I've ignored them for years but am now starting to warm up to these and have been noticing they seem to start at around $2500 and run up to maybe 15 K depending on condition, age and which particular model. I'm thinking more in the line of 944S and would probably avoid the turbos due to potential maintenence issues? Is it reasonable to avoid the turbos? I've only just started researching 944's so have lots to learn about the real world realities of ownership. I understand belt replacement every 30 K is an absolute must. Also for look for rust around the battery tray and walk away if found?
Any other things to be considered? Any suggested resources?
I've owned both turbos and non-turbos, and I say don't be scared of the blower. There is such a difference between the two that it is worth the extra maintenance. The NA is a nice sports car, the turbo is almost in supercar territory. Truthfully, the maintenance is about the same between the two, but it's a more diffcult on the Turbo as you have more to remove to accomplish it. Once up-to-date, I really found no difference.
The problems start however when the maintenance is neglected or it has a bad turbo. On either, records are important and abused ones of either can make you poor.
If I were shopping for them again, the turbo and the S2 would be my real only considerations. Yeah, there's that much of a difference.
I'd also look at 968s, if you can find one and a manual to boot, they seem to be similarly priced or slightly cheaper than a nice turbo.
One thing I noticed is that nice S2s are approaching nice turbos, at least in asking prices. I have driven every model 944 with the exception of the 2.7L N/A and the turbos and out of that bunch my pick would be the S2.
Boxhead is correct. The 968's are probably the best of the breed, but they have been more expensive as well.
Also, my NA was an '89 2.7, and while it is marginally better than the 2.5, it's still nothing like the Turbos or S2's. The biggest difference I could tell was that 2nd gear pull was a lot stronger than the 2.5.
I may be quirky, but I vastly prefer the completely analog feel of my early 1983 with manual steering. Great car. Lightweight, easy to drive, simple to fix.
Timing belt and water pump changes are critical. Every 30K on belts, every 60K on pumps.
A Turbo is fun, but maintenance costs increase exponentially.
At 15K, though, I would say the 968 would be a good bet. A much more refined car. More of a "GT" than my little early 8v car.
If you can do the work yourself don't be afraid of buying one that needs maintenance if you can get it cheap enough. For an NA, $5-6k should get you a very nice example with maintenance records up to date. if it needs belts/wp/rollers/etc. (or if the last time that was done is unknown) and you're willing to do it yourself, I wouldn't spend more than $2k on it. Just to give you an idea, 944online has a nice timing belt/water pump kit that comes with EVERYTHING (both belts, all the rollers/tensioners, wp, cam/crank/balance shaft seals, o-rings, oil cooler seals, etc.) for about $600, and if that needs to be done the cam tower gasket probably needs to be done too, so I'd figure $800-$1000 for parts to be on the safe side. That way you know the engine won't need ANYTHING for a while.
