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New to me 1988 944 base coupe... questions / comments

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Old 02-11-2019, 06:02 PM
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Trader220
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Default New to me 1988 944 base coupe... questions / comments

I already posted a couple questions last week but I took some time to shoot a couple pictures today.
The car is dirty as I have driven it a bit in the rain to get it home.
1988 base coupe miles in the low 80's, standard interior but has some sort of side skirt kit, boxster 17's and what looks like a euro front bumper.
Anyone recognize the body kit or bumper? Also being an 88 wouldn't it have air bags?

Every single service record from new in a folder !!!
Clean carfax (for whatever that's worth) consistent miles on the carfax.
Belts done in 2016 7k miles ago. Hatch done recently. Well cared for.
Could use an alignment and its a little rough at first idle.
Paint is a little oxidized and could use a good polish and wax.
Interior is excellent sans shift ****, NO cracks in the dash!!
Runs and drives fantastic.
Dash lights are a bit dim.

Thoughts? Questions? Feedback on any "must do" before I start using it?
Thanks!!







Old 02-11-2019, 09:29 PM
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Spring44
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Nice buy. Congratulations!
The dash lights were never very bright on the 944's, even when they were new. There are some who have installed brighter bulbs and lined the interior of the panel with reflective metal foil for a brighter look
I had to do a double take when looking at the overlapping pictures # 3 and 4. The seamless way that they go together, It looks like your garage has an asphalt roof with standing water on it.
Cheers!
Old 02-14-2019, 04:00 PM
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Trader220
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Here is a picture of the sticker.... no 220 code. Anyone know any of the other codes?
Old 02-14-2019, 04:05 PM
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Spring44
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LM3A is the paint code for Guards Red / India Red.
Old 02-20-2019, 05:04 PM
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indes
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Originally Posted by Trader220
Anyone know any of the other codes?
158 - BLAUPUNKT RENO SQR 46 RADIO
341 - CENTRAL LOCKING SYSTEM
404 - FRONT AND REAR SWAY BARS
418 - SIDE MOLDINGS
431 - 4 SPOKE LEATHER 363 MM STEERING WHEEL
454 - CRUISE CONTROL
533 - ANTI THEFT DEVICE
650 - REMOVEABLE SUN ROOF
Old 02-26-2019, 11:40 PM
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edfishjr
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Airbags did not become standard until the '89 S2, I believe. My '89 base does not have airbags.

I would figure out why the idle isn't smooth.
Old 03-05-2019, 08:23 AM
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TiSwAs
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Originally Posted by Trader220
Here is a picture of the sticker.... no 220 code. Anyone know any of the other codes?
Hi where can i find this sticker?

Thanks
Old 03-05-2019, 11:28 AM
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Spring44
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It is located on the inside of the rear body panel in the vicinity of the spare tire / tail light. Unsnap the carpet surround in the hatch area and look behind it to see the sticker.
Old 03-07-2019, 02:18 AM
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TiSwAs
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Originally Posted by Spring44
It is located on the inside of the rear body panel in the vicinity of the spare tire / tail light. Unsnap the carpet surround in the hatch area and look behind it to see the sticker.
thank you
Old 03-07-2019, 11:00 AM
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Zirconocene
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From the code meaning you posted, does that mean that the side skirts on the car are from the factory? I don't mean to be dense but my assumption with cars of this era was that those kinds of body kits tended to be aftermarket. Those look good though, which you can't always say about the aftermarket stuff...
Old 03-07-2019, 07:38 PM
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indes
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Originally Posted by Zirconocene
From the code meaning you posted, does that mean that the side skirts on the car are from the factory? I don't mean to be dense but my assumption with cars of this era was that those kinds of body kits tended to be aftermarket. Those look good though, which you can't always say about the aftermarket stuff...
Option code 418 is side moldings -- things along the door and two short pieces on the body.
The side skirt and the rear underside lip piece is likely aftermarket; the front of the car has had the bumper shaved etc. so it was likely done all at once and painted on the spot. (You've gotta repaint the whole bumper if you remove the rubber bits.)

EDIT: Also, it's not a euro front bumper. (Euro front bumpers have additional lights and shallower pads.) That bumper is an NA bumper with the pads removed, plugs filled, and repainted.
Old 03-18-2019, 12:44 PM
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audi49
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Looks like a nice purchase. I have the same 1988 car (minus the alarm, plus leather seats). Airbags were not standard and I don't think even an option on the base models in 1988. Turbos had them. It's good if the rear hatch seal has been fixed... that is an issue on mine (just started recently). When I purchased mine I had a rough idle at all times... turned out to be engine mounts - that made a huge difference on my level of enjoyment with the car. Enjoy!

I just drove mine to work today for the first time in about a month (have another toy Porsche that was consuming my time recently). This is such an enjoyable car... i love it! Super comfortable on any kind of road. Quieter (less road noise) than my Boxster. I also upgraded to Koni Yellow shocks which have been great (even with stock springs).
Old 03-27-2019, 02:26 AM
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mel_t_vin
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Originally Posted by Trader220
Also being an 88 wouldn't it have air bags? Feedback on any "must do" before I start using it?
Re: maintenance...

1. belts and rollers...you have paperwork?
2. flush motor oil...unless you have paperwork.
3. flush gear oil...gearbox upshifts/downshifts nicely?
4. flush brake/clutch fluid...solid pedals?
5. flush coolant...engine operates at normal temps?

Get her out on the back roads!

BTW, nice M990 cloth script seats. Suspect the rears are solid leatherette?
Old 03-27-2019, 02:32 AM
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mel_t_vin
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Originally Posted by indes
The side skirt and the rear underside lip piece is likely aftermarket.
Partially correct...the side skirts look to be aftermarket but that rear valance is [most likely] the same OEM diffuser fitted to 951's and 944S2's.



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