Should I purchase 944 as a daily driver???

[pimpmcdaddies]

I've had my 944 about 5 years,got with a broken belt(no major damage,4 valves)due to water pump failure.Paint was faded.Used as a daily driver for years with no problems.It's now been painted and lives in the workshop most of the time but was a fantastic daily car.Easy to manage and cheap to run in urban conditions with the smooth 4 cylinder but plenty of power on the open road.I've had a few 325i BMWs which are also a good bit of kit but I've always sold them on which I guess tells a story.
944 has only let me down once due to 20 year old hardened crank sensor which is apparently common on cars this age.
I love the fact that the 944 is galvanised too so if you look for a decent example you shouldn't get too many surprises in the rust department.The sills are a bit flimsy under the factory stone chip so check carefully but it's an easy area to repair.
Mines an early dash model,my car came free so I can't be fussy but if I was buying I would go for a later SE or Turbo model if my budget could possibly stretch for it.
You can check some of my cars including the Porsche here if you're iinterested... http://www.cardomain.com/id/pimpmcdaddies

[grey11879]

944's are great cars I've owned 2 an 84 and an 85.5. Basic maintance cost is not bad, however body damage (front spioler especaily and commonaly damged) and major repairs are expensive. If you purchace one youll want to have service records if possible. The engines used in the 944 are interfence fit thus timely changing of the timing belt is crucial as a broken timing belt results in major damage. As far as checks you can/should do before buying check for coolant leak form the front at the water pump (a relaive high priced item in comparison to other cars) water in the oil (white/orange foam) and obvious damage and/or signs of wear (white smoke). Can't remember the adress but Bill Underwood has a section of his site devoted to buying a 944.

[BMW320i]

I live in Europe where BMW are like Chevy's, they are everywhere, easy to fix and have tons of parts around. I even bought a E30 320i which is the smallest of the 6 cylinders. I since sold it and am using the money to buy a 944 becuase I want the handling of a Porsche. Beamers handle good in there opwn respect but not like a Porsche. The Beamer 325 might be faster in the straight but these are not 1/4 drag racers. go get a big block. I do agree that the Beamer is a family car and Porsche is a sports car. I guess the question is do you want 4 doors or 2. Yes I know Beamers have some 2-doors but it is the same square family sedan body. Nothing fancy just less doors.
FYI Porsches cost More in Germany not less, about 30% more. Beamer cost about 60% less in Germany. I got my pristine 320i for under 1k and I paid more than market price here.

[72' Stang 351 H/O]

I would try to find a turboed 911 but hell that's me,speaking of 944 I saw one about 40 miles from my house for 3,500 dollars.

[klohiq]

Originally Posted by proud_924s_owner

yea i agree, they make great everyday drivers, the motors will last for a long time if they were and are continued to be properly maintained. the front end service is vital, and should be done atleast every 50,000 miles otherwise worst case scenerio the timing belt breaks, then your out a few thousand for repairs of the head, valves and cam, possibly more if a valve strikes a piston... enough with the horror stories, the car is great, they have excelent brakes, the motor runs smoothly and very reliably, great gas mileage, the thing can match just about any high end sports car when thrown into a corner. on a windy mountain road with short and few straights this car can outrun a vette if everythings in good condition(swaybars, bushings, springs, torsion bars, shocks and struts) and on top of this, it wont beat the crap out of you if the pavement is less then perfect. ok, maybe im going on a bit too much... i just cant say enough about this car.

I doubt it can outrun a c5 or c6 corvette...they run what 13s stock? the 944 turbo runs high 14s...the na runs like mid 15s....maybe you meant older corvettes, but even then the cars have a lot more power. I guess on a twisty enough road, but even then...

The s13 240sx outhandles a 944...same with the FC rx7 I believe...so it's not like the car is amazing. Sure it's a nice looking car, but don't act like it's more than it is. An mr2 non-turbo should be able to outhandle it too...same with many other cheap, light japanese cars.

[naruto]

Is the 944 really an unreliable car or is it just because of old age? what kinds of things are done when doing preventive maintenance.

I really like this car and would love to own one in the future as an EVERYDAY vehicle.

thanks

[naruto]

Double Post

[Fedelis]

My manual porsche is reliable, and I've been doing alot of crazy shit in it. When I got it I changed the timing belt and fixed some oil leaks, also replaced the suspension. That was about 2 grand worth of work and since then it's been running perfectly. I've had it about a year since that tuneup.

[jeffro911]

I have had many 944's all of them daily drivers. I currently own a 1984 and I love it. I like the 85.5 and later models but honestly the earlier cars are les expenceive to maintain than the later ones and they realy are just as much fun.
late lower control arm=$750.00
early lower control arm=$55.00

big differance!

I say go for it! the honda boys are all jealous and always want to race.

[RACER D12]

Originally Posted by klohiq

I doubt it can outrun a c5 or c6 corvette...they run what 13s stock? the 944 turbo runs high 14s...the na runs like mid 15s....maybe you meant older corvettes, but even then the cars have a lot more power. I guess on a twisty enough road, but even then...

The s13 240sx outhandles a 944...same with the FC rx7 I believe...so it's not like the car is amazing. Sure it's a nice looking car, but don't act like it's more than it is. An mr2 non-turbo should be able to outhandle it too...same with many other cheap, light japanese cars.

86-88 non S 944 Turbos run low to mid 14s and Turbo S 944s run high 13s for what its worth.


And a S13 does not out handle a 944... at all. Neither does the FC. There are videos from car shows back in the 80s to prove it. Its not all that amazing but dont sell it short.

And for what its worth I have driven pretty much all the cars in question.

[bmwgolfguy]

You have left far too many facts out. Like how many miles daily, the terrain, shape of the roads, fun factor, cost, etc.

Good Luck!

['97ventureowner]

This poll's been running 2 1/2 years now, a little too long . Time to close it, so it won't be continually resurrected.