Thoughts on this Porsche 944

[Gus C]

Hi,

I joined this forum last night because I am really considering buying a 1984 944. I can't afford the turbo ones or anything above the 25K mark. I´m attaching a photo of the car. Does this belong to anyone in the forum? It's Automatic, around 130,000 Km, some paperwork is shown on the other photos the owner posted, but nothing is mentioned about what has been fixed.

I guess I'd like some guidance about what to ask and look for at an inspection. Or if the owner is on this forum, even better because it would show that the car has been looked after. Is it being automatic a "red flag"? Also, no idea about the "Martini" decals or how they came about, but I reckon it looks cool. I´m a chemical engineer but always wanted to know how to fix cars, so potentially a good place to start... hopefully not too challenging!!

Cheers,

 

Gus C

[GC9911]

4 minutes ago, Gus C said:

Hi,

I joined this forum last night because I am really considering buying a 1984 944. I can't afford the turbo ones or anything above the 25K mark. I´m attaching a photo of the car. Does this belong to anyone in the forum? It's Automatic, around 130,000 Km, some paperwork is shown on the other photos the owner posted, but nothing is mentioned about what has been fixed.

I guess I'd like some guidance about what to ask and look for at an inspection. Or if the owner is on this forum, even better because it would show that the car has been looked after. Is it being automatic a "red flag"? Also, no idea about the "Martini" decals or how they came about, but I reckon it looks cool. I´m a chemical engineer but always wanted to know how to fix cars, so potentially a good place to start... hopefully not too challenging!!

Cheers,

 

Gus C

Auto?????? No,no,no!

[Dreamr]

If you have $25k to spend, you should be getting a really well sorted one for that coin ...

Look for a 1986 + model .. they are the updated ones. Most of them currently listed on Carsales are quite overpriced so you should have no problem finding one for your budget ...

Oh ... as GC9911 above says ... you don't want an auto if you can help it  . 

[cyberpunky]

Auto's are the red headed step child of 944's. They are not worth anywhere near what a manual is and very sluggish. The transmissions can be expensive to fix too. The NA isn't very fast in manual form but the auto will be a lot worse. With your budget(as stated above)  can get you a newer 86+ oval dash car that has much better lay out and better AC and other features. Take your time and buy the best example you can find and ask as many questions as you can. That may be a great car but its unlikely to ever be worth much and will send you backwards if it needs anything replaced as just as expensive for parts as any porsche. Martini stickers add 5 hp and do look cool but it's an auto

[SteveF]

As the others have said I too would look for an manual '86+ model and you should be able to find one in that price range. They are fantastic cars to drive. Go drive a few and see what you think and get a feel for them. That will help you pick a good one vs a not so good one. Also look at getting a pre purchase inspection from a specialist to identify if the car you are looking at is a good one and it will help you budget for what needs to be done in the future. The search is part of the fun so enjoy and keep us posted.

[TINGY]

6 hours ago, GC9911 said:

Auto?????? No,no,no!

 

5 hours ago, Dreamr said:

If you have $25k to spend, you should be getting a really well sorted one for that coin ...

Look for a 1986 + model .. they are the updated ones. Most of them currently listed on Carsales are quite overpriced so you should have no problem finding one for your budget ...

Oh ... as GC9911 above says ... you don't want an auto if you can help it  . 

This car has been for sale for quite some time, first red flag, it's auto, second red flag. @Gus C

 if you have 25k to spend on a 944 i am sure you will find a better car than that. It may be a great car but i am sure there are better cars around, and not auto. My personal opinion is the S2 version is the pick if you can find one in your price range.

[Niko]

Replies from 5 of our very experienced forum people, should be a good indication Gus.    Good luck with your hunt.....

[Jason E]

Feel free to give me a call - 0410439764 - I have a 944 & feel I'm across a few of the issues you are raising.

short story - avoid autos (depending on what you want it for)

[ANF]

If you want an auto front engine Porsche it needs to be a 968 or a 928, but they are a stretch for your budget. Or as others above have said....

[Dreamr]

56 minutes ago, Jason E said:

Feel free to give me a call - 0410439764 - I have a 944 & feel I'm across a few of the issues you are raising.

short story - avoid autos (depending on what you want it for)

Gus ... just be a bit wary about this Jason guy ... he's a bit desperate and gives his number out to anyone and will talk about anything .. he's lonely. 

Just kidding ... he's probably been through more than most so really is the guy to talk to ..

[Jason E]

1 hour ago, Dreamr said:

Gus ... just be a bit wary about this Jason guy ... he's a bit desperate and gives his number out to anyone and will talk about anything .. he's lonely. 

Just kidding ... he's probably been through more than most so really is the guy to talk to ..

Haha - you had me at lonely.

[Stepo]

Auto Porsche...……….two words that should never go together IMO.

Might be fine for a more modern car (so they tell me, I could never go there in a sports car), but manual is what makes the older cars even more special - connectivity!

If you want an auto classic from the 80's, start looking at XJ/XJS Jags or the SL/SLC Mercs for G'pa driving

[LeeM]

2 hours ago, Stepo said:

Auto Porsche...……….two words that should never go together IMO.

Might be fine for a more modern car (so they tell me, I could never go there in a sports car)

  I too was a hater...until I tried Tiptronic in a 996. Great fun for hills blasting 

[ANF]

6 minutes ago, LeeM said:

  I too was a hater...until I tried Tiptronic in a 996. Great fun for hills blasting 

too true, an auto is just as much fun as a manual!

[Jason E]

Hello Gus,

So, I have a little time & can make a couple of "my opinion" comments. 

I'll steer clear of the turbo models as I haven't owned one.  I've driven a number of them & they are outstanding.  Almost as good as a 944S2.

Firstly there are heaps of people (on this forum) that own & love the first series NA 944.  Its a 2.5L non turbo, imported (approx) 82 - 85.  Not that fast (they say) but a gem none the less.  I've personally only driven an auto 83 model in the "pre update" cars.  It was terrible to drive (in my opinion).  Very sluggish.  The car I drove had very long ratios between shifts - very dull.  

Now if you loved the shape & the 80s retro cool & had a bad left hip (or no left foot) or lived in a high traffic area & just wanted Porsche auto daily transport & didn't have performance as a key criteria then an auto might suit you fine.  (remember this isn't a more modern Porsche 968 auto box (great) but a pretty basic 3 speed auto).  Here is where far more knowledgeable people should chime in.   

Now the 968 auto is a whole other thing (I've driven several they are fu#@kin Rad) I'd have one in a heart beat.  They are dear.

Now the "update" cars - the 85.5 to 1991 cars or the "oval dash" models are considered (BY SOME) to be "better". 

Why? 

Arguably the interior styling is better/ more modern.  (matter of opinion) I personally prefer it.

The Air Conditioning is much better - for a whole host of reasons.  I live in Brisbane (Satan's Sweat Box) & my car is cool as a cucumber on the hottest days (with some money/ time/ modernising undertaken.

Also the update cars encompass the three litre 944S2 - undeniably the King of the 944 world  (sorry Turbo owners).

In the "oval dash" cars there are basically -

2.5L naturally aspirated (manual & auto)

2.7 L (S) model (manual & auto)  I think they were only available for one year. (makes parts harder to get/ more expensive).

All the turbo models 86 - 90 (I think)

3.0L S2 89 to 91. (argueably the best all rounder).

There is currently a slump in the market so some of the more desirable models are reasonable (comparatively) at the moment.

I'm running out of typing steam (I suck at typing & have a short attn span) so I'll some up by saying that I've been amazed at how good my car drives even compared to modern Porsches.  They aren't "Cheap" to own but reasonable if you can do your own maintenance.  They are fun & cool & usable.  Best of Luck.

To other forum users - I'll have made plenty of mistakes so please correct any you find.

I should say don't buy one until you've driven a few different types ( auto/ manual, pre/ post update etc).

[Stepo]

31 minutes ago, ANF said:

too true, an auto is nearly as much fun as a manual!

Fixed it for you

[Niko]

57 minutes ago, LeeM said:

  I too was a hater...until I tried Tiptronic in a 996. Great fun for hills blasting 

Tipper in my 986 Coxster was good fun using it manually and once you got used to the changes.   

Now I have the manual though, I do prefer that over the tipper.

[ANF]

You guys hating/ not liking autos are missing one thing - TORQUE 😎

Rather coherent ramblings there @Jason E 😉

[Jason E]

Agreed that an auto in the 928 & 968 are far more engaging. 

[TINGY]

I will chime in now, it seems Mr @Jason Eis trying to hi-jack this thread with all his ramblings. I have had 3 944's and the first one was an '86 2.5, a great car and somewhat unloved by previous owners. With some money spent and doing a few jobs myself it was a great introduction to Porsche for me and a good way to learn as much as i could about these cars. My personal opinion is these 2.5 un-booosted cars are a little underpowered but no less capable than the 3.0ltr and Turbo cars. A great car to drive on the limit if that is your thing. 

The next car i owned was an '89 Turbo, a stunner that too was a little unloved by previous owners and these things go like stink with a little more power than the early Turbo's. 

I was also lucky enough to have an '89 S2 at the same time as my Turbo and looking back right now, i wish i still had it. For me these are the best all round 944's IMO, slightly upgraded brakes and suspension as well as the gearbox and a lot more usable torque than the 2.5 engine.

I have a 996.2 911 now and as much as i love it, i don't find it as comfortable as the 944's i have owned. Obviously it will have a way stiffer chassis that probably adds to this. I also find the road noise a lot higher in the 996 as well.

I am not trying to bag the 944 you are referring to in your first post @Gus Cbut you will probably find better, if this particular car appeals to you then go for it but at least take on some guidance from here and make an informed decision. Take up Jason's offer and have a chat with him, he will be able to talk with some authority on these cars, (i can't believe i just said that) and also a couple of years ago Jason threw away his plastic spanner set that he had since he was a child and obtained real ones. 

[Jason E]

1 hour ago, TINGY996 said:

I will chime in now, it seems Mr @Jason Eis trying to hi-jack this thread with all his ramblings. I have had 3 944's and the first one was an '86 2.5, a great car and somewhat unloved by previous owners. With some money spent and doing a few jobs myself it was a great introduction to Porsche for me and a good way to learn as much as i could about these cars. My personal opinion is these 2.5 un-booosted cars are a little underpowered but no less capable than the 3.0ltr and Turbo cars. A great car to drive on the limit if that is your thing. 

The next car i owned was an '89 Turbo, a stunner that too was a little unloved by previous owners and these things go like stink with a little more power than the early Turbo's. 

I was also lucky enough to have an '89 S2 at the same time as my Turbo and looking back right now, i wish i still had it. For me these are the best all round 944's IMO, slightly upgraded brakes and suspension as well as the gearbox and a lot more usable torque than the 2.5 engine.

I have a 996.2 911 now and as much as i love it, i don't find it as comfortable as the 944's i have owned. Obviously it will have a way stiffer chassis that probably adds to this. I also find the road noise a lot higher in the 996 as well.

I am not trying to bag the 944 you are referring to in your first post @Gus Cbut you will probably find better, if this particular car appeals to you then go for it but at least take on some guidance from here and make an informed decision. Take up Jason's offer and have a chat with him, he will be able to talk with some authority on these cars, (i can't believe i just said that) and also a couple of years ago Jason threw away his plastic spanner set that he had since he was a child and obtained real ones. 

This was very funny Tingy.  I did lot's of LOLing.  To be fair I mainly borrow Rob's spanners....

[Gus C]

WOW!! Very active bunch!!

Thanks for all your lines fellas. I'm not super interested in the performance of the car, I'm more concerned about the functionality/reliability (And this is understanding that the car is 30+ years old) I will only drive it a couple of times per week, as I ride my bicycle pretty much everywhere. I actually don't mind the retro look, the whole square dashboard is beautiful in it's own VERY 80's kinda way.

The transmission is definitely the big issue for me because as Jason mentioned, it's 3 gears so each one must feel like they go forever but without the torque must get very dull very quick. As brilliant as Porsche engineers were, I wouldn't trust any Auto transmission from the early 80s. That car is listed for $16,500 I`m starting to see why... Still looks great I think.

I will do more research, thank you all for your time.

[Rob]

10 hours ago, Gus C said:

WOW!! Very active bunch!!

Thanks for all your lines fellas. I'm not super interested in the performance of the car, I'm more concerned about the functionality/reliability (And this is understanding that the car is 30+ years old) I will only drive it a couple of times per week, as I ride my bicycle pretty much everywhere. I actually don't mind the retro look, the whole square dashboard is beautiful in it's own VERY 80's kinda way.

The transmission is definitely the big issue for me because as Jason mentioned, it's 3 gears so each one must feel like they go forever but without the torque must get very dull very quick. As brilliant as Porsche engineers were, I wouldn't trust any Auto transmission from the early 80s. That car is listed for $16,500 I`m starting to see why... Still looks great I think.

I will do more research, thank you all for your time.

Your bicycle will be quicker than the 944 Auto, which may be slightly quicker up hills (depending on your drug regime...)

[Adam.B]

I’m going to revive this thread.

I own a 1982 944 AUTO, yes all you Auto haters I love it. While I agree a manual in a sports car is more fun, well it was in my Lotus Elise, my Auto 944 is great to drive.

I understand all the limitations compared to older models, but I love the fact it has no Pwr steering, shit AC, slow and generally underwhelming. But I’m a sucker and still love it.

The Auto was purchased for a reason, so my kids and wife can drive it, encourage the younger generations into classic Porsche’s. 

With all things early 944 I need the GDP of a small country to get parts.

 Cars are like Whiskey, drink it the way you like it, or drive it the way you like it and both addictive.

[Stepo]

If it gets the whole family involved it’s a great thing, sharing your passion with the ones that mean the most, win win