NPOCP?

"NinetyQ" (NinetyQ) 09/10/2013 at 13:58 • Filed to: 944Search

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1985 Porsche 944 - $4000

http://chicago.craigslist.org/wcl/cto/404636…

Bob Loblaw Made Me Make a Phoney Phone Call to Edward Rooney > NinetyQ 09/10/2013 at 14:04

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Reeks of deferred maintenance. Run.

NinetyQ > Bob Loblaw Made Me Make a Phoney Phone Call to Edward Rooney 09/10/2013 at 14:06

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Yeah, I've already decided to pass on it, but the more I thought about the wording of the article, it almost sounds like an estate sale or something. Like maybe the "previous owner" died. Who knows? If that's the case, it might not have been too bad to sit for a while, but it's still not a risk worth taking.

Matt Luckow on G+ also pointed out that it has a body kit and has been lowered. Not interested in that.

TheBaron2112 > NinetyQ 09/10/2013 at 14:07

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Call and see if there are service records, specifically when the timing belt/balance shafts/balance shaft belt/etc have been changed.

Also, if he says it's been garaged for a year and needs a battery, then no, it doesn't "run".

Since it's been sitting, I'd wager that 4000 is actually too high.

Takuro Spirit > NinetyQ 09/10/2013 at 14:10

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I like to judge ads by the cars in the background that may or may not also belong to the seller. Yellow P5 and a MRS Spyder?

NP!

NinetyQ > TheBaron2112 09/10/2013 at 14:10

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Yup. Your concerns are the same as mine. I'm confused why the seller, who appears to maybe live in quite a nice area, won't just pony up to put a new battery in it and not even have to mention that negative aspect. I'm guessing it runs when jump-started, which is what they meant.

I'll pass on this one unless the seller emails me back with some seriously encouraging information.

Bob Loblaw Made Me Make a Phoney Phone Call to Edward Rooney > NinetyQ 09/10/2013 at 14:13

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Nope, nope, and nope. I've spent a lot of time looking at 80s Alfas and Porsches (and bought one of the former), and I've come to several conclusions about cars in that vein:

Buy a car that someone uses. Even if it's a little scruffy around the edges, even if it's higher mileage, buy a car that the owner has used regularly. On the plus side, they'll often be a little cheaper than a garage/storage queen.

Don't buy cars with modifications that don't seem to be de rigeur within their communities. There are plenty of OK mods, but be weary of a car that looks like its had the same kind of mods applied to it that a Civic might, even if it looks "clean."

These cars can be far more reliable and reasonable to keep up than idiots who haven't owned them might lead you to believe. Not buying a shitty example is a great place to start. And cosmetics can always be cleaned up; mechanicals can be a much bigger/more expensive/snowballing task, even if you can handle the work yourself.

TheBaron2112 > NinetyQ 09/10/2013 at 14:15

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I wouldn't pass just yet. Given the lack of information, you have nothing to lose by calling and seeking out what you want. Specifically timing belt service history.

It looks quite clean. I'd definitely look more into it. If all else fails, offer him $3,000 as is. If he replaces the battery and ponies up some service history, I'd look into asking if you could drive it.

TheBaron2112 > Bob Loblaw Made Me Make a Phoney Phone Call to Edward Rooney 09/10/2013 at 14:17

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I would agree about buying a car that is driven.

My 944 actually sat up before I bought it from the guy and I've had to go through several repairs to make everything work. Rubber bits and things of that nature don't take kindly to sitting for long and suddenly being pressed into service. Especially on old Porsches.

It's a "Porch-uh" > NinetyQ 09/10/2013 at 15:39

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I wouldn't pay more than $2000, and that's if the compression is all good.