Tell me why(or not) I want a 1984 Porsche 944

So here's the deal. I have a 91 BMW 318iC its a daily,run of the mill,e30 convertible. For trade offered is a 84 Porsche 944.

Things I like about the E30: I know it, great mpgs, handles like an E30,it's relatively nice.

Things I don't like about the E30: its a convertible and that means a myriad "issues". It's noisy,it's leakyish, it looks a little silly with the top up. In addition, getting into and out of the E30 is akin to getting into a bathtub. Then there is the E30 culture. Maybe I'm too old and maybe I'm too broke,maybe I butter my bread different, either way I just don't "vibe" with the bulk of the E30 gang. (which isn't to say that the information,via said culture, isn't valid or appreciated).

Verdict: If this car were an "i" or "is" I would put up with the "flat-brims" and drive the wheels off it.

Things I like (or think I do) about a 944. ITS NOT A CONVERTIBLE.I drove an 89 rx-7 gtu, effectively a Japanese 944, for about 4 yrs. I liked it pretty well.A friend of mine had a 924 that regularly pulled better than a G in turns according to the g-tech FWIW. It seems like it handled amazingly. Hatchback-ish.

Things I don't like (or think I don't) about a 944. It seems like parts availability may be thin on the ground. upgrades, well Porsche already did all of them, looks like dampers and springs are the upgrades that are feasible.Parts pricing. And what's the story with the whole timing belt thing,It totally confounds me.The best I can figure is, either the Porsche gang has never worked on an interference engine, or the timing belts themselves are made of spiderwebs.

Verdict: Is this a basically(figuratively)a hardtop E30? The performance,parts,pricing differences are negligible. What are my trade-offs?

So for me it mostly a wash. Until we get to the Rag-top. They call them rag-tops for a reason.

Give me your knowledge. connect me to the hive.

Learn me, lea-rnn me-ee, LEARNNnnnn.... MEEEEeeeeeee......

Read the workshop manual Clarks-garage.com to get a sense of how stupid the timing belt solution is on the 2.5L motor.

that said, it's fairly DIY-able, just figure that the parts are expensive and you have to follow the instructions exactly.

There's not much to do to the 2.5 power wise unless you strap a turbo or supercharger to it. Otherwise it's not exactly exciting compared to some of the BMW motors.

Suspension is reversed MK1 Rabbit in the front and Super beetle rear suspension, so upgrades aren't bad if you shop around and DIY things a bit. Check out the 924biard for some ideas on suspension improvements on the cheap.

There's been several threads about these cars and there was a couple of buyers guides in the Magazine.

In reply to Stefan (Not Bruce):Thanks for the input. Yeah, I read the workshop manual Clarks-garage.com. its an expensive(parts-wise) job, but like you said follow the instructions and stuff. As to the motor options, I too see that as a drawback. OTOH I have an Audi 5ktq and a stand alone ecu for it. But a swap is simply out of the question for now.Given that a BMW m42 vs. a Porsche M44.11/12 , 1.8 dohc vs. 2.5 sohc, seems like a push. That suspension info is golden, diy and cross marquee that's right up my alley. All and all both cars received rave reviews for handling, however the Porsche was the " best handling car of the year" in 84 and they had e30's so... I guess I am still torn... the devil you know vs. a Porsche.

Parts prices and availability aren't that bad. You have to mod the engine if you intend to track it. Porsche people are worse than bmw people when it comes to obnoxious and uppity. The 85.5 is much better at ergonomics.

In reply to markwemple:Thanks! I think it looks better too. I read that the 88.5&ups moved the steering wheel higher to improve/reduce the straddling effect. Is it that tight in there? I was kinda hoping that by being in the least collectable/desirable Porsche club I might even be forgiven an occasional Porsch and avoid some of the pretense.

Eh, stick to the older Porsche owners and avoid the ones with the newer cars and they aren't bad. The autocross and Spec944 racers are also generally cool and generally willing to lend a hand.

Heh, I've been researching swapping an Audi 5-pot into my 924, just haven't found any decent motors in the area. Already have the bell housing, spacer and 20v intake, I case you get more serious about going that route. Just missed a complete, running 7A not too long ago :/

I think you can adapt a Vanagon tilt column with some work, but with racing seats it's not a problem for me. I'm not exactly tall though :)

For street driving the stock seats are fine. With a helmet I did not fit so aftermarket seats fixed that.

I hear doing a clutch on a 944 is a nightmare/very expensive.

In reply to bustedplug: I love my 944 (1989 944 S2 coupe). Well designed, reliable, comfortable, practical, and I think it still looks and drives great. I have found most people in the Porsche community to be very helpful and friendly.

jamscal wrote: I hear doing a clutch on a 944 is a nightmare/very expensive.

The parts are expensive, but the work isn't too bad after doing your research and learning the tricks.

I would suggest doing it after buying the car and just combine it with an engine pull to check the seals, replace the belts and hoses, etc. Makes the process much less painful and you end up with all of the major maintenance and expense out of the way.

Thanks for all the comments and insight (Stefan (Not Bruce),markwemple,dean1484,jamscal,Danny Shields).So after much research and internet sleuthing, I think not only do I like a 944 better than a convertible, but I think I like it better than an E30. The maintenance and various other peccadillos of the Porsche, seems largely overblown. Really how hard can it be, I do own an Audi 5ktq which has some of its own "mystique". The Porsche is wider by a fair margin, and while an e30 is no mx5 its small and made smaller by the frame supports of the convertible. Power, handling, and economy are all near enough to make no difference.And so, Now we wait. Wait until the Porsche can be seen and driven. Measured of its own merits and then compared to my E30 which needs nothing. Well nothing except a roof.

I prefer the 85 1/2 and newer cars. Interoir is nicer, HVAC works better, and generally have a more modern feel about them. Still slow in a straight line however. Buy a nice one to start with, its not worth fixing up one thats a mess.

I actually prefer the older interior, but that's just a personal thing and it depends on whether you're planning on it being a DD or a track car.

Unfortunately, all of the dashes crack so there's no benefit there.

I think 994/1 interior is kinda A1 scirocco-esque.I can see a golf ball shift knob working in there.

In reply to bustedplug:

Considering the 924 was originally a VW/Audi project that was dropped by VW then taken over by Porsche, while VW went forward with the Scirocco....One could say, yup! Lots of VW and Audi DNA visible in the 924 and 944/1 and if you squint it's still visible all the way up to the 944 S2/968, just hidden under Porsche aluminum castings and tweaks.

Hell, they all use an Audi FWD transaxle in the back with two bell housings. 944 folks look really confused when I point out that my 924 has a Porsche transaxle and theirs doesn't :)

Soo... after waiting for the stars to align. The meet up was set and, guess what, I got stood up up by the Porsche.As luck would have it interest in the e30 picked up at the same time and it(the e30) now has a new home in Virginia.Now I have neither a Porsche or an e30, and a pocket full(semi-full)of loot. I guess I need to start a what car thread? Anyhoo... thanks again!

You're better off. Nothing like a slow car that's expensive to maintain.