Porsche 944
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RX 300 & 350Z Guru
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From: Georgia
Porsche 944
Has anyone ever owned an '86 or '87 Porsche 944 Turbo (aka 951)? I'd like to know any experiences with this vehicle. I am considering buying one, but not as a daily-driver. I'm curious about reliability and maintenance costs: both of which are, from what I've researched, not an issue on one with proper maintenance (i.e., buy one with maintenance records). Turbo 4, decent power, excellent weight distribution (front engine, rear transmission), somewhat different; all add up to an intriguing car.
It's like getting inside your favorite Hot Wheels car 
Literally one of the best handling cars ever produced. Extreme fun in the mountains.
Common complaints in the 944 are:
1.) rear transaxle ring and pinion failure. If your buying one, check the amount of "play" it has when you are on the gas V/S off the gas. See if you feel any "slack" in the rear end.
2.) Check the wheel bearings. Listen for roaring.
3.) make sure the turbo spools out with no lag, check around it for any oil leaks.
Above all, the 944 is an excellent car in turbo form or not, very few problems are present in them and they perform for a looooooooong time problem free.
I loved all of the one's i have had.
http://thegodz.20megsfree.com/format/justmytoy.jpg
Literally one of the best handling cars ever produced. Extreme fun in the mountains.
Common complaints in the 944 are:
1.) rear transaxle ring and pinion failure. If your buying one, check the amount of "play" it has when you are on the gas V/S off the gas. See if you feel any "slack" in the rear end.
2.) Check the wheel bearings. Listen for roaring.
3.) make sure the turbo spools out with no lag, check around it for any oil leaks.
Above all, the 944 is an excellent car in turbo form or not, very few problems are present in them and they perform for a looooooooong time problem free.
I loved all of the one's i have had.
http://thegodz.20megsfree.com/format/justmytoy.jpg
Last edited by O. L. T.; Sep 13, 2003 at 08:58 PM.
Pole Position
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From: California
Thread Starter
RX 300 & 350Z Guru
Joined: Feb 2001
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From: Georgia
I think i'm going to scratch the idea of a 944. The mileage will be too high for my price range, which brings a high possibility of needing to rebuild the turbo, or other numerous repair items. I think I will stick with looking for another '95-'98 240sx 5-speed.
I've been looking at '95 Jaguar X6's, they are selling for CHEAP, but it's just not my "cup of tea"
They have a high reliability rating, believe it or not, and quite a powerful I-6. But I need something more fun ...240sx handling fun. The search for a 240 is not easy, I miss my old one already 
She found a good home though.
I've been looking at '95 Jaguar X6's, they are selling for CHEAP, but it's just not my "cup of tea"
They have a high reliability rating, believe it or not, and quite a powerful I-6. But I need something more fun ...240sx handling fun. The search for a 240 is not easy, I miss my old one already She found a good home though.
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RX 300 & 350Z Guru
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From: Georgia
Originally posted by onelasttry
your going to miss one heck of an experience.
your going to miss one heck of an experience.
Orginally posted by LS400Dom
Take a corner in 75 miles/hrs and feel the "G". I am getting mine 5 days
Take a corner in 75 miles/hrs and feel the "G". I am getting mine 5 days
Post some pictures when you get yours, I'd like to see it. The 240 is no slouch in the corners at .89G with stock 16's. Right now, it's perfect for me.
I appreciate all the suggestions and comments.
Last edited by LexRX; Sep 16, 2003 at 09:55 PM.
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Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 86
Likes: 1
From: PA
944's are excellent cars!
I have a 1985.5 944 and love it.
Wish it had the turbo power.
Handles so well through the turns.
rennlist.com is a great site that I frequent almost daily.
Lots of information.
http://www.connact.com/~kgross/FAQ/944faq.html
Here is another site with good information.
Make sure you at least drive one before you decide on
the 240...no comparison!
I have a 1985.5 944 and love it.
Wish it had the turbo power.
Handles so well through the turns.
rennlist.com is a great site that I frequent almost daily.
Lots of information.
http://www.connact.com/~kgross/FAQ/944faq.html
Here is another site with good information.
Make sure you at least drive one before you decide on
the 240...no comparison!
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Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 13,001
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From: D2'sville
My pops actually had a 88 Turbo when I was around 15. I used to love that car!! So fast, so light, so agile. I drove it once or twice and could not believe the way it felt, the steering, brakes, shifter , clutchall had a perfect feel/weight, and the car was as easy to drive as a Civic!
My fathers synchro for second gear went when he had his. He picked it up in 94-95 with something like 40k and put 40-50k more on it. I think only minor stuff other than the synchro went, altenator, spark plug wires, general maintence crap.
I used to love the front end of that car with the headlights closed and the foglights on!! Really MEAN.
If you can find a clean one, get it a true sports car!!
My fathers synchro for second gear went when he had his. He picked it up in 94-95 with something like 40k and put 40-50k more on it. I think only minor stuff other than the synchro went, altenator, spark plug wires, general maintence crap.
I used to love the front end of that car with the headlights closed and the foglights on!! Really MEAN.
If you can find a clean one, get it a true sports car!!
Last edited by D2-AUTOSPORT; Sep 17, 2003 at 08:14 PM.
my two friends both had 944s and were quite car savvy...
and they were ALWAYS broken in one form or another... all KINDS of problems from mechanical to electrical
i'd get a 87 RX-7 T2 just for a fun car... its more reliable than the 944 and it handles better to boot
and they were ALWAYS broken in one form or another... all KINDS of problems from mechanical to electrical
i'd get a 87 RX-7 T2 just for a fun car... its more reliable than the 944 and it handles better to boot
and it handles better to boot
The 944 entered the public market as a 1983 model, with a base price tag of $18,595--about $35,000 in today's money. It was hailed by Road and Track as "the best handling car available at any price"--in their tests beating the Ferrari 308 and Corvette C4, sporting an engine with only half as many cylinders, much less power, and a substantially smaller price tag.
Last edited by O. L. T.; Sep 20, 2003 at 07:17 AM.
