Help! Should I buy this 944?

[jeffgoddin]

74k miles, 1983, $2500

Here's the link to the craigslist ad:
http://cleveland.craigslist.org/cto/3840038679.html

I'm looking at spending up to $2500 to get:

1) Something sporty, weight to power under about 19lb/hp (944 is 18.3)
2) Manual
3) FR
4) good handling/even weight distribution (944 is 50.7/49.3)
5) as close to 30mpg as possible (944 is only 20mpg, but that's better than my F-150's 16mpg, and not much worse than most other cars I'm looking at, which average 22mpg-24mpg combined.)
6) lower maintenance costs (my '96 F-150 with 130k needs clutch/throwout and has an exhaust manifold leak which pretty much total the vehicle since it's only worth about $1200 if both those issues were fixed.)
7) 2 doors or hatch
8) light weight, 3000lbs or less, 2500lbs better
9) something upgradable. rear seat delete is happening, other weight reduction. suspension and tires at some point. exhaust? ECU remap? air intake? supercharge/turbo? to improve handling and reduce weight to power ratio by at least 10%, by 20% if possible. By spending less than $1500?
10) lowish mileage, under 150k for sure, closer to 100k if possible.
11) newer, since 2000 if possible.
12) something that doesn't need much work when I get it (944 needs ignition switch, small job, and paint, which I may not get to, and possibly a tune up to get back some of those 150 stock hp)

Other cars I'm considering all miss some of the things I want. Top 2:

• Neon R/T would have great weight to power and 30mpg, but is FF and doesn't have the sporty weight distribution and I don't really picture myself in a Neon.
• Ford ZX2 would have decent weight to power and 30mpg, and has a lower profile, so I'm thinking of this too.

Others I'm considering, let me know if any of these stand out as great or terrible options.
'90-'93 Acura Integra GS
'92-'94 Pontiac Grand Am with the 180hp engine
'91-'99 Golf GTI
'90-'94 Chevy Cavalier Z24
'89-'93 Celica GT/GT-S
'92-'93 Acura Integra GS-R VTEC
'92-'97 Probe GT
'91-'95 Civic EX,EX-V,Si
-'93 Saab 900 Turbo
'93-'99 Celica GT liftback Sports Pkg
'92-'95 BMW E36 325i coupe
'91-'96 Prelude Si
'93-'96 Prelude VTEC
'95-'00 Civic EX
'92-'99 Jetta GLX/VR6
'99.5-'06 Golf GTI
'94-'01 Integra GS-R VTEC or GS
'95-'99 BMW 328i E36 coupe
'96-'00 Volvo S70 GLT or T5
'89-'93 Celica All-Trac Turbo

And as you go down the list, expect $2500 to buy you a car with more mileage and/or problems to deal with... but a better base car? Anyways, list sorted by KBB value at 100k miles in Good condition, for some year in the model date range, either the middle of the date range or 1993, whichever is later (KBB only goes back to 1993.) Lowest price at the top, highest at the bottom ($1635 for the 1st Integra, $4320 for the All-Trac Celica.)

Oh, and another car I have my eye on, a 300ZX with 185k, but new timing belt/tensioner, clutch/throwoutbearing, rear main seal, input/output seal on transmission, all new brake seals in calipers and 1 new caliper, distributor cap/wires, exhaust gaskets, new fluid in transmission/rear differential. So should be good for another 60k before anything major? And basically the same car as the 944, but with a platform that I know is upgradable to stupid power levels (which I won't do, just means it should be easy to come up with an extra 30hp or so.) Plus it's a Southern car so no rust.

http://cleveland.craigslist.org/cto/3855387199.html

 

[Wolfe]

I would recommend a BMW E30 over a Porsche for an affordable fun FR German car from the 1980s. Not just because I owned one, but because at one time I was a position similar to yours -- I desperately wanted to get a 944/924, and in the sort of price range you're talking about. I did all the research and kept looking and looking, but I eventually came to realize that I could have a pristine BMW E30 for the price of a non-running Porsche, and ended up in an '85 318i. It wasn't a pristine example, but I'm pretty sure it lasted far longer and for much less money than a "cheap" Porsche could ever manage in my care.

Given that it's an older car than most of the others you've listed, $2500 should find you an E30 that's clean and with fewer miles. 👍

 

[Slash]

Form the picture it just needs a wash. I'd test drive it before you buy if you can. Make sure it's solid underneath and doesn't need anything.

Also stay away from Ford Probes and Chevy Cavaliers.

 

[jeffgoddin]

Thanks guys! Also, going to see that guy with the 300ZX tomorrow... it's a 1986 I now know, and he's a mechanic, has driven it for 1500 miles since he got it 2 months ago, as well as doing all that work (NEW CLUTCH!) And no rust! And the same engine mount as the Z32 twin turbo!!! So for another $800 installed, I can have 276hp!

 

[Dennisch]

Just remember that spare parts for Porsche, even the 944's are silly expensive.

 

[Crash]

Just remember that spare parts for Porsche, even the 944's are silly expensive.

This.

And the base 944 that I once drove was doggone slow. Handled great, but sllloooowwwww.

Not to mention it's rear hatch flew open on its own while on the freeway the time that I was driving it.

 

[HighSeasHoMastr]

Just remember that spare parts for Porsche, even the 944's are silly expensive.

+1/2
They're not quite as bad as most people seem to think if you know where to look (*cough*pelicanparts*cough*) but they're still not cheap. 944/951 parts are cheaper than 911/912 parts though, so really it isn't that bad.

That said, the 944 is a good first step into Porsches 👍 but the words of advice and alternatives already in this thread are valid.

 

[Anna+Reece]

Here's what you need.
http://mansfield.craigslist.org/cto/3831528782.html

Or this.
http://akroncanton.craigslist.org/cto/3791093967.html

 

[jeffgoddin]

Here's what you need.
http://mansfield.craigslist.org/cto/3831528782.html

Or this.
http://akroncanton.craigslist.org/cto/3791093967.html

Not bad!

 

[Anna+Reece]

Not bad!

I've owned and driven a number of sporty cars, like you're describing, and my 240SX that I own right now is by far the most fun and exciting car I have ever driven. I'd definitely consider those two I posted.

 

[hemisport15]

From the research I've done (I looked at them as a replacement for my Corrado), the 944 is quite reliable and fun even though it is pretty slow, but like others have mentioned it will be pricey to fix... so it's not really worth it unless you have to the time and money to keep it pristine.

I'm also going to recommend the E30 or E36. Both are a lot of fun to drive (E36 M3 owner here), but they do need attention and maintenance is key. If you do decide to look into BMWs more, PM me or ask here because you really need to look into the car's history to make sure you're not getting into a car that needs a ton of work. And what' your price range exactly? Because a 4,500 can get you a pretty well sorted E30.

Here's one for sale near me...
http://philadelphia.craigslist.org/cto/3859574032.html

$4,500

 

[jeffgoddin]

Oh, I've been keeping my eye out for an E30 or E36 3 Series, too. The ones I've found so far have been high mileage, rusty, and/or need fixing. And unfortunately I'm working with a modest $2,500.

And as lower maintenance costs is a pretty high priority, the 944 is out.

But if this car checks out, around 2pm tomorrow the decision may be made. If not, that first 240SX is my next stop, thanks!