Porsche Enthusiasts Club Forum

Hi, I am hoping to be a new Porsche 944 s2 owner soon, but I have seen one that has 150,000 miles and was cat c in 1999 (don't know why). It is in really good condition and drives well, but it has a lump on sill under the paint (given it a tap and feels solid, maybe filler) about 3" dia (where it meets the rear quarter). hopefully someone may be able to give me some idea if it is worth buying and what it may be worth? Or not!

Need more info, the Cat C wouldn't worry me, but some insurance co's won't cover it.
It needs a good inspection of the sills with a magnet. This is how bad mine were! http://www.pbase.com/tr7v8/porsche_repair_pics
To give a better idea of value we'd need to know when cam & balance belts were done, when it last had a water pump, cam chain & tensioners etc.

Thanks Jim,

Cam belt and tensioner done 2 years ago approx 8000 mile ago.

Water pump 5 years around 20000

Cam chain and tensioners year before that around 26000 miles ago

Thanks
Sam

OK so in a year to two max. it'll need new belts & probably a water pump. Chain tensioners is good, will be OK for a while. Has it had a clutch.
Main concern is body condition, if it is a rusty dog, especially a bodged one, then it can be a money pit.

Bodywork excellent apart from nearside sill as mentioned, it has had a part respray on offside (but looks good). Don't know about clutch, but drives well.

I don't expect an exact valuation but just wanted a steer as to what it might be worth, I think it is up for £4400

thanks
sam

What colour outside & inside? £4400 is OK money but possibly a bit high in my book. Have a look around at what else is for sale, winter isn't the best time to sell a Rear Wheel drive toy!

Thanks again for advice. colour is guards with cream cloth interior, again in good condition, even drivers seat.

Thanks
sam

Before you decide on a car , you must check condition of inner and outer sills and around rear wheel arches and rear suspension mount areas . unless the car comes from a hot climate with no salt on roads or never been out in the wet in uk and kept in a heated garage .they ALL have rust.
In my view £4k for a high mileage cat c showing signs of rusting sills is way to expensive.
To do the sills properly is £3k.

Hope this helps, but doesn't put you off. A well sorted S2 is a great car but a bad one can cost a fortune to put right.
Get someone who knows 944's to go with you to view cars.

Nick
http://www.leatherupholsterycare.co.uk

Thanks Nick.
Appreciate the advice. Think I'll do a bit more looking

Don't really know anyone who has experience or knows about 944s

Sam

If the seller will let you - open the doors - remove the plastic vent cover - with a torch you can see down inside the sills - bodged ones look scary down near the rear ! All the best Paul

Thanks Paul,

I'll ask him

Sam

Stick a camera/mobile phone down the inspection hole and point it forward towards front of the car and take pictures. Should be able to see condition of sills from inside.

Price sounds high to me, then add in the mileage, then Cat C....

If everything else is as it should be (rusty sills, clutch - as others have mentioned), then it may be good value, but take a look at some others before deciding.

Cheers,
Bryan

Thanks you two, I'm not one for posting on forums. But best thing I have done, learned a lot in a couple of days and probably saved quite a bit of money as well.

Thanks again
Sam

Hi Sam

I really wouldn't worry too much about the Cat C, my red 924S is and it was in very good condition
Most important to get a reasonable car.

Take on board the tips already mentioned. Also just remind yourself that it is an older car and no matter how good yours or anybody else's inspection may be, there will still be parts that fail or need replacing. So always allow yourself some extra money in your budget.

Other things worth checking are brake and fuel lines, not sure about the S2 but on early cars these rot towards the rear of car and are expensive to have fixed.
Front suspension, the ball joints may be worn but not too much money to replace and can make a big difference to the feel of the car.

Where are you located Sam ?
it's worth popping along to a monthly meet near to you and having a chat, you may even find someone local willing to come along and have a look at your potential purchace