Newbie
Thread Starter
2nd Gear
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 2
Likes: 0
Newbie
Hi All, Just discovered the site cos I'm looking at buying a 944. So, what advice would you give me when looking?
I've never owned a Porsche and only have basic mechanical skills (although my brother is a spannerman).
The 944 looks like a proper supercar and has the all-important badge! I'd like to use it on a fairly regular basis with the odd 500 mile round trip to work.
Is this the car for me?
Cheers
Robin
I've never owned a Porsche and only have basic mechanical skills (although my brother is a spannerman).
The 944 looks like a proper supercar and has the all-important badge! I'd like to use it on a fairly regular basis with the odd 500 mile round trip to work.
Is this the car for me?
Cheers
Robin
Instructor
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 108
Likes: 1
A few things to keep in mind when makin up your decision.
1. Get a prepurchase inspection (usually around $200) before you buy the car. This will give you an *estimate* of how much work it will need shorty after purchase.
2. Get yourself a copy of the Haynes manual, porsche workshop manual, and browse through the garage manual at clarks-garage.com ... Then watch these boards and take a look at the common problems people encounter and ask yourself if you are willing/able to do similiar jobs yourself, or atleast pay for it.
3. From what i've seen/read then average first year repair expensives tend to be atleast $1,000. Keep that in mind. And that is just the timing belt, waterpump etc sort of repair. If you are the **** type like me, you will also be looking at minor things like cassette box hinge replacement, door handle gaskets, luggage curtain end caps, etc.. These things (while significantly cheaper than repairs) still add up.
4. I think the 944 is a super fun car to drive, but what is your definition of a "supercar"? The 944 is not fast off-the-line. If you are looking for a stoplight racer, you'll be disappointed. Although if you do have a 500 mile round trip to work that involves some highway or backroad driving, you might very well love how the car handles. What part of the world are you from, and what are the winters like? I use my 944 year round as a daily driver, in the northeast usa. Driving it in snow sucks. The car rides just fine in a blizzard, it is just no fun to drive. The rear wheel drive hasn't been a problem, and while it is very easy for the back tires to kick out from under ya, the car is also very predictable and not difficult to control. Just something to keep in mind.
Could go on and on and on. Have had my 944 for 16 months now. I knew nothing about cars prior to purchase other than where to put the key and where to put the gas. The learning curve has been steep, but very rewarding. If you are looking for a car that only requires you to watch the level of gas in the tank, this might not be the car for you. If you are willing to work out the kinks that a 20 yr old car is sure to be sold with, and can afford the cost of repairs, then go for it.
1. Get a prepurchase inspection (usually around $200) before you buy the car. This will give you an *estimate* of how much work it will need shorty after purchase.
2. Get yourself a copy of the Haynes manual, porsche workshop manual, and browse through the garage manual at clarks-garage.com ... Then watch these boards and take a look at the common problems people encounter and ask yourself if you are willing/able to do similiar jobs yourself, or atleast pay for it.
3. From what i've seen/read then average first year repair expensives tend to be atleast $1,000. Keep that in mind. And that is just the timing belt, waterpump etc sort of repair. If you are the **** type like me, you will also be looking at minor things like cassette box hinge replacement, door handle gaskets, luggage curtain end caps, etc.. These things (while significantly cheaper than repairs) still add up.
4. I think the 944 is a super fun car to drive, but what is your definition of a "supercar"? The 944 is not fast off-the-line. If you are looking for a stoplight racer, you'll be disappointed. Although if you do have a 500 mile round trip to work that involves some highway or backroad driving, you might very well love how the car handles. What part of the world are you from, and what are the winters like? I use my 944 year round as a daily driver, in the northeast usa. Driving it in snow sucks. The car rides just fine in a blizzard, it is just no fun to drive. The rear wheel drive hasn't been a problem, and while it is very easy for the back tires to kick out from under ya, the car is also very predictable and not difficult to control. Just something to keep in mind.
Could go on and on and on. Have had my 944 for 16 months now. I knew nothing about cars prior to purchase other than where to put the key and where to put the gas. The learning curve has been steep, but very rewarding. If you are looking for a car that only requires you to watch the level of gas in the tank, this might not be the car for you. If you are willing to work out the kinks that a 20 yr old car is sure to be sold with, and can afford the cost of repairs, then go for it.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 1,148
Likes: 18
From: Northern New Jersey
I agree with all of livewirevoodoo's advice. the prepurchase inspection will be the best 200 dollars you have spent. Also you will be safer if you go for the car that costs a little more money but is in better shape with less milage and better service records then the car that is a little less money but in worse shape with no very good service reco0rds. the later of the 2 cars will cost you muchmuch much more in the long run.
Oh and welcome and good luck in your search. These cars are awsome and if you find a good one you will not regret it (of course i am kind of biased) Also make sure to watch the 924/44/68 forum under the water cooled section it has much more traffic and advice
Oh and welcome and good luck in your search. These cars are awsome and if you find a good one you will not regret it (of course i am kind of biased) Also make sure to watch the 924/44/68 forum under the water cooled section it has much more traffic and advice
Thread Starter
2nd Gear
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 2
Likes: 0
Hi again,
Thanks for that. Just that one piece of advice has got me hooked.
I live in the UK. The winters tend not to be too severe and the summers can sometimes be kind.
By "supercar" I mean that it has that aggressive look and the Porsche logo. The performance isn't as important cos we don't really have the roads to test it.
I'd already decided that I need one with a full history and have read that the belts can be a problem if not done promptly (my brother will love me!).
The gas it guzzles is again, not a real issue. I agree that if yer gonna run one of these it comes with the territory.
I've read through quite a lot on the site and picked up useful advice already, so I should be clued up when I go looking.
I look forward to owning a 944 (even a 924s looks a good buy) and chatting to you guys some more.
Cheers
Robin
Thanks for that. Just that one piece of advice has got me hooked.
I live in the UK. The winters tend not to be too severe and the summers can sometimes be kind.
By "supercar" I mean that it has that aggressive look and the Porsche logo. The performance isn't as important cos we don't really have the roads to test it.
I'd already decided that I need one with a full history and have read that the belts can be a problem if not done promptly (my brother will love me!).
The gas it guzzles is again, not a real issue. I agree that if yer gonna run one of these it comes with the territory.
I've read through quite a lot on the site and picked up useful advice already, so I should be clued up when I go looking.
I look forward to owning a 944 (even a 924s looks a good buy) and chatting to you guys some more.
Cheers
Robin