PROS/ CONS: 1985.5 Porsche 944? - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

-fad · #1 09-27-2002, 02:40 PM

Thinking of picking one of these up to toy with (non-turbo)...

Any pros/cons to this vehicle to help me make the decision?

tks-fad

mark cummins · #2 09-27-2002, 02:54 PM

Hi Fad!

Please Stay away...FAR AWAY from the 944 Turbo or N/A!
I Have 20 years of Factory Porsche Service Training
The 944 Porsche is a Maintenance PIG! $$$$$$$$
1 Water pumps are a Major pain
2 Cam Shaft and The Balance shaft belts Require special tools
To Set up on the Install
3 Clutches ..First remove the trans..Remove the torque tube
to Replace the Clutch assy..The Clutch disc has a Rubber
Center to help the Clutch chatter..Junk Design!
When..The Rubber Center Explodes it will strand you..
The clutch will no longer release..
4 The Ball Joints Break! and Can Cause some Driving Lessons!
5 Then The Normal stuff Motor Mounts,A/c Compressor,Wheel
Bearings,Syncros..Etc..
I Would Not Buy one ..Even if it was a great deal!
Buy a 911..Now we are talking a Porsche

dtanesq · #3 09-27-2002, 02:56 PM

For awhile, I thought about a 944 as a project/fun car. In a year of looking I couldn't find a single example of a 944 that I liked, either as is, or as a project car. Bad karma, perhaps, but also related to my budget at the time. Bigger budget, nicer car, you know.

A good place to start reading about the 944 is Bill Underwood's site at www.944-world.com. That site can lead you elsewhere in your quest. The site has a great page about looking at 944s to buy, with the pitfalls, usual suspect items, etc.

I thought of the 944 as a possible fun car based upon a memorable test-drive in 1986. It was a "wow" experience.

Had I had more money to spend at the time I decided to find one for fun, I would've searched for a 944S. I would not have looked for a Turbo simply because of the cost of freshening a worn turbo. Seems to me there were other issues as well, but I can't remember. Read Bill's stuff - it may be in there.

Edit - Mark's post hit before mine did - listen to him. That was the other thing - the 911 is a much better car and they can be had with low mileage in great condition. There are particular 911s to worry about, as I recall, but overall a much better car than the 944.

G-Benz · #4 09-27-2002, 02:57 PM

What is the asking price?

My next-door neighbor bought an '86 944S (turbo) a couple of years ago (mid-life crisis). He paid $13K for it, about $5K over market value back then (stupid, stupid, stupid).

A/C works, but never seems to blast enough cold air (although that might be a Texas thing).

Engines are very serviceable, and are fairly reliable.

-fad · #5 09-27-2002, 06:13 PM

Thanks for the feedback!

I will pass on it based upon your guidance and experience:

fyi-
1985 1/2 944
1 woman owner, records, 91K original miles
Light Bluish Metallic (couple of of chips/ scratches here and there)
Black Leather (perfect)
motor rebuilt 3 years ago
heater and a/c work fine
no H20 leaks
does have audible cold valve lash
warm oil pressure steady @ 3 bar
temp on gauge- steady below 1/2 etch mark
power windows work fine
power driver's seat works fine
gauges work fine
new tires and brakes
new front suspension soft pieces
rides tight, stops strong and straight, steering tight
lights and windshield wipers work fine
slight oil leak- - lower motor location (did not visul it to find source)

asking $2k, prob w/ sell for $1700
-fad

jsmith · #6 09-27-2002, 08:39 PM

a 911 is a more fun project car because you can upgrade to fairly recent specs. i forget which year model was the stay-away engine but i think early 80's should be ok and affordable. my dream is to build one from the ground up starting with a frame and fresh engine...

william rogers · #7 10-01-2002, 02:08 AM

911,911,911, you can get a decent older one out here for 10 or under, you will be hooked.......
William Rogers.....

jsmith · #8 10-01-2002, 07:21 AM

this has been my dream for many years. local PCA is based in Pocono Racetrack and has events at Lime Rock. a growing family took precedence but i can start building from the ground up once my garage space frees up.

w126, good piece on the 2.7L. wasn't there a year when they first used different head / block metals resulting in problems? anyway, your point on the 3.0 swap is well taken...

Kuan · #9 10-01-2002, 07:54 AM

You mean from magnesium to aluminum crankcase? I think when Porsche switched to the 3.0 engine... 1977. I think you had more problems with the inadequate cooling than with the new case. Contrary to popular belief, a lot of the work on an early Porsche is DIY. You can obviously change the oil yourself and adjust the valves. The engine is pretty easy to drop and putting in hydraulic tensioners is a matter of removing the cover on the cam housing. Get one man

Kuan

jsmith · #10 10-01-2002, 08:11 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Kuan
You mean from magnesium to aluminum crankcase? I think when Porsche switched to the 3.0 engine... 1977. I think you had more problems with the inadequate cooling than with the new case.
Kuan

yeah, and 1977 was the year i had in mind...

Kuan · #11 10-01-2002, 10:54 AM

People should really take a look underneath a 911 chassis. There's not much there. Some people say it's a fancy Volkswagen

Parts might be expensive though, but it's very servicable.

Kuan

jsmith · #12 10-01-2002, 11:12 AM

friend that turned me on to these things used to tell me about the three bolts that you took off to lower the engine

. he had something like a '67 frame on which he put an RSR body (turbo look ultra light). the engine had 6 webers on it and we used to laugh about all the things he had to do to get it to pass inspection. that's what attracted me though - it's a pretty simple setup and almost all parts of the car are upgradeable!

Kuan · #13 10-01-2002, 11:26 AM

Well it's slightly more than three bolts

You disconnect the electrical, remove the halfshafts, and disconnect the shifter linkage. But altogether a half hour job!

Man I wish I had one.

Kuan

jsmith · #14 10-01-2002, 11:44 AM

gee, this 944 thread turned into 911's talk. i wish there were a porscheshop.com