 OT-944 as a daily driver... |
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| Aircooledfool |
 Jan 9 2008, 09:42 PM
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#1
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Member  Group: Members Posts: 106 Joined: 17-September 06 From: Texas Member No.: 6,858 Region Association: None  |
I have a chance to buy a one owner '83 944 for $3000. The car is in great shape and has 36K miles. Red paint is a little oxidized but should buff out. Am I crazy to consider this car? Am I really just buying a big mechanics bill?
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Replies(1 - 18)
| jasons |
Jan 9 2008, 09:49 PM
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#2
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Jackstand Extraordinaire Group: Members Posts: 2,002 Joined: 19-August 04 From: Scottsdale, AZ Member No.: 2,573 Region Association: None |
Like all 944's you need to know history and records. Most notably, the timing/balance belts, and the clutch. If those parts have been done in the past 2 years or so. They should be serviceable. If not, plan on $1500-$2000 in repairs off the bat. Even with low miles, if those parts are 20+ years old, they are timebombs.
Oh and I would say, no your not crazy if its a nice car. |
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| Andyrew |
Jan 9 2008, 11:09 PM
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#3
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Spooling.... Please wait Group: Members Posts: 13,376 Joined: 20-January 03 From: Riverbank, Ca Member No.: 172 Region Association: Northern California 
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36k miles?? Thats probably not real.. Be prepared to do some work to it, as things go out over time not just miles.. Asside from that...
I drove a 944 turbo for 5 years daily. Still miss that car (IMG:style_emoticons/default/sad.gif) (sold it) |
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| Sparky |
Jan 9 2008, 11:16 PM
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#4
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Mahna Mahna! Group: Members Posts: 1,134 Joined: 21-June 03 From: Spencer, MA Member No.: 847 |
Also check the water pump. I stopped playing with 914's to play with 944's and 951's. A prepped 951 is scary fast (IMG:style_emoticons/default/unsure.gif) I sold the last of my p-cars recently and am torn between doing another teener, or a 968. I really enjoy the comfort that the 944's provide over the 914 but I also miss the less is more elegance of a 914.
My best, Mike D. |
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| ahdoman |
Jan 9 2008, 11:24 PM
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#5
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It's phonetic...Ah-D-O-Man (Audioman) Group: Members Posts: 667 Joined: 7-November 05 From: Santa Clarita, Ca. Member No.: 5,084 Region Association: Southern California |
If the mileage is that low you really need to make sure they have receipts for maintenance. Not driving a car that old means that it's very possible for the seals to be all dried up. If that's the case jasons is correct. You're looking at a $1500 bill minimum to replace everything in the front of the engine; seals, belts and water pump.
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| i love porsche |
Jan 9 2008, 11:34 PM
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#6
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Senior Member Group: Members Posts: 1,547 Joined: 6-May 04 From: Nutley, NJ Member No.: 2,030 Region Association: North East States |
i drive an 88 924S everyday. its a great car, prettymuch the same as an 83 944 but with more power, i love it and as long as you keep it maintained and dont mind the occasional oil leak, its a great and fun car to have
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| Cap'n Krusty |
Jan 10 2008, 01:10 AM
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#7
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Cap'n Krusty Group: Members Posts: 10,794 Joined: 24-June 04 From: Santa Maria, CA Member No.: 2,246 Region Association: Central California |
"keep it maintained" Timing belt/water pump/oil seals/balance belt and all the rollers every 40K miles. Big bux. 83s are a 1 year only car, in many respects, and have a LOT of 1st year problems. The Cap'n
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| Root_Werks |
Jan 10 2008, 08:47 AM
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#8
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Village Idiot Group: Members Posts: 8,321 Joined: 25-May 04 From: About 5NM from Canada Member No.: 2,105 Region Association: Pacific Northwest
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QUOTE(Cap'n Krusty @ Jan 9 2008, 11:10 PM)  "keep it maintained" Timing belt/water pump/oil seals/balance belt and all the rollers every 40K miles. Big bux. 83s are a 1 year only car, in many respects, and have a LOT of 1st year problems. The Cap'n (IMG:style_emoticons/default/agree.gif) with the Krust although 83' is my favorite year just because they have the manual roofs, no power steering. Little simpler car. Get reciepts for timming belts, water pump etc. If they can't produce them, knock $750 from the price and go get it done ASAP. |
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| Ferg |
Jan 10 2008, 10:16 AM
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#9
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914 Guru Group: Members Posts: 5,948 Joined: 8-January 03 From: Boulder CO Member No.: 116 Region Association: None
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I had a 87S model and it was a nightmare. I paid 3k for it.
I did my homework before buying and it was still bit me in the ass. Mine had 44k orig miles, had the T belts pump ect done that year, was in nice shape, clean carfax ect. I thought it was a good deal. I ended up having to redo the belts due to pump leaking, power steering pump went, and tons of tiny annoying things... I admit, I don't have any patience for a project, that I'm trying to use as a daily, and sold it in one month at a loss... I have not looked at any used 944 ads since Ferg |
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| 914-8 |
Jan 10 2008, 10:38 AM
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#10
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Senior Member Group: Members Posts: 802 Joined: 23-January 06 From: Cal Member No.: 5,461 Region Association: None |
QUOTE(Cap'n Krusty @ Jan 9 2008, 11:10 PM) "keep it maintained" Timing belt/water pump/oil seals/balance belt and all the rollers every 40K miles. Big bux. 83s are a 1 year only car, in many respects, and have a LOT of 1st year problems. The Cap'n What are the differences between an 83 and an 84, or an early 85? |
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| keske968 |
Jan 10 2008, 10:50 AM
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#11
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Member Group: Members Posts: 132 Joined: 5-September 06 From: Papillion, Ne Member No.: 6,778 Region Association: None |
I have a 1994 968 that I use as a daily driver. I love every second of it. Costs a little more to keep it maintained but worth every penny.
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| Ferg |
Jan 10 2008, 11:28 AM
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#12
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914 Guru Group: Members Posts: 5,948 Joined: 8-January 03 From: Boulder CO Member No.: 116 Region Association: None
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QUOTE(914-8 @ Jan 10 2008, 09:38 AM) QUOTE(Cap'n Krusty @ Jan 9 2008, 11:10 PM) "keep it maintained" Timing belt/water pump/oil seals/balance belt and all the rollers every 40K miles. Big bux. 83s are a 1 year only car, in many respects, and have a LOT of 1st year problems. The Cap'n What are the differences between an 83 and an 84, or an early 85? 83's had now power steering for one... |
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| slackin' at work |
Jan 10 2008, 11:58 AM
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#13
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i should be working Group: Members Posts: 265 Joined: 12-October 07 From: charlottesville, va Member No.: 8,215 Region Association: MidAtlantic Region |
QUOTE(Aircooledfool @ Jan 9 2008, 10:42 PM) I have a chance to buy a one owner '83 944 for $3000. The car is in great shape and has 36K miles. Red paint is a little oxidized but should buff out. Am I crazy to consider this car? Am I really just buying a big mechanics bill? I think a 944 would be a great daily driver. I just saw one parked yesterday after reading this thread and was like "sweet". It was a beater and looked quite worn-out but I bet the owner loved it. I myself have been thinking HARD about a nice 928. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/idea.gif) |
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| Cap'n Krusty |
Jan 10 2008, 12:10 PM
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#14
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Cap'n Krusty Group: Members Posts: 10,794 Joined: 24-June 04 From: Santa Maria, CA Member No.: 2,246 Region Association: Central California |
QUOTE(914-8 @ Jan 10 2008, 08:38 AM) QUOTE(Cap'n Krusty @ Jan 9 2008, 11:10 PM) "keep it maintained" Timing belt/water pump/oil seals/balance belt and all the rollers every 40K miles. Big bux. 83s are a 1 year only car, in many respects, and have a LOT of 1st year problems. The Cap'n What are the differences between an 83 and an 84, or an early 85? The Motronic ECU is one year only, as is the one on an 84 HUGE bucks, and easily damaged. I believe some of the engine electronics are less sophisticated than later models. Suspension is more 924 than later 944. Sunroof is different, I believe, and any repairs involve an extensive update ($$$$$$$). Interior is a bit cheesier, I think. I've only serviced a couple of the really early cars, and there aren't really any around here anymore. I just heard about a sale of one a friend did at his shop. Reconditioned the head, replacement ECU, belts, seals, rollers, nice shape as far as cosmetics, real nice paint. Sold for $3500, and I doubt he came close to what he had in it. The Cap'n |
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| Root_Werks |
Jan 10 2008, 01:50 PM
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#15
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Village Idiot Group: Members Posts: 8,321 Joined: 25-May 04 From: About 5NM from Canada Member No.: 2,105 Region Association: Pacific Northwest
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83's - No power steering, manual sunroof, early 924 style interior
84's - Yes, one year only ECU, introduced power steering, power sunroof 85's - pretty much unchanged execpt the ECU was more standardized 85 1/2 - big interior upgrade - radio attena in windshield. 86 - Even better engine management better torque 87 - Big timming belt upgrade, spring loaded tensioner, extra guide. Mucho better. Offset on wheels different. There are a ton more differences of course, but those are some of the main ones to look for. |
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| GaroldShaffer |
Jan 10 2008, 02:56 PM
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#16
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You bought another 914? Group: Benefactors Posts: 7,622 Joined: 27-June 03 From: Portage, IN Member No.: 865 Region Association: None 
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I bought a 88 944 NA in March of 07. I use it every day rain, sun or snow. It is a good car. Mine had 62K miles on it when I got it and has almost 71K miles now. In the first three months I spent $1200 on need repairs. Most of it was new belts and rollers. The only reason why I had them done was while mileage wise they only had 9k on them, they were over 10 yrs old. I did have a CV joint start clicking on me. Again I just went ahead and replaced the joints which actually was a pretty easy jod to do. If you get a chance check out Clark's Garage. Lots of 944 info.
Just remember with any old car it WILL need repair at sometime. While I am far from a mechanic, with the help from the 944 guys on Pelican and the tech info on Clark's I feel I can do almost any job on the car. I would get PPI done on it first if you are serious about it. If all checks out good then go for it. |
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| grantsfo |
Jan 10 2008, 04:14 PM
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#17
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Arrrrhhhh! Group: Members Posts: 4,327 Joined: 16-March 03 Member No.: 433 Region Association: None |
Sell the motor and put an LS1 V8 in there. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/aktion035.gif)
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| scotty b |
Jan 10 2008, 06:44 PM
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#18
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rust free you say ? Group: Members Posts: 16,375 Joined: 7-January 05 From: richmond, Va. Member No.: 3,419 Region Association: None |
QUOTE(Root_Werks @ Jan 10 2008, 11:50 AM) 83's - No power steering, manual sunroof, early 924 style interior 84's - Yes, one year only ECU, introduced power steering, power sunroof 85's - pretty much unchanged execpt the ECU was more standardized 85 1/2 - big interior upgrade - radio attena in windshield. 86 - Even better engine management better torque 87 - Big timming belt upgrade, spring loaded tensioner, extra guide. Mucho better. Offset on wheels different. There are a ton more differences of course, but those are some of the main ones to look for. 85.5 also had a suspension change that happened again in 87. 85.5 & 86 cars have their own suspension pieces. Same design as pre and post but different specs. Be aware of that. Nothing wrong, just someting to note. Also don't be fooled into thinking an 87 or lateer doesn't require an accurate belt tension. Yeah the timing belt got a spring loaded tensioner but the balance shaft belt didn't. Improperly adjusted balance belt can yield the same wipeout as a timing belt. |
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| scotty b |
Jan 10 2008, 06:45 PM
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#19
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rust free you say ? Group: Members Posts: 16,375 Joined: 7-January 05 From: richmond, Va. Member No.: 3,419 Region Association: None |
Sport seats are the best thing since sex with sliced bread. I've got a set that I have transferred to my 3rd car now. I'll NEVER let them go. If you can find them GET THEM !!!
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