924Board.org

timstar92404 · Joined: 22 Sep 2004 Posts: 2075 Location: richmond BC

I'm thinking of buying a 944 and I don't want to get screwed with a lemon / money pit this time so I want to get it checked out by someone. Main thing i'm worried is knowing if the clutch is still good or on its way to faling which would cost alot to replace also worried about hidden oil leaks/ other leaks and headgasket/ overheating problems.

obviously I'm scared that I'll get another car with the mystery fume problem like my 924 that gives me headaches. 944 has the same design hatch etc.

ok my question is, would a regular mechanic be able to do a full mechanical inspection (not a porsche mechanic) I know lots of people say only porsche can check it out but an engine is an engine right? and its not like the 944 is an exotic v12 or something. I just want them to tell me about the engines mechanical condition (if it will need a rebuild soon or work) .

I'm just asking because its not really easy to go to porsche especially when its far from where the car is, I want to take it to the closest mechanic shop around.

I'm looking at a bunch of cars, one is from a car dealership which is better for me because I can get financing and keep some money for belt/ water pump replacement which they all need because none have records.

also what milliage is too high on a 944.
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78 924 sold.
85.5 944

chris24 · Posted: Fri Oct 28, 2005 10:39 pm Post subject:

if none have got any records...then the mileage question isn't going to mean very much. they may have the same oil as they left the showroom with...or the mileage on the dash may not exactly be accurate.
good luck
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1983 - 924 (185K miles) - not mint
1985 - 924 (148K miles) - mint
1990 - 944S2 cab (52K miles)

timstar92404 · Joined: 22 Sep 2004 Posts: 2075 Location: richmond BC

does anyone know if buying a 944 from a car dealer is a bad idea?

I'm guessing most have been sitting in the lot for many months waiting to be sold. I've seen some advertised for over a year at dealerships because the price is way to high..... 83 944 for 7900 and they kept on advertising it for that price and I was just curious and phoned and they said 7900 was firm.... sometimes the prices aren't crazy. I save a 1989 944 with 150k advertised last year for 5000 at a dealer and it got sold fast.

I'm mostly looking at cars at dealers (so I can get financing from them) between 5000-6000, I want to pay 2000 downpayment and finance the rest.... then use the rest of the money I have to have the timing belt etc replaced. Some dealers even state 1 year powertrain warranty across canada and I asked one about it and they said if the engine/ transmission breaks down within a year you can take it to any shop you want with the warranty and you dont' have to pay...... Yeah I don't really believe this can be real for a 20+ year old car.
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78 924 sold.
85.5 944

Kenodog · Joined: 25 Jun 2003 Posts: 2669 Location: Vancouver,B.C.

Tim do yourself a huge potential headache and just go buy a Honda.
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1979 Euro 931, Olive
1981 931, Sabine
1991 Ford Ranger XLT 4x4, Ricky
1996 Ford E-350 ex-FedEx Van
2014 Mazda CX-5 (Kinderwagon)
2019 KTM 790 Adventure
2024 KLX300
2024 KLX140

Chrenan · Joined: 15 Jan 2003 Posts: 3903 Location: Canada

I second that idea.
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1987 951 - M193 Version for Japan

gohim · Joined: 02 Nov 2002 Posts: 4459 Location: Rialto, CA

Tim, people have tried to tell you over and over again... You are not ready for a 944. You cannot afford a 944. Don't buy a 944.

If you take the time to read this, try reading the terms of the 1 year warranty that you are talking about. It is not going to cover maintenance, or damage done due to deferred maintenance. That means that when the belts break because they weren't replaced on schedule, the warranty is not covering to cover the repair. That's right, you still have to pay for scheduled maintenance and there are items that are not covered on the warranties, lots of items. The type of warranties also usually require you to return the car to the selling dealer or dealer network for repair under the warranty. That may mean that someone that fixes Chevys for a living, and who has never worked on a 944/924S engine is going to be working on your engine. That guy will not have the tools or the knowledge to fix the engine properly. Who do you think will be paying when the engine blows up a few miles down the road?

If you couldn't buy a decent 924, obviously can't follow advice, can't fix or maintain a 924, what are the odds that you could locate and buy a decent 944, then maintain and repair the 944?

The answer to that is: ZERO CHANCE, NONE AT ALL.

skemcin · Joined: 02 Sep 2003 Posts: 1284 Location: Plainfield, IL

wow tim, you are one persistant little flocker. Folks may recommend a Honda, Volkswagon, or even a Chevy. But with each post you make like this, I keep thinking that you might be ready for a . . .
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bicycle! I mean, think about it. Everything is right there - no guessing. Two wheels a chain(drivetrain), a seat, and it accelerates as fast as your 924!

WIN WIN!!

[edit] Opps, just realizing, you still might not get away from those headaches if you ride to close to the traffic!

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924.org (no time to complete)
9249206346 - 89k – new shifter bushings, belts, running well.
9249206347 - 8k – waiting its resurrection, no power at the fuel pump and fuse #7 blows w/power

PORSCHEV · Posted: Sat Oct 29, 2005 5:28 am Post subject:

Poor Tim.....he almost asks for it! Just do what your heart tells you Tim...don't listen to those guys.....you don't any other time

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1976 924
5 lug conversion, 17'C2 wheels,custom body work,327 vette engine.

1978-#53 "D" track racer.

Neil924 · Joined: 18 Mar 2003 Posts: 4225 Location: Canada

Tim a 944 is 3 times more expensive to maintain and if a major problem comes up it's 5 times more to fix.

Get a good condition 924 and keep up with what needs to be done.

A 944 would only give you more to worry about.

timstar92404 · Joined: 22 Sep 2004 Posts: 2075 Location: richmond BC

If someone here with an "excellent" condition 924 living close to where I am could sell me it I would consider it.

I really don't think there is such thing as a good condition 924 around here most are more beat up and in worse conditoin than mine. I've seen a bunch one had mulit colour body panels other had giant rust holes in the door/ body.......

I'll post a pic of my 924 today, its not in bad mechanical/ body condition, its alright but I have a mystery fume problem which I have talked about a million times and I haven kinof given up because I don't have the time to check all the tons of different reasons it coudl be happening.

I'm not stupid I know hondas are more reliable and probably a better car for me but I would feel bad if I spent 5-6 grand on a good honda when I know I could be driving a 944 which I've always wanted. I wouldn't be happy with owning a honda and I would probably just end up selling it.
from what I've read the yearly maintenance on a 944 shoudn't be more than 1500-2000 and I can spend that much on maintenance.

yeah I guess i'm kindof crazy, because I don't always think rationally.

if I save up 6000 cash to buy the car with cash then I'll be able to maintain it for shure. I go to college/ live at home / work so I basicly have all my money to spend on a car.

But I'm almost finsihed college and I'm trying to get into law school in canada and it is lilkely I'll have to move to another province and probably have to sell any car I have.
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78 924 sold.
85.5 944

Neil924 · Joined: 18 Mar 2003 Posts: 4225 Location: Canada

How much would you spend on a 924 that was in good shape, was reliable and had a ton of new parts installed? I'm selling mine in the spring and shipping shouldn't be too much to B.C.. Send me your address and I'll get a quote.

timstar92404 · Joined: 22 Sep 2004 Posts: 2075 Location: richmond BC

well as cheap as you would sell it to me

but seriously for me a 924 would have to be half the price of a decent 944.

I know you put alot of money into it and it sucks loosing all the money but the same thing will happen to me, when I sell my car I wont' even get half of what I initially paid for it (without all the repairs I have done.

just a question? isn't your car a 77 which means 95 hp....

and shipping will probably make it too expensive (around 1000+ I'm pretty sure).

But by next september I may move to any province in Canada except Quebec....
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78 924 sold.
85.5 944

MGQ · Joined: 19 Dec 2003 Posts: 53 Location: southwest MI

that may be the thing right there. getting any car that's in great condition is going to be better than getting a beater example of a great car. unless you want to dump a lot of cash into it.

besides that, obviously, it depends on the mechanic. some can and some can't. even if you don't have a Porsche dealer near by you should at least try to find a foreign car mechanic that has dealt with them before. Also trust should be the biggest issue. do you trust the seller? do you trust the mechanic?
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Brown 78 924. 4 speed, AC, Sunroof

timstar92404 · Joined: 22 Sep 2004 Posts: 2075 Location: richmond BC

heres one pic of my car, the paint is not nice like it is in the pic...

I have engine/ interior/ exterior pics as well but photobucket is taking 1 hour to download each picture..
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78 924 sold.
85.5 944

timstar92404 · Joined: 22 Sep 2004 Posts: 2075 Location: richmond BC

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78 924 sold.
85.5 944