Another 'What about these 944s' Request!

[chrisjcoe]

After a frankly ludicrous attempt at my first 944 purchase, I'm back on the market. Now being somewhat wary of my ability to pick a good car, has anyone here got any opinion on these? Yeah, I know there are 7 links, but if you're like you I hope you like looking at 944 ads....... A previous request like this gave me some excellent info, so my hopes are high!

1985 Gold from Unstone

1989 Red from Lancashire

1982 Red from Saxmundham. Are there any drawbacks from having such an early one over having one from 1984/5?

1988 White from Worcester Park

Red 1983

1987 Red

1987 Black

 

[Cater_Racer]

Chris there's no substitute for getting on your bike and going round to look at them. Take an existing owner with you, it's long weekend job.

Good Luck

Gerry

 

[chrisjcoe]

ORIGINAL: Cater_Racer

Chris there's no substitute for getting on your bike and going round to look at them. Take an existing owner with you, it's long weekend job.

Good Luck

Gerry

Yeah couldn't agree more, but any "I've seen that, it's a dog" comments would help! I'm not expecting anyone to practically buy it for me, but any experienced eyes might spot something in the ads/photos that I have missed, before I drag the girlfriend around the country at the weekend! After the last attempt, I'm going to look closer to home, so the last 5 are most likely.

 

[Lowtimer]

All I can say about that lot is that I would much rather buy a cheap car direct from someone who has run it for at least a few years, than from a non Porsche specialist dealer.
As for the early car question: they are very different from later cars, so I won't say "drawbacks", because it's a matter of taste, but there are very significant differences. Some people like the early cars, some prefer the later ones.

 

[PSH]

Well Chris no one can really tell a car just by its advert and I'd certainly say don't buy without seeing it however if I was to pick any out of this list to look at I'd take a look at the Black 87 car, even though it's not my colour..
It's a later oval dash model, although some prefer the earlier cars, down to taste, it's mileage is good but most important it's a daily driver. Of course you have to take the details in the advert at face value but for me this car looks honest.
Anyway as I say if I was in the market and had to choose from this list, this would be the one that I'd spend time and money to go and see.

Pete

 

[GlennS]

1989 Red from Lancashire - dislike the bonnet scoop and wrong coloured body strips.
1982 Red from Saxmundham - nothing wrong with the early cars and in fact, much to admire about them. However, this one has been re-sprayed badly. The under-bonnet shot shows the interior of the engine bay doesn't match the body colour and there's some very obvious over-spray on the water reservoir.
1988 White from Worcester Park - in the text it claims "being the 'S' version...". It isn't an "S".
1987 Black - looks nice but it is an "S" which is the Marmite car of the 944 range - it would still be the one I'd go and see, though.

 

[stevie d]

ORIGINAL: GlennS

1989 Red from Lancashire - dislike the bonnet scoop and wrong coloured body strips.

Plus IIRC its been sat for sale at that dealer for at least a year so far . I'd be concerned about why he is finding hard to shift . Won't have done the car any favours unused for that period of time either .
1985 Gold from Unstone - whats that coming out the exhaust ? Water , oil or nothing to worry about ?

 

[944 man]

I havent read the thread, but Unstone/Dronfield is only two or three miles away from me, so I can look at that car for you at some point over the next few days.


Simon

 

[Catamax944]

The '87 S looks to be a very good car ,definitely best of that bunch, if i were you i would go see it first. It's not black ,looks like nautic blue metalic. Some dont like the S because of it's power curve but it's as good as any other 944 and they are also getting thin in numbers ,it was a one year model.
The others all have some issue ,but you never know until you see them in person.

 

[chrisjcoe]

I'd take a look at the Black 87 car

That's the one that stood out to me, but I've been trying to keep to £1400 so would have to catch the seller on a good day. I did wonder why it was priced at that level for a recent good spec car, perhaps it's the 'marmite' factor that GlennS mentioned.

 

[944 man]

Two years. They are few in number due to many being scrapped when their cylinder head eats itself! A car that needs a knowledgeable buyer.


Simon

 

[Catamax944]

ORIGINAL: 944 man

Two years. They are few in number due to many being scrapped when their cylinder head eats itself! A car that needs a knowledgeable buyer.


Simon

That because people overlook changing the cam chain tensioner but it doesn't need any more service than the S2 or 968.

Almost two years august '86 to september '88 []

 

[944 man]

True. Its not an ideal purchase for a novice though, because the cost or replacing the cams if required, will exceed the value of the car.

Used heads are seldom available, because the majority of cars being broken are in that position due to head damage...

 

[j4mou]

I am considering selling mine at the minute, but id be looking for more money than all of those are advertised at, but I can claim perfect sills, fsh, full mot and tax and no advisories on the mot. also cambelt and balance belt and a full service in the last year, tyres battery braking system all changed and ive just had it waxoiled too.

 

[GlennS]

ORIGINAL: chrisjcoe

I'd take a look at the Black 87 car

That's the one that stood out to me, but I've been trying to keep to £1400 so would have to catch the seller on a good day. I did wonder why it was priced at that level for a recent good spec car, perhaps it's the 'marmite' factor that GlennS mentioned.

Yes, as Catamax suggested, the main issue with the "S" is that you have to rev the car and keep it buzzing along at high RPM to get the best out of it. The 8v 2.5/2.7 cars and the larger 3.0 16V S2 provide a more tractable drive with "easier" access to performance. I am sure the "S" is a hoot on a committed back-road blat, though.

 

[Catamax944]

ORIGINAL: 944 man

True. Its not an ideal purchase for a novice though, because the cost or replacing the cams if required, will exceed the value of the car.

Used heads are seldom available, because the majority of cars being broken are in that position due to head damage...

Would you mind telling me why peopele tend to blow this way out of proportion...
The cams almost never need changing ,the tensioner pads are £100 and the chain is £30 ,say £300 labor and that's exagerating and your are under £500 for the job , i dont think that is nowhere near the value of any 944 .

 

[944 man]

I disagree. Cams a regularly damaged and require changing. You struggle to buy used and new cost a fortune.

 

[DavidL]

There's a grey S for sale on 911uk. I'm pretty sure its my old car - I dropped the vendor a note but no reply so far.
If it is then that was a fairly sound car - its up for what I sold it for 3 years ago - make of that what you will - but I spent plenty on it and it seems the current owner has to. I think there may well have been a couple inbetween too.
Might be worth a look, I think its in Brighton.

ETA - Brighton isn't near you! Its priced well over your budget but you never know. I enjoyed it as a first 944. No real issues driving it. I haven't driven a lux or an S2 so can't compare there. Obviously slower than the turbo but it made progress all the same.

 

[ukmastiff]

The 87 black one I would defo view if taking that ad at face value.

I won't call any kind of premium rate or 'telesafe' number on principal though as half aren't even genuine current ads. They are often deliberately left live to defraud you of money !

 

[homesea]

That gold one in unstone is in a garage that sells lots of rubbish cars, looked at cars for sale before from them and they were a bit rubbish at the best.