by "sm70- why not Duesenberg?" (sm70-whynotduesenberg)
Published 03/17/2017 at 13:43
by "sm70- why not Duesenberg?" (sm70-whynotduesenberg)
Published 03/17/2017 at 13:43
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STARS: 2
My brother is about to get his first car, and like me, one of his biggest criteria is that he wants something “different”. We’ve found a couple 944s in our area, all within the $3000-$5000 price range and with well over 100k miles. My dad doesn’t have a fundamental problem with the car, but he’s worried that insurance and maintenance costs for a young kid driving an old Porsche will be insane. Assuming that we will not be working on the car ourselves, how is the cost to own one of these things, as well as the reliability?
"Nibby" (nibby68)
03/17/2017 at 13:45, STARS: 1
ARGH, I think there was someone who had one on Oppo years ago but I cannot remember who
"sm70- why not Duesenberg?" (sm70-whynotduesenberg)
03/17/2017 at 13:46, STARS: 3
Not sure if sarcastic...
"415s30 W123TSXWaggoIIIIIIo ( •_•))°)" (415s30)
03/17/2017 at 13:49, STARS: 1
Well this guy posted about one, might know
http://traviskeedy.kinja.com/functional-suspension-is-a-good-thing-1792492677
"sm70- why not Duesenberg?" (sm70-whynotduesenberg)
03/17/2017 at 13:50, STARS: 0
That one also looks like a project car, which isn’t what we’re going for.
"JR1" (type35bugatti)
03/17/2017 at 13:53, STARS: 1
I believe the belt change every 30k can be pretty expensive. Between 1-2k and it must be done because the car has an interference engine. Also I think it is hard to do yourself. Look into this more. I am not 100% sure.
Otherwise I am not aware of any issues.
"My X-type is too a real Jaguar" (TomSlick)
03/17/2017 at 13:53, STARS: 0
Really I wouldn’t do it, Mark II or Mark III Supra would be a better choice form a relaibilty and cost of repair stand point.
"RallyDarkstrike - Fan of 2-cyl FIATs, Eastern Bloc & Kei cars" (rallydarkstrike)
03/17/2017 at 13:54, STARS: 0
Hmmm....does he have a definition for different? I would think the maintenance may be a bit expensive as well...
"sm70- why not Duesenberg?" (sm70-whynotduesenberg)
03/17/2017 at 13:55, STARS: 0
Pardon my ignorance, but which belt? Timing?
"sm70- why not Duesenberg?" (sm70-whynotduesenberg)
03/17/2017 at 13:55, STARS: 0
Be that as it may, I want to know as much possible about these.
"Funktheduck" (funktheduck)
03/17/2017 at 13:56, STARS: 1
Yes
"sm70- why not Duesenberg?" (sm70-whynotduesenberg)
03/17/2017 at 13:56, STARS: 0
Not really a set definition. Preferably it would be unique amongst the cars in the HS parking lot. But at the end of the day, it’s just whether or not he likes it.
"JR1" (type35bugatti)
03/17/2017 at 13:57, STARS: 1
Yes, sorry should have specified.
"Nibby" (nibby68)
03/17/2017 at 13:57, STARS: 1
I was :P
"Rico" (ricorich)
03/17/2017 at 13:57, STARS: 1
As long as your brother is paying for the insurance and maintenance I think it could be a good choice.
"Funktheduck" (funktheduck)
03/17/2017 at 14:00, STARS: 1
When I was younger (high school and college) I knew a couple of people who ventured into 944 territory and the cars spent more time down than running. Costs and lack of reliability make it a pretty bad only car and most young people don’t have the funds.
"My X-type is too a real Jaguar" (TomSlick)
03/17/2017 at 14:01, STARS: 1
My friend bought one as a weekend fun car, the electrical system was nightmare fuel. Mechanically it wasn’t too bad, but it constantly had some electrical gremlin that would keep it from starting, or keep the seat from moving or the lights from working, or the windows from moving. That’s my experiance.
"Jcarr" (jcarr)
03/17/2017 at 14:01, STARS: 1
I know very little of Porsches, but I might play devil’s advocate and highlight Logansteno and his M3 saga. I suppose it’s just my conservative, cautious nature, but it seems more prudent to start with something a little more simple, with plentiful and cost effective parts.
Just my $.02
"Neil drives a beetle and a fancy beetle" (1500sand535)
03/17/2017 at 14:02, STARS: 1
What do you want to know?
I’ve had mine for almost a year. I had a no start problem because of the fuel pump relay and it’s connection; Battery area had a small hole with a leak in passenger footwell; and my gearbox got a little notchy when I put in “compatible” but not optimal fluid but went back to good with other fluid. I’ve got a little oil leak my AC doesn’t work quite right.
The timing belt is easy, parts are pretty reasonable, it’s pretty easy to work on. The community is good. It’s a fun car, it’s pretty practical. It’s a little loud. It’s actually not as slow as people would make you believe once you are going, but off the line is a bit uninspiring.
You can get a DD worthy car in the $3000-5000 range and maybe even an S. I got mine for $2200 and I’ve changed the timing belt, and swapped in new control arms. I’ve driven mine to work 3-4 days a week since I bought it.
"sm70- why not Duesenberg?" (sm70-whynotduesenberg)
03/17/2017 at 14:06, STARS: 0
Duly noted.
"sm70- why not Duesenberg?" (sm70-whynotduesenberg)
03/17/2017 at 14:07, STARS: 0
That’s a large part of what I wanted to know. The other portion is insurance, but that’s also specific to a 16y/o kid.
"RallyDarkstrike - Fan of 2-cyl FIATs, Eastern Bloc & Kei cars" (rallydarkstrike)
03/17/2017 at 14:08, STARS: 1
Cool.....I was thinking you could go for something uncommon, but more.....more common (more reliable), haha....if that makes any sense. So, for example, around here - older Mazda MX3s or MX6s are common enough they aren’t hard to find parts for, but they are uncommon as you rarely ever seen one (just chose those cars off the top of my head, as an example).
I wonder if there would be anything similar as another option? (Not saying don’t go for the Porsche if it’s not that unreliable, by the way! :) )
"Neil drives a beetle and a fancy beetle" (1500sand535)
03/17/2017 at 14:09, STARS: 1
Things to watch for:
- the clutch from the factory was rubber centered and is a pain to change. there is an inspection port on back side of the engine/clutch area; and if there are no rubber bits there, it’s a good sign, you can also check for the distance between the marker and the end of the whole
- timing belt has to be changed regularly(3-4yrs/25k miles)
- motor mounts are known to go on the passenger side
- water leaks around the hatch or in the battery tray are not common but can happen so it is something to look for signs of
"Noah - Now with more boost." (antriebverliebt)
03/17/2017 at 14:15, STARS: 1
FWIW the insurance (in Mass) wasn’t any different from driving an econobox when I drove around in a similar eighties coupe at 18.
"sm70- why not Duesenberg?" (sm70-whynotduesenberg)
03/17/2017 at 14:16, STARS: 0
Understood. Someone suggested a Subra of a similar period, which might not be a bad idea.
"Tazio, Count Fouroff" (tazio0625)
03/17/2017 at 14:18, STARS: 1
If you don’t mind investing a little time, iirc there’s a bunch of detailed info on reliability and maintenance, also on the pros and cons of different 944 years and models on BringaTrailer...of course it would involve searching 944s on BaT and wading through the threads. Still, I’m thinking a good amount of the info you’re asking is in there.
FWIW the impression they’ve left me is 944's are not that unreliable or difficult if one chooses wisely; and short of a 924 or an old 912 — and who can afford those? — probably about the best starter Porsche
Good on ya for helping the little bro get a great start in the gearhead world!
Also FWIW...if you decide a 944 is over the top, idk if it’s different enough, but a well-maintained post-1995 (‘96-’99) E36 M3 might be a good intro to enthusiast driving pleasure with a decent mix of reliability and affordable DIY maintenance thrown in. Not familiar with Logansteno’s story but our E36's have been rock solid reliable including ‘99 M3. Not free from maintenance, but reliable
Best wishes!
"RallyDarkstrike - Fan of 2-cyl FIATs, Eastern Bloc & Kei cars" (rallydarkstrike)
03/17/2017 at 14:29, STARS: 1
Oh, excellent choice! There is a fellow around here that DD’s one....not terrible quick by modern standards, but not a bad driving car. :)
I’m guessing the Supra you are referring to is an
A70
as they could be pretty common back then? The
A60
has always been one of my favorite Supras in terms of looks (so 80's!). :)
Does he have preference for any certain brand? I’m thinking of other ‘unique, not common but not expensive’ cars.....the Ford Probe comes to mind? The Nissan Pulsar NX (if you can find one)? Nissan NX2000 ? I’ll try thinking of more random rides as I go this afternoon :P
"Neil drives a beetle and a fancy beetle" (1500sand535)
03/17/2017 at 14:33, STARS: 1
I should say, I’ve been torn on what I think about mine from the start. In some respects it’s a great car, it grips like no tomorrow, it’s got a good feeling of quick but controlled on backroads, and except for the fuel pump relay thing, I drove it to work without much issue.
But again, it’s also a bit loud just over bumps and road noise, it is a little glitchy(like my ac problem or my sunroof has been hit and miss), and even though I’m short I wouldn’t mind an extra inch of headroom.
Find one, drive it, get a PPI. I know there was a bit of Z3 love fest on the front page lately, if I didn’t want 4 seats, that would be a car that would intrigue me. They are unique, built on the e36 platform so wrenchable, can get a hardtop, start around your price range, and are 15-20 years newer, so you know, less old car worries.
Insurance wasn’t bad for a 32 year old guy with an immaculate driving record.
"415s30 W123TSXWaggoIIIIIIo ( •_•))°)" (415s30)
03/17/2017 at 14:38, STARS: 0
https://www.reddit.com/r/944/comments/3b0hrz/yearly_cost_of_ownership/
“Of course it depends how much you DIY, but imho, 944's are “$10K” cars.. either spent by buying nice up front and just needing factory maintenance or by buying low and replacing everything over the next 3 years.”
"Pickup_man" (zekeh)
03/17/2017 at 15:23, STARS: 1
I’ve got a 924 which is the same basic shell, and electrical (for the earlier 944's at least). I’ve got a rusted out battery tray, which leaks into the passenger floor, rust around the window trim, and rust in the floors. Mine is a midwest car, with 180k miles, cars in better climates will likely be much better. The 924's were also only galvanized on the bottom half, where I think, and don’t quote me %100, 944's were fully galvanized. The only other issue is the fuel pump relay, it’s common for that to fail. Easy part to replace, but keep a spare on hand. The engine in the 924 is different than the 944 so I can’t say much about the engines.
"Meatcoma" (mastapoof)
03/17/2017 at 16:07, STARS: 1
interference engine. If the belt breaks while moving under load - bad day.
If you change it regularly ~60k, you should be fine. Cost is determinate on where you live mainly, here in the midwest I’ve gotten a timing belt done with balancers for ~5-600. The things you think will be expensive, usually are not. It’s the things you would think should cost a buck or two that give you sticker shock.
They are fun cars, but if you don’t have the budget, you can get in over your head pretty quick.
Note* No such thing as a cheap porsche.
"sm70- why not Duesenberg?" (sm70-whynotduesenberg)
03/17/2017 at 18:25, STARS: 0
No, he doesn’t have a particular brand preference.
Nissan is a maybe. Probe...no.
"sm70- why not Duesenberg?" (sm70-whynotduesenberg)
03/17/2017 at 18:26, STARS: 1
Thank you for the advice!
"RallyDarkstrike - Fan of 2-cyl FIATs, Eastern Bloc & Kei cars" (rallydarkstrike)
03/17/2017 at 18:34, STARS: 1
No worries! Just thinking of more uncommon cars! :)