Porsche Enthusiasts Club Forum

Hello everyone,

The S2 has gone and let me down yet again! With all the bad weather and snow, she hasn't turned a wheel since Saturday. Being a loving and caring owner, I didn't want to bend my baby so it's been parked up on the drive with the car cover over her to keep her snug.

I went to use her yesterday and she sounded absolutely terrible. A terrible screeching that rises and falls with the revs. At first I thought it was the water pump on its way out. After shutting off the engine, I noticed the car had dumped its contents of power steering fluid all over the driveway. This is the thanks I get after trying to keep her in one piece.

So, yet another trip to the indie is going to be in order now. The power steering and water pump were replaced when I purchased the car 6 months ago. It leads me to the question of whether or not a 944 really can be used as a every day car?

If you don't use them enough they cock up. If you use them they cock up. I love my 944 to bits, but it's breaking my heart with all the problems I've been having recently. It's made worse by the fact that I sold my euro box that was very reliable to buy something not quite as reliable. Maybe I need to take off the rose tinted glasses and realise a 20 year old car may not be up to it. Thoughts anyone?

Ben

I feel for you Pal, there is nothing worse than a car that lets you down.

A 944 is a fine everyday car, I used mine for 12 months with no issues. Maybe I was lucky, after 4 years of ownership and 30,000 miles the only irritation has been a knackered battery and the usual consumables associated with covering 30k.

You have to come to terms with the fact that a 20 year old car will fail. A eurobox maybe more reliable but do you get more pleasure driving something different and special to cover the disappointments of reliability.

I think you know the answer

i had no significant problems with my lux in 2years and it was a daily runner. Reliability will depend on the kind of use (or abuse) that the car has been subjected to, but general concensus is that the 944 is pretty bulletproof.

I'm about to venture into the everydy driver situation. Had my 944 for two years and because it's not been used enough it keeps having niggly faults. I've decided to flog the Euro box and use the car as my only road transport for the next nine months at least. I've got one month to sort out the niggles before it's drafted into regular service.
Hope it like's the experience and will let you know if I'm succesful.

Good luck with ironing out the faults on yours.

Around 4 years I bought the 944 as a daily driver. It did 38K as my car allowance car for work in 18 months. Aside from servicing & the standard odds & sods,the only item I needed to change was the clutch slave. The only two issues were punctures, the first was where the old 15" space saver didn't fit over the S2 brakes DOH! & The second was where I had a slow puncture & the locking wheel nut seized.
Mine has given much more grief since it became an occasionally used car,grumpy electrical bits, the stereo has thrown a wobbly etc.

My 944 was my daily driver for 2 years in all year round.

As was my 911 till we moved here

Paul Bird uses his S2 everyday and does big miles.

I think the main thing is not to lose hope. We all buy these cars without knowing exactly what gremlins we’ll come across—at this age it’s to be expected. It takes a couple of years to feel totally secure that you’ve renewed everything that needs renewing on your car. Once you’ve got there, the damned things are a dream.

What problems? I've probably had more trouble than anyone on here with mine. Because it wasn't used enough & much of the spannering was of a very poor standard despite a genuine specialist service history including an engine rebuild. Mine was fine for 6 weeks & then there was no oil pressure!
I fitted a new power steering pump in September. It failed. This is the joy of classic car ownership. The people that made the parts for Porsche 20 years ago don't exist any more. Most parts are made under license in places like Hungary & Poland! My PSP said made in Germany on the box. But I'm sure the bearings were Chinese.
Believe me you haven't had much trouble with yours. If you buy a new car will it be any better? I have had a new car that failed completely 3 times in 3 months! Battery, Clutch & then gearbox. The 3 year warranty was worthless as the car had to wait until the workshop wasn't busy. The parts for new cars are no better!
2 years on my car is in amaing condition. Worth the pain? You bet.
Stick with it for now. Teething troubles are part of the process.
Fitting a new pump is one of the easiest jobs on a 944 & takes about 15 minutes. You shouldn't have to pay for a new pump if that's the problem.

Oh dear,Ben! More problems? 6 months isnt long for a power steering pump so Im sure Malton will look after you.They do make big claims about their after sales service etc. Dont give up on it though, as others have said above ,it takes a while to get through teething problems but once you get it thoroughly sorted you should be ok.944s are pretty reliable cars when in good condition but they are all old cars now and parts wear out. Mines just turned 25 and passed its test on Monday and I had to press it into service this week as my other car had to go into the garage for some brake work and Boy! did I enjoy driving it again! It only took a few minutes and I was grinning from ear to ear! (you know the feeling!)The reason I dont drive mine every day is because there isnt anywhere I consider safe to park it at work .Nobody looks twice at an old Volvo 240 do they? As for new cars being more reliable,well,I could tell you some horror stories about new cars Ive had! Hope you get it sorted soon then you can get back to enjoying it.Regards John

Ben

If you speak to Andy or Nick at RPM. Knaresbrough your membership card they will give TIPEC members discount

http://www.rpmspecialistcars.co.uk/

41,000 now in 18 months

Good to see you back on the forum mate

Cheers mate. It's been too long. Should have the '44 on back on the road this year.