NPOCP: 1987 Porsche 944 Turbo, $3000

"Aaron Brown" (ambrown)
01/17/2014 at 09:11 • Filed to: porsche 944, NPOCP, Craigslist

Up for sale is an 87 Porsche 944 Turbo. Seller states that the car was in a "minor fender bender" which resulted in damage to the front right end of the vehicle. Seller also stated that the car has been sitting for a few years, this could be problematic.

944 Turbo's in decent shape usually sell for upwards of $4000, so this could be a NP. But I would be weary of that "minor fender bender" and also that the car has been sitting for so long.

The seller posted a !!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!! which shows the car's inspection/reg tag, and it looks like it's showing 2006.

So Oppo, NP or CP?

The listing, and more pictures, can be found !!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!! .

DISCUSSION (19)

BoxerFanatic, troublesome iconoclast. > Aaron Brown
01/17/2014 at 09:18

Half the price of a good machine, and only if there is nothing else wrong, no rust, no nothing else.

And don't buy it unless you can afford to spend at least twice the purchase price, and know a good porsche-familiar mechanic who can preferably give it an inspection.

AeroEagle333 > Aaron Brown
01/17/2014 at 09:18

I would check it out really close, but if there aren't any surprises, I definitely think $3K would be a NP on this. You'd be even better off if you could offer low at $2Kish and get it for around $2,500.

I just noticed... what the hell is that pile of? Floor mats?

offroadkarter > Aaron Brown
01/17/2014 at 09:19

I'd definitely offer less. Is your 944 a turbo? If not, it can be with this car, and part the rest out.

Aaron Brown > AeroEagle333
01/17/2014 at 09:20

Haha yeah, looks like floor mats.

Bob Loblaw Made Me Make a Phoney Phone Call to Edward Rooney > Aaron Brown
01/17/2014 at 09:20

C-freaking-P: accident damage and it's been sitting for 7 years? No thanks, especially when a solid runner is $5k.

Aaron Brown > offroadkarter
01/17/2014 at 09:20

It's not a turbo :(

offroadkarter > Aaron Brown
01/17/2014 at 09:21

but now it can be!

Aaron Brown > offroadkarter
01/17/2014 at 09:21

Honestly the main things that attract me on this car are the LSD and the turbo. My car doesn't have an LSD either. Also 944 turbos handle better and have much better acceleration.

RamblinRover Luxury-Yacht > Aaron Brown
01/17/2014 at 09:22

For that price, one can get a decently well sorted 924, and that'd be my temptation due to what I think are cleaner lines and cheaper parts. Still some folks gotta get their turbo on, and if the body's been put back straight this may make for a bargain once it's had the fuel system gone through.

offroadkarter > Aaron Brown
01/17/2014 at 09:23

It sounds like my plan is getting better and better. Take what you need off of this car, part the rest out to make some/all of your money back, and scrap the remains.

Aaron Brown > RamblinRover Luxury-Yacht
01/17/2014 at 09:24

I don't think I'd get a 924 over this, but possibly a decently sorted 944 NA. I may be biased though, since my DD is a 944 NA.

timateo81 > Aaron Brown
01/17/2014 at 09:28

With each passing year this car becomes less attractive to me. If it were sold as a VW in America does anyone think many of these cars would still be on the road?

It used to be my childhood realistic dream to own one, but at what cost anymore? Cheers to the OP for making it happen though.

Mathias Rios > RamblinRover Luxury-Yacht
01/17/2014 at 09:49

I own a 924 and you're wrong. The difference between a 924 (basically a slow VW) and this car is immense.

RamblinRover Luxury-Yacht > Mathias Rios
01/17/2014 at 11:02

Now that comments are working again:

Granted, the 924 is far more of a "slow VW" than a 944 turbo is. That's not the point. The overall level of performance is to me less significant in an *affordable sports car* than handling and its ability to stay affordable. It's the same form factor as the 944, has not critically less roadholding, has (to me, anyway: don't like the box fenders) a better look, and if I found it absolutely critical to increase performance, I remain unconvinced that the 944 turbo setup is the best way to get it. Lots of hot VWs to be burgled, and in the mean time, you have a car in some ways more practical for regular use.

Meatcoma > Aaron Brown
01/17/2014 at 11:09

Already looking for parts cars or upgrades eh?

Mathias Rios > RamblinRover Luxury-Yacht
01/17/2014 at 11:21

In that case, yes you're probably right. The best middle ground in my opinion for someone that wants the 924 body style (I don't mind the box flares, but I like each model as it's own distinct beast) you could always get a 924S. A 924 with the 944 engine. Some people say the 924S are faster than 944's.

RamblinRover Luxury-Yacht > Mathias Rios
01/17/2014 at 11:44

Wikipedia cites that as being the case, at least over the base 944. Lightness/cleanness means quite a lot to me, and the 924 has a little more of it. At the same time, one is only limited to the 924S as an upgrade within 924 if staying stock...

If one absolutely needed turbo, though, I suspect the 944 may be a better one as an engine. I know of a 924 turbo on blocks right here in town - likely fried.

Stef Schrader > Aaron Brown
01/17/2014 at 12:47

Craaaaaack piiiiiiiiipe.

Offer $1500 if the rest of the car is nice. Maybe. Even that's kind of a stretch since it's been sitting, and that's assuming the rest of the car's in decent nick (mechanicals, interior, etc.).

944baby > Aaron Brown
02/09/2014 at 19:26

I have seen this one, he lives 39 min away from me.

Before I even looked at the car, I spoke to the owner JT.. He seemed like a nice guy, but he avoided answering my questions, until I refrained them 2-3 times.
When I opened the door, a bad smell came out from the vehicle. I started to see what it was, and noticed that there are tracks of water that has been dried up.. You can also see this on the carpet, and in the trunk.
I had to bring my own battery to see if the engine would start. It didn't start, doesn't even turn.
Alignment is not that great from the accident, I think he tried to fix it him self, but wasn't able to. The right door has damage which is not visible on the pictures, so does rear quarter panel. There is rust behind right rear wheel well so is behind front left wheel well. Right headlight is dipped will need lots of work to be fixed.
Anyway, with 130xxx miles on the car, LSD most likely need to be rebuilt.
I offered the guy $1200-1500 for it.. Which was a big stretch too. He refused! He stated there is some one from Virginia is willing to give him $2500.
I wished him good luck. Now few days later, I thank that he refused my offer. :)