My first Porsche

[Guest]

Hi everyone, I am new to this forum and have placed a post on general discusions and have been also sent here, In the next couple of months i will be looking at buying a 944 Turbo and would appreciate some advice, I have approx £9000 to spend and wonder what i can get for this sort of money what should i look for and what different specs do they come, I have been told that the S2 is a more civilised car (your veiws please) I am willing to travel for the Right car as it will be a long term car for occasional use, I own a VW Corrado at the moment which my mate is buying of me I will be sorry to see it go as its been fun and what a head turner.. Thanks in advance .. Richard...

 

[Fen]

Hi Richard sorry nobody has responded yet but welcome along.

I've had 2 S2's (a coupe and my current cabrio) and 3 turbos. My take is that you're better off with an S2 because it's cheaper, smoother and more relaxing unless:
You want air-con, it's an option on S2's but standard on turbos
You want leather, as above - it was standard on late turbos, otherwise it's an option
You want to modify the car. There isn't a huge amount you can do to get more out of an S2, but with a turbo it's easy to get more power for very little money (Guru racing take even early 220bhp cars up to 300bhp for £200). The downside is latency from low revs and lag in the power delivery.

There isn't much between a standard turbo and an S2 in performance but the turbo feels quicker because of it's sudden rush of boost.

Unless you see receipts to prove the work has been done assume any turbo needs a wastegate. Similarly assume and S2 needs cams unless they have recently been replaced (the single chain between the 2 cams isn't checked as part of main dealer servicing and now many have worn sprockets. Both of mine have had problems and I understand that, like my cab, many cars have cracks in the case hardening these days even if they aren't worn - eventually teeth break off like my coupe's did).

Otherwise check for leaky sunroof and hatch, engine mount failure (never had this myself), steering rack leaks, seized brake calipers, stiff gear shift linkages as well as the general stuff that all old cars suffer from.

Realistically £9k is top money for a turbo and too much for an S2, regardless of how much some of us would like to think our cars are worth more.

 

[John Sims]

Hi Richard,

And thanks to Fen for bringing your posting to the top of the pile. Again, sorry you haven't had more replies a little sooner.

I would agree completely with Fen's comments. I have a Gurued 220 Turbo, which, when on boost, goes like the clappers and is totaly devastating on open roads. Prior to that I had a Lux (2.5 ltr 8 valve non Turbo); in town and around the twisty bits it was, if anything, more nimble and easier to drive at a pace than the Turbo though it had approx 2/3rds the power.

An S2 will give you the same power as an early Turbo but with far better delivery. If you are happy to stick with a standard 944 (which is without doubt a very good car in standard form) go for a S2.

The thing with the S2 is that that is it, there isn't much you can do with them. A turbo on the other hand is a Pandoras box of possibilities. Whilst I'm not aware of one in the UK, there is potential for 500+ bhp out of a Turbo. []

Another thought, with your proposed budget you are on the brink of 968 territory. For another couple of thousand, you could be in the market for a newer car with all the development of the last, and best 944's plus a bit more.

I've never driven an S2 or a 968 so I can't realy make a comparison, but I do get considerable pleasure in exploring the short commings of my Turbo and in considering ways (and in part implementing ways) to make it better. I enjoy the fact that my Turbo, whilst looking original, is one of a kind and has been modified specifically to suit me within the constraints of my budget.

Which ever route you choose, buy wisely and you whon't be dissapointed.

 

[Guest]

Thanks Guys, I have a few more weeks to make my decision but value your opinions, everybody seems very freindly on this Porsche Forum and i can`t wait to own my Dream.. Thanks Richard.....

 

[912UK]

I owned a Corrado a number of years back Met blue 2.016V 92 model. Really liked it moded up to the hilt back in 97 when Corrado's were still fairly new. joined the Corrado owners club had my car on the main web site front page for years won loads of shows, miss it really but it had to go. Shame sold it to a young lad. He seamed to look after it.

Mark

 

[944Turbo]

Also worth getting any car inspected (though a good service history might have lots of info if you take time to read it).
Turbos up to 88 where 220bhp
88 there was a 'limited' run of Turbo S or Silver Rose (metallic silver pink), with burgandy plaid interior.250BHP (larger turbo with a bit more lag), hardened 1st and 2nd gear, LSD, Gearbox cooler, big front brakes from 928S4, no sunroof, (possibly thinner windscreen), lighter and stronger forged alloy wheels and MO30 suspension (also thicker anti roll bars than earlier cars). Some of these cars were in fact not silver rose colour, being black, blue, white etc. with various interiors.

Then the standard Turbo picked up all the silver rose mods but added a sunroof and later removed the MO30 (which became an option). This was replaced with Sachs Boge dampers with no front height adjustment and no adjustable damper rate. However the spring rates were matched to the MO30 spec. AFAIK These cars had standard windscreens.

In around 1990 a rear bridge spoiler was added (same as 968) and most cars have 10 speaker stereo, Leather / Leatherette interior.
New Price now was up around £42K and I believe they only sold around 180 per year in the UK.

Tony

 

[Fen]

I'd have though that the barn is just a big garage, and you give the postcode of the garage as the storage location it will normally be kept at overnight. Being garaged and a 1984 car you will be able to get classic insurance for it.

I'll let others comment on best insurers and the lack of PAS. No sunroof is a bonus in my eyes though.

 

[Guest]

hi

cheers Fen

i agree no sunroof is a bonus can always open a window

the main thing is NO PAS

 

[Guest]

Hi
I have an 83

No PAS is OK gets some getting used too, my biggest problem was getting a comfartable driving position!

It has a pretty damned effective heater so i'm looking forward to using the (non leaking) sun roof! )

Insurance, mines a 'toy' too so have no noclaims.

Try Classic Line insurance, they were cheaper than Aon. Limited milage and it needs to be garaged overnight.

Great cars, bags of character.

Enjoy it!

 

[Guest]

Tee Heeee ComFARTable driving position true, very true!

Must use the review button next time![]

 

[Guest]

Maybe have a go with Lancaster Insurance, i got a great price on my turbo and its not even garaged!! Includes a Valuation for the car too, legal cover and recovery. £600.

 

[Diver944]

I've driven quite a few miles in an '83 automatic that had no PAS. Once on the go it was superb with more feedback than the PAS versions. Parking and slow speeds was not overly a problem (but then the 944 PAS system is not exactly light either).

If the one you have found is in good condition and you are happy with it I would not let the lack of PAS put you off, just stock up on the spinach []

 

[chris_boyle33]

Not being used to PAS i never notice any real problems parking my '83 944.

I'm insured with Carole Nash for £400 which considering points and no claims bonuses isn't too bad at all.

Mine has a sunroof. I *think* it's closed, but when it rains you can't tell.

 

[steve 944t]

I wouldnt worry about the lack of power steering, particularly if it's a second car. I recently had to drive my turbo unassisted after the seals went in the rack - it's certainly heavy but not excessively so, and best of all you wont be faced with a £400 bill!
Re insurance, Liverpool Victoria were best by far for me. My car is kept at a different address to the registered address and that didnt cause any problems - they just insure it based on the post code of where it is kept - good in your case, not good in mine!
Oh, and all the best 944s have no sunroof!!!

Steve

 

[Guest]

ORIGINAL: steve 944t

Oh, and all the best 944s have no sunroof!!!

Steve

Oh thats sooooo true............

I would say the best Porsches have no sunroof....

 

[Guest]

Hello Big Al,
Re insurance, Carol Nash were very good for me. £400 with breakdown cover.

 

[swright]

Hello and welcome[8D]

Thats a great looking car in great condidtion and at a very good price. Enjoy[8D]

Stu

 

[cococola]

Great car and a great price too![]welcome to Porsche world.
I got the Porsche bug with a 1983 944 and followed it up with my current 1986 Lux model.
They are great cars.[]

 

[zcacogp]

Nice looking car!

New timing belts as well - that's good.

Hope you enjoy driving it. They are simply superb cars.


Oli.

P.S. Some people on here may try and tell you that red ones are either faster or slower than other colours. It's a myth, just in case you were wondering. []

 

[pauljmcnulty]

Looks good, although don't be sure about 135 miles being accurate! [] I was followed by an early car yesterday and they look fantastic on Fuchs.

If the bodywork is sound then it'll be worth treating the inside of the cills and wheel arches to keep it that way. Set the filter on this forum to "display topics from last 365 days" and settle down to a crash course in everything you ever wanted to know about the 944.

Why not bring it along on the 7th December, you'll meet a load of other owners and enthusiasts.

http://www.porscheclubgbforum.com/tm.asp?m=408398