Discuss: 944 Turbo

"Jay Lauer" (thefaultinourcars) 01/12/2014 at 00:22 • Filed to: None

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I may have the opportunity to buy one, so let me know everything I can really. I want to hear it all.

dogisbadob > Jay Lauer 01/12/2014 at 00:28

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Audi made some cool cars back in the day

Jay Lauer > dogisbadob 01/12/2014 at 00:32

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I see what you did there..

Dusty Ventures > Jay Lauer 01/12/2014 at 00:32

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I've heard from a stuffed bunny that they're more trouble than they're worth. But then again, I heard it from a stuffed bunny, so...

NoahthePorscheGuy > Jay Lauer 01/12/2014 at 00:32

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Epic car, i'm sure Stef will pop in any minute.

Jay Lauer > Dusty Ventures 01/12/2014 at 00:33

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Tell me more of the words of this stuffed bunny.

Jay Lauer > NoahthePorscheGuy 01/12/2014 at 00:33

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Have you driven one?

NoahthePorscheGuy > Jay Lauer 01/12/2014 at 00:34

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Makes an amazing trackday car, but that means alot of them get tracked, hard. Make sure no unwanted modifications have been made and that any track mods look properly installed.

NoahthePorscheGuy > Jay Lauer 01/12/2014 at 00:36

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Not really, I drove a friends 968 once, but I knew plenty of people who have and have been in many rides from people. I'm a track day photographer for local pca and these things are super popular, for a reason.

Jay Lauer > NoahthePorscheGuy 01/12/2014 at 00:37

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Well the one I'm looking at was about 80% restored, just needed a couple bits finished. I'll be able to tell more after I look at it.

My intention would be to daily drive it til the end of summer, with maybe one track day to try.

Dusty Ventures > Jay Lauer 01/12/2014 at 00:38

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She didn't go into specifics. Though she did mutter something about the engine in the wrong place.

Jay Lauer > NoahthePorscheGuy 01/12/2014 at 00:39

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Ah, see I have only driven a normal 944. I loved the comfort and driving position, but felt it lacked a little bit on guts.

And prices for normal 944s aren't any good.

Jay Lauer > Dusty Ventures 01/12/2014 at 00:40

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Well that I can get over at least.

NoahthePorscheGuy > Jay Lauer 01/12/2014 at 00:40

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the best place to look for information from owners would be pelicanparts and rennlist forums.

Mathias Rios > Jay Lauer 01/12/2014 at 00:45

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They're fun cars. I have a little crappy 924 which I'm in the process of restoring. I'm sure if you are considering a car like this you have the ability to turn a wrench, which is very needed. A shop will charge you 600 bucks for the timing belt change.

Some things to look out for

-delamination of rear hatch (if the old hatch struts are weak and don't hold it up, be careful about installing new ones)

-Dash cracks.

-crappy door handles

- do a compression test when you buy it

- tachometer and odometer gears break.

hmm what else...

Aaron James > Jay Lauer 01/12/2014 at 00:47

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If it's well taken care of and not totally ragged out, do it. They are really fun cars. My mom had a 1990 Convertible that was a blast to drive. No Turbo on hers but I've driven several Turbo cars and they are pretty darn quick. I've always liked them. A friend of a friend had a Turbo s with the funky plaid interior that he autocrossed back in the late 90's and it was really quick, when the Turbo kicked in it really pushed you back in the seat.

Jay Lauer > Aaron James 01/12/2014 at 00:52

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That is what I like to hear.

Aaron James > Jay Lauer 01/12/2014 at 01:01

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The difference between the NA and the Turbo is vast. What year is it? The NA's were a bit of a dog, but the Turbo's were a dog with it's balls on fire. NA's were around 150hp while the Turbo's were 220-250 depending on year. Vrooooom Vrooooooom. 0-60 for the Turbo's was just under 6 seconds with high 13's in the 1/4 mile.

Jay Lauer > Aaron James 01/12/2014 at 01:03

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It's an 86 Turbo, so the slower of the Turbo's, but 217hp is plenty for me with weight considered.

Aaron James > Jay Lauer 01/12/2014 at 01:15

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Yeah, they move out quite nicely. especially if you're used to driving a 98hp Celica Automatic like I was rocking in the 90's. Compared to that even my mom's NA was quick and the Turbo was like a missile. My friend had a white 86 Turbo in high school, he ragged on it for 4 years and never had any major problems with it other than routine stuff and Brakes, lots of Brakes, seams like we changed the pads twice a year but that was clearly due to driving style. He lost his license because of tickets so he sold it and got a Lebaron Convertible to replace it. Imagine my shock when I get home from the Army after a year and he shows up in that shitbox, that car was just junk. I would have beat some sense into him if I was home and could have prevented it. He still regrets selling the 944 to this day, Almost 20 years later.

Jay Lauer > Aaron James 01/12/2014 at 01:18

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Damn, thats crazy.

Well after having owning a 500HP Mustang, I don't need to know what huge power feels like in a car. It was like treading on a bomb. I'd rather have one well set up.

I think it'll be really cool if it works out. My dad daily drives an 84 SVO which is just like the 944, only worse.

Stef Schrader > Dusty Ventures 01/12/2014 at 01:29

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No, no, they're hilarious fun if you find one in good condition.

Mine is...a LeMons car. Hahahahaha. (It's the N/A one, though.)

BUY IT BUY IT BUY IT BUY IT BUY ITTTTTTTTTT!!! And yes, Guards Red is the right color.

Get it inspected before buying it, though—just so you know exactly what you're getting into.

Aaron James > Jay Lauer 01/12/2014 at 01:31

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I built a 92 convertible Mustang with Nitrous, It was fun but it was scary fast and I was constantly breaking stuff, I quit driving it because I got tired of working on it all the time. Trick Flow heads, Cam, Shorty headers, X-pipe, Ported and polished GT-40 intake, bigger injectors and throttle body etc. etc. It started life as a 4cyl automatic that my mom sold to me After I got home from the Army. The Tranny went out and after I replaced the tranny it kept breaking flexplates every 2 months, the only thing we could figure was that the trans didn't line up properly with the engine so my friend and I found a wrecked GT 5-speed and began the project after I picked up a Neon for a daily driver. It was fun to build and was kind of my last great hurrah before getting married and having kids.

Stef Schrader > dogisbadob 01/12/2014 at 01:31

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I see what you did there EVERY TIME I HAVE TO WORK ON THE FRONT OF MY ENGINE.

It wants the "service position." I can tell.

feather-throttle-not-hair > Jay Lauer 01/12/2014 at 01:52

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I have no experience. I want one. Bad.

Hopefully this post has been helpful. Unlikely though....

Aaron Brown > Jay Lauer 01/12/2014 at 01:57

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I have a 944 NA. AMA.

BoxerFanatic, troublesome iconoclast. > Jay Lauer 01/12/2014 at 02:56

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To quote an import mechanic who frequently has older Porsches on his lot...

"If you can't afford two, you can't afford one."

When they work, they are great, but when they don't, or when they DEMAND their maintenance schedule, they are expensive.

Transaxle cars somewhat especially. clutches, prop-shaft/torque-tube bearings, etc... go with age, and are not quick or cheap replacements. Part of the aspect of having the transaxle in the back, with the engine in the front.

944 Turbos (951) also have an oil-to-water oil cooler, which can start to leak, mixing engine oil into the cooling system, and coolant into the oil supply.

They also house the turbocharger under the intake manifold, not on the exhaust side of the canted engine. The exhaust manifold that goes under the engine IIRC has a flex section that is known for failing and causing exhaust leaks before the turbocharger.

Another thing I have heard is that a dirty coolant overflow tank is sometimes symptomatic of either the oil cooler issue, or a head-gasket issue, or other over-heating problem.

They are more complicated and sophisticated cars that most RWD I4 Turbo cars. A T-Bird Turbo Coupe or Mustang SVO, or even a StarQuest are probably simplistic by comparison.

AeroEagle333 > feather-throttle-not-hair 01/12/2014 at 09:08

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You and me both haha.

stuttgartobsessed > Jay Lauer 01/12/2014 at 12:38

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I did a lot of research into these when I was thinking about buying one. I eventually decided it would be more prudent to find a 944 S or 944 S2. This way, you get some more hp out of the N/A engine, the turbo body styling, some better suspension components, and don't have to deal with more problematic turbo and the loads of lag it has. But, like Stef says, get it inspected first so you know what you're getting into. One in good nick should not be too much of a hassle to keep in good road worthy condition. Probably the biggest thing I found to look out for is when the timing belt was last changed in accordance to total mileage on the car. It should be done every 30,000 miles.

San-Diego- Auto-Shine > Jay Lauer 01/12/2014 at 13:26

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I have worked on these cars. Whenever you need to do engine work it will cost you a lot more money in labor due to the fact the way the turbo pipes around the engine. Depending on the year of the turbo you are getting an S2 is just as powerful with a whole lot less problems. Turbos are problematic so be willing to dish out a lot of money for that. You are wayyyy better off getting an s2 unless you have the money to spare.

Jay Lauer > BoxerFanatic, troublesome iconoclast. 01/12/2014 at 19:35

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Funny you say that. My dad drives an SVO every day. It's actually super reliable. But when anything breaks, parts simply can't be found.

It's not a matter of price, the parts just are not available.

Dusty Ventures > Stef Schrader 01/12/2014 at 21:41

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Fluffy tells me she's secretly rooting for something with symmetrical all wheel drive and a boxer 4... IN THE FRONT!

All Motor Is Best Motor > Jay Lauer 01/12/2014 at 21:52

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My late uncle owned a (one of 250 that came to the U.S.) 944 Turbo S convertible in black. My aunt (his widow) has possession of it. The car's recently been fixed up with a new top, radio, and some refreshed mechanicals. It's a hoot to drive. It really loves to fly at highway speeds. Very eager engine. Sadly, it will go to my undeserving cousin who'll probably trash it.

Stef Schrader > Dusty Ventures 01/13/2014 at 04:52

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LIES. Puff likes big butts and she cannot lie.

Dusty Ventures > Stef Schrader 01/13/2014 at 04:55

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Big butts, eh? Listen to that bunny drool

Stef Schrader > Dusty Ventures 01/13/2014 at 07:01

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Fail. That's a big butt full of nothin'.

Now THIS is a butt:

Dusty Ventures > Stef Schrader 01/13/2014 at 12:46

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Mmmmmm. Orange

TwoFortified > Jay Lauer 01/13/2014 at 16:08

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Skyline R32 GT-R

*drops mic*

...

...

*picks mic back up*

Ok, seriously though. I like the way these things look. I'm not a huge fan of Porche, but the 944 is my favorite.

Saracen > Jay Lauer 01/13/2014 at 17:58

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From talking to my old Audi/Porsche mechanic, unless you're planning to put in a bigger turbo and boost the crap out of it, save yourself some of the headaches and get a 944 S2 or 968.