Thinking of buying 944

[robwils]

What sort of mpg do you expect from a 2.7 LUX ??
Thinking of buying one (just joined forum for some advice / info).
Car will be second car but used several times a week for work etc. not just a toy.
I've seen one for 5K - is this a lot ???
Any other advice on buying one appreciated !
Rob

 

[AntB]

http://www.porscheclubgbforum.com/tm.asp?m=543302

 

[pauljmcnulty]

Hi Rob,

The 944 is a truly great car to drive and own, and has less problems than anything I can think of from that era. It is, however, still a Porsche that cost up to £30K new, and running costs haven't depreciated the way the cars have.

Spend some time reading through the threads and faqs here, and get to meet some of the owners at events. There's no substitute for someone showing you the areas to look for.

£5K is a lot for a Lux, even a late 2.7. For that money it's got to be near perfect, see AntB's car for sale here as a comparison.

 

[AntB]

some more pics of mine if it helps for the one you are looking at for 5K

http://www.porscheclubgbforum.com/tm.asp?m=534444&mpage=1&key=&#534444

Take a look at my Advert that I am building in the link on my first post in this thread.... tells you the details of the car also..

hth

 

[Copperman05]

Rob, if you looking for a 2.7 Lux you be hard pressed to find a better one than Ant's, it really is a corker and looks to have everything sorted mechanically.

Edd

 

[Fat Albert]

If you are looking for a fun second car MPG shouldn't be too important, a 2.7 will do better than most Fun cars, I imagine a 2.7 returing 25-32MPG depending on driving style.
My 944 Turbo returns 15-30 depending on the weight of my shoes!

 

[robwils]

Thanks guys, its not a 2.7 LUX I'm definitely looking for, that one just caught my eye as it looks so nice. Up till now a 944 was a 944, wasn't really sure about the variants. I knew about turbo and while I'd love the performance I think costs would be up a level for me.

MPG is reasonably important, as said the car will have to do some of the normal 'life stuff', trips to work, gym, golf kids to school etc. so dont want to have something that just drinks the stuff.
I'm thinking of selling the mini I have (Cooper S) as I reckon that releasing all cash I have tied up in that (~13K) will get me a nice fun car (something different) and allow me to bank money and have a bit of spare for mtc.
Was also thinking about putting a leather interior in the car (or getting it retrimmed).
Cheers
Rob

 

[zcacogp]

Rob,

Lux's come in two flavours, both 8v; 2.5 and 2.7. The 2.5 is quite a lot more common, and they are a little cheaper. They aren't as brisk tho'.

Working upwards from the 2.7 Lux there is a 2.5 16v called an S, a 3.0 16v called an S2 and two Turbo variants; 220 and 250 bhp.

You haven't said what your budget is, but a crummy 2.5 lux may change hands for £500, a really well sorted out turbo £10k or more. Set your budget and choose your model accordingly ...

One thing that is worth saying is that a bad 944 can absorb money remarkably quickly, with relatively little to show for it. If you are handy with a set of spanners they are very DIY friendly and this can save you a fair chunk of cash. However, it is ALWAYS worth seeking out a good one; remember, there is no such a thing as a cheap porsche.

If you have no experience of 944's it's worth paying a couple of hundred quid to have it inspected by someone who does know them, or inviting someone knowledgeable from this forum along to go and have a look at it with you.


Oli.

 

[Diver944]

Hi Rob, welcome on board. A good 944 sounds perfect for your plans and if you are freeing up Cooper S type money you should be able to afford a very good example that will not cost you too much to maintain it. We have a general rule of thumb that a good 944 will cost you circa £1000 a year (at an independant Porsche Garage) just to service/ MOT and replace any bits that wear out. It can cost a lot less than that if you are handy with the spanners and it can cost a hell of a lot more if you buy a worn out old knacker that has't been maintained.

Bodywork is the most expensive thing to rectify these days so look out for rust, but if you buy a sound one they will last for years and go round the clock a couple of times before an engine rebuild is needed. Don't get too hung up on specification, but very few of the non Turbos have leather or aircon as standard.

Look at many before you decide to buy as what you may first think looks good for a 20 year old car may turn out to be pretty bad

 

[Pastry]

Have you driven a 944 yet? a lux is a fair bit slower than a cooper S in my experience, you'd need an S2 or turbo to match it. Fuel economy will also be worse than what you're used to (though not by much).

Having said that I find a 944 far more pleasant and rewarding to drive. Found the cooper a bit scrabbly and tiring though very chuckable. IMO a 944 is more about smooth progression... (and with a lux, conservation of momentum [])

 

[zcacogp]

I was lucky enough to get an extended drive of the MINI Cooper S when it was originally launched, and thought it was an excellent car (with the exception of the interior, which I found really disappointing.)

However, the performance didn't feel as strong as the figures suggested. I'd be quite surprised if it was any much quicker than a Lux, particularly a 2.7, but I am guessing that you are speaking from experience Pastry? I do know that the range of tuning goodies for the Cooper S is huge, and there are some going around with some very big BHP and FtLb figures indeed ...


Oli.

 

[Pastry]

I guess you'd need a racetrack to compare them properly. Ive driven two owned by friends, one a few years back when I drove a BMW 525, the other a few months ago, and both felt pretty rapid, scrabbling for grip off the line, traction cutting in a lot as they skipped over bumps, nicely surefooted through bends. Possibly they just felt faster due to the size of the car.

 

[robwils]

I haven't driven a 944 yet. The Cooper S I have is turbo model - but there are so many on the road, I just want something different. As for performance I changed from an Impreza WR1 to the mini. I reckon the scoob will be fastest and best car I've ever owned so most things are down in performance on that.
I'm hoping a 944 will be something differnent and a bit eye catching. Also hope I don't suffer from depreciation too much as car I'm looking at is 5K with about 50K miles and full history. Hoping to drive at weekend.
Thanks for all your help and friendly advice.
Must admit an S2 sounds about right type of car.
In terms of budget, I'd be happy to spend 8K ish if I can get a minter that will cost less to maintain.

Cheers

Rob

 

[AntB]

ORIGINAL: robwils

I haven't driven a 944 yet. The Cooper S I have is turbo model - but there are so many on the road, I just want something different. As for performance I changed from an Impreza WR1 to the mini. I reckon the scoob will be fastest and best car I've ever owned so most things are down in performance on that.
I'm hoping a 944 will be something differnent and a bit eye catching. Also hope I don't suffer from depreciation too much as car I'm looking at is 5K with about 50K miles and full history. Hoping to drive at weekend.
Thanks for all your help and friendly advice.
Must admit an S2 sounds about right type of car.
In terms of budget, I'd be happy to spend 8K ish if I can get a minter that will cost less to maintain.

Cheers

Rob

Did you have a look at mine Rob - the two links one with the add and one with all the pics?
Thoughts?

 

[robwils]

ORIGINAL: AntB

ORIGINAL: robwils

I haven't driven a 944 yet. The Cooper S I have is turbo model - but there are so many on the road, I just want something different. As for performance I changed from an Impreza WR1 to the mini. I reckon the scoob will be fastest and best car I've ever owned so most things are down in performance on that.
I'm hoping a 944 will be something differnent and a bit eye catching. Also hope I don't suffer from depreciation too much as car I'm looking at is 5K with about 50K miles and full history. Hoping to drive at weekend.
Thanks for all your help and friendly advice.
Must admit an S2 sounds about right type of car.
In terms of budget, I'd be happy to spend 8K ish if I can get a minter that will cost less to maintain.

Cheers

Rob

Did you have a look at mine Rob - the two links one with the add and one with all the pics?
Thoughts?

I did, looks very nice and love the wheels.
The one I've seen is local to me (about an hour anyway) as I'm up nr Middlesbrough.
Its also red, which is may favourite colour.
Going to test drive that.
I'll keep yours in mind.

Rob

 

[Fat Albert]

ORIGINAL: robwils


Its also red, which is may favourite colour.


Rob

You will find that Red is the fastest colour, obviously

 

[Pastry]

fastest to go pink

 

[zcacogp]

ORIGINAL: sc0tty
Yawn [8|]

Don't sweat it Sc0tty. It's all make-believe. Everyone knows that colour makes no difference to performance. The only thing that makes a 944 truly fast is having an S2 engine under the bonnet ... []


Oli.

 

[Diver944]

ORIGINAL: zcacogp

The only thing that makes a 944 truly fast is having an S2 engine under the bonnet ... []


Oli.

......and a turbocharger bolted to it []

 

[Eldavo]

If you need a hand having a poke around anything then I'm up in Newcastle.