Porsche 944 opinions?

[Ryan...]

Gentlemen and ladies, I have found a 1985 944, 5 speed, 109k miles, for hella cheap. Thing is, it needs head work. I've found a set of completely refurbished heads on ebay for around $600.

Whats the general consensus on these cars? Anyone own one previously?

I like the idea of a cheap, well balanced, 30+ mpg hwy, and decent looking car.

I obviously still have the WRX to drive while I fixed the Porsche, and it could sit for as long as I needed while I fix it up and get it road worthy again. I'd also be considering a full suspension refresh, ground controls up front, and some fun days at Road America this summer..

[Earl]

slam the piss out of it=) ask our fellow Ben. His father is the current owner of one. lol

[Ryan...]

Ben said I should post here so his father could chime in

I dont wanna slam anything lol

[alexw]

Had a buddy who was into them... He said something about timing chain jobs every so often that cost $$$

I think it was a timing chain...

[Ryan...]

No they're belts I believe, and I've read that it should be done ever 15-18 months minimum... That's worse than a Ducati superbike

[alexw]

Something about a tool that's required for the job is stupid expensive? And that the dealer rapes you for the work...

I don't know, this was some many years ago when I was a young whippersnapper.

[Hammerdown]

Mine / checking out new rims and tires. The 944 does have some quirks such as the timing belt, balance belt and water pump that do need changed every 30k miles or 3 years. They also can have the oil cooler seal ( oil pan) that can crap out and get coolant in the crank oil which means new rod bearings. I haven't driven mine much since shortly after getting it it went into winter storage but they are a helluva lot of fun to drive! If you have other questions or want me to take a gander at it let me know.

[wasnt m3]

If it were me, I'd probably hold out for a well sorted car. Who know's how much more it'll need once it's running. Unless it's stupid cheap and there's no way to lose money.

What happened to the whole building a motor for the WRX idea?

[Ryan...]

Hammer down, sitting in yours was the reason I started thinking about getting one

TJ, I decided I'd rather just grab a new turbo, fix all the boost leaks, and stick with a stage 2 car for now. 280 bhp is more than enough, and I'd rather have 2 fun cars than 1 really fast car lol

[wasnt m3]

I found the car you are looking at. Looks pretty decent.

[Ryan...]

He sold it today

[Hammerdown]

That sucks. I'll keep my eyes open for a decent one. They do say the cheapest Porsche will be the most expensive to own.

[rampelsauce]

Ryan... said:

No they're belts I believe, and I've read that it should be done ever 15-18 months minimum... That's worse than a Ducati superbike

+1 on Ducati services being often. I got my desmo jobs done like twice a year.

[rampelsauce]

Also, get a 914, drop in a 350 chevy and stance the fuck out of it with some 16x10.5 wheels. LOLOLOLOLOLOLOL

[Earl]

http://milwaukee.craigslist.org/cto/2927264144.html

[Ryan...]

hell no.... my uncle had one of those back in the day; Ferrari type maintenance, 318i type performance, and Audi reliability...

[rampelsauce]

DAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAMN! Thats hatin'. Ryan, just buy a 1972 Porsche 911 Carrera.

[Ryan...]

Its not hatin, that's the damn troof! Those were some of the least reliable Porsches ever made. Even today the parts are crazy overpriced, there's no aftermarket support/help for cheaper quality parts, they look like dog turds, and the performance is severely lacking compared to most cars.. Its a glass turd that costs $2k a year to keep running for the 3 days a year you wanna drive it..

Honestly, I might just buy this instead of another car..

[alexw]

Ryan, no.

Don't be lame.

[Hammerdown]

I agree on the 928- they were and are crap