new to me 85.5 Porsche 944

[Chad11491]

so, with all the news of the next Z going TT again, and deciding to pay off my student loans instead of getting into another loan for a car, I decided to look for another older sports car. I tend to really prefer older cars, as I prefer simple, bare bones, to the point sports cars that do what they're designed to do, and don't come with three billion computer systems and butt warmers with an espresso machine in the dash. That's why I like the 86 so much I think.

So I set about looking for a 944. I've always thought they were one of the most beautiful Porsche's ever made (sorry, a 911 looks like a stretched beetle to me).

So in short:

1985.5 944
~60k original miles
damn good condition for a 30 year old car
prepurchase inspection shows it to be in perfect shape
I thought I got a steal at $3500, but check the other thread on here for a true haggling pro!




It's stone grey metallic with a black/tan leather interior.

Plans so far are:

MAF conversion
Cat delete
Performance Chip (944 version of tuning)
koni suspension
Weltmeister sways
corner balancing and alignment this week
new timing belt and water pump (just for my peace of mind)
full detail and touchup of two rock chips on the front
new short shifter


So I might keep this updated and open as I go on, autocross starts here on 2/28 , so I'd like to have it at least a little prepped by the time that starts. I'll probably leave it stock for now, and take it out and see what I want done, as the suspension feels damn good as is.

more pics soon !

[ripper]

nice pickup. car looks great and love the color.

these are great little cars but be prepared to spend the money you saved on new porsche prices to fix it up.

[Chad11491]

It has all service records since original purchase and all maintenance has already been done last 10k miles everything works, but I'm replacing the timing belt and water pump out of peace of mind. Besides the clutch there's nothing really expensive on these cars that I've found so far, besides the one purpose tools. But thanks! I'm bracing for the pain haha.

[Tcoat]

It seems so weird to me to think that a 1985 car is a classic!
True but still sounds weird!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[dem00n]

That's a great find, i always loved the 944. Never thought I'd see one with shiny paint for under $5000!

[Dave-ROR]

Love these. Hate their shifters and other issues of course.


Nice find though! I've often thought about getting a Turbo S or an S2 as a fun toy.

[strat61caster]

Originally Posted by Dave-ROR

Love these. Hate their shifters and other issues of course.


Nice find though! I've often thought about getting a Turbo S or an S2 as a fun toy.

With how good a performer those two are they're quickly slipping out of 'toy' territory, seems like all Porsche's are climbing in value...

http://bringatrailer.com/listing/1990-porsche-944-s2/

[Zanwald]

Porsche started as a beetle clone so it's funny that you say that..

[Chad11491]

Originally Posted by Dave-ROR

Love these. Hate their shifters and other issues of course.


Nice find though! I've often thought about getting a Turbo S or an S2 as a fun toy.

The throw for 2nd is so incredibly long I have missed it once or twice already. I agree there, and I'll be installing a short shifter (which is in the rear of the car, and actually super easy to do) which says it cuts throws by 30%

How about looking at an S though? Apparently from what I've read they're actually as fast as the S2 just due to being a few hundred lbs lighter, and they go for 4-7k instead of 8-12k

[Amir Ghadiri]

You did get a steal on this car! Mine may have been cheaper but yours is in MUCH better condition!

Also, using your stock Porsche top hats the stock front suspension off the FRS/BRZ may be a direct bolt on and should give a nice drop as well. I measured everything yesterday and it seems to check out. You may be able to pickup used front struts/springs from an FRS for fairly cheap so it could be a great alternative to coilovers. For the rear a t-bar adjustment should give you a fair drop.

I'm going to tackle the suspension this weekend so I'll let you know how that goes!

[f0rge]

That car looks super mint for $3500, I'd consider that a steal.

I've been looking at these as a potential "track car". How's the power/acceleration? 150hp?

[Amir Ghadiri]

Originally Posted by f0rge

That car looks super mint for $3500, I'd consider that a steal.

I've been looking at these as a potential "track car". How's the power/acceleration? 150hp?

Power is good for what it is. I purchased mine as a track car and it seems to be a good alternative to a Miata.

[Chad11491]

Originally Posted by Amir Ghadiri

You did get a steal on this car! Mine may have been cheaper but yours is in MUCH better condition!

Also, using your stock Porsche top hats the stock front suspension off the FRS/BRZ may be a direct bolt on and should give a nice drop as well. I measured everything yesterday and it seems to check out. You may be able to pickup used front struts/springs from an FRS for fairly cheap so it could be a great alternative to coilovers. For the rear a t-bar adjustment should give you a fair drop.

I'm going to tackle the suspension this weekend so I'll let you know how that goes!

That sounds great! I'd love to know how that works out!

[cdrazic93]

Originally Posted by Amir Ghadiri

Power is good for what it is. I purchased mine as a track car and it seems to be a good alternative to a Miata.

Ofcourse it is when you steal it for $400 lol