996redhead

A friend is still searching for that perfect starter car for his son (the current Volvo P1800 may be short lived).

He has heard that maintenance costs of a 944 are very high. As an example, every 30k miles it is necessary to replace the timing belt at a cost of $2000.

Would the 944 owners of this board agree that maintenance is high, or is it actually reasonably priced?

thanks
996 owner

Dave in Chicago

996 owner,

I would run a search on maintenance costs on the broader 924/944/951/968 forum. This has been covered with some great feedback.

On the belts, it's wise to replace them every 30k miles, but the cost is actually about 1/3 of that $2000 number. Experience will vary WIDELY, as you will see from previous posts. Overall, I've found maintenance to be quite reasonable (and I drive year 'round, 15K per year, plus 10-20 track days per year).

996redhead

Dave,
I have searched the archives using the words maintenance, routine, cost, and regular and have not received any matches.

Can you recommend something to point toward the correct threads?

many thanks,
Joel

Dave in Chicago

Joel,

Hmm... Seems harder to search than I thought. Here's one I recall:

<a href="http://forums.rennlist.com/forums/ultimatebb.php?ubb=get_topic;f=15;t=004554#000000" target="_blank">http://forums.rennlist.com/forums/ultimatebb.php?ubb=get_topic;f=15;t=004554#000000</a>

The 944 FAQ is a reasonable read as well. Here's my personal experience with the '88 NA I bought about 3 years ago with 107k miles on the clock:

Known going into it - AC Compressor, rotors, timing/balance shaft belts, all fluids.

Came up during last 3 years - Oil cooler seals, cam tower seals, did front engine seals while I was at it. No engine pulling, but a fair number of hours. Also, rod bearings (note that this may be more specific to the number DE's I ran). Again, labor intensive.

Normal upkeep - Oil/filter, coolant, brake fluid, pads... All stuff I do with the kids and items I chalk up to the aforementioned DE's. My price to play, okay with me.

Items I didn't expect - Driver's door window regulator (on order now), loose/dirty contacts for fuses (cleaned them all - work fine now), clock light going out (I'm not taking the dash apart for that, thanks).

So, I guess it comes down to a couple of critical care items (belts/rollers + any oil/coolant leaks); followed by items that just plain get expensive (clutch - you have to drop the trans to do the clutch on 944's, A/C - I probably spent $500+ to ensure the A/C worked again); then normal scheduled service for any car.

My experience is that 944's are quite reliable if given a meager amount of regular attention. I have never been stranded by the car. I also try to do whatever work I can myself. Heck, my 11-year-old can flush and bleed the brakes/clutch now.

As always, a good PPE is critical. Then, it's as important to get any required work done at the right shop. I squandered a few dollars with the wrong shop before I found the right one. I would have realistically cut my overall investment in upkeep by almost 1/3 if I had gotten that one right.

They're pretty simple cars, just getting older. If your friend's son has any inclination to utilize the Rennlist board, he will find an amazing support group/knowledge base that will save him a lot of time and money. The support community (knowledge, experience, parts) was one of the reasons I've found it easy to keep this car.

Will I have a 944 forever? Probably not. Will I have a P-car forever? You bet!

Hope this helps.

craig001

I have a 1990 S2 and have spent around $1600 a year for the last two years. Of course I replaced things rather then rebuilding along with new Dunlop's. But $2k for a Timing Belt change seems real excessive even with a new water pump, tensioners, seals and thermostat, I think it ran $1200 two years ago on my car. But if (here comes a shameless plug) your friend is looking for a nice 944 then look at Rennlist Ad #38919 to see mu S2 Cab that is up for sale. I get my 911 next week and will need the garage space as well as the cash. BTW, the P1800 is a fun ride, is it just too far gone? It's my favorite Volvo.

wjk_glynn

If you're curious, the following documnents the maintenance costs of my S2 to date:

<a href="http://www.weissach.net/WP0AB294XMN410197-History.html" target="_blank">http://www.weissach.net/WP0AB294XMN410197-History.html</a>

Karl.

PS - A timing belt change runs $400-$500, not $2K.

Z-man

I would not recommend a 944 (any model) as a starter car for a young'n, for the following reasons:
1. Maintenance is higher on Porsches, as you know. Does your son have the pockets to maintain a Porsche?
2. Not only is maintenance higher, but repairs are also higher: young, newly licensed drivers tend to be in more accidents.
2.5. If your sons does get into an accident with a 944, it's 'worse' than an econobox, from a collector's point of view: they're not making them anymore!
3. Clutches and trannies on the 944's are expensive to replace. Why learn on an expensive to repair clutch when there are many cars out there that are far less to repair should the clutch go?
4. These cars are considered sports cars. Insurance can be expensive, esp. for a new driver.
5. These cars are testosterone laden: your son, while probably a really decent lad, can get into a heap of trouble once he sits behind the wheel of a 944, regardless of horsepower numbers.

IMHO, your best bet is to get an econobox (Neon, Honduh, Toyota...etc). and have your son learn how to drive on that car. Once he's more familiar with the rules of the road, the clutch, the dynamics of driving a car, THEN get him a 944!

Just my $0.42.
-Zoltan.

kcaK85

I recently had my water pump, timing belt and balance shaft belt replaced to the tune of $863.16. This was done 12/24/02. I own a '87 924S which is essentially the same as a 944.

Jaxon

I like the '82-'85 Mercedes 300D Turbo Diesel as a starter car for teens. I have four children. I've purchased two of these cars used with "low mileage" 130,000 miles & 200,000.

They are slow, but the Turbo helps get on the highway. They are heavy. One saved my daughters life when she totaled it. They are reliable. Mine have been cheap to maintain. Gas mileage is also great.

The fellow who towed away the totaled car said that he had been in the towing business for thirty years. He believed it was the safest car on the roadeven without the airbags.

Boys tend to like them. Girls tend to hate them.

Jaxon

Jaxon

Sorry- I should have given an opinion on 944's maintenance. My 944 Turbo has been more expensive than any car I've ever owned. I've owned about thirty vehicles.

The truth hurts.

Chaz Bogenberger

Would your friend buy his son a gallon of Jack Daniels and loaded pistol? I only ask because that combo might be safer than a teenager and a 944. Not to say I don't like my 1987 944S, but let be honest, I had my car for 17 days before I got pulled over for reckless driving, and I was previously a good driver while taking out my parents '95 BMW 325 and '96 Audi A4. Maybe this is just me, but I would suggest that this much power would corrupt nearly any teenage driver. It's not worth the safety. On the other hand, a fifth generation Toy. Celica ST is heavier, half as powerful, and comes with an air bag, and very, very cheap maintainence. This might be a better option.