Forums » Grassroots Motorsports » Tell me not to buy this 1 2

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  Aug. 18, 2011 9:41 a.m. penultimeta None

  So my neighbor is selling his '86 Porsche 944 turbo. It has 48K original miles, but a decent amount of interior and exterior ware. The dude's asking 8k but I can probably talk him down. I haven't test driven it yet because I know if I do and everything seems in good working order, it will have a new home shortly. Anyway, it would be extremely financially irresponsible of me so I need someone to talk me off this meat wagon.

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  Aug. 18, 2011 9:42 a.m. bravenrace SuperDork

  At first impression, the price seems high to me, but it depends on the actual condition. The mileage is appealing, but why does it have so much wear if that's all it has?
  I'm telling you "not to buy this". That's what you asked for, correct?

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  Aug. 18, 2011 9:50 a.m. penultimeta New Reader

  Indeed. The wear looks like it's due to the fact that it's been sitting outside in Maryland winters for the better part of 25 years.

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  Aug. 18, 2011 9:51 a.m. Giant Purple Snorklewacker SuperDork

  Do not buy that.

  Lord of drivel and harbinger of Floundering

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  Aug. 18, 2011 9:54 a.m. pigeon Dork

  Do not do it. I sold mine in good mechanical shape but bad exterior and interior for 3k recently and I'm happy to have done so. It was eating me alive.

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  Aug. 18, 2011 9:55 a.m. alfadriver SuperDork

  Do not buy that.

  However, post a little better description where you are, so that a GRM poster can do the deal....

  (yea, and $8k seems like a lot... )

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  Aug. 18, 2011 9:56 a.m. Ian F SuperDork

  That sounds REALLY high. There's a 944 Turbo near me with a $4500 asking price, although it does have a few more miles and I don't really know what condition it's in other than the extrerior and interior are in reasonable condition.

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  Aug. 18, 2011 10:00 a.m. noddaz New Reader

  Offer him $3500 or don't do it at all...

  why doesn't my car run like that?

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  Aug. 18, 2011 10:35 a.m. HiTempguy Dork

  Wow, never thought I'd see the day GRM would suggest NOT buying a car.

  Clearly, Porsche 944 is rarely the answer!

  Rallying; It's like skydiving, except you have to dodge trees on your way down!

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  Aug. 18, 2011 10:42 a.m. DoctorBlade Dork

  I think correct question here is "How big of a money pit do you want to own?".

  "Meh."

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  Aug. 18, 2011 11:10 a.m. belteshazzar SuperDork

  it's simply not a good deal.

  spending money I don't have to buy parts I don't need to impress people I don't know

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  Aug. 18, 2011 11:13 a.m. AngryCorvair SuperDork

  from what i've seen and heard, the '86 has some issues that make it less user-friendly versus the other model years. 8k is about $2500 too much for an '86, even a clean low-mileage one.

  if you're gonna be a bear.... be a grizzly bear!

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  Aug. 18, 2011 11:25 a.m. 4cylndrfury SuperDork

  Porsche selling guy said: ZOMFG guys mkaaaay, its a friggin Porsche, not a Ford Tempo. Its easily worth $8k....cuz its a friggin Porsche. Theyre from Germany ya know. Im not gonna just give the thing away...cuz its a FRIGGIN PORSCHE...mkaaaay

  Real cars only have one header!

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  Aug. 18, 2011 11:44 a.m. rotard Reader

  Don't buy it.

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  Aug. 18, 2011 12:09 p.m. oldeskewltoy Reader

  run away.... very very far away

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  Aug. 18, 2011 12:23 p.m. docwyte Reader

  These are great cars but maintenance intensive. A car that has been neglected will cost you dearly...

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  Aug. 18, 2011 12:43 p.m. Tom Heath Web Manager

  This is the first time in a long time that somebody asked for a "talk me out of this" and actually got one.

  The answer is still Miata, apparently.

  I tried drag racing, but kept blowing the apex for turn 2...

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  Aug. 18, 2011 12:54 p.m. pigeon Dork

  docwyte wrote: These are great cars but maintenance intensive. A car that has been neglected will cost you dearly...

  QFT. Nothing more expensive than a cheap Porsche.

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  Aug. 18, 2011 12:59 p.m. FlightService Dork

  Found Boxsters for sale for $6K to $8K range, Why would you purchase a 944 for $8K?

  Does that help your "get me off the meat wagon" dilemma?

  If you knew what you were doing, I wouldn't be here.

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  Aug. 18, 2011 1:21 p.m. Snowdoggie HalfDork

  Maybe you just need to wait until it sits in the driveway a couple of months with no buyers and the price starts dropping.

  This isn't a cheap Porsche....yet.

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  Aug. 18, 2011 2:47 p.m. penultimeta New Reader

  Wow guys. I guess I got what I asked for. For the record though, this seems to be mid range for 944 turbos in the Baltimore/DC region. Under $5K seems to be reserved for non-turbos. Also, I love miatae, I just don't fit.

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  Aug. 18, 2011 5:09 p.m. oldtin Dork

  I like 944s, but not at 8k unless it's a sorted 944 spec car maybe with a trailer. Yeah I know, turbo, but it's 8k and not for a minty one. I sold a perfectly functional 911 for 9k this year, can't wrap my head around that for a 944 turbo. Lots of boxsters in that neighborhood along with e36 m3s and other entertaining options.

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  Aug. 18, 2011 5:43 p.m. turboswede SuperDork

  Yep, as someone who bought a cheap Porsche (924) and has helped friends with their 924's and 944's, I can say that the price is too high for a car with exterior or interior issues.

  For 8K, it had better be damned near perfect. Sounds like it isn't. Sounds like your neighbor doesn't really want to sell it, or is hoping to cash it in for a Boxster or something of similar price.

  BTW, there's nothing inherently wrong with an 86 compared to any other year, provided the front of service work has been done on the engine at a documented interval.

  Also, be aware that the odometer gears are prone to breaking in these cars so many that claim to have low miles, actually do not.

  The mechanical work on these cars isn't too bad to do for a shade tree person, just read the manuals and the online resources and you'll be fine.

  "I can pretty much guarantee that when you were in both lanes sideways you didn't have your turn signal on." - engineerd

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  Aug. 18, 2011 6:10 p.m. mad_machine SuperDork

  while the 944 Turbo (951) is on my bucketlist... actually over that of the Boxster.. I would not buy that one. Maybe if it was Exterior issues (faded paint?) or Interior issues.. but not both for that price

  Be careful of your words, for someone will agree with them. Be careful of your conduct, for someone will imitate it. -Leih Tsu

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  Aug. 18, 2011 6:26 p.m. ReverendDexter SuperDork

  Don't buy it. $8k will buy you a better condition something mo'betta.

  --There is no turd more polished than the Ford Mustang--

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