Which one?
- Thread starter trev260764
- Start date
Suffolk944
Moderator
She look pretty smart from those pics at least. Externally the rear splitter isn't standard (its the one off the Turbo/S2) nor is the colour coded rear spoiler and the wheels too. Internally of course the steering wheel and that red dash trim (personally not too sure about that) are later add ons.
The bodywork add ones plus "gleaming red paint" would suggest to me at least a respray in the past. Not neccesarily a bad thing as long as it isn't covering up any horrors. Don't personally know anyone with an Auto Lux so not sure how they drive, would think the torquey engine would be well suited to it. On the face of it she looks and sounds like a well cared for car and worth considering if the auto doesn't put you off.
The bodywork add ones plus "gleaming red paint" would suggest to me at least a respray in the past. Not neccesarily a bad thing as long as it isn't covering up any horrors. Don't personally know anyone with an Auto Lux so not sure how they drive, would think the torquey engine would be well suited to it. On the face of it she looks and sounds like a well cared for car and worth considering if the auto doesn't put you off.
Peter Empson
PCGB Member
Do you want an automatic??? I would only buy one if you are going to spend your life in traffic. If its a weekend toy then surely much of the pleasure comes from driving it and I can't imagine how any auto will give you the same feeling. Plus it's quite a bit slower too (although the 2.7's torque might hide this a little I suppose).
It's probably just me, but I'd only be looking at eBay for a cheap project car. A nice enthusiast owned car is more likely to sell through the club or on Pistonheads IMHO.
<Edited to add> Just had a look at Pistonheads and there are several promising looking cars on there for under £3.5k, with well written ads explaining the service history properly (I do hate the "thousands spent" tag line - that is inevitable on a 20 year old car). I'd be on the look out for a 944S at this price level, they're really rather underrated [8D]
trev260764
New member
The Auto appealed because it was local, the right colour, right price etc. Must admit, not totally sure I want auto, athough I do like an auto box. Guess it would be a shame to have an auto Porsche.
By the way, Is a 'Lux' and an 'S' the same thing? Cos this is the road i'm going down pricewise and spec wise. Taken your advice here and looking to have a bit of cash in reserve for a rainy day. Like today...
By the way, Is a 'Lux' and an 'S' the same thing? Cos this is the road i'm going down pricewise and spec wise. Taken your advice here and looking to have a bit of cash in reserve for a rainy day. Like today...
Peter Empson
PCGB Member
The 944S is still a 2.5L like most Lux's but has 16 valves instead. Servicing is slightly dearer because there's a chain as well as belts, but this shouldn't put you off. The plus is they have more power (190hp) and a very rev happy engine at the cost of little low down torque. They're great for pootling around in (and economical too) and when you're on it and above 4000rpm there's not much between one and an S2. Sadly the press were always a bit negative about them (perhaps understandably) but it means they can now be picked up cheaply (best not to mention how much I got mine for).
There's a nice looking, if possibly slightly dear one here:
http://www.pistonheads.co.uk/sales/685213.htm
If there's no rust then I'd say it's worth the money.
There's a nice looking, if possibly slightly dear one here:
http://www.pistonheads.co.uk/sales/685213.htm
If there's no rust then I'd say it's worth the money.
trev260764
New member
Wow. I think you have found what i'm looking for! Ta.
Alpine
Member
I wouldn't touch that red one; the coloured rear spoiler and dash look awful. I also wouldn't get an auto, unless you really want an auto; not on a sports car.....
Keep searching Autotrader and Pistonheads. The best ones are on here; I'd avoid Ebay for the moment, as well as dealers. If you are in York, your local specialist wil be Strasse in Leeds, or Specialist Cars in Malton.
www.strasse.co.uk
www.specialistcarsltd.co.uk
Try and find a local one and get it checked out by either of them. It could save a lot of money in the long run.
The Lux is a 2.7 8v and the S is a 2.5 16v (I think). The Lux is the one to go for if you are on a budget; go for an S2 though if you can afford to. I would try and avoid the S, unless you find a bargain.
Keep searching Autotrader and Pistonheads. The best ones are on here; I'd avoid Ebay for the moment, as well as dealers. If you are in York, your local specialist wil be Strasse in Leeds, or Specialist Cars in Malton.
www.strasse.co.uk
www.specialistcarsltd.co.uk
Try and find a local one and get it checked out by either of them. It could save a lot of money in the long run.
The Lux is a 2.7 8v and the S is a 2.5 16v (I think). The Lux is the one to go for if you are on a budget; go for an S2 though if you can afford to. I would try and avoid the S, unless you find a bargain.
trev260764
New member
Found this also. Sounds good, fairly local. But am right in thinking it's a bit costly?
http://search.autotrader.co.uk/es-uk/www/cars/PORSCHE+944/Ne-2-4-5-6-7-8-27-44-49-53-61-64-67-103-133-146-236,N-19-240-4294967212-4294967213/advert.action?R=200831315731002&distance=25&postcode=yo267pt&channel=CARS&make=PORSCHE&model=944&min_pr=&max_pr=5000&max_mileage=
http://search.autotrader.co.uk/es-uk/www/cars/PORSCHE+944/Ne-2-4-5-6-7-8-27-44-49-53-61-64-67-103-133-146-236,N-19-240-4294967212-4294967213/advert.action?R=200831315731002&distance=25&postcode=yo267pt&channel=CARS&make=PORSCHE&model=944&min_pr=&max_pr=5000&max_mileage=
Peter Empson
PCGB Member
That's really cool [
]
I've just seen the current owner is also on here, he has a post with some higher res pics of the car and it looks even better in them here
The black 944 above looks nice but the nearside sill looks questionable from the pic and the front stone guard also looks odd (it's not as if there will be many 944's that haven't had some paint somewhere, but when something so simple stands out in a low resolution pic it does set alarm bells ringing).
] I've just seen the current owner is also on here, he has a post with some higher res pics of the car and it looks even better in them here
The black 944 above looks nice but the nearside sill looks questionable from the pic and the front stone guard also looks odd (it's not as if there will be many 944's that haven't had some paint somewhere, but when something so simple stands out in a low resolution pic it does set alarm bells ringing).
trev260764
New member
Ta sc0tty. I agree with much of what you say. When I initially decided that I wanted to aquire a 944 I noted one on the forcourt of a local dealer, they still have it http://www.thunder-road.info/info.asp?id=113 and priced at what I felt was reasonable, and the latter model. It was at this stage I joined the forum to see whether the experts thought a Turbo would be better. Shortly after I realise that opinions vary hugely. As you elude.
You will note that one of my posts I imply that I will go down the Lux route as many of you suggested. The thing that confuses me though is that there seem to be many S and S2 vehicles for very similar money to the Lux.
Yeah, I am looking for a vehicle pretty much Porsche spec, and NOT one done up like a Christmas tree, and this is what I will get (when I get the bloody KA sold!). Cheers again for your assistance...
You will note that one of my posts I imply that I will go down the Lux route as many of you suggested. The thing that confuses me though is that there seem to be many S and S2 vehicles for very similar money to the Lux.
Yeah, I am looking for a vehicle pretty much Porsche spec, and NOT one done up like a Christmas tree, and this is what I will get (when I get the bloody KA sold!). Cheers again for your assistance...
I would echo what others have said about an auto - only if you can't drive a manual or you want one. One of the last things to compromise on with a car is the transmission in my view. I'm not against auto (I have one), but there's a time and a place.
Most on here probably use the term "Lux" to mean anything that isn't an S2 or Turbo, so the S is included. Personally I wouldn't look for an S as they share the only big downside of the S2 (the danger of cam issues) for no real benefit - they also typically don't make anywhere near the 190bhp they are supposed to. Of course one with known provenance and top end work done goes a long way to mitigating that, and I'd stop short of saying I wouldn't have one - if the right car came up and happened to be an S then I might buy it - in contrast to the right car with an auto 'box which would simply be the wrong car for me in your position. I wouldn't buy red either which is largely personal taste and a bit because it fades and looks rubbish so much more readily than the other colours.
Lastly don't take the suggestion above of going near Specialist Cars. They sell at vastly inflated, but undeserved, prices.
Most on here probably use the term "Lux" to mean anything that isn't an S2 or Turbo, so the S is included. Personally I wouldn't look for an S as they share the only big downside of the S2 (the danger of cam issues) for no real benefit - they also typically don't make anywhere near the 190bhp they are supposed to. Of course one with known provenance and top end work done goes a long way to mitigating that, and I'd stop short of saying I wouldn't have one - if the right car came up and happened to be an S then I might buy it - in contrast to the right car with an auto 'box which would simply be the wrong car for me in your position. I wouldn't buy red either which is largely personal taste and a bit because it fades and looks rubbish so much more readily than the other colours.
Lastly don't take the suggestion above of going near Specialist Cars. They sell at vastly inflated, but undeserved, prices.
trev260764
New member
Cheers Fen, that makes good sense. Just testing the water with the 'auto' marlarkey. I do like an auto box but it would daft in a 944. Thanks for clearing up the 'Lux' thing. Was getting a bit confused because I have not seen a 944 with a Lux badge on yet...
Lux was actually a UK term only, I believe short for "luxury pack". All 8v NA 944s in the UK came with a base level of specification which was higher than the cars sold in most other markets, a combination making up the luxury pack. It actually wasn't a model as far as Porsche AG was concerned, though you might well find it on a V5 as that only reflects what the dealer told the DVLC (as it was back then) the car was at first registration. Technically the UK cars were all Porsche 945s (with the Turbos being 952s) and part numbers relating to RHD specific items start with those numbers.
trev260764
New member
You will be pleased to know that I have bought a book...
http://www.play.com/Books/Books/4-/390977/The-Porsche-924-944-Book/Product.html?add=390977
http://www.play.com/Books/Books/4-/390977/The-Porsche-924-944-Book/Product.html?add=390977
James_G
New member
I wouldn't want to put you off, but like sc0tty I have spent just over £2k on my S2 since January sorting out a raft of things, none of which have been major, just refreshing old parts (wishbones, washer pump, missing trim), upgrading (suspension - slowly) and general servicing and maintenance.
Today for example I have had to pay to have the gearbox drain plug extracted, as it had seized in place. Add in the cost of some decent gearbox oil and that's £100, although the consolation is a nicer shift quality and a bit less noise (possibly).[]
So, just as the others have said, budget carefully, but welcome to the club and I hope you find a great one.
Today for example I have had to pay to have the gearbox drain plug extracted, as it had seized in place. Add in the cost of some decent gearbox oil and that's £100, although the consolation is a nicer shift quality and a bit less noise (possibly).[
]So, just as the others have said, budget carefully, but welcome to the club and I hope you find a great one.
Posts made and opinions expressed are those of the individual forum members
Use of the Forum is subject to the Terms and Conditions
