OT - 944 as daily driver, How reliable are they?? Options

[rhcb914]

I'm looking for something more fun as a daily beater...umm commuter.

I have a commute of about 100 miles round trip and my daily driver is starting to have transmission issues 04 mazda 6 wagon.

I can go 1 of 2 ways

1) Late model Toyota or Honda...boring ride

or spend the same $$ and

2) mid 80's 944 and maybe a late 90's jeep cherokee

If I have to drive this much I may as well enjoy the ride. How reliable are the mid 80's 944? If I get a realitively low milage one that has been maintained.

[Madswede]

I suggest you look into a 968. They are rare, so the price is a bit higher, but the clutch replacement labor costs are lower due to it being something like 1/3 the time of the same on a 944, if not less.

Balance shaft seals and rear main seals will always be an ongoing problem with both the 944 and the 968, but again, I keep up with 951s all the time and I'm running NA at mile high. Ok, that's mostly 'cos they don't know how to drive them and short-shift too much. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/biggrin.gif)

Also, the 968s are quite a bit more on torque and the HP is pushing 245 on a stock model thanks to the Variocam. I love mine, and it's been reliable as hell with 200-mile a day commutes for 5 years. I don't commute like that any more, and I have learned the hard way that you really DO need to take care of that timing belt... (IMG:style_emoticons/default/dry.gif)

Besides that, I reiterate what everyone else has said. Balance shaft and rear engine oil leaks are issues that require major labor but are not deal-killers if you can get one (get the 3.0l S2) for under $2K.