Talk me out of an '86 NA w/166K miles.
11-24-2020, 07:47 PM
#1
Intermediate
Thread Starter
Talk me out of an '86 NA w/166K miles.
It's had a lot replaced, comes with a lot of new parts, and what seems to be a knowledgeable honest owner.
I have DIY experience and access to general local shops and mechanics for free. No Pcar expertise between us though.
I will weekly drive this car, errands, etc. A/C running most of the time, let's say 5K local miles a year.
What's the most likely big expense?
Make no mistake I want something me and the kid can work on while I drive it, and being a child of the 80s this is one of my dream cars.
What say the collective wisdom of Rennlist?
I have DIY experience and access to general local shops and mechanics for free. No Pcar expertise between us though.
I will weekly drive this car, errands, etc. A/C running most of the time, let's say 5K local miles a year.
What's the most likely big expense?
Make no mistake I want something me and the kid can work on while I drive it, and being a child of the 80s this is one of my dream cars.
What say the collective wisdom of Rennlist?
The following 3 users liked this post by uniquenamehere:
11-25-2020, 09:13 AM
#3
Rennlist Member
When was the timing belt last replaced? Was the water pump replaced at the same time (less of an issue than on other cars, but still...)?
Clutch replaced recently? How does the wiring harness look?
Those are the big ones on my radar. I think that with good upkeep these cars aren't going to kill you economically. Compared to other Porsches of the same vintage, these are quite basic beasts and, so long as you take the older school approach to car maintenance of staying on top of consumables for the engine and drivetrain, I expect the car will take care of you for what you describe. There are, for sure, some niggling things that might be annoying but if you're willing to get in and work on some things yourself I don't think you'll go wrong.
Good luck
Clutch replaced recently? How does the wiring harness look?
Those are the big ones on my radar. I think that with good upkeep these cars aren't going to kill you economically. Compared to other Porsches of the same vintage, these are quite basic beasts and, so long as you take the older school approach to car maintenance of staying on top of consumables for the engine and drivetrain, I expect the car will take care of you for what you describe. There are, for sure, some niggling things that might be annoying but if you're willing to get in and work on some things yourself I don't think you'll go wrong.
Good luck
The following 3 users liked this post by pfarah7:
11-25-2020, 03:26 PM
#5
Rennlist Member
Easy to work on is a plus
If higher mileage parts have been replaced it makes it easier
Its a driver not a show car
They are fun little funky cars that are gaining in popularity
If you cant do some of the work yourself dont do it!
If higher mileage parts have been replaced it makes it easier
Its a driver not a show car
They are fun little funky cars that are gaining in popularity
If you cant do some of the work yourself dont do it!
The following users liked this post:
mazdaverx7 (11-26-2020)
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11-25-2020, 09:19 PM
#8
Race Car
Congrats, holler if you get stumped.
I go north from Baton Rouge area to Hot Springs and Nashville several times a year (leisure) and might be able to stop and look.
North La...., east/west or central...?
I go north from Baton Rouge area to Hot Springs and Nashville several times a year (leisure) and might be able to stop and look.
North La...., east/west or central...?
11-26-2020, 12:00 AM
#10
Intermediate
Thread Starter
From the seller:
Complete:
6/24/20 Trans fluid change (red line MT90)
6/25/20 radiator fluid flush (peak)
7/1/20 New radiator fans
6/20/20 hood and hatch gas struts
6/10/20 front kicker speakers
6/10/20 Blaupunkt radio installed
Led headlight change
Redline shift boot cover
944 only shifter
944 only short shifter kit
944 only shifter rubber replacement
944 only throttle response kit
944 only carbon fiber key set
eBay shifter vibration dampers
3rd brake light bulb replaced
Both front turn signal bulbs replaced
7/12/20 mahle LX 63 air filter
7/12/20 Oil change mahle filter & motul
classic performance 20w-50
Not complete but new parts come with car:
Speedometer gear
Vehicle speed sensor.
Power steering suction hose & belt
Pulleys & thermostat
Timing belt
Remaining problems:
Suspension & bushings need refresh
Tie rod ends need replacement.
Power steering boot drivers side leaks badly.
Clutch replacement (if/when it breaks)
AC does not work (drier not connected)
Digital clock doesn’t work
Speedo and odometer don’t work
944 notes
Complete:
6/24/20 Trans fluid change (red line MT90)
6/25/20 radiator fluid flush (peak)
7/1/20 New radiator fans
6/20/20 hood and hatch gas struts
6/10/20 front kicker speakers
6/10/20 Blaupunkt radio installed
Led headlight change
Redline shift boot cover
944 only shifter
944 only short shifter kit
944 only shifter rubber replacement
944 only throttle response kit
944 only carbon fiber key set
eBay shifter vibration dampers
3rd brake light bulb replaced
Both front turn signal bulbs replaced
7/12/20 mahle LX 63 air filter
7/12/20 Oil change mahle filter & motul
classic performance 20w-50
Not complete but new parts come with car:
Speedometer gear
Vehicle speed sensor.
Power steering suction hose & belt
Pulleys & thermostat
Timing belt
Remaining problems:
Suspension & bushings need refresh
Tie rod ends need replacement.
Power steering boot drivers side leaks badly.
Clutch replacement (if/when it breaks)
AC does not work (drier not connected)
Digital clock doesn’t work
Speedo and odometer don’t work
11-26-2020, 08:30 AM
#11
Nordschleife Master
...Remaining problems:
Suspension & bushings need refresh
Tie rod ends need replacement.
Power steering boot drivers side leaks badly.
Clutch replacement (if/when it breaks)
AC does not work (drier not connected)
Digital clock doesn’t work
Speedo and odometer don’t work
Suspension & bushings need refresh
Tie rod ends need replacement.
Power steering boot drivers side leaks badly.
Clutch replacement (if/when it breaks)
AC does not work (drier not connected)
Digital clock doesn’t work
Speedo and odometer don’t work
Clutch job is tough but doable without a lift. If you are hearing grinding noises on deceleration you should probably do torque tube bearings wyit.
Power steering leaks are common but there are options for manual steering and it’s not a difficult job to swap power for manual.
If the issue with the AC is the evaporator then you have a huge job ahead of you.
Check for leaks at the back of the balance shafts and oil sump gasket. If you do have to do a sump gasket that’s another huge job that usually involves rod bearings wyit.
If there is no record of the vacuum lines being replaced you should treat that as a priority to keep it reliable. Removing the intake to do this job is usually a revelation, the wyit jobs are all the hoses under there, the IAC mounts and the AOS seals.
Good Luck!
Last edited by MAGK944; 11-26-2020 at 08:31 AM.
11-26-2020, 09:42 AM
#12
Intermediate
Thread Starter
Front suspension is easy to do on an 86, even the dampers just screw in. Fit 968 caster blocks wyit. The rear is more difficult due to the spring plate bushes.
Clutch job is tough but doable without a lift. If you are hearing grinding noises on deceleration you should probably do torque tube bearings wyit.
Power steering leaks are common but there are options for manual steering and it’s not a difficult job to swap power for manual.
If the issue with the AC is the evaporator then you have a huge job ahead of you.
Check for leaks at the back of the balance shafts and oil sump gasket. If you do have to do a sump gasket that’s another huge job that usually involves rod bearings wyit.
If there is no record of the vacuum lines being replaced you should treat that as a priority to keep it reliable. Removing the intake to do this job is usually a revelation, the wyit jobs are all the hoses under there, the IAC mounts and the AOS seals.
Good Luck!
Clutch job is tough but doable without a lift. If you are hearing grinding noises on deceleration you should probably do torque tube bearings wyit.
Power steering leaks are common but there are options for manual steering and it’s not a difficult job to swap power for manual.
If the issue with the AC is the evaporator then you have a huge job ahead of you.
Check for leaks at the back of the balance shafts and oil sump gasket. If you do have to do a sump gasket that’s another huge job that usually involves rod bearings wyit.
If there is no record of the vacuum lines being replaced you should treat that as a priority to keep it reliable. Removing the intake to do this job is usually a revelation, the wyit jobs are all the hoses under there, the IAC mounts and the AOS seals.
Good Luck!
Here's my current to-do list.
Buy the car
Powersteering leak and timing belt and now vac hoses,
Clutch this winter
A/C this summer
Why is AC Evap a huge job?
11-26-2020, 09:44 AM
#13
Burning Brakes
Great looking ride! That's a nice chunk of maintenance done to it as well...the shifter upgrade is worth it's weight in gold in my opinion. I couldn't believe what a difference that made. 
11-26-2020, 10:05 AM
#14
Nordschleife Master
Lol wasn’t trying to overwhelm you, just answering your question and giving you scenarios that happen on a 30+ yo 944.
About the AC evaporator on the 1986 and on cars, the evaporator was placed on the production line at the factory and the rest of the car was built around it
Luckily it’s not the evaporator that is usually the issue.
About the AC evaporator on the 1986 and on cars, the evaporator was placed on the production line at the factory and the rest of the car was built around it
Luckily it’s not the evaporator that is usually the issue.Last edited by MAGK944; 11-26-2020 at 10:07 AM.
11-26-2020, 11:26 AM
#15
Intermediate
Thread Starter
Lol wasn’t trying to overwhelm you, just answering your question and giving you scenarios that happen on a 30+ yo 944.
About the AC evaporator on the 1986 and on cars, the evaporator was placed on the production line at the factory and the rest of the car was built around it Luckily it’s not the evaporator that is usually the issue.
About the AC evaporator on the 1986 and on cars, the evaporator was placed on the production line at the factory and the rest of the car was built around it
Luckily it’s not the evaporator that is usually the issue.