Olezhka

Hello all, looking into buying the beautiful baby,the obvious porscha 944.
The only concern i have is that i heard sport car engines has a life run of 80 000 km. could this be true? Most cars i see are arround 200 000 km.
I would expect replacing alot of parts regularely but as far as engine what can it go to any know?

olezhka

pozican

220k on just regular maintence (87 944)
190k the same, just had to do a headgasket (86 944 turbo)

These cars will run and run and run.

They both have GREAT compression (better now with rebuilt heads) and they both perform to factory specs still (on mustang dyno even!)

Pcar944

293000kms (182k miles) on my 1986 944 with no major work done. It still runs strong and smoooth.

DME died at 165k miles, thats the only issue its ever had in the 120k miles i've owned it. By Far and away the most reliable car i've ever owned.

-mike
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1986 944 Red
1988 944 Blue

Olezhka

Would anyone know how manyrpm the 944 runs when doing 100km/h.

I plan to use the car on a daily basis just like any other city car. I dont think this car is different from that category unless i am wrong? 944 is considered to my openion more roadster then sports car? I know regular maintenance is expected but i dont want to end up buying a new engine for the the 944.

thank you

Dan Shea

depending on the year(they had different transmission gearing) but at 100kmh(thats like 60 right?) i would say 2500 rpm in fifth gear

Olezhka

ok, well thank you for the help,

i will keep on researching there is alot here that has interessting info

Pcar944

Welcome to Rennlist! and congratulations on deciding to buy a Porsche.

What country are you from? Whats the market for Porsche's there? What kind of budget do you have?

-mike
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1986 944 Red
1988 944 Blue

Olezhka

Well, i am In Canada, Montreal to be specific. To be honest i havent seen too many 944s here. However Porsche wise, there is i can assure you.
The budget that i am planning to spend would be arround 7,000 at this point. But from what i am reading and finding out more and more, is that it will be another half of that sum at least invested to bring it to shape.
It feels good to see a forum dedicated to this car, much the same reading how many there is out there that have the same passion.

pinetreeporsche

O: Yeah--I just sprung for one (see my posting nearby). As a 914 owner, and an old VW van owner for 30 years, I felt the 914 was the one to stay on a budget with. When the 944 came after me, I talked to three 944 mechanics. All agree that it's robust, and might go several hundred thousand miles, IF: if you change the timing and countershaft belts and the chain/tensioner at the top of the head. If not, the interference valves can cost you thousands, maybe well above ten grand, depending on the motor. So check the records that the old owner has, look for those items. If not recent, by a real Porsche specialist, ask for $1000-1500 off, depending on the model--that replacement should be done first thing--I drove my new jewel straight to the 944 guys, gently, as the belts may have been there the whole 17 years/ 95,000 miles. Ask for a $500 price reduction if the clutch hasn't been done for 50,000 mi, too, because it's going to cost you more than that when you do it, too. Rust is usually not an issue with these (unlike my 914s), but have a specialist check everything out--like the suspension, brakes, etc. Much of that you can do yourself, but even the parts cost a lot--another bargaining point. Good luck, and have fun. -Chris

Pcar944

Do a search on PPI (pre purchase inspection) in these forums and you'll find a wealth of information about what to look for in a 944.

>>>I drove my new jewel straight to the 944 guys, gently, as the belts may have been there the whole 17 years/ 95,000 miles<<<

Even this send shivvers down the spine of 944 owners, tow it, dont drive it! The timing belt replacement is the one piece of regular maintenence that it is vital to perform aprox every 35k miles. A broken timing belt will most likely destroy the engine so if there's any doubt have it Towed.

These forums are a great resource. When the time comes post details on here (the 924/931/944/951/968 Forum is alot more busy than this section) and you'll get some good initial advice.

-mike
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1986 944 Red
1988 944 Blue

Olezhka

Wow guys, thats a whole lotta info. And I am very glad that i found this community. I feel like i am standing with my two feet on the ground.However, I am sure that my purchase will end up in the states since here in canada its a ripoff to buy a pre-owned porsche. Badly maintained and asking for too much. And they drive it in the winter or leave it outside.Having a -30 degrees,the salt,the rocks.
Anyhow, it is a jewel and when it comes into your arms you want it to look like a perfect polar diamond and not a spare parts on wheels.

cheers

The DareDevil

Lots of us from Montreal on the board.

Welcome to the List!

Sysgen

Bienvenue a bord

Welcome aboard, a lot of really great people here, so if you have more questions dont hesitate. We're also a lot from Montreal.

StyleLab

You are right many porsches are overpriced here. When importing one, you have to factor the opportunity cost of your time plus duty fees plus exchange rate on our dollar plus inspection if I'm not mistaken. I'm sure DareDevil can tell you more about that. I'm looking into this myself. So say you buy a 7000 u.s. 944.

Purchase price: $7000 u.s = $8250 can
-paperwork/brokerage = $197
-6.1% duty = $500
-excise tax on air conditioning = $100
-G.S.T. 6% = $500
-plus gaz, plus opportunity cost

to give you an idea, your at over $9550 can for a car with a list price of $7000 u.s. I'm not sure the 15 year rule applies here when calculating tax on value.

You are right, many have been abused since there are a lot less in circulation. With patience, you can find a nice example. There is a nice 944 community in Montreal to say the least. About the salt, it is very difficult to drive these cars in our winter. The car sits low and is fairly light over the rear with a 50/50 weight distribution, add that to rwd drive and lsd to give you major traction issues. I haven't yet seen anyone drive one in the snow around here. As for -30 degree weather, you shouldn't have to worry about that damaging a car.

This being said, I'm from Montreal and would like to sell my 944 S2 so I can buy another p-car. It has under 140 000 km and is pretty clean throughout. Car has Bilstein escort cup coilover shocks/struts, BBS LM 18 inch wheels, Porsche factory Firehawk racing chip, S4 turbo S big brakes up front, LSD transmission, straight exhaust, 968 rocker panels, gt racing vented nose and a whole bunch of other stuff. All maintenance is up to date (injectors, vacuum, fpr, belts, water pump, torque tube, clutch etc...) Let me know if your interested.

-Nick

poeburgh

I live in NYS and will be posting my 86 944 na for sale within the next month. The paint is fairly poor , but over the last 4 years and 20k miles the car has been almost entirely mechanically rebuilt and sorted out. My asking price will be substantially lower than your budget if you are interested.
andrew