Considering a Porsche 944 Turbo

[VooDooXII]

I've been looking into those old Porsche GT Coupes, and I'm wondering what to look out for in buying them.

I know German cars are SOLID when it comes to anything mechanical, but all of the little things...like the electronics I guess...tend to be garbage.

In particular, I'm looking at a 1989 Turbo. Anyone have any past experiences?

[allmotoronly]

go for a 928 or 928S instead. V8 instead of 4 cyl like the 944. you can find them for under $10k.

[quickdodge®]

I would actually choose the 944 S over the 928. Unless you get a 928S4. But even then, I'd still prefer the 944. I love the look of the trubo model. There was a very good one for sale at a church car lot here that was on sale for $5,400 a couple of weeks ago. Later, QD.

[VooDooXII]

928s are alright...though I'd want to go all out with an S4 if I really wanted to get one, and those are pretty pricey and impossible to find at that. The main thing holding me back on those it the looks. They look like frogs when they have the lights up. I think the 944 has a much cleaner shape.

See I originally was after the Pontiac GTO. I test drove one and fell in love, but those are pretty expensive too.

I was also looking at the 944 S2, with the monster 3.0 liter straight four...but those and the Turbos are about the same price, and S2s are harder to find.

[VooDooXII]

Anyone care to suggest any alternatives?

[2.0civic]

a early 90s NSX

[VooDooXII]

I don't have $25,000 to drop on a car...else I'd buy Kevin's in a heartbeat.

I'd already have a GTO even if I did have that much money.

Alright...$15,000 budget. What can I get?

[Jecht]

A new VW Rabbit! Then you can give it to me! :ninja:

Seriously though, if you have something break on one of those older Porsches, I hope you have a LOT of money, because its not cheap to replace parts. My uncle has had several 944s, and if something broke, he would part that car out.

[VooDooXII]

How bad are they? The worst thing's I've heard with these cars is the clutches going out.

What kinds of problems did he have?

[speedminded]

noooo Porsche V8, noooo! :no: I'd take the 951's 2.5 liter turbo over the 928...but ever worked on one? You want to build something or buy straight up and hope its gonna be reliable?

If i had $15k to blow on something from Stuttgart it would probably be this one for $12,500, '72 911 with Turbo fenders, built/blueprinted engine, suspension, etc....

http://atlanta.craigslist.org/car/263079383.html

http://b.im.craigslist.org/RT/ms/XEn2ojKO1t9l8a1aJKfVlR1bwI9q.jpghttp://b.im.craigslist.org/PQ/Ig/3XTSteS1vVrv13v9vGscstzqmr2A.jpghttp://d.im.craigslist.org/jk/7h/1MxJdeFGQJMPsU8sPo4U3olFjUOY.jpg

[speedminded]

now this one is crazy sexy, if only it was silver!

http://atlanta.craigslist.org/car/273427799.html
http://b.im.craigslist.org/ug/qC/OVnVJVK5zetknxdlR2rxbJN9DFeG.jpg

[SampaGuy]

^i would go with a 911 too. rear engine ftw.

[OneSlow5pt0]

is the 944 the one that looks like a RX-7?

[speedminded]

is the 944 the one that looks like a RX-7?yep, that's the one...some even have the phone dials :tongue:

[OneSlow5pt0]

yep, that's the one...some even have the phone dials :tongue:

what i should say,is the one Mazda copied to make the RX-7,lol

[VooDooXII]

I'm looking at the 951s...and I've been able to find some that people have really taken care of. I'm not buying anything to build, because I don't think I'm going to put massive amounts of work into the car any time soon.

A 911 though? I never even considered them because I figured they'd all be expensive. I'll look into them, though I'm still leaning towards the 944.

[81911SC]

i got a 911 sc for sale an 81 model and u will hav a good amount of change left over

[bdydrpdmazda]

Post up some pics of some old school Porsches, Im a big fan of the late 70s-mid 80s 911s.

[speedminded]

Post up some pics of some old school Porsches, Im a big fan of the late 70s-mid 80s 911s.I love the look of the 911SC's and 930's :goodjob:

Funny thing is all the body parts are interchangeable from the mid 60's 911's through the mid 90's 993's. Here's a 1981 with 993 body parts...

http://img.alibaba.com/photo/10951135/1981_Porsche_With_Full_993_Bodykits.jpg

[OneSlow5pt0]

I love the look of the 911SC's and 930's :goodjob:

Funny thing is all the body parts are interchangeable from the mid 60's 911's through the mid 90's 993's. Here's a 1981 with 993 body parts...

http://img.alibaba.com/photo/10951135/1981_Porsche_With_Full_993_Bodykits.jpg

that looks real good:goodjob:

[speedminded]

that looks real good:goodjob:Here's a '76 911 with strosek, 993, and 996 parts...same older look but more sleep and modern....if that makes any sense :thinking:

http://www.porsche911.dk

[OneSlow5pt0]

Here's a '76 911 with strosek, 993, and 996 parts...same older look but more sleep and modern....if that makes any sense :thinking:

http://www.porsche911.dk

damn,that one is complete hotness

[VooDooXII]

I checked them out...I'm not so sure about the 911. I want something comfortable as well.

[speedminded]

I checked them out...I'm not so sure about the 911. I want something comfortable as well.1998 BMW 540i with Sport Package, adult owned, M-tech steering wheel, heated seats, premium wheels, new tires, and car has had the 90,000 mile inspection done by Global BMW in Atlanta. http://atlanta.craigslist.org/car/274324636.html

[VooDooXII]

Nice car for sure...but I'm really not feeling it at all.

[speedminded]

Nice car for sure...but I'm really not feeling it at all.ok, 944 with an LS1..then you're good to go ;)

[VooDooXII]

Haha...it'd be fast as hell, but that'd destroy the weight distribution.

[speedminded]

Haha...it'd be fast as hell, but that'd destroy the weight distribution.hahaha......................It's only about 50lbs more ;)

944 - 479lbs < LS1 530lbs.

http://www.560sec.com/bulletinboard/viewtopic.php?t=1110&postdays=0&postorder=asc&start=0

[OneSlow5pt0]

hahaha......................It's only about 50lbs more ;)

944 - 479lbs < LS1 530lbs.

http://www.560sec.com/bulletinboard/viewtopic.php?t=1110&postdays=0&postorder=asc&start=0

RX-7 > 944,lol....probbly not,i just felt like saying that

[VooDooXII]

The LS1 won't be as good on gas though...

[nofive-0]

it actually wouldn't be that big of a difference. If you were civilized that motor would get low 20's in that light of a car.

This is going to be your everyday driver correct? I am assuming it is or else you would have said something. So I am going to give you some feasible options that are generally performance oriented. These options are in no way at all brand loyal or anything. Good engineering is good engineering and performance is not limited to certain brands.

Good.
- Lexus SC300 - Manual availible. 2jz. Generally better taken care of. RWD. Tons of aftermarket
- 93+ Supra - Same as above but you could be lucky to find an NA one for under 15k
- 02+ WRX - AWD, turbo, etc etc. Im sure you already know
- 96-98 Mustang Cobra - You can't knock torque. Will still get low 20's. Still very fast and has a larger aftermarket than any car this side of the planet. You can get one for like 10, through a supercharger on it make 400hp and call it a day. You can't argue with that.
- 95-99 Mitsubishi Eclipse GSX - Its an evo
- 91-95 Mr2 turbo - most fun you can have for under 10 k. For 15k you could have a super reliable 300whp 2600lb mid engine ferrari wanna be. I should know, I have one.
- FC or FD Rx-7 - Look awesome and you will never have a problem with the rotary until the shit hits the fan at 70k. But they are super cool and great cars. Different too.
- 88ish-98 240 - You can do anything to these cars. But it seems like it is a cardinal sin to have a clean one. But on 15k budget I would ls1 or 2jz swap.
- e36 BMW - There nice rwd 3liter I6 and can definitly be made fast.
- Honda S2000 - If your lucky you may be able to find one of these in your price range.

I would highly not suggest a porsche in your price range. You wont be able to afford maitainence and even if you can there is no reason for it. Remember its rear engine not mid engine. As far as the 944 goes they are just gutless. I just can't find anything good about those years that you are looking at for a daily. At the present you can get better performance cheaper.

[VooDooXII]

Reps for the info...I'm so damn picky though.

I want a little space...so the MR2, S2000, and possibly the Eclipse are out. My friend had a worked MR2 though. It was TONS of fun.

I like exclusivity too...so as nice as any BMW is, I see them everywhere, and they seem really undistinguished. I wouldn't say it's completely out though. Same goes for the SC300, though I'm not a huge fan of its styling, and I can't see myself in a Lexus. Aren't most Lexus really floaty, disconnected drives too? The 240SX is pretty nice. I'd want the last generation one they had here, but again...I feel like I see those everywhere.

To me, there's just something 'boring' about Japanese cars. Not to say that they're badly built...they just wouldn't be my first choice.

I don't like Mustangs in the least.

Of your suggestions, I like the RX7 best...hah, but one of my best friends just got one.

I'm really set on that 944, but you (all of you) gave me some stuff to think about. Seems like maintenance is my only issue. No one answered my question on what to look out for...I guess I'll do some more research.

I originally wanted a Pontiac GTO, but the price (even a used one) and the V8 fuel consumption are the stop signs on that one.

Thank you very much though.

[SampaGuy]

if u do get an early 911 do the slant nose 935 conversion ftw

http://www.geocities.com/shoeaj6/1986Porsche930TurboSlantNose.jpg
http://news.caradisiac.com/IMG/jpg/Porsche-930S-Slantnose.jpg

[speedminded]

if u do get an early 911 do the slant nose 935 conversion ftw

http://www.geocities.com/shoeaj6/1986Porsche930TurboSlantNose.jpg

http://news.caradisiac.com/IMG/jpg/Porsche-930S-Slantnose.jpg:no: The slantnose is the most ridiculous looking 911 body made, it goes against Porsche's styling and what they are known for...at least the 935 has some balls to go with the fugly front :tongue:

[SampaGuy]

:no: The slantnose is the most ridiculous looking 911 body made, it goes against Porsche's styling and what they are known for...at least the 935 has some balls to go with the fugly front :tongue:


:gay: :gay: :gay: :gay: :gay: :gay: :gay: :gay:

[speedminded]

:gay: :gay: :gay: :gay: :gay: :gay: :gay: :gay:Same as putting boxster headlights on the 996, then they got smart and went back to the round lights...exactly what Jeep did after making the square light Wranglers. The 80's was full of mistakes, I was one of them :tongue:

http://www.gtspirit.com/uploads/images/porscheturboevolution.jpg

[bigdare23]

I know it's isnt a Porsche, but go get a Integra Type R with you budget!

[SampaGuy]

I know it's isnt a Porsche, but go get a Integra Type R with you budget!


if u look at the cars he considered he obviously doesnt want fwd

[OneSlow5pt0]

if u find a 944 thats not raged..id get it..i was looking at one before i bought my 7,but it was ragged out,and they wanted more for it than i paid for my car

[nofive-0]

http://atlanta.craigslist.org/car/274220148.html
http://atlanta.craigslist.org/car/271896039.html
I understand what you are saying when you say you want a car with character or a soul, but generally thats going to be somthing that requires high amounts of maintanence and crap. You can have fast for cheap but you get the "I see those everyday cars". You got to choose. Just don't think when you get a 944 you are going to be able to keep up with your friends FD for any amount of time at all. Really the only satisfaction I can see from owning that car is being able to say you own a porsche. And even then that just puts you in a group. Decide on what you want to do with the car and go the easiest route. You may see bmw's everyday but how many 400hp road racing bmw's do you see everyday. Its all about what you want to do.

[VooDooXII]

I love you.

[Offtheroad]

i was looking at a couple of 944 turbo's and they aren't cheap to fix, clutches wear fast, and the engines have issues supposedly