 944s came with less than 200hp. Heck even my wife's minivan makes close to 300hp. lol.

phast930

If you want a 944 turbo I have a '87 black / maroon 88K miles will sell for 12K. PM me if interested. Have all the maintenance records.

Squid924

A 944 NA is not a fast or powerful car by today's standards, but is engaging to drive and will surprise most when you take them for a ride. The torque vs. horsepower band line up well for daily driving and they can eat up the miles without wearing you out and return pretty good fuel economy for a sports car.

The interior is a matter of preference and a later 88-89 944 will have a slight bump in power. You could also consider an 87-88 924S (they have the 944 engine and trans with the 924 body).

At the end of the day, buy the car that is in the best condition for your budget. I don't know your skillset, but I personally am not good at bodywork (and it's expensive to have done) so I would look for a car with a good body, knowing I could address the mechanicals with my son. If the body looks good he will have pride when walking to the car and showing it off to his friends.

My first Porsche started as a father/son project and 20 years later I still own it and drive it regularly. Several other P-cars have come and gone, but this one has some memories I cannot replace.

Best of Luck!

Aivar88

im no old timer but id suggest S2 or turbo for sure. you'll end up wanting more not less or at least your kid will !! specially if coming from 993. and since these really are good and fun to drive with.

MAGK944

What you never hear on this forum is "I wish I'd bought a normally-aspirated 944 instead of my 951."

g-50cab

I have a sorted S2 for sale in the classifieds - all the heavy lifting has been done. BTW - I chose the S2 because the 3.0 makes it much easier to drive around town - the 1989 comes with dual airbags and ABS

alordofchaos

Was gong to mention this. I don't know your son, or his friends, or how easily your son is influenced by his peers. But a coworker bought a used Corvette for his son. . . and had to bury him shortly after, when the kid lost control of it True, but none of us are going to drive hard because we are running late to high school/college class and then shut off the car without letting the turbo cool down

Also - check the comparable insurance rates. $ure, a turbo ha$ a lot of thing$ going for it, but . . .

Squid924

Haha! This is the truth.....but think of how the father/son project gets resurrected in 2 years when they begin to swap in the 968 Engine.

G-50cab - That is a gorgeous S2 that you have for sale!

g-50cab

https://www.motosafety.com/

951Dreams

Until you go to replace something simple, and realize you have to take 1/2 the car apart just to even SEE it. Much less get TO it. Having worked on both, I much prefer the NA. Plus less electronics.

I'm giving an 87 to my 16 year old son. No worries. Any newer car, say 15 years or younger, is faster. Even a Civic. But the 944 handles.. well like a 944! It doesn't matter what you get your kid, if they are going to be stupid they are going to be stupid. At least I know he's not going to kill himself drag racing!