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Topic: crossed over to the dark side, bought a Porsche 944

in Forum: General Non-Vette Discussion

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crossed over to the dark side, bought a Porsche 944 (1/17)
3/22/13 9:52am

glassic
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Roanoke, VA - USA

Vette(s):
Former--1979 L-48 auto, dark blue, oyster cloth Current--1979 L-82

Joined: 10/20/2011
Posts: 36

Yes, I still have the C3, and hopefully always will. Even though I'm mostly a GM guy, I'm a general car enthusiast as well, and I've been a sucker for the 944's body style since the early 80s.

I picked up an '88 base red/black 5 spd 944 from AZ, in excellent condition with just 91K on it. Full records for the last 8 yrs or so. Some of them aren't pretty, I admit. $1,700 for a clutch replacement!?

I can't deny the build quality, though. It feels like it was built yesterday. And it always seems special, even just putting around in town. In '84, Car & Driver called it the world's best handling car. 50/50 balance, 30 MPG, almost 140 MPH top speed. It always feels polished, smooth, and unruffled. So it's a sports car, an economy car, and a GT all in one.

One guy on Rennlist has a 944 with 550K miles on it! 300K is fairly routine if you stay on top of the upkeep. On the downside, the interference motor needs a new timing belt every 6 yrs. Pricey maintenance for a 4 cylinder with well under 200 HP. Sure runs great, though.

How does it compare to the Vette? The C3 is much quicker and, to my eyes anyway, more flamboyantly styled. The Chevy is more raw and raucous, the Porshe more a velvet glove. I prefer the shifter on the C3. You can slam-shift quickly without an issue, it has some resistance and likes a firm hand, whereas the 944's shifter is so dainty, so effortlessly light, that you can easily crunch it by accidently being too forceful.

I'm sure some of you have had, or have friends who have had, 944s. What were your impressions/experiences, both good and bad? And what are your thoughts on Porsches in general? A 911 and/or a Ferrari 328 or F355 is on my long-term wish list.

Thanks, Bill

Picture 2:

http://www.C3VR.com/member_uploads/15501_15600/15584/Porsche02.JPG

|UPDATED|3/22/2013 6:52:19 AM (AZT)|/UPDATED|

______________
Whoever dies with Jesus in his heart wins.

Click for larger images: 1, 2 or 3

1979 L-82, close-ratio 4 spd, 3:70 gears

Rebuilt to 300 HP

Holley double-pumper, Edelbrock intake, headers

Upgraded suspension, American Racing S200 wheels

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Re: crossed over to the dark side, bought a Porsche 944 (2/17)
3/20/13 9:14pm

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Holland Patent, NY - USA

Vette(s):
#1 *1980 White, Red interior 14,000 mile #2 *1980 Red, Oyster interior 93,000 miles Resto project car, rebuilt to 383 stroker

Joined: 6/3/2008
Posts: 4421

Bill the car sounds nice, plus you can never go wrong with a volkswagon! A senior engineer at work has two 944 and loves them, he and his son actually have one they built for racing. Last year they shipped it over to Germany for a race over there. Have this moved to the non vette area and post some pictures. Does it have a whale tail? ebo

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ebo

Re: crossed over to the dark side, bought a Porsche 944 (3/17)
3/21/13 8:33am

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Flanders, NJ - USA

Vette(s):
1982 Black, ZZ4, Hooker Side Pipes, 3.55 Rear, Rebuilt & upgraded 700R4, All new suspension, brakes, & new Charcoal interior.

Joined: 1/27/2004
Posts: 2552

IT TAKES A REAL MAN TO ADMIT HE BOUGHT A PORSCHE Shocked

Shocked

Good luck with it.

Dave

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Re: crossed over to the dark side, bought a Porsche 944 (4/17)
3/21/13 12:47pm

glassic
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Roanoke, VA - USA

Vette(s):
Former--1979 L-48 auto, dark blue, oyster cloth Current--1979 L-82

Joined: 10/20/2011
Posts: 36

The 944 is pure Porsche-made, no VW fingerprints. As for a whale tail, you're thinking of the 911 model. The 944s look kind of similar to early RX-7s.

I tried to post some pics but the "insert image" and "file upload" never loads up the pic. I might send some pics to a moderator and see if he'll post them for me.

______________
Whoever dies with Jesus in his heart wins.

Click for larger images: 1, 2 or 3

1979 L-82, close-ratio 4 spd, 3:70 gears

Rebuilt to 300 HP

Holley double-pumper, Edelbrock intake, headers

Upgraded suspension, American Racing S200 wheels

Re: crossed over to the dark side, bought a Porsche 944 (5/17)
3/21/13 12:56pm

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Duncanville, TX - USA

Vette(s):
#1-1974 L-48 4spd Cp Med Red Metallic/Black deluxe int w/AC/tilt/tele./p/w-p/b/ Am-Fm/map light National/Regional/Chapter NCRS "Top Flight" #2-1985 Bright Red/Carmine Cp.L-98/auto Member: NCRS, NCRS Texas, Corvette Legends of Texas

Joined: 11/8/2003
Posts: 20128

Viel Gl�ck mit ihr. Sie m�ssen Greman lernen und Freundschaften mit jemandem, der sich mit den Feinheiten der es ist. Soweit ich mich erinnere, sind die Ventilfedern das gleiche wie ein 350 Buick .... Geek

Geek

LOL

Make sure your pics are not too large...that's the main reason for them to not upload. If you are still having a problem, send them to me. You can get my email from my profile. Thumbs Up

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"Money can't buy happiness -- but somehow it's more comforting to cry in a CORVETTE than in a Kia"

Re: crossed over to the dark side, bought a Porsche 944 (6/17)
3/21/13 2:14pm

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Holland Patent, NY - USA

Vette(s):
#1 *1980 White, Red interior 14,000 mile #2 *1980 Red, Oyster interior 93,000 miles Resto project car, rebuilt to 383 stroker

Joined: 6/3/2008
Posts: 4421

glassic said: As for a whale tail, you're thinking of the 911 model. The 944s look kind of similar to early RX-7s.

Yep I was, but now I know what one you have, we had one of those at work also. I think there not paying me enough here....... Wink

Wink

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ebo

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ebo

Re: crossed over to the dark side, bought a Porsche 944 (7/17)
3/21/13 4:57pm

ceastham1
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greer, SC - USA

Vette(s):
C(6-5+2)VR - 1964 convertible 327/365 & 2003 convertible - 50th Anniversary Edition & 2010 3LT Coupe

Joined: 10/15/2007
Posts: 746

ebo said:

glassic said: As for a whale tail, you're thinking of the 911 model. The 944s look kind of similar to early RX-7s.

Yep I was, but now I know what one you have, we had one of those at work also. I think there not paying me enough here....... Wink

Wink

Evil Smile

ebo

judging from your photo ... you be doin' just fine ....

you can always sell spare firewood !!!

Re: crossed over to the dark side, bought a Porsche 944 (8/17)
3/21/13 6:07pm

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Burke, VT - USA

Vette(s):
SOLD - "The Toy" - '70 Convertible
SOLD - "The Beast" - '90 ZR-1 (#682)
SOLD - "Betty" - '28 Ford Model A Tudor
Still have - "BLKBRRD" - '78 Pontiac Trans Am

Joined: 1/23/2002
Posts: 7191

CONGRATS...!!! A neighbor of mine is a dyed-in-the-wool German car guy (BMWs/Porsches) when it comes to FUN cars. Several years ago he found a 1988 Guards Red 944 Turbo w/tan interior out in Wyoming and borrowed my trailer to go out and fetch it. He spent a year or so giving it some TLC before I had a chance to get behind the wheel. With the 1999 911 wheel/tire setup he bolted on and the tweek he did to the turbo that car was a real rocket. It didn't pull very hard off the line but once the RPMs climbed and the "after-burner" kicked in that mini-Porsche would really haul and it would corner like it was on rails.

The day the snow started falling last fall he traded it for a 1986 911 Turbo (930). Can't wait for the white stuff to melt away up here so I can get a ride in that beast...!!!

|UPDATED|3/21/2013 3:07:10 PM (AZT)|/UPDATED|

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Re: crossed over to the dark side, bought a Porsche 944 (9/17)
3/21/13 6:30pm

glassic
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Roanoke, VA - USA

Vette(s):
Former--1979 L-48 auto, dark blue, oyster cloth Current--1979 L-82

Joined: 10/20/2011
Posts: 36

Yeah, I have new 17 inch wheels (stock is 15) and Hankook tires for it. I'm just waiting til the current tires wear down before installing them. I can't imagine how the handling will be with the 17 inchers.

______________
Whoever dies with Jesus in his heart wins.

Click for larger images: 1, 2 or 3

1979 L-82, close-ratio 4 spd, 3:70 gears

Rebuilt to 300 HP

Holley double-pumper, Edelbrock intake, headers

Upgraded suspension, American Racing S200 wheels

Re: crossed over to the dark side, bought a Porsche 944 (10/17)
3/22/13 9:52am

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Eagleville, PA - USA

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Used to own a 1979 Corvette now owned by JB79

Joined: 11/1/2001
Posts: 17637

Here's the pics:

Picture 2:

http://www.C3VR.com/member_uploads/15501_15600/15584/Porsche02.JPG

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C4 Vette Registry, C6 Vette Registry

My first Vette, now owned by JB79:

Re: crossed over to the dark side, bought a Porsche 944 (11/17)
3/22/13 12:39pm

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Duncanville, TX - USA

Vette(s):
#1-1974 L-48 4spd Cp Med Red Metallic/Black deluxe int w/AC/tilt/tele./p/w-p/b/ Am-Fm/map light National/Regional/Chapter NCRS "Top Flight" #2-1985 Bright Red/Carmine Cp.L-98/auto Member: NCRS, NCRS Texas, Corvette Legends of Texas

Joined: 11/8/2003
Posts: 20128

Nun ..... zumindest ist es RED ..... Thumbs Up

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Joel Adams
C3VR Lifetime Member #56
My Link

(click for Texas-sized view!) NCRS

"Money can't buy happiness -- but somehow it's more comforting to cry in a CORVETTE than in a Kia"

Re: crossed over to the dark side, bought a Porsche 944 (12/17)
3/22/13 1:54pm

glassic
Former Member
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Roanoke, VA - USA

Vette(s):
Former--1979 L-48 auto, dark blue, oyster cloth Current--1979 L-82

Joined: 10/20/2011
Posts: 36

Thanks Adam.

See my whale tailed Beetle now, ebo? ;)

______________
Whoever dies with Jesus in his heart wins.

Click for larger images: 1, 2 or 3

1979 L-82, close-ratio 4 spd, 3:70 gears

Rebuilt to 300 HP

Holley double-pumper, Edelbrock intake, headers

Upgraded suspension, American Racing S200 wheels

Re: crossed over to the dark side, bought a Porsche 944 (13/17)
3/23/13 8:55am

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Holland Patent, NY - USA

Vette(s):
#1 *1980 White, Red interior 14,000 mile #2 *1980 Red, Oyster interior 93,000 miles Resto project car, rebuilt to 383 stroker

Joined: 6/3/2008
Posts: 4421

Bill, sweet ride, and I like it in red! It looks like it's ready to go for a curvey burn! Need some nice side profile shots done. We had a VW Jetta that we loved, drove it till the high pressure fuel box started leaking. So miss that car, it was one of the last ones to be made in Germany. My 16 year old daughter will be getting a car this summer, I'm sure it will be a jetta! Have fun with that "Bugger" ........................ ebo

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ebo

Re: crossed over to the dark side, bought a Porsche 944 (14/17)
3/23/13 12:07pm

glassic
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Roanoke, VA - USA

Vette(s):
Former--1979 L-48 auto, dark blue, oyster cloth Current--1979 L-82

Joined: 10/20/2011
Posts: 36

ebo said: Bill, sweet ride, and I like it in red! It looks like it's ready to go for a curvey burn! Need some nice side profile shots done. We had a VW Jetta that we loved, drove it till the high pressure fuel box started leaking. So miss that car, it was one of the last ones to be made in Germany. My 16 year old daughter will be getting a car this summer, I'm sure it will be a jetta! Have fun with that "Bugger" ........................ ebo

Thanks. Yes, I only wanted one in red. Did a one-day Internet search and found one.

I still can't get you completely off the Porsche-VW connection, but your references are at least getting more subtle. :)

PM me your e-mail address and I'll send you some side and interior shots.

______________
Whoever dies with Jesus in his heart wins.

Click for larger images: 1, 2 or 3

1979 L-82, close-ratio 4 spd, 3:70 gears

Rebuilt to 300 HP

Holley double-pumper, Edelbrock intake, headers

Upgraded suspension, American Racing S200 wheels

Re: crossed over to the dark side, bought a Porsche 944 (15/17)
3/23/13 11:30pm

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Moses Lake, WA - USA

Vette(s):
1976 L48 4-spd, Mahogany Metalic exterior, Buckskin interior 350ci/350hp, 3rd owner, fiberglass spring, 255/50-16's Torq-Thrust II

Joined: 4/16/2005
Posts: 2134

I had a 83 Porsche 944 for about 5 years. Sold it last summer though. Was fun as my commuter work car with good mpg. It had a 191K on it when sold. I was the 3rd owner with receipts starting at 70k miles. Yes the clutch change is very expensive to have done. You have to drop the torque tube and trans axle to get to it. So it is a good idea to do other work at the same time its apart. Staying on top of the timing belt tension and replacement schedule is a good idea too. Again its easy to do your self. I almost kept it and was going to turn it into a track toy. It handled so well.

Re: crossed over to the dark side, bought a Porsche 944 (16/17)
3/24/13 11:11am

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Duncanville, TX - USA

Vette(s):
#1-1974 L-48 4spd Cp Med Red Metallic/Black deluxe int w/AC/tilt/tele./p/w-p/b/ Am-Fm/map light National/Regional/Chapter NCRS "Top Flight" #2-1985 Bright Red/Carmine Cp.L-98/auto Member: NCRS, NCRS Texas, Corvette Legends of Texas

Joined: 11/8/2003
Posts: 20128

Hmmmm....expensive clutch jobs, eh? Should'a gone for the 928.....you can change the clutch in those in about 30 minutes, without removing the trans, or torque tube. Never looked under a 944, but my old boat racing partner had a 924...I think it was the same as the 928 as far as the clutch. I could be wrong...this was many years ago.

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C3VR Lifetime Member #56
My Link

(click for Texas-sized view!) NCRS

"Money can't buy happiness -- but somehow it's more comforting to cry in a CORVETTE than in a Kia"

Re: crossed over to the dark side, bought a Porsche 944 (17/17)
3/24/13 4:22pm

glassic
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Roanoke, VA - USA

Vette(s):
Former--1979 L-48 auto, dark blue, oyster cloth Current--1979 L-82

Joined: 10/20/2011
Posts: 36

suncountry said: I had a 83 Porsche 944 for about 5 years. Sold it last summer though. Was fun as my commuter work car with good mpg. It had a 191K on it when sold. I was the 3rd owner with receipts starting at 70k miles. Yes the clutch change is very expensive to have done. You have to drop the torque tube and trans axle to get to it. So it is a good idea to do other work at the same time its apart. Staying on top of the timing belt tension and replacement schedule is a good idea too. Again its easy to do your self. I almost kept it and was going to turn it into a track toy. It handled so well.

That's great news about the high miles. Mine is just 91K and I'll just use it as a pleasure car for maybe 1K a yr.

When I got the 944 a few months ago, records indicated 30K and 7 yrs since the last timing belt change, so I had that done at a sports car specialist shop. They're familiar with Porsches, and the mechanic who worked on it in AZ told me you need a $400 tool to change the timing belt. But, suncountry, if you say you can do it yourself, you're also saying you need no specialized tool, right?

______________
Whoever dies with Jesus in his heart wins.

Click for larger images: 1, 2 or 3

1979 L-82, close-ratio 4 spd, 3:70 gears

Rebuilt to 300 HP

Holley double-pumper, Edelbrock intake, headers

Upgraded suspension, American Racing S200 wheels

Our Sponsors help support C3VR