Porsche Enthusiasts Club Forum

Hi chaps

My name is Andy, I live in Stamford, LINCS. I've loved the 944 since I was a kid and for some reason never thought about buying one - until now!

I could wait 6 months and buy a real minter, but I'm not patient so looking at a budget of about £2.5-3k. It seems this should buy me something reasonable, am I right? I'm looking for an S2

Having searched tinternet this one takes my fancy - http://pistonheads.co.uk/sales/2394256.htm Is it known on here??

I've had a read of the buyers guide and the advisory on the suspension bushes I'm guessing may mean new wishbones? No clue on the ABS fault though, would this be a pricey fix or just a sensor?

Anyway, looking forward to Porsche ownership and all advise is welcome

Cheers
Andy

Andy,
Sure there is a discussion on that car on the PCGB 944 Forum, looks like a lot of car for the money, check the front wing bottoms and the rear sill areas, open the door and remove the plastic vent in the rear arch section and get a torch in there.
Ask if the camchain has had a new slipper pad.....................get one they are great !

Cheers for the info Frenchy

I think for that money your looking at a lot of extra expense. Even in the crunch a good S2 will be well over your budget. These cars are big money to repair & it makes little sense to buy a cheap one. Just look at what your in for for a new clutch, water pump, etc. Read the buyers guide & go & look at some. Join the club first. By the way a lot of cheaper S2's will be well down on power. Avoid the dealers like the plague. You pay double to cover there backs. Your under budget for my Lux!

Thanks for the tips JJ. I know you should always buy the best you can afford but are you saying to stay clear of anything for £2.5-£3k? I had sussed the dealer thing, some prices do seem pretty 'way out there!'

May I just ask why an S2?

Do you want a classic car or sometng that feels more "modern"?

An early 944 is much more of an occassion to drive, the later cars in my opinion are softer and less involving. It really depends what you want from a car but don't think "the newer the better" is the case with 944s.

Fair question Pixie. tbh it was a decision (rightly or wrongly!) because I have a new BMW 330d which goes like a rocket. I guess I was worried if I went for a slower, early 944 (which I do love the look of) I might be disappointed. I'm currently restoring a MK1 Golf GTI so can get my 'classic' fix from that.

That said, I love driving the Golf and whilst slower than the beemer and 944 S2 would always put a smile on my face. Looks like I've just quashed my argument then!!

Listen to JJ's advice. Patience is a virtue. With plenty of second hand 944's on the market right now, you can afford to be choosey.

The bills can mount up very quickly and expensively with these cars. Join the club and glean as much info on these cars before buying. If you don't know enough about them, either take someone who does or get it professionally inspected. And yes, stay away from the dealers. There prices a double what you would pay privately.

Other than that go for it and enjoy!

Ben

I test drove a variety of 944s before ending up with mine. I decided I couldn't live with the earlier cars on a variety of points. One is the poor ventilation, the later cars are much better in this respect. I also found the steering wheel on my thighs as I'm errrr amply proportioned Afterwards I found out that the later cars are easier to upgrade, hence mine having S2 corners on it.

Most of this comes down to whether you want a daily driver or not. I did hence the later car. The earlier cars are fractionally lighter & in theory more sprightly, I suspect it comes down to how well it has been kept/upgraded etc.

For this budget I would stay clear of an S2 as good ones cost rather more even now. You can get a reasonable 2.5 8v for this. Though a minter could be yours for 3.5K. Since a clutch will be 1K alone. Then a water pump belts & rollers & fronts seals £600 for parts. Thats assuming all the wheel bearings are good & the engine & gearbox have no issues. Theres no rust anywhere etc. etc. Can you not see why buying the best car you can fine will work out a lot cheaper? I made the same mistake when I bought mine. Spent ££££'s on it as a result. If it's just a weekend toy & you just want to tootle to the odd car show then you can get one for 2.5K. But if you want it to go & handle like a lotus 7 then you need a good one.
If you want to go out in mine just drop me a pm. Then at least you have something to judge the rest by. I'm not trying sell you it as it's out of your price range. I can't for the life of me think what to replace it with that I won't spend on all over again. A 330 is like driving a bus after a 944.

Wow, very kind offer JJ!!! I may just take you up on that!

I certainly don't want to buy cheap. Part of the reason I'm looking at the 944 is ever since I was a twitch in my Dad's pants I've yearned for a Lotus Esprit Turbo and due to other commitments can't afford that right now. That said, I've always loved the 944 and 911 and whilst the 911 isn't in my range either a 944 would be.

It would not be a daily driver but will get driven. On the basis of not having an open ended budget, what sort of money should I be looking to spend on a reasonably sorted S2?

Thanks again for all the comments and advice, really helpful guys - thank you!

Cheers
Andy

It really does depend what you are after! Go and drive the range and you'll see what suits you the best.

There is a number of different varieties of 944 and you may find that the one for you wasn't the one you thought you'd love in the first place. Everyones different while some prefer the early 944, some prefer the oval dash cars (2.5 / 2.7), some prefer the 16v S, some like the turbo charged varients and finally some love their S2's over all the others.

If you don't want to go looking at a whole host of cars I'd say, try the two extremes and see which you like the best those being the S2 and the early car. If you prefer the S2 chances are the more modern oval dash car would also be your bag, go try one of those too. If you prefer the early car in my opinion no other of the 944 variants are like it, so you know your restriced to 1982-early 1985 cars.

Thanks Pixie, good advice. I am finding my self debating S1 now!! I prefer the Oval dash but then I grew up loving the look of the S1 - that's what I remember and that's what an old work colleague of mine used to give me a ride to work in, over 20 years ago!! I never forget the silky purr of the engine, she never drove it quick but it didn't matter.

I had posted on PCGB and by a stroke of luck a member not only live just down the road from me but has offered a ride in his S1! I think I will have to sample both ends of the scale to see which one I'm truly after.