Porsche Enthusiasts Club Forum

I've read a few comments about there being less issue with rust on a 968 vs a 944.
Is this simply down to 968's being newer or is there a fundamental difference in design etc.
I presume both are galvanised.
Any comments appreciated.
Rob

Less of them, newer & rarer so people less likely to use them as a daily driver so less cack in the arches which maakes the rust munch faster.

Plus the fact the design of the sills and in front of the arches is different.

Plan to take the sill covers off soon so will post some picks.

Hopefully no rust!!!!!

Rich

Don't forget to stick your face under it and look at the area at the rear of the sill where the trailing arm set up bolts on.

That area on my 83 relatively rust free car looked like this


Good to check and catch it early if it's there.

Hi Guys,

My 968 has recently undergone a minor restoration so if you're interested in seeing what a 17 year old car with 132,000 miles looks like without her bumpers and sill skirts checkout this link. There are a lot more photos which may interest you, but the index will help you spot the pictures of interest.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/driveandsh ... 323670566/

The sills look very good, but I need to attend to a small amount of rust that is present in the wheel arches, nothing bad, but something that needs to be attended to as the under-seal has started to come away.

Generally speaking there isn't too much rust anywhere on the car. Even the exhaust has lasted 17 years!

I bet your 968 was in better condition pre restoration than my 944 will be after I've finished restoring it.

Not jealous at all, honest

Hi Rob or is it Mad?

I don't know if it's down to improvements in the manufacturing process, good maintenance, luck or a combination. I first bought the car back in 1998 with 17,500 miles on the clock and sold it in 2002 with 93,000 on the clock. Although I had it serviced by the local OPC garages it was always kept outside, however I was known to clean it three times a week at times, even when it was so cold the water used to freeze on the car. Over the last 8 years I think it's been garaged, but little else so I suspect it's down to the galvanising that was done when the car was made.

Apparently the car was carrying quite a lot of mud around the sills, bumpers, wheel arches, front tray, etc. and Bryan from D'n'S mentioned that she probably weighs about 50 kilos less now. LOL

Rob will do

Mine has had quite a hard life. I have absolutely no history for the car other than knowing it's had a top end engine rebuild from the same garage I normally get my MOTs done and it was abandoned in a garage for 8 years before I got it. Before it was put there it needed work done on it as it was bought as a project. At some point one of the previous owners decided it would be a good idea to fit a big stereo system particularly badly almost ruining both doors in the process and wiring an amp up in such a fashion I'm surprised it didn't go up in flames.

All is well again now though as it's getting closer to being back on the road and has had the interior returned back to normal and the wiring recovered.

The down side to mine is that I've not driven it on the road yet (or any other Porsche let alone another 944) so I can't wait to get out there with it.

One of the main differences is that yours is probably worth something. Mine was given to me as an alternative to it being scrapped but luckily so far I've spent much less than I would've done on a decent example.

Thanks for that , very reassuring.
I'm still very nervous about taking the plunge into Porsche ownership.

Rob

Hi Rob,

Like most cars it's important to get it thoroughly checked by someone that knows Porsches and not your local garage as they're not going to be able to spot the hidden perils. You've only got to look at the price of parts to see how a mistake can be very expensive e.g. the suspension for a 968 costs about £700 (excl. labour), cam shafts another £1000, etc. I don't know what the prices are like for 944, but I'd imagine they too will be very expensive.

If you can afford to have the car as a second car and do the work yourself you'll save yourself a lot of stress and money, but if it's going to be your main car you need to do your homework and buy the best one you can afford.

As always a good service history is important but isn't a guarantee the car won't have problems.

Jim posted a great buyers guide that was made into a sticky, however the zip file seems to be corrupt. I've never read it as I always do things backward, bought 2 Porsches before joining the club. See if you can get access to the buyers guide, the two Jim's will be able to help you out, however TR7V8 might be in the States by now.

Never been a better time. A 944 will be a cheaper & lower risk way to dip your toe in. Some good ones for sale from club members at the moment. Wish I could have got mine for 2.5K! Just 4 years ago a good 944 2.5 8v was for the best. And the best are the cheapest if you actually want to use them rather than keep them in a garage for 11 months of the year. Get a proper inspection done what ever you go for. Cheap compared to the cost of repairing these cars. But do get one.

Yep.Wot he said. Get one .Enjoy it. Worry about the problems as they surface. Its only a car mate!! They can all be fixed. The red ones are the fastest by the way!

Nope you ain't lost me yet, flight is 10:25 tomorrow!
Just uploaded a new Zip so now should be OK. If someone can try it & let me know.

Checked and all good

Sorry Jim, I've still not had a read it yet. I promis to have it done by the time you get back, you can even quiz me.

Good luck on the trip.