"Aaron Brown" (ambrown)
09/14/2013 at 13:41 • Filed to: NPOCP
1
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"Aaron Brown" (ambrown)
09/14/2013 at 13:41 • Filed to: NPOCP | 1
| 12 |
I've been looking for a 944 for a small while, as some of you may know. But due to my (currently) limited budget, I'm trying to find one if a low buying price.
My criteria has basically been:
-Running or almost running
-Previously semi-well maintained
-Under/around $2K
-Has an interior
-Manual
Well, I found a few that almost meet criteria, and I've also been lucky enough to look at some 944s, but the ones that I have looked at aren't really what I want.
So anyways, I found this one.
Basically, it doesn't run. Its been sitting for less than a year. Could be dead battery and old gas?
I haven't looked at this one in person yet, it's a little far. So I wanted to know what you guys thought of it.
This is what the owner has told me about it...
Hi, I haven't sold it yet. No major problems that I know of. Some things I do know of are steering wheel vibration over 55mph, I was told it was most likely tires out of balance. 2 clips that hold the sun visors up are broke. I saw the on ebay for about $7 each. right now the problem is getting it started.
It has not been used since last year.
Could not start it. Dead battery and old gas?
4 cylinder 5speed manual transmission.
79,223 mi. odometer stopped working.
No body rust. Clear coat on hood and roof is peeling.
It would start with starting fluid then die out.
I don't have the time to work on it. I changed the water pump, timing belt,v belt, thermostat, upper radiator hose 9/17/2008.last time I tried, It would only start with starting fluid, then die out. I do have a title.interior? driver seat has 2 rips, not the original radio, rear speakers not hooked up, 2 clips on visor broke $7ea. ebay?.crack in the dash board.
What does Oppo think?
UPDATE: I found a nicer, cheaper, running, and more suiting 944! Will update as the situation progresses.
NotACactus
> Aaron Brown
09/14/2013 at 13:47 |
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NP. Most of those problems seem cheaply fixable, and once they are you have a 944 perfectly in budget.
It's a "Porch-uh"
> Aaron Brown
09/14/2013 at 13:55 |
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It's a late-model car ('86+), so you have some of the improvements they made to the motor.
Any estimate on the actual mileage? Like over 100K?
I would head over and try to get it started. I doubt the fuel is so bad that it won't fire up (unless water got in the tank somehow). Might be a fuel filter, pump, or injector issue.
Get a compression gauge on it and check each cylinder. Look for consistent readings across all four, within 15psi of each other and 150-160ish psi on each.
If anything, offer $1500 and tow it away. If those wheels are Porsche OE (I think they're Cup wheels) they should be worth $600 on eBay. Worse comes to worse, you could part it out and make some money.
Dash can be replaced for not too much (or you can also get a formed plastic cover for super cheap that blends right in). Seats can be replaced or repaired if you care.
Bird
> Aaron Brown
09/14/2013 at 14:08 |
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If it starts with starting fluid,that's something. Obviously it's not the battery if it starts that way, so why even mention that? Bad gas, maybe but doubt it. It should still run, especially if you can get it going with some fluid first. I'd say it has a fuel system issue for sure. Could be anything from a filter to a pump, or something more complicated like injectors or wiring/computer/sensors....
Also there's a few funny things going on in that engine bay. The wiring/vacuum lines running along the fire wall have non-factory zip-ties, so somebodies been messing around there. Not necessarily something to worry about in a car this age, but it something to note that it wasn't put back to stock, it was just 'fixed'. There's also what seems to be a cooling or heater hose not connected to anything just above the extremely dirty open air filter. Or maybe that hose is some type of air re-circ or emissions hose that was supposed to go to the missing airbox...not sure there. I'm no expert on 944's.
My advice, save more. It really pays to buy the best car you can afford. I've made the mistake of jumping into a project too early. I can say from experience, if you only have enough money to afford this car, you're not ready for the project.
dogisbadob
> Aaron Brown
09/14/2013 at 14:37 |
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Not possible.
If you can't afford a good one, you definitely can't afford a cheap one. It's "not a real Porsche"—except for the repair costs. Nice Audi.
TheBaron2112
> Aaron Brown
09/14/2013 at 14:46 |
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The cheapest 944 you can find is the most expensive 944 you'll ever buy.
T-belt is now 5 years old AND it's been sitting, presumably rotting. That is bad.
Save more. Get something that's been running, driven, and cared for.
Slave2anMG
> Aaron Brown
09/14/2013 at 14:46 |
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A six year old timing belt? I'd be concerned about it dry rotting/aging/etc.
NinetyQ
> Bird
09/14/2013 at 15:04 |
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I echo all of this advice.
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NinetyQ
> Aaron Brown
09/14/2013 at 15:06 |
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What are your goals with the car? Purchase price is simply the cost of entry with the cheaper 944s. You're either going to want to pony up about twice your budget for a decent example or you're going to gradually spend way more than that fixing problems.
Unless someone practically gives a car away, you're not going to find a decent 944 for $2k, especially not one from after 1985.
Meatcoma
> Aaron Brown
09/14/2013 at 19:39 |
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While I agree with the other commenters about the timing belt.
The starting could be the fuel pump, it's about 60 bucks iirc and another 15 for a filter, located behind the pass rear tire just outside the tank.
Easiest way to check is the fuel rail above the engine has a nut on the end, pull it off, have someone start the car with a rag or your finger over the hole, if you can hold the pressure super easy or if it just drips out, that's your problem. Getting the old fuel pump/filter out will take you the longest, it's kind of a pain but once it's out and the new in she will purr pretty easily. At this point you better plan on doing a timing belt change now. Most places will change timing belt balance shafts and something else for 500.
I've commented on your quest for a 944 before, same things still apply before you buy.
gmporschenut also a fan of hondas
> NinetyQ
09/14/2013 at 20:06 |
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914 fan. But "It really pays to buy the best car you can afford. I've made the mistake of jumping into a project too early. I can say from experience, if you only have enough money to afford this car, you're not ready for the project." is the truth for all cars.
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NinetyQ
> gmporschenut also a fan of hondas
09/14/2013 at 20:17 |
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Right, but it's even more true for cars that have catastrophic failures due to neglected maintenance. A lot of more common cars are more durable in that sense and you might strike a bargain on a cheap one and not get burned much. Not true of 944s.
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gmporschenut also a fan of hondas
> NinetyQ
09/14/2013 at 20:26 |
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I have buddy who has a deep fondness for larger German sedans. Most of the ones he has picked up start off as a version of Top Gear's cheap car challenge. He refuses to buy a new car but what he pays in regular maintenance could almost place him in a nice 3series/C-Class/A4/5.