Porsche Enthusiasts Club Forum

I keep urning to be a 944 owner, this or an MX5 for track days but with one child and another on the way I keep getting swayed to the 944 as it's more practical having 4 (2 & 2 1/2 seats), more powerful and way better looking.

I've pretty much decided that I want a 944 to just enjoy the car as a car and for it to be as reliable and enjoyable to own as possible this has pointed to a 2.5 8v Lux, is this right?

Budget is the budget and will be what it will be but apart from what I've read on the internet (lots and lots on Tipec) I'm pretty clueless.

I'm just after ideas at what you'd look for in a 2nd hand 944 before you'd buy it, what jobs you'd have like to have been done, Oval / Square dash etc. I've read the buyers guide, but would like some personal things that you'd look for.

Any pointers would be gratefully received.

TIA

Hi there, just to get the ball rolling, here are a few items I would look for in the service history:

Cam timing belt and balance belt replacement, along with rollers (idlers and tensioners).
Water pump replacement.
- and a good oil change and general service history.

When looking at the car I would also check the oil pressure when cold, look for any oil leaks, power steering fluid leaks and check the coolant for signs of oil contamination. With the engine running I would check that the exhaust is not black and oily or white and smelling of anti-freeze.

Now I know that other forum members will add to the above..but hope that helps a bit.

It all helps, am I right in thinking that the balance gear on the 8v's is a a lot is simpler than than the 16v's.

Just to put a spanner in the works, if your after a track car on a budget may be the mx5 is the best as you maybe able to pick up a budget 944 but the up keep of a porsche is not always cheap and if you what a car for the track you are driving to the edge you want to keep on top of maintenance. I know I might get jumped on for saying this lol

Ryan

You are spot on. It was either the mx5 for pretty much track use or the 944 for SDP and non track use. The MX5 being very anti social with a 4 person family wouldn't have seen much other use, I'd want to enjoy the 944, not thrash it to within an inch of it's life on a track.

A good wad of history within the last 5 years anything older is a lot less relevant.

The early cars are a hoot to drive.

In that case the 944 is a great drive and retro fun. I have both a mk1 mx5 turbo which has pretty much turned into a show car now and sits in my garage. But I love getting the 944 out be it a drive or just to have a tinker, happy hunting

Ryan

We have both in our family.
I have the 944 and wife has the MX5 both are not used for track work for that we use my Quantum 2+2 RSturbo which is as cheap as an MX5 but Ford based.

Before this we used a Dolomite Sprint which was fun for 15 years!

The 924 2 litre makes a great track day car as the engine is a simple device that cannot be killed with a stick. Put it on a diet and you have a car that will amaze.

MX5's are not all the same.
Early 1.6 were 117 bhp but in approx 95 they were detuned to 90 bhp!
Best to get a 1.8 Mk 1 which should have 130 bhp.

Ditto what's been said above plus the following pointers:-

Check the sills for rust and general . The cars are now between 31 and 22 years old so even the best galvanisation process can be compromised now.

Check the floors and rear hatch area for water ingress.

Square dash cars will inevitably have some dash cracking in varying degrees unless you are very lucky...and even the oval dash cars are now begining to suffer.

pre-84 cars may not have pas....not a problem on the move but builds the biceps when low speed manouevering!

Pre 85.5 cars may suffer from a steering shimmy between 60-70 mph. This is just a shimmy - not a massive wheel wobble - and a characteristic of the earlier suspension set up.

The earlier cars are less powerful but lighter so performance on the road is not compromised. I've had both 8v and 16v cars and like them both the same. The earlier car appears to have more torque low down which makes it easier to drive in traffic and everyday situations in my opinion....and of course is a little simpler to maintain....oh and cheaper.

Good luck with your search.

Jon

Every 944 owner ship will cost. Best bet is to buy a car off someone who has already spent out. However just cause someone spent a lot off money won't nessery mean its a good car. Rust is become a major issue. Mainly due to the costs involed with Porsche owner ship. P tax

Get a mobile phone inside the sills and see what's going on. There be a lot off repired ones out there, but that don't mean to say the problem is cured

If you can wait good cars come up often from the forum group, that I would expect to be your best bet at getting a less troublesome car. Due to the way the market is a lot off really good cars are falsed to sell at the average rate

If you got your eye on any, post them up here I'm sure everyone will give you there input.

Generally the cambelt and balance belt setup is pretty much the same for both engines. However a spring-loaded tensioner was added in the later cars -1985.5 upwards. The camshafts on the 16V had a chain drive which can be problematic if the tensioner slipper pads have worn. If considering a 16V valve car, again check for this replacement in the SH.