[Paddy]

Josh,

I have a really well sorted 1987 944 for sale and am somewhat flexible on price.

http://dorkiphus.net/porsche/showthread.php?t=20354

[RENN 951]

You can find current pricing info here: http://www.excellence-mag.com/resour...uide/241500240

In Vestal NY you could get John Hajny, http://www.redlinerennsport.com/Index.html to do the PPI; he certainly knows 944's.

You really shouldn't have to go that far away to find a nice early 944, however.

[jvns1022]

PatFat, I was interested in your car but saw the high mileage. I think I would like to take a look anyway. All that maintenance you've had done sounds good. Looks like I wont buy this car in NY unless the guy will come down in price. Can you hit me up at jvns1022@gmail.com with a phone number?

[Dr K]

I would definitely look at Patrick's car. No one has mentioned it, but these cars are not meant to sit. A car in the north that has never seen snow may have sat in the garage for 5-6 months/year, and hoses and other rubber/plastic parts might have been injured by not being driven.

[Trak Ratt]

Long term you will be much happier with an '85.5 or newer car. $6.5K seems like top money for an early '44. Take your time and find a nice '85.5 or newer car with all the regular stuff up dated.

[Potomac-Greg]

Be open to anything from 83 to 88. There's not enough difference to base a decision on the model year. Get a PPI. Get a PPI. Drive at least 3 of them. If you want to drive mine as a comparison, let me know (I live in Rockville, work in Tysons). It's good to learn what's weird, what's normal, and what's normally weird about these cars.

The rule of thumb is that all 944s are $6,000. Whatever you don't pay the seller, you pay the repair shop. Hold out for one that you can confirm as solid. Transmission, engine seals, clutch, steering rack. And if you're not handy in the garage, you will be. My strategy with that car you mention is to settle in the $4-5K range BUT only if he can prove that it's not 197,000 miles, AND the car checks out with no significant issues. I've got a 1988 with 76,000 (legit) miles and I doubt I could get $6,500. No way that car is worth that much. And get a PPI.

Good luck. They're great cars, relatively simple, and they have fantastic aftermarket support.

[racer]

imho, if you are not going to do the work yourself, all 944's are $10K cars.. as mentioned, there are several big ticket items that can fail

1) clutch.. shop charge to replace is about 8-10hrs plus parts.. about $1500-$2K I would guess

2) Steering system. Haven't had an issue yet, but Potomac Greg just had his done iirc, and it was pricey.. I'd guess about the same as a clutch job?

3) Seems like you know about the belts/hoses/wp issues.. again, for a shop, figure $1K.

If you are looking to track or potentially race the car, consider finding one that's also had $800-$2K in suspension work already done as well.

See ? there are no cheap porsches afterall.

I would be sure to sit/drive some examples of early vs late dash.. imho, the later dash is just a better design and affords a bit more leg room. It also looks less "VW" in appearance and more 928.

Don't overlook the '87-88 924S as well.. Narrower body, early dash, but same "powerful" 2.5l motor

Get a PPI.. Really bone up on your 944 model knowledge.

[Potomac-Greg]

Originally Posted by racer

2) Steering system. Haven't had an issue yet, but Potomac Greg just had his done iirc, and it was pricey.. I'd guess about the same as a clutch job?

It is perhaps the one thing I have NOT done. I think that's one thing I'd tackle myself.

[RedOctober]

Originally Posted by racer

If you are looking to track or potentially race the car, consider finding one that's also had $800-$2K in suspension work already done as well.

Oh come now.....rob him of the joy of doing the torsion bar kabuki dance himself?

[VaSteve]

Originally Posted by RedOctober

Oh come now.....rob him of the joy of doing the torsion bar kabuki dance himself?

How did you get your car back together?