My 18 year old son wants a 944!

[kfoote]

I have owned 2 944's (still own one), and the only issues I ever had with my street 944 were I blew a head gasket at 150k miles and a clutch at 130k miles. I also made sure that the car had the updated water pump in it (if it's still running, chances are pretty good it has been replaced). The track 944 has had several other issues withit, but thay have all been related to it being a track car, and the added stresses put on it (and not being able to find anyone that can build a reliable engine). With a good set of snow tires (I had Michelin Pilot Arctic Alpins), the car is surprisingly good in the snow. Most of the reasons I traded in the street car for my current daily driver were little annoying things that I didn't want to spend the time to fix (dash light burnt out, stereo on the fritz, A/C intermittent, etc), but did nothing to the driveability of the car.

As for concerns about driving too fast, the base 2.5L 8 valve 944 only has about 150 HP in it, and for $5k, there are a whole lot of cars out there that are faster and not as safe.

[Cbass]

Originally posted by baker84
If your son is not mechanically inclined I suggest not to buy this car. It is very costly to keep up for a daily driver ;although the insurance is not that bad for just liability. The Porsche garages in Pa, are outrageous to perform work on these vehicles. But I dont know where you are. Baker84

That's the problem with buying a 944 as a first car, having the experience to pick one that is going to need lots of work. It is an older car, and is going to need things replaced. It is Porsche, and parts aren't cheap.

If you can do your own work, it's not all that bad, but still more than running a japanese sports car. If you're dead set on buying a 944, at the very least have the car check out by professionals who are familiar with 944s.

There are lots of 944s out there, and it's worth the several thousand dollars to make sure you get one in good condition.

[EZED]

I read all these replies about insurance and its cost? – Not so
I read the replies on maintenance costs? – Not even so
I read the replies in your son driving fast? He is a young man and hopefully responsible. Your either going to let him learn responsibility or your not – your call, but one thing is for sure – Porsche, Honda, or a dinky 1960 fiat – if he is irresponsible he will drive fast in all. A 944 weighs over 3,000lbs. It’s a solid car. Teach him responsibility by showing him you trust his decisions – that in itself will last much longer than a couple of hundred thousand miles.

[Cbass]

944s weigh around, 2850 lbs, btw. The 944 turbo weighs over 3000lbs for the later models.

[arkboy]

actually the curb weight of an 84 is 2675 lb, but the cars are made of galvanized steel, it is solid.

[klohiq]

Even a Geo Metro can go 90 so anyone who thinks that just because you buy your son a slow car he isn't speeding is an idiot. The only things a slow car will do is not squeek or smoke the tires from a stop light which can get the attention of police much more than just speeding and the other people will not try to race it.

Almost everyone...especially guys when they start out driving will race a few people at stop lights or go 5 or 10 over. When you're young you push the limits and as long as you don't push them too much, it's a healthy and normal thing. If he gets some tickets or hurts himself he will hopefully learn or maybe he will be one of the smart ones and not need to learn the hard way.

Give him the responsibility and he will most likely want to prove himself that he is worthy of the car and not stupid enough to get it taken away. If you force him to wait until he is out of the house he may just speed as a way of being rebelious. If you think he's trustworthy then help him out with getting the car. At his age he should be mature enough.

[87Porsche951]

Hey he saved up the cash and its his hard earned money so let him spending on what ever he wants. He doesnt determerne what you can spend your money on does he? So let him decide what he wants. Besides if he really wants the car than he will go out and get one anyway. $5,000 can get you a really well maintained 944, that has no problems. Although since he is a teen he will most likely get bored of it quickly. tell him to save a bit more a go for a 944 S2 which has a better engine than a regular 944 or find a late model 944 because they increases the 2.5L to 2.7L the S2 has a 16V DOHC 3.0L L4 which is a great high RPM motor. the regualr 944's is a 8V SOHC 2.5L L4!

If he plans on doing any mods in the future and doesnt want a 944 Turbo than go with the S2. S2 has really good suspension and good power. Plus the S2 has the same bumper as the Turbo, the regular 944 bumber is kinda wierd.

If he can save up $7500-$8000 he can find a really well maintained 944 Turbo. If he is interested in trying to find a Turbo go with a 1987 or even better a 1989 which is a Turbo S without the emblem but has like 2HP less than a 1988 Turbo S but 2HP is not noticable.

[mob]

Originally Posted by HikaRu

he may be living here next year, but what about the year after that? i'm going to college next year too, and i really wanted to buy a 1991 mr2 turbo, but my parents wouldn't let me, i had the money saved up too. as long as it's always in use, you should probably just let him buy it.

hey man im not sure if u will see this agian but to let u know dont get an mr2 its a very dangerious car, its beautiful and amazin wit the mid engine but its is very bad ive done alot of research on it because i wanted one when i turn 16 but it aint worth it i would wait till im about 30 to get one it is so hard to handle so easy to spin out parts are expensive and hard to find, oyu haev to have alot of experience in drivin i feel really bad about not gettin one but it isnt worth the 6k to get one sorry porsche people about this mr2 talk : -)

[Cade]

The Mr2 is only what you make it. And it is one great handeling machine if the right driver is in it. Dont go doggin Mr2's just cause you dont know how to drive them. Of course they are gonna whip around since more of the weight is in the back. Get the right driver in there and you got either a gripping mountain machine or a drifting machine. Get the wrong driver and you got a newb that cant handle it and is going to go off and make assumtions on how its dangerous.

P.S....AW's and SW's 0wn j00.

[panzergrey]

While I agree that you can drive fast or wrecklessly in any vehicle, a high performance vehicle like a 944 tempts self-discipline for sure.

This car can do things that just plain surprise other drivers.

I recently took my 944 out of the garage after almost a year and I had forgotten how quickly you can get yourself in to trouble, how quickly you can be in a spot the other driver was not anticipating.

I definately have to fight the adrenaline urge each time I take it out, and I'm a 39 year old adult !

That said, I drove the car when I was in my twenties, and both the vehicle and I survived.

The superb handling of the 944 does make it possible to escape from situations that a normal car could not. At the same time, the incredible handling can make an inexperienced driver think he is better than he really is.

If you are really paranoid, install a GPS tracking device that monitors his speed and route. Maybe make a deal with him that if he can go one year without any overt execesses, he gets the tracker off.

Then again, you'd rather teach him to drive resposibly because it's the responsible thing to do both for himself, others on the road, for you, and for his vehicle...and not just because you can track him.

In the end, I say let him get the 944.

Teach him responsibility, respect, self-discipline, moderation, and cross your fingers.

A high-performance driving school might not be a bad idea....maybe even as a condition of purchase.

[YeTi]

i concour with fishguy... make the rules known.
besides, if he really apreciates it, he won't run it too hard. i am 19 and i pay liability insurence through my own policy and pay $830 USD every 6 months. not too shabby.

[saab9kturbo]

Well, first off, unless you are paying for his college i wouldnt be buying a 944. As far as speed goes i wouldnt be so worried about that unless he wants a turbo model, my saab beats non turbo 944 (6.5 seconds to sixty w/mods) all day long, and i payed 1500 dollars for that 204,000 mile pile of junk. That said my dream car for the money right now is a 951 and I really would like to purchase one. Problem is im 18, a senior in high school, and im going to college next year. I do all work on my cars so labor wont be a problem, but insurance still wont be as good as an escort and parts are insane in price for any old european car save a 240DL. the 944 is actually a fairly safe car though, so if thats a concern. the 944 is an expensive car to purchase, own, and maintain--bottom line. The T in turbo also stands for "Tickets" and eventually "Total license loss" for younger folks. And for the person's parents who said the car gets taken away if they race anything, why did they let you have a 944 in the first place, the only reason to own it is to drive in a spirted fashion, might as well own a bonneville or something since the 944 is impractical in almost every sense. the mr2 is even worse (off topic), my friend has '91 turbo and we just removed the drivetrain, talk about hard to work on- i dont think ive ever seen it much worse. mr2's have the quirky mid/rear engine characteristic called drop throttle oversteer and thats what makes them dangerous in the hands of an inexperienced driver, although it will understeer more to save your buttocks than a 911 will.

[MetalHead-944]

I know this is an old thread but maybe i can still help.
My first car was an '87 5.0 f-150 until i got t-boned and it was totalled.
Two weeks ago i got a '87 944 N/A for $2,900. And while it has issues, body and more importantly engine wise it runs perfect.
Im 19, never had a ticket and the wreck wasnt my fault. My insurance is $240 (full coverage) a month. And I agree with everybody else if your son doesnt turn alot of wrenches problems might show up later on.
Also Id make sure your son knows its not a honda. Him and his friends cant read about some way to get more power out of "super street" and just do it on a 944. It a Porsche not a Toyota and therefore you cant just change something on a quirk and not expect problems.

As for the speeding issue. Well while the N/A might be slower than a turbo or 944S its still faster than alot thats out there. And honestly its a Porsche (a 4cyl. slower one but still a porsche) who wouldnt drive atleast a little faster?
The first time I took mine on the highway it hit 115mph before i new it.
And on twisty roads you just cant help it. But they are extremely solid cars. My friends prelude feels like a tin can even though its atleast 700ibs heavier.

I I probably rambled more than anything else. But my theory is if he has the money for it. And treats it with the respect a Porsche deserves, you'll both love it for a long time. And just keep in mind with Porsches less HP doesnt always mean slower.