Porsche 944: Pros and Cons

"eovnu87435ds" (eovnu87435ds) 10/17/2014 at 15:36 • Filed to: None

0

12

Hey, I have a base model 02 Subaru Impreza Wagon. It's a 5 speed, dependable, hasn't let me down in the 45000 miles I have had it, but I'm thinking of selling it and moving towards a Porsche 944.

I want to move into something a little more sporty, while still being something I can work on, and depend on getting me to work every day. (I did the head gaskets and clutch on the Subaru, so I'm not afraid of maintenance work, I just don't want something to suddenly keep me from driving for a week or two.

Anybody with 944 experience want to chime in on what I should be looking out for?

Bandit > eovnu87435ds 10/17/2014 at 15:55

0

Timing belts. That's all I have to say.

llamaguy > eovnu87435ds 10/17/2014 at 15:56

1

You're going to get really acquainted with the 944. They're super fun, but they're getting old to the point of being fragile and really slow by modern standards, an Accord is going to be a lot faster. This is not a platform to drive everyday as an only car, definitely not. You would be much better off with a WRX or Miata.

TheBaron2112 > eovnu87435ds 10/17/2014 at 15:56

0

I just sold my 944. It was naturally aspirated. So get one of those if you don't want to bother with turbos. And you'll probably be able to get in under $5k if you get a NA 944.

ALWAYS get one with a new timing belt, or replace the timing belt and tensioners and guides, etc once you first buy it. It's the most important part of 944 maintenance.

They're great cars. Perfect balance. Take care of the timing belt and the rest of the maintenance is pretty standard.

TheBaron2112 > llamaguy 10/17/2014 at 16:01

0

Yeah, my 944 was pretty slow, to be honest. It was a bit of a downer.

But if you get a turbo or a later 944 (S, S2, etc) then you can chip it and do some things with bolt ons that will give you a little more pep.

Of course, I think my 944 was hampered in acceleration by the fitment of larger diameter wheels. My track was wider and I had stability and handling like nobody's business, but the acceleration and torque suffered.

Also, I'd dd a 944 over a Miata in a heart beat. That hatch and the rear seats are really, very practical.

luvMeSome142 & some Lincoln! > eovnu87435ds 10/17/2014 at 16:02

0

I'm considering one as well, or a 924. I had a '79 924 back in 1992 that was a lot of fun. Slow, but fun.

I got rid of it when the shifting started to feel a little funny. I wasn't sure I could work on it like I could my old Volvo. Thinking back on it, I think I was just intimidated by the name.

angrytetsuo > eovnu87435ds 10/17/2014 at 16:06

1

timing belt, rubber hub clutch, oil cooler, water pump, control arms, power steering lines and rack, bent torque tube shaft (will vibrate at rpm's), sunroof gears, water in tail lights, wiper motor, headlight motor, if its an NA car the diff is weak (dont launch it), oil leaks! (we are pros and it can be hard to seal the oil leaks) look for a turbo with a LSD in it then try not to wreck it when it rains! most all turbos we worked on since they were new have been wrecked

all that said its still one of my fave cars. I still have my first 87 924s and miss the 944 I sold. I have a whole parted out 944 in my shop if anyone needs parts

llamaguy > llamaguy 10/17/2014 at 16:11

0

For reference, things that went wrong with my 924S in 3 years of ownership:

Sunroof gears

Window switches needed cleaned

Rear brake caliper ( nobody had rebuilt calipers, had to get one off a junkyard)

Antenna came loose from fender

Fuel rail leaked

Crank position sensor (required engine removal)

3 alternators

2 batteries

1 starter

ball joints

Someone stole my hood emblem

For comparison, in 3 years of owning a 635CSi:

brake caliper

2 rotor caps broke in half

1 battery

transmission line (leaked entire time because it was $100 and fluid was $3)

angrytetsuo > eovnu87435ds 10/17/2014 at 16:27

0

oh and the battery eats a hole in the body and rain leaks onto the ecu cooking it!

Klaus Schmoll > eovnu87435ds 10/17/2014 at 16:51

0

I think that a 944/924 is a nice second car to have, but a rather bad idea for a DD that you have to rely on to get you to work.

Pops_McAwesome > eovnu87435ds 10/17/2014 at 16:55

0

I've had an 85 na for about 5 years now. I love it but it can be a pain for all the things listed above. I don't drive it as much as I used to (or should). It seems like the less I drive it the more goes wrong with it.

llamaguy > angrytetsuo 10/17/2014 at 23:19

0

Oh the ECU reminded me! The whole fuel pump thing in many cars, mine came with a wire run from the ignition coil through a switch in the console back through to the fuel pump. One I test drove but didn't buy also had a switch but it wasn't as clever to go through the coil so it burned up the pump (it was a very short test drive).

Pops_McAwesome > Pops_McAwesome 10/30/2014 at 09:13

0

A new lesson learned - the heater control valve and it's hoses are located at the back of the engine, near the firewall. If any of that mess starts to leak (30 or so year old plastic and rubber leaking NEVER) it is possible for the clutch to get soaked and ruined. I swear I still love it.