MarkCSC

For 6k you should be able to get a really good 944. Mileage is not really that important what is a full service history. It doesn't have to be from a Porsche dealer but a good independent.

Models that you could get for 6K would be
2.5 8v
2.7 8v
2.5 16v
2.5 8v turbo (220bhp)

At this price I would avoid S2's and MKII turbos, good ones go for 10k+

Your best bet if you find one would be a 2.7. They have a bit more torque than the 2.5 but none of the potential trouble of a 16v. Failing that a 2.5 is a fine car, if not the quickest in the world. The turbo is a great car and fairly reliable. However when things go wrong (and with an older car they will) parts and labour are expensive.

The problem with the 16v is the cam belt. If this snaps in an 8v you may end up with a few bent valves and a bill for £600. In a 16v the cam belt is linked to the inlet cam with is joined to the exhaust cam by a metal chain. Because of the arrangement a broken cam belt could lead to the replacement of both cams. Also the sprocket and cam chain tensioners wear very quickly and if not maintained properly can cause damage to the camshafts, valves and tappets.

This is not to say don't get a 16v but make sure it has had the belt changed recently and the chain tensioner (this is not in the Porsche service schedule).

Other things to look for would be

Engine mounts
These are oil filled and are prone to leaking. This causes vibration through the car. If they have been replaced they should have an orange base. The orange one was redesigned to stop the leaking.

Whining from the rear

If you hear a whining noise it could be one of two things. Either the differential bearings or the pinion bearing in the gearbox. The way to tell which one is if the noise is only there when accelerating or decelerating it will probably be the diff bearing. If it is still there on a constant throttle it is probably the gearbox. Neither of these are particularly bad and can be put right for £400-£500. Could help negotiations to the lower the price. "It’s got a knackered gearbox mate!" ;-)


Gearshift should be smooth, if not the linkages will need greasing. Again nothing to worry about.

Oil leaks

Check for leaks. The oil stem seals are prone to leaking. Not expensive but a bit of an **** to do. The oil cooler has been known to leak oil in to the coolant so do the usual check of seeing if the header tank cap has any white emulation.

Head Gaskets normally go after 10 years - check to see if it has been done

After the car has warmed up get someone to rev it fairly hard. Smoke at high rev could indicate piston rings have gone or the cylinder bores are worn. Probably best to walk away but if you are not sure get a compression test done as if it is the bores the block is as good as junk.

Can't think of anything else of the top of my head but a good web site to look at is http://www.connact.com/~kgross/FAQ/944faq.html it contains a really good FAQ with all the fact on the 924/944/968 series

Hope this helps

Mark

[Edited by Mark Champion - 11/7/2002 9:35:38 AM]

BOOT

Any one owned one or know about what to look for ?

davyboy

What year are you considering?

But apart from that, as with any old Porsche you should look for, history, history and history. Miles is not so important as with other cars, as they will happily do 150000.

www.titanic.co.uk/944

brickboy

I know a couple of people who've bought 944s from Hartek in Bolton. They fettle them, and have a very in-depth website with pages & pages of buyer's info.

Don't have the URL but search for "Hartek" and Porsche and you'll get it.