Ah College. When I started college I had worked hard, made and saved a LOT of money. I had 3 cars after giving one to my brother. A van I used for a truck, a nice Audi sedan, and a Mopar hot rod. By the time I graduated I had only a $10 10 speed bike. And no, I didn't run out and borrow a bunch of money for a fancy new car. I rode the bike and bummed rides until I made enough to buy a cheap but really nice used car from a co-worker.

While still in school I replaced the 3 vehicles with a really nice 914. It was my first Porsche. I wanted something fun to drive because it seemed like between working, school, and studying driving time was the only time I had to have fun. I did not have a garage to park it in and sold it because I just could not stand to see what being out in the weather was doing to such a nice car. I didn't get another Porsche until I finally bought and moved into a house with a garage big enough to always be able to park a car in.

944 versus 928... You would be able to get a nicer 944 NA than 928 for the money you are spending. 944 does not have the performance of the 928 so you will not be as inclined to drive aggressively and require more maintenance.

A friend in the local PCA had a 924 (very similar to 944) he daily drove for 15 years. He bought it while in college. It got totalled by a drunk driver late one night two years ago while it was parked in front of his home. Well after college he got a 928 S4, but didn't drive it much because he was afraid something would break and it would be too expensive to fix. He sold the S4 when the second kid came along last summer and he couldn't find child seats. He now daily drives a 944 Turbo he got a good deal on.

Good luck on your decision. I bet you will enjoy the heck out of either car just because they are the Porsche.

 

944.

My son got one 18 months ago from a Craigslist ad. $1500. Alternating driving them, hes says it gets far more attention then the 928's that way, just has special lines about it that appeal to more people. I find the same thing when I drive it, whether its to work or the grocery store. He says girls line-up to ride in it.

Cheap to fix (parts / gotta do your own labor), with used parts available all over the place. A guy we know around here just cruises around the region buying the junkers for 100 to 500 bucks each, sets them on and old tennis court and sells the bits on ebay. I think he's harvested 25 or 30 of them now.

For 3500 you should get a great car. Negotiating points are fuel line replacement and recent timing belt and water pump. Was thermostat replaced with water pump? Should be, as its mounted in the throat (but its hard to access without removing the pump) Also, clutch. Expensive to replace and they say a rather involved job. You want to ask about how it drives in hot weather, stop and go, because they can be finicky if the thermostat is not opening all the way. I did a TB/WP/TS job on his this fall and it really helped the cooling. Actually, I've been driving it to work for the last few weeks and love it.

You want the 5 speed as the auto is reportedly a weak performer. If the clutch and tranny are good on the 5 speed, it should be very easy to drive. Ours is very smooth, with a long smooth clutch engagement. We've taught 3 people how to drive the stick shift using this car because it is forgiving.

Far simpler to go with the 944.

 

The following need to be done to both cars: A repaint at some point and will need good seat covers for the time being. The 944 has no radio. The 928 is really the car I want because its more unique. I just spoke to the owner again today and he just confirmed with me what it needs: 1-repaint tho it does not look horrible 2-lock for rear hatch 3-some interior work 4-drivers side door panel needs to be put on(is in the trunk of the car) I would really prefer the 928 as my dad had a 944 but I need to make a decision by Friday.

 

would anyone happen to know the performance specs such as 0-60 on a 83 928s with the automatic? Did every "S" come with that little rear spoiler in the back? Thanks!

 

I hope you are going into this not having to depend on this car to be your daily driver. They are $ 3000 cars for a reason.I own a 944 and a 928 the 44 turns just as many heads if not more could be because its red and the black car blends in. The 44 will be cheaper to maintain, just start with the cost a tune up parts and a oil change and work your way up. The timing belt on the 44 takes 30 mins to change,the 928 2 days on your first one ..... But it all evens out when you hear the V8 roar.You will find some real good people on this board every time i get on it makes me want to move to Texas or Cali. Good luck on your choice make it and don't look back this could be a great father son time or a episode of american chopper.

Good luck,

Jeff

 

Hi there, I would actually use the 928 around town since I go to college. Just from point A to B type thing until the summer when I can put more money into it. The engine is fine on the car but needs to worked on a bit cosmetically. Actually, I would prefer the 944 since it would be easier to maintain but I don't know how to drive manual transmission! I doubt the 928 would have more problems than my Saab 9-5 which I got rid of. Warning lights all the time, water pump failed, radiator blew up and some leaks, etc. Does the 928 have that much better reliability than the 944??

 

Reliability has little to do with model, and everything to do with maintenance history. Either car could be a maintenance nightmare, making your Saab look like a bargain car, or either could be trouble free for a few years. In the $3500 range, you can probably expect major maintenance issues fairly soon.