About to buy a 944. Wish me luck
 

1987 silver 944 NA for $3k.

I'm about to make the plunge. The 560sl I had was just too nice and too much of a gas guzzler. I think this 944 fits me better.

Wish me luck fellas.

the 2 killers on those are the timing belt/water pump(breaks = bent valves) and the clutch

i'd check for past info on those 2

Have fun but make sure you know where the bottom of your pocket is.

I've never been a fan of the 944 although the Turbo was indeed a kick to drive. They always seemed to be much more like a modern Volkswagen than a Porsche.

he said the tbelt and pump were replaced less than 30k miles ago. probably 29.9k miles ago.

are these dealer-only jobs??

back in the day the belts were recommended every 30k

not a dealer only job, but not for somebody that's never done one

Yes, that was one of the first cars with the dreaded timing BELT! I would think that using one of today's belts COULD possibly extend the change interval, but given the consequences, there's no way that I'd risk it.

As far as changing it yourself, it brings to mind what my Dad used to tell me: "You'll never learn any younger!" That was his way of encouraging a determined attitude.

If you're set on the car, you can learn to change the belt.

Good luck with it.

I owned one. Everything that breaks on that car is expensive. The #1 thing to check is the steering rack, they cost a fortune and they go out over time.

thank you all for your responses. you talked me out of it. I'll save up for a 911 with a timing chaing and no power steering.

I foresee this if I bought the 944-
purchase price $3000
tbelt and wp $1500
clutch $1500
other crap $1000

total $7000

I might be better off with a Miata for $4000 without big money pits.

Thank you all. My knuckles thank you. This forum rocks.

I've heard parts are pretty pricey.

In terms of upkeep, the 944 is practically a Honda Accord as compared to the 928.

So glad to hear that. They trap a lot of people because their purchase value seems so reasonable for what you get.

Had a buddy who worked at the Porsche dealer parts counter.

You would not believe. Uncle Merciless would weep in envy. Mercedes can't come close for ANYTHING on its cars of that era, based on what my friend told me.

EDIT: I forgot the SLS pump on TDs. CC servo gets honourable mention. 'Scuse me.

I love older 911s. Still pricey to fix but you have something that's worth something if kept up.

I always hate to talk people out of nice looking cars, but you made the correct call here 110 percent.

I think there is a v8 kit out there for Miata's.

a few 911 thoughts.
 

The best place for getting a REALLY really good used 911 is from an internet forum member of this marque and model who is well respected and and well known, and has a good reason to reluctantly let go of his prized vehicle and wants it to go to a caring owner..

Those places have people that truly cherish their cars and keep them up beautifully and adore them but stil drive them all the time.. And other forum members may evaluate the cars for you ( have actually done it personally to assist would be purchasers that were sincere )

The knowledge is legendary on those places.

The old 911s, the air cooled ones, are so iconic. So timeless. I love hearig that throaty rasp of their engine.

You'll be buying into a lifestyle in a way.

They drive differently too.

I'd love to own a '66 one myself..

The old adage -- "Buy the very best condition one you can find, even if it costs more, -- the cheapest one always costs the most in the end" -- still adheres.

Good luck

An alternator costs $700, installed it will run you a grand. A set of rear shocks, a grand. The steering rack, four grand. Everything seems to cost a grand. If the door handle breaks, it will probably cost a grand to fix it.

On the plus side, it is still considered one of the best handling Porsche ever produced, but you really have to have the turbo version to really appreciate it. They are a joy to drive on a mountain road. Otherwise, it is a rather anemic engine, essentially a 928 engine cut in half, and you get the half without the testicles. I did see one really nice V8 conversion, it cost the guy about 10 grand to do the swap, the thing was an animal. In total, not buying it is a smart move, unless it was a turbo, those are collector's items now, but I am assuming 944 NA means "normally aspirated", so, congratulations, they suck.