Planet 9

PHAHEEM · #1 07-10-2008, 10:19 PM

What kind of things should I look out for? I've heard that the 924/944 are a pain in the a$$ to maintain, but I'm finding some decent deals on craigslist.

Do any of you have any experience with these cars? Would they make reliable, useable daily drivers?

What about the 914?

Any advice/suggestions/input would be appreciated!

968PORSCHE · #2 07-10-2008, 11:13 PM

How much do you want to spend? I have a high mileage 968 that I'm selling soon for $12K. It's been a good daily driver for the last 10 years. They are harder to find than a 944, but I think worth it. Last of the breed and all.

PHAHEEM · #3 07-10-2008, 11:56 PM

Originally Posted by 968PORSCHE

How much do you want to spend? I have a high mileage 968 that I'm selling soon for $12K. It's been a good daily driver for the last 10 years. They are harder to find than a 944, but I think worth it. Last of the breed and all.

That's outside of how much I'm willing to spend- most I've found on craigslist have been ~$5k - and in pretty decent shape

***TX-KmanS*** · #4 07-11-2008, 07:41 AM

I have a 1982 944 and it is in remarkable shape; they really are a top quality car. One item to note is that the odometers in these cars had a history of not working from time to time, so there is a good chance that the mileage you find on a used car might not be accurate. Additionally the parts on them are expensive. The 944 I own is a hand me down from my father, the original owner. He took great care of it but it needs lots of work to bring it up to original condition. Lots of small stuff but the parts are really killing my project. They are without a doubt a great ride, but be prepared to spend some $$$. Also, mine is not a turbo, so I am spending more on the restoration then the car is worth; but this car has sentimental value so I don't care. If you're going to decide on a 944, I'd get a turbo. They are worth more.

***Stephen_the_Red*** · #5 07-11-2008, 09:16 AM

I have a 1975 914 1.8l - I've driven it to/from work and it is a chore. No power anything, so it is a workout for your arms and legs. Not having power steering and power brakes/ABS can be a dangerous situation in heavy stop-n-go traffic. And, finally, living in Houston area, not having A/C means the car is not a DD during most of the year (LOW temp of 75+ in the morning, highs into the mid- to upper-90's).

Would not recommend a 914 for a DD. But fun out on the road on cool weekend mornings!

**STLPCA** · #6 07-11-2008, 10:26 AM

If you're looking for an inexpensive to buy, inexpensive to maintain and reliable DD, spend your $5,000 on a Honda. A $5,000 Porsche will become either your hobby or your albatross depending on how much you like working on it.
I suggest you post your question on the appropriate Rennlist forum, or at least search there. Good luck.

gmsracing · #7 07-11-2008, 11:14 AM

Rennlist is your friend. There is nothing more expensive than a cheap Porsche. You are much better off finding a maintained car and spend a little more on it rather than a cheaper tatty car. I bought a nice 951 (944 turbo) 4 1/2 years ago and was using it as a weekend type of car. I put about $10k into it during that time and I did a lot of the work. Great cars but they are getting old and due to their lower purchase price many people buy them who can't afford to fix them. OR they try to fix them themselves and goof things up. Just doing a clutch on a 944 can run $2500 at a shop because you have to remove the transmission, torque tube, etc. If you use the factory timing belt tensioning tool, they run about $700 now just for the tool. They do have cheaper alternatives fortunately. If you can afford an S2 they make good daily cars, but they have the additional maintenance of the cam chain and the chain guides. The 944 series is a modern car when you compare it to a 914 or a 911 from the '80's. They actually have heaters and air conditioners that work when they are functioning properly! Their ergonomics are actually quite good and in someways better than the Cayman's. (At least for my body size.) You can tell they were designed by 6' tall Germans!

**70Sixter** · #8 07-11-2008, 12:10 PM

Personally I don't see any of them as a DD. Project cars, weekenders, track vehicles maybe. I had a 944 and loved the balance, but as others have noted some parts are really expensive. At all cost avoid the 924 Turbo!

I think with some initial investment a 914-4 is the one most likely to be maintained and repaired w/o a 2nd mortgage. What with its 411/412 VW power plant. Be aware they can be addictive!

PHAHEEM · #9 07-11-2008, 12:32 PM

Originally Posted by gmsracing

Rennlist is your friend. There is nothing more expensive than a cheap Porsche. You are much better off finding a maintained car and spend a little more on it rather than a cheaper tatty car. I bought a nice 951 (944 turbo) 4 1/2 years ago and was using it as a weekend type of car. I put about $10k into it during that time and I did a lot of the work. Great cars but they are getting old and due to their lower purchase price many people buy them who can't afford to fix them. OR they try to fix them themselves and goof things up. Just doing a clutch on a 944 can run $2500 at a shop because you have to remove the transmission, torque tube, etc. If you use the factory timing belt tensioning tool, they run about $700 now just for the tool. They do have cheaper alternatives fortunately. If you can afford an S2 they make good daily cars, but they have the additional maintenance of the cam chain and the chain guides. The 944 series is a modern car when you compare it to a 914 or a 911 from the '80's. They actually have heaters and air conditioners that work when they are functioning properly! Their ergonomics are actually quite good and in someways better than the Cayman's. (At least for my body size.) You can tell they were designed by 6' tall Germans!

Yikes. There goes that idea. I'll probably take that $5k and throw it into a Honda and average ~30+ MPG. Thanks for the advice fellas!

**70Sixter** · #10 07-11-2008, 02:25 PM

After my previous posting my Panorama showed up in the mailbox. Excellent article about the 911SC as a driver or "hobby" car that would not be qualified for any kind any kind of showcar status.

While a rough SC probably is at the $5k level, the piece is a good read for someone considering a second sports car. There cars have racked up a lot of mileage for some owners.

Of course rebuilding a 911 motor is very expensive if you happen to have a problem. As they say One aww sh*t wipes out 50,000 happy miles.

Cayman2 · #11 07-12-2008, 07:05 AM

I have owned 2 914's in the past a 1.7 & a 2.0. They're a blast to drive but I don't know how it would be as a dd in the S.Cal. traffic and heat. In Boston area I never had much of a problem and still wish I'd kept my 914 2.0 .

blami · #12 07-12-2008, 11:35 AM

I've owned both a 914 and a 944, using each as track and weekend toys. As such they were fine, but I would not want either one as a daily driver given the cost of parts and repair.

Since you are considering 2 seater sports cars as a daily driver might I suggest a Mazda Miata? Lots of them around to choose from, parts are readily available, and both the cars and parts are priced right. You also have the advantage of a wide range of after market go-fast items, an active club, and plenty of tech advice available.

Just a thought. I've never owned a Miata but have spent plenty of time on track with them and their owners who seem to enjoy them a great deal.

Bart

**mrodriguezoasis** · #13 07-28-2008, 02:15 PM

Originally Posted by PHAHEEM

Yikes. There goes that idea. I'll probably take that $5k and throw it into a Honda and average ~30+ MPG. Thanks for the advice fellas!

that sounds like a good idea. My friend has both the 944 turbo and non-turbo and both of them are money pits

markstudy · #14 07-28-2008, 02:25 PM

AutoWeek July 28th page 7
Volkswagen plans lightweight back-to-basics mid-engine, with Audi playing a part in the development of the aluminum chassis ...fueling speculation that a R4 might be developed off of the same platform...Porsche has shown interest in the new project opening the way for a possible resurrection of the 914. Look for VW to show concept version in November at LA auto show.

Cliffh93 · #15 07-28-2008, 02:42 PM

The only reliable $5k daily driver I know of is a bicycle, or perhaps a scooter.

Old Miata's are pretty solid cars, but drive it every day and you will spend money on it.

Dirty Evo · #16 07-28-2008, 07:06 PM

I bought a 1994 Mercury Sable wagon 2 years ago for $2800. only had something like 45000 original miles.... was perfect and great reliable daily driver for one year.

Probably not what you were looking for, but its possible to get a great driver for cheap. Had the coldest A/C I have ever felt. Was better than a bicycle!!

Miss that thing a bit!! Was an odd car to drive between the Evo VIII and the Mini Cooper S covertible and the new Cayman S... one of these things is not like the other...

I imagine it would not do so well at the track though...

**Atlas_Croc** · #17 07-28-2008, 08:22 PM

I don't think there is a $5k 944 that won't cost you at least another $5k within a years time.

The biggest thing people forget about when buying a used Porsche,...no matter what year or model,....is that parts (and labor) are priced as if they were new. Some parts for a 944 will be just as expensive as a 997 turbo part. Labor rate is the same across the board. A $2500 repair to a 997 turbo owner is a sneeze, it could blow a 944 owner out of the water.

My first Porsche was a '94 968......great car and makes a nice daily driver, but it still is expensive to maintain. Lots of fun if you have the extra $$$ though.

PHAHEEM · #18 07-29-2008, 02:41 PM

So I bought a 1991 Honda Civic sedan for $750. 160k miles, engine passed smog without any issues! No check engine lights, no problems! Could use a new paint job and some reupholstery. But I've consistently averaged 32 MPG and fill-ups at ~$42 for the 10 gallon tank it has. Granted, its not the prettiest thing, but for day to day use nothing beats it! Plus it saves lots of wear and tear and miles on my Cayman. Pretty happy with it!

kehr · #19 07-29-2008, 03:25 PM

You did the right thing. Now spend the $4250 you have left on an ECU flash, exhaust upgrade and some track wheels!