The Porsche 944. Give me your sales pitch.

"jkm7680" (jkm7680)
07/28/2014 at 21:57 • Filed to: porsche 944

From what my posting habits have suggested, I'm looking into a project car and the 914 has really gotten in my radar But, The 944 is also starting to gain my interest, but I'm not completely sold on the idea of restoring one. Convincing, is usually the best way to make me actually do something, Haha.

Give me a pitch!

If I were going to have one, It would be exactly like that one.

Any help from owners/knowledgeable folks would be much appreciated!

Oh, and the list so far:

MGB GT

Volvo P1800Es

Datsun 240Z

Porsche 914

Porsche 944

Ford Mustang 1st Gen

Trans Am/Firebird (70's)

VW Type 3

DISCUSSION (28)

K-Roll-PorscheTamer > jkm7680
07/28/2014 at 22:02

Challenge accepted. Gimmie some time.

Manuél Ferrari > jkm7680
07/28/2014 at 22:03

This is a tough one

The 914 is air cooled and has the engine behind the driver

The 944 is water cooled and has it in front of the driver

The 914 would win, except that the 944 will be so much more usable. And probably a lot faster unless you got the 914-6 and tuned it.

Also so many other cars.

This is too hard

Write all the names down on a piece of paper and throw them in a hat or jar and pick one at random.

Bad Idea Hat > jkm7680
07/28/2014 at 22:03

Kinja'd!!!

Soloburrito > jkm7680
07/28/2014 at 22:03

It's a Porsche.

You can afford it.

GhostZ > jkm7680
07/28/2014 at 22:04

I don't know much about the 944. But on a side note, if you're looking for a car that is 90% 240z (and of the 10% that isn't, 5% is an improvement over the 240z) look for a 1976-1978 280z. Great fuel injection + more power + better diff + available 5 speed +half the price. Swap the bumpers out and you'll have an objectively better car than a 240z that is most indistinguishable.

K-Roll-PorscheTamer > jkm7680
07/28/2014 at 22:06

I don't need to say a thing!

I'll let the video do the talking.

But I'll say this. This is the one Porsche that Clarkson has never hated, nor has he complained about. This is the only Porsche without a doubt that h's publicly said he adores! IT MUST BE GOOD!! :)

jkm7680 > K-Roll-PorscheTamer
07/28/2014 at 22:07

Thanks!

jkm7680 > K-Roll-PorscheTamer
07/28/2014 at 22:08

That's always a good sign! I'd expect that to be Hammond, Haha.

jkm7680 > Manuél Ferrari
07/28/2014 at 22:08

I'll do exactly that, Haha.

I'd like to own both at some point, but I've probably got to keep dreaming :)

jkm7680 > GhostZ
07/28/2014 at 22:09

If I can find one, I'll definitely take a look-see :) Thanks for the advice though!

K-Roll-PorscheTamer > jkm7680
07/28/2014 at 22:12

That's what we'd all think! But not this time. :)

Also, you can have comfort in the fact that you can join the 944club that I just made up! Consisting of myself, Stef, Aaron, and Mathias!((and anyone with a 944 that I don't know on here)If they knew I just made this up [-_-])

jkm7680 > K-Roll-PorscheTamer
07/28/2014 at 22:18

Haha, I'd love to join the club! In the next few months, It'll hopefully be happening. I'm not sure which car though, Aha.

Mailbox Cancer > jkm7680
07/28/2014 at 22:21

Grew up with a 944 in the house for about 4 years. Able to use/abuse/work on it some. Dad was never keen on me breaking something on it, but it always got fixed.

Ours was the classic Red on Black '86. That's the best damn version you'll ever ever see. They're so gloriously 1980s without being garish. I love them to death.

Aside from the bad turbo variants, they're also quite bulletproof reliable. But as they all inch higher and higher into collective mileage, they're also rare to find in excellent condition, and now becoming a little harder to find parts for restoration projects.

I'd say go for it. Just find the right one. Oh, and don't bother with the 924 :-/

K-Roll-PorscheTamer > jkm7680
07/28/2014 at 22:22

When the time comes, you'll know.

jkm7680 > Mailbox Cancer
07/28/2014 at 22:26

Thanks for the advice! I'll try to avoid the Turbos, and get a nice non turbo that needs work. It'll be a pretty damn solid option.

Mailbox Cancer > jkm7680
07/28/2014 at 22:29

Godspeed. I expect to see your restoration chronicled!

Vicente Esteve > jkm7680
07/28/2014 at 22:43

Porsche has always tempted me to be my favourite car company of all time.

jkm7680 > Mailbox Cancer
07/28/2014 at 22:45

Thanks, I appreciate it!

jkm7680 > Vicente Esteve
07/28/2014 at 22:46

Same, It's tempted me also. Once a VAG person, always a VAG person, Haha.

Vicente Esteve > jkm7680
07/28/2014 at 22:52

Haha, I first was a Ford person. Then a Seat person, but I ended up with all of VAG, because its EPIC

jkm7680 > Vicente Esteve
07/28/2014 at 22:55

Lol, I started as an "Everything" person. I really liked all kinds of cars, from Mustangs to Mercedes. Eventually, I got in a relationship with VAG and we never broke up, Haha. It's a great auto group, they've got a bunch of the best out there under their wing.

Vicente Esteve > jkm7680
07/28/2014 at 23:17

I know! I was kind of like that, until we bought the Jetta. When we received a free shirt, pin, and thank you letter from Volkswagen for buying the car, I was completely astonished. Also, the switches and the thunk of everything was amazing to me coming from 90s Chevy pickups that my father used to own.

jkm7680 > Vicente Esteve
07/29/2014 at 07:16

Haha, Volkswagen and Audi have always been very good to my family. They never hesitated to help us with issues, and had free refreshments :)

Vicente Esteve > jkm7680
07/29/2014 at 15:15

Refreshments are always a big factor in customer satisfaction.

jkm7680 > Vicente Esteve
07/29/2014 at 15:57

Always! Especially free ones! Never pay for drinks at car dealers.

Fauxe > jkm7680
07/31/2014 at 13:10

I was in the same scenario as well and it was down to a 240z vs 944 battle. I took the 944 as it is a much more modern car. Suprisingly easy to work with of course except for the belts (4 hour job) and the clutch (8+ hour job). But since a lot of them were produced there are parts for it everywhere, currently anyway. The 240z is a rarer gem. I would own one one day but the funds currently doesn't allow it (as you've guessed, it's all being spent on the 944 :D )

akriz > jkm7680
07/31/2014 at 17:42

The 944 is a great classic that you can own for very little cheddar. The styling still catches envious glances today unlike many copy-cat cars from its era (See: Fiero), the weight balance is near perfect, and the power is adequate for the right variants (S, S2, Turbo)

These cars are not likely to appreciate until most of the N/A models are parted out which keeps costs down and because it is 4 cylinder you can achieve a respectable fuel economy. In 10 years when half of the cars on the road are driving themselves you'll have a blast working through the gears while everyone else is reading the daily paper.

Finally, the better variants of the 944 garner respect among other p-car owners and can hold their own at auto-x and track events with good maintenance and some fine tuning. Get One and Hoon Away!!!!

Pibbs says once you go Swede > jkm7680
08/01/2014 at 15:43

From someone in the midst of trying to bring a 944 back to it's glory...don't. Just...don't. I will concur that they are bullet-proof reliable, But the interior is a nightmare.

And why are the clutch parts so damn expensive?!