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Thoughts on this 944?
https://forums.tipec.net/viewtopic.php?f=25&t=9964		 Page 1 of 1
Author:  PaulC4S [ Sun Nov 21, 2010 10:38 pm ]
Post subject:  Thoughts on this 944?
All

Thanks to those who contributed to my earlier post, you certaintly haven't provided me with any reason to look elsewhere for a new day to day drive - not that there is any bias involved in views given :D

So.....

What are people's views on this one then?

http://www.pistonheads.co.uk/sales/2273039.htm

Certainly at the top end of S2 prices, mileage is (potentially too) low, has full main dealer service history apparently(!) (again not always a good thing).

All responses to my enquiries so far seem fine but obviously need to go and have a look and drive.

Positives - Cambelts changed very recently - I'm told bodywork is very sound with attention to stone chips at a reputable repairer, no leaks or electrics related problems.

Less positives - no clutch change to date apparently, rear tires are almost done & alloys may be in need of a refurb.

Water pump was changed in 2005 but not sure of mileage.

Obviosuly still a bit of digging to do and if it ticks boxes when I take a look, at this price level I'll certainly invest in an inspection.

The other positive is that Mid Sussex Porcshe have been servicing it recently and I can and will have a chat to them about the car. If my undertsanding is correct they have an ok reputation about looking after older cars. The vendor has in fact said that they have remained competitive against local indies.
Author:  Red Rider [ Sun Nov 21, 2010 11:05 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Thoughts on this 944?
Cambelts need to be replaced every four years. Normally the water pump would be changed as part of the same job - but at 8 year intervals. In other words, every other cambelt change.

It's around the figure I paid for mine earlier this year, and sounds & looks okay. I would certainly go and see it. Take a torch to check out the sills for rust thru the inspection access on the door struts. No rust does not mean they have not been repaired btw.... Also look underneath for amount of general rust if any. Also there should be some factory labels inside the boot on the rear panel - these tend to be missing if the car has had a rear end fix. Could do with a few more pix really. The pix tend not to show paintwork defects....

I'd also take a look at this one, appears to have been cared for:

http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/2049853.htm

Pity it's in Lincs, abit of a drive from the SE, but some good cars have appeared from up there.

Whareabouts in Sussex is it?
Author:  PaulC4S [ Sun Nov 21, 2010 11:14 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Thoughts on this 944?
Thanks for comments RR.

Car is just outside Brighton so I should be able to find a gap to go and take a look this week.

Re. the one in Lincs, I've left a message with the seller but he's yet to get back to me. Coincidentlally, I have family in Licolnshire who also own a B&B! Therefore taking a look at a car up there isn't a total pain, and yes, that one looks tidy too from what you can tell from the pics.
Author:  Red Rider [ Sun Nov 21, 2010 11:26 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Thoughts on this 944?
I have some relatives in Donnington btw but usually visit in my Mondeo...

Mine has a 117k on the clock and no record of clutch change. Guess this all depends on how the car is driven. 48k does not sound a lot of clutch wear. My 44 is pretty mint (some pics on here somewhere) and I'm near Reigate. You can come and look at mine to use as a benchmark for 6k.
Author:  t3rra [ Sun Nov 21, 2010 11:33 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Thoughts on this 944?
Both seem very clean, hardly any unsightly marks on the seats or carpet, I would chosse the 2nd one, as it's got the upgraded turbo sport seat, larger bolsters and these un marked or worn sell 4 around 800 pounds. And be in 91 it should have 968 rear spoiler. Which if u don't like u could sell and pick up the rubber one on a hacth 4 next 2 nothing. Not 2 sure why there's no sound deading under the bonnet ? Should be.

It's not impossible 2 pick an s2 up 4 half the price ur looking at. At them prices u shouldn't need 2 spend anything on it.
Author:  Red Rider [ Sun Nov 21, 2010 11:45 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Thoughts on this 944?
t3rra is talking about the bridge spoiler on the hatch. A lot of 91's around without that. I think it was only added standard very late. Mine is '92. Not a big deal, can always be added if one is found...

Here's mine with spoiler:
Author:  t3rra [ Mon Nov 22, 2010 5:11 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Thoughts on this 944?
Yep that's it. Sorry my mistake thought there were standard on the last run out.
Author:  PaulC4S [ Mon Nov 22, 2010 1:25 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Thoughts on this 944?
Thanks again for the input, and RR I may well take you up on your offer of having a look at yours in due course.

Had a chat with Porsche Mid Sussex this morning about the local car and they confirmed the work that had been done recently, (belts & minor service).

Looking at my diary my challenge is going to be finding time in daylight hours over the next couple of weeks to go and take a look! Armchair research is all fine done in the evening/lunchtime but bit more tricky to view a car when it's dark!! Where there's a will there's a way......

I do like the look of the car up in Lincs but Sellers silence possibly suggests he's had a few enquiries.
Author:  J.J. [ Mon Nov 22, 2010 2:03 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Thoughts on this 944?
Expensive due to low mileage. But it's still due a water pump & belt change. It may still need 1K's worth of work before it can be used. So a bit expensive. Worth a look though. Mileage is no problem to these cars. Just the maintenance. I'd rather have a 150K mile car thats had 10K spent in the last 3 years than this one. So long as the bodies not rotten.
Author:  PaulC4S [ Mon Nov 22, 2010 10:18 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Thoughts on this 944?
J.J. wrote:
Expensive due to low mileage. But it's still due a water pump & belt change. It may still need 1K's worth of work before it can be used. So a bit expensive. Worth a look though. Mileage is no problem to these cars. Just the maintenance. I'd rather have a 150K mile car thats had 10K spent in the last 3 years than this one. So long as the bodies not rotten.


This is the conundrum with this type of purchase - as you say could still need some of the routine work that a car with 3 x the mileage and half the price had already had done. Belts were done this month when Mid Sussex serviced the car, but not the water pump which was last done in 2005 apparently, so eyes wide open to that, probably the previous belt change to the current one but will have to check the history.

The seller will no doubt be expecting a premium due to the mileage and of the course the main dealer history (not that this is in any way a positive). I'm going to go and take a look tomorrow so we'll see what she's like.
Author:  PaulC4S [ Tue Nov 23, 2010 2:28 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Thoughts on this 944?
I've now had a look at the low mileage car.

Seemed to be in generally good condition. Ceratinly not mint (for a car of this age), wheels do need a bit of refurbing for scuffs on three of the rims. All very tidy inside and stacks of paperwork.

One thing I was not toally convinced by was the paint finish on the near side. The only work the car has had done in the current owner's care is to attend to some small areas of corrosion on the bottom of the off side front wing, which looks fine. However the front and rear drivers side wings did seem to have a slight orange peel look to them when studied closely compared to other panels.

This of course may be there from the factory of may be due to it just needing a good session with a detailer. I also musn't ignore the fact that I haven't purcahsed a car with solid paint since my first car, a Peugeot 205 GT of similar vintage and a similar colour!

Red Rider, I think I should take you up on your offer of taking a look at your's to compare others to!!
Author:  t3rra [ Tue Nov 23, 2010 4:28 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Thoughts on this 944?
From what I can gather your looking 4 a mint car, whiling 2 pay the price. While a high mileage car may have some off the more serious items taken care with the use will show on the paint and intnerour. This is the only plus side I can see from a low mileage. Restoring the little bit here and there can also add up quite quickly. I would recommend swapping the seat backs over on the drivers and pannsangers seat 2 help prolong the life off the door side bolster.
Author:  Fife [ Tue Nov 23, 2010 9:14 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Thoughts on this 944?
J.J. wrote:
Expensive due to low mileage. But it's still due a water pump & belt change. It may still need 1K's worth of work before it can be used. So a bit expensive. Worth a look though. Mileage is no problem to these cars. Just the maintenance. I'd rather have a 150K mile car thats had 10K spent in the last 3 years than this one. So long as the bodies not rotten.


well said J.J. mines 140k had the money spent over the last few years, new sills, cam belt, brakes, fuel lines etc and goes great feels really good, and yes have a much lower mileage car that, well does not.
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