I'm thinking i might go ahead and buy a 944 this week while on vacation but i dont know much about them. Iv done a bit of research but i'm hoping you guys could give me some insight as to what to look for , common problems , the best years , turbo or non turbo , etc ???

Thanks

 

As with most Porsches, try and get the newest one you can afford. 1989 944 Turbos are the best, followed by the 89-91 944s2. The 86-88 Turbos are great as well, but do not hold their value as well as the last US model year 1989 cars. In 88 they did a Turbo S model with 247hp, LSD, Konis, 928s4 Brakes, all 1989 cars came equipped this way as well. Try to find an 88S or 89. Their prices will range anywhere from $12k for a high mileage one to $35k+ for a clean low milage car or a car with some nice mods done to it. 86-88 (217hp) are anywhere from $4k to $15k depending on the mileage and condition. If you plan on modding, try and buy a car with good stuff done to it already. (Take this from somebody who has put over $50k into a 944 ) I have owned 5 of them.
The 944S2 is a 208hp is a N/A 3.0 16V car. The S2's (like my last race car) run very strong and often times faster than the 86-88 Turbos in PCA club racing stock classes. All of the others (with the exception of the 2.7l 16v 944S) are 2.5l 8 valve cars.
Things to look out for:
1) Make sure the timing belt, rollers and water pump were done recently and get documentation. If not, budget in another $1500-$3k into the purchase price as I would recomend to do them right away and definately every 30,000-40,000 miles.
2) A-Arms. Make sure that they have been replaced recently as well.
3) Clutch (pain in the *** to do at home) and expensive to get it done at a shop.
4) I would not be afraid of higher mileage cars, as long as they have proper documentation and records with recent big thigs like the 3 things I just mentioned and a top end rebuild (if over 100,000 miles) is recomended.
The turbo cars are easy to mod and have great potential to be a good and reliable 350 whp car with the right modifications (and much more if you want)
Great cars, I'll probably buy another 89 Turbo for the track in the future.
Good luck in your search, check the rennlist classifieds section as there are many good cars for sale over there that have been maintained by real enthusiasts.

 

I saw the thread, very nice. You should post more pics of it in the For Sale thread.

 

pictures pls!