Looking Into A 944 Porsche - Tilted Forum Project Discussion Community

Seanland · 05-24-2005, 05:52 PM

I was wondering if anyone knew how reliable of a car this is.
It would be great if anyone could tell me they average life expectancy of a well maintained one? cause if i do get one... I dont want it to die out a week later?

Any Statistics and Information would be greatly appreciated
Personal experiences would be best!

Thanks

Ilow · 05-24-2005, 06:10 PM

i have little firsthand experience, just one friend who had one (something was always broken on it, btw) but I understand through other ancecdotal evidence that they usually rank just ahead of the 924 on the "least desirable porches" list. If you're just looking for a cheap fun porche I would think the lower-tech 914 with the bigger engine would be ok. Maybe I'm a traditionalist who's biased against front engined porches (with the possible exception of the 928's).

shakran · 05-24-2005, 06:28 PM

a well maintained one will last a very long time, but expect the maintenence costs to be high. It is, after all, a porsche, and as such everything's gonna be more expensive than on a ford.

Seanland · 05-24-2005, 07:33 PM

well i was gonna say between the years 83-86

i donno i just really like how they look...

and yes cost of replacing parts is a huge factor...I know its gonna be real high is something goes, thats why im gonna be really careful of how the car was maintained, and to check tune up records..

but yea, my poor old 89 Lincoln Continental Mark VII Signature Edition
Break Lines Gone, Power Steering screwed and needs a new Tranny... so its essentially going off a cliff.. and I need a new car, definately looking for an european car, and maybe something a bit smaller

todd · 05-24-2005, 07:48 PM

How do you feel about buying a car on ebay? I'm into just surfing ebay, looking up random cars I like just to see whats out there. Yesterday I just so happened to have looked up the 944. Theres a ton of really nice ones on there right now.

Heres a great one with only 48,000 original miles
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eB...&category=6434

Heres an even better one with only 27,000 miles (assuming original)
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eB...&category=6434

Heres the rest of the list
http://search.ebay.com/porsche-944_P...trypageZsearch

It just depends on how much you want to pay for one. These two will probably sell for well over 15k, but theres others on here right now that will probably only go for a couple thousand. If you're worried about it crapping out on you, you'll probably want to buy one of the more expensive ones.

Seanland · 05-24-2005, 08:00 PM

yea, thanks todd..

I dont know if Ebay would be good, Me living in Canada :S

Here are the 2 main ones im interested in http://www.vsrautomobiles.com/wst_page4.html
High Mileage 250k km

http://www.trader.ca/Search/Details....ategory=&CAT=1
(dont think this like will work)
1984 PORSCHE 944
Comment: Red/tan leather, 5 spd, air, sunroof, new tires on carrera rims, certified and e-tested, serviced at Techmax in Mississauga, for 21 years old, it's mint, honestly, runs/looks great, stored winters, documented services, 5 km since 2001. 90,000 km, $5,000 Thats the info

The first is a dealer, He seems to take old cars fix them and sells them, seems to have good feedback too..

BadNick · 05-25-2005, 12:48 PM

I always thought of the 944's as a well balanced, good sports GT car. I have a soft spot for turbos, so I especially like the 944 Turbo. The maintenance and parts will cost more than average as you might expect for any Porsche. As for reliability and commonly known issues before deciding to buy, I'd suggest thoroughly checking out various Porsche forums where they list that kind of information. I'd tell you if I knew, but I'm not familiar with those details.

05-26-2005, 04:49 PM

Least desirable porsche? Is that like least desirable magazine model? Either way your not riding an economy version.

McG · 05-28-2005, 03:45 PM

I used to own a 944 turbo and now i drive a 968. The cost of parts is a bit more then most cars but they can be very reliable. Just make sure you get a pre-purchase inspection at a specialized porsche shop. One of the most fun cars i've ever driven, might not be the fastest but it is a great car. There are some very active forums for these cars so make sure you check around.

Atomic Pinkie · 05-31-2005, 12:10 PM

go to www.rennlist.com

They write the books everyone else gets their info from

05-31-2005, 02:54 PM

I owned a 924S which was the 944 engine (non turbo) strapped onto the lighter 924 chassis - fantastic car, it had done over 120,000 miles when I got it - and the engine was rearing to do another 120,000. Electrics were a bit spotty in places, and some of the hydraulics in the steering could have done with a look at - but, all in all - superb. All for less than 3,500GBP - who can complain at that?

The best thing about these cars is the rear/mid mounted transmission which means that the balance of the weight is nice and central. Some porsche die-hards think that rear-engine is best, but under-weighting the front wheels causing potential understeer can make for a dangerous proposition when going round corners.

I loved my 924s - she drove like she was on rails, and always wanted to give more - I'd imagine that the 944 would be the same, if a little more comfortable.

05-24-2005, 05:52 PM	#1 (permalink)
Seanland Psycho Location: Ontario, Canada	Looking Into A 944 Porsche I was wondering if anyone knew how reliable of a car this is. It would be great if anyone could tell me they average life expectancy of a well maintained one? cause if i do get one... I dont want it to die out a week later? Any Statistics and Information would be greatly appreciated Personal experiences would be best! Thanks

05-24-2005, 06:10 PM	#2 (permalink)
Ilow Junkie Location: Pats country	i have little firsthand experience, just one friend who had one (something was always broken on it, btw) but I understand through other ancecdotal evidence that they usually rank just ahead of the 924 on the "least desirable porches" list. If you're just looking for a cheap fun porche I would think the lower-tech 914 with the bigger engine would be ok. Maybe I'm a traditionalist who's biased against front engined porches (with the possible exception of the 928's). __________________ "Religion is the one area of our discourse in which it is considered noble to pretend to be certain about things no human being could possibly be certain about" --Sam Harris Last edited by Ilow; 05-26-2005 at 07:41 PM..

05-24-2005, 07:48 PM	#5 (permalink)
todd Addict Location: Chicago	How do you feel about buying a car on ebay? I'm into just surfing ebay, looking up random cars I like just to see whats out there. Yesterday I just so happened to have looked up the 944. Theres a ton of really nice ones on there right now. Heres a great one with only 48,000 original miles http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eB...&category=6434 Heres an even better one with only 27,000 miles (assuming original) http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eB...&category=6434 Heres the rest of the list http://search.ebay.com/porsche-944_P...trypageZsearch It just depends on how much you want to pay for one. These two will probably sell for well over 15k, but theres others on here right now that will probably only go for a couple thousand. If you're worried about it crapping out on you, you'll probably want to buy one of the more expensive ones. Last edited by todd; 05-24-2005 at 07:53 PM..

05-31-2005, 12:10 PM	#10 (permalink)
Atomic Pinkie Addict Location: Chicago	go to www.rennlist.com They write the books everyone else gets their info from __________________ Where dem bitches at?

05-24-2005, 06:28 PM	#3 (permalink)
shakran Tone.	a well maintained one will last a very long time, but expect the maintenence costs to be high. It is, after all, a porsche, and as such everything's gonna be more expensive than on a ford.

05-24-2005, 07:33 PM	#4 (permalink)
Seanland Psycho Location: Ontario, Canada	well i was gonna say between the years 83-86 i donno i just really like how they look... and yes cost of replacing parts is a huge factor...I know its gonna be real high is something goes, thats why im gonna be really careful of how the car was maintained, and to check tune up records.. but yea, my poor old 89 Lincoln Continental Mark VII Signature Edition Break Lines Gone, Power Steering screwed and needs a new Tranny... so its essentially going off a cliff.. and I need a new car, definately looking for an european car, and maybe something a bit smaller

05-24-2005, 08:00 PM	#6 (permalink)
Seanland Psycho Location: Ontario, Canada	yea, thanks todd.. I dont know if Ebay would be good, Me living in Canada :S Here are the 2 main ones im interested in http://www.vsrautomobiles.com/wst_page4.html High Mileage 250k km http://www.trader.ca/Search/Details....ategory=&CAT=1 (dont think this like will work) 1984 PORSCHE 944 Comment: Red/tan leather, 5 spd, air, sunroof, new tires on carrera rims, certified and e-tested, serviced at Techmax in Mississauga, for 21 years old, it's mint, honestly, runs/looks great, stored winters, documented services, 5 km since 2001. 90,000 km, $5,000 Thats the info The first is a dealer, He seems to take old cars fix them and sells them, seems to have good feedback too..

05-25-2005, 12:48 PM	#7 (permalink)
BadNick Riding the Ocean Spray Location: S.E. PA in U Sofa	I always thought of the 944's as a well balanced, good sports GT car. I have a soft spot for turbos, so I especially like the 944 Turbo. The maintenance and parts will cost more than average as you might expect for any Porsche. As for reliability and commonly known issues before deciding to buy, I'd suggest thoroughly checking out various Porsche forums where they list that kind of information. I'd tell you if I knew, but I'm not familiar with those details.

05-26-2005, 04:49 PM	#8 (permalink)
NotMVH Guest	Least desirable porsche? Is that like least desirable magazine model? Either way your not riding an economy version.

05-28-2005, 03:45 PM	#9 (permalink)
McG Crazy	I used to own a 944 turbo and now i drive a 968. The cost of parts is a bit more then most cars but they can be very reliable. Just make sure you get a pre-purchase inspection at a specialized porsche shop. One of the most fun cars i've ever driven, might not be the fastest but it is a great car. There are some very active forums for these cars so make sure you check around.

05-31-2005, 02:54 PM	#11 (permalink)
zen_tom Guest	I owned a 924S which was the 944 engine (non turbo) strapped onto the lighter 924 chassis - fantastic car, it had done over 120,000 miles when I got it - and the engine was rearing to do another 120,000. Electrics were a bit spotty in places, and some of the hydraulics in the steering could have done with a look at - but, all in all - superb. All for less than 3,500GBP - who can complain at that? The best thing about these cars is the rear/mid mounted transmission which means that the balance of the weight is nice and central. Some porsche die-hards think that rear-engine is best, but under-weighting the front wheels causing potential understeer can make for a dangerous proposition when going round corners. I loved my 924s - she drove like she was on rails, and always wanted to give more - I'd imagine that the 944 would be the same, if a little more comfortable.