eamon90

i am looking at buying a mid to late 70s 911 sc or a lat80s 944. i have talked to a guy about the 944, but i have some questions about the 911.
how will the car do around the city in the summer time, will i have to worry about it over heating?
is the car fairly easy to work on if your machanicaly inclined?

theiceman

eamon

I have owned both.. I had an 87 944S and now own a 78 SC. If you are mechanically inclined both cars are easy to work on. I would say my 911 is a little easier as it doesn't have AC and you can really get in their. My 944S was a great handling car, but a broken chain tensioner ruined things pretty good. I would not get another 944 only because I'v done that, not for any other reason. The 911 has its challenges depending on the model year, mine is a 78 and is prone to backfires, oil leaks and other odities, this car seams pretty solid though ( haven't had it long) and as long as I can get help identifying root causes on issues I think I can handle it. The removal of the engine on my 911 looks pretty straight forward but I would never dream of it on my 944 !

Good luck.

Bill Gregory

If you haven't already, you may want to read the 911SC FAQ at tech.rennlist.com.

2002M3Drew

If you haven't already, I would try to get out there (especially right now when the weather is still warm) and drive some examples of 911s and 944s. I think the one thing you'll discover right away is that the 944 is arguably more versitile than the 911. A nicely kept 944 in good working order is a fairly modern GT that also is a competant sports car, autox car, or track car. You can easily drive a 944 in the city in a suit and feel just as at home as you would in a modern sports car (350Z, Boxster, M3, etc.) The 911 will likely strike you as more of a purist machine, with a quirky clutch, upright posture, stiff manual steering, bus-like shifter, non-existant air conditioning and creature comfort items...and unparalleled character, road feel, and drivers experience! I'm not sure I'd want a 911 for city driving myself, but it can be done. The 911 really is a car that wants to play 24/7. Not that it can't do the everyday stuff...it certainly can...it just doesn't make me as happy to use it that way. I think the 44 would make me happier if part of the car's use was to run errands, drive into thhe city, etc.

Both can be expensive to maintain. Popular consensus is that 911s require more initial investment, and perhaps some initial repair costs, but is as reliable as can be reasonably be expected for a 20 somethiing year old sports car. The 944s are noted to be a bargain on the used car market, but are also known to require constant and expensive feeding to keep them running.

Just make sure you give the models themselves a thorough shake down first to decide which road you prefer...nothing more sad than buying a Porsche and regretting the purchase because it didn't meet expectations!

bornrich

I also have had an 87 944S as well as my 81 911SC. I will echo the comments about more service needed for the 944 (at least the S). I had just about all the problems you can have with a 944, 2 steering racks, motor mounts, 2 clutch replacements in 135k miles, timing belt broke at 32k miles ($$), head gasket failed, etc. It was a fun car to drive but I definately enjoy my 911 more. While I have put a lot of money into the 911 it has been for upgrades mostly(brakes torsion bars, sway bars, oil cooler, muffler). I only had to replace the alternator as a repair in the 4 years I've had the car. Just be sure to get a good PPI before purchasing the car.

Saakey

it all depends what you want...to me (personally) a 911 is a "true" Porsche...and is so unique a car that a 944 can never compare to. I know some will flame me for saying this, but if the 944 was a true sports car, then it would still be the kind of car Porsche would be building today. I’d advise to stay away from them...Just my 2 cent ;-)

TRWright

I will agree with you that there is nothing like an air/oil cooled 911.

. . . but your comment about the 944 "not being a true sports car because Porsche doesn't build them today" is a little strange to me. What about the 550, 904, 917, 962, and the 959? Porsche stopped making those cars. Does that mean that they are not real Porsches? I have to respectfully disagree with your post.

eamon90, before we can offer you any solid advice on which car to buy, we need to know what the car is going to be used for. Also, what is your budget? Your should drive both cars and see which one you like better.

Jay H

I'm was not a big fan of the 996's and I will admit I find my 964 watered down a bit as compared to the beloved '86 911 I sold to get the 964. But, I spent 2+ hours of non stop driving in a 10k mile 6 speed 2002 C4S last fall in various traffic conditions from stop and go rush hour to highway cruising at 80+ mph to curvy backroads. THAT car was a 911. It did everything well and it even changed my mind on late model 911's. Braking was insane, grip was very high, power was intense, it sounded great and the seats fit like a glove. I was lost behind the new switchgear, but got to learn things quick enough. Even in super common silver over black, that car still got looks in the major city I was driving it in.

My point is, don't be too quick to condem the newer cars. I fully agree a lot of the feel of the old cars has been lost. But considering the current crop of new 911 buyers and their demands for luxury, comfort, the need for navigation systems to drive across town and rediculous other options that are not needed in a sports car, we still have a 911 being produced that has some soul left.

Sorry to pull this a bit OT...

Jay
90 964

avainio

Both are great cars. I spend much more time in my 944 Turbo because the car is so much fun to drive and will run circles around my 911. Any car can cost lots to fix if you get one that needs fixing. If you get a well maintained car, either one should be dependable. Most non Porsche people are going to identify the 911 as a Porsche, fewer will recognize the 944 as quickly. If that matters to you, it's a factor. Otherwise, drive as many of them as you can to get a feel for what you like. You don't need to rush into getting a car. If you do, the right one will show up later.
Arne.

eamon90

thanks for the help.
my budget wouldnt be that high maybe 6k. the car wouldnt have to be in fantastic condition because it would be a car my father and i would work on. working on the car would be no problem, my dad has worked on cars his whole life including recently 1975 MGB which he is restoring and a mini cooper s. i am also good friends with a guy who his dad works at a porsche/mecedes/BMW shop he agreed to look at the car before buchasing it. it would be mainly driven around town to school and on the highway sometimes.

LaughaC

My '77 911S gives me an amazing feeling of freedom. I drive it every day and the feel of the road is like talking with an old friend. In heavy traffic I'm a little nervous about big trucks, but otherwise enjoy every minute of it. Overheating has never been a problem and I run the air conditioner often.

By the way, I've been told by a Porsche veteran that my A/C works better than any other 911 he has seen. It is a completely new system with a radial compressor and hi-tech hoses.

smshirk

I hope you take this in a positive way. I wouldn't recommend buying a 6k Porsche of any vintage. You get what you pay for and 6k will buy you a whole lot of trouble. For 6k you can get a reliable Miata, Eclipse, an 80s vintage Supra, etc. those cars are pretty reliable and not overly expensive to repair. I've had 4k worth of repairs on my 94 968 in the last year and it's a pretty good car. Stuff just wears out and it costs a lot to fix Pcars.

2002M3Drew

Actually, that isn't bad advice at all. I happen to own a Miata as a 4th car, and it's just about perfect. It never breaks, it's totally economical to run, upgrade parts are dirt cheap...heck, even a brand new crate motor (should you ever need one) is less than $1500. It's fun to drive, has a fully adjustable factory coilover suspension...I could go on all day about how great it is to drive. You could pick up a really nice one for $4,000, and have plenty of money to play, not fix. $6,000 for a Porsche will get you nothing but a problem waiting to happen.

eamon90

are you saying a 6k porsche 911 is a bad i dea, or any porsche for that matter?
i have talked to a huge porsche enthusiast,he was saying that i could pic up a 944 in good condition for 5k.
not trying to start an argument.

redtdi96

Since your DAD is knowledgeble I think you can get well into the club with a high mileage 944 for 6K. You will do all your own work, as I do, and that saves big $$ and you will get a better return / $ spent.

I Third the MIATA, really nice, durable machine.....but it ain't a 911.
I'd say you would need at least 12K to enter the 911 club, that gets you in the door.

The 911 is much easier to work on once you face the fact that you can drop the engine in 3hrs (6 to put back!), gravity is great!. With the 944 you will need a lift to "pull" the engine.