Topic: crossed over to the dark side, bought a Porsche 944
in Forum: General Non-Vette Discussion
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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.
|UPDATED|3/22/2013 6:52:19 AM (AZT)|/UPDATED|
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:
|UPDATED|3/22/2013 6:52:19 AM (AZT)|/UPDATED|
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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
ebo
IT TAKES A REAL MAN TO ADMIT HE BOUGHT A PORSCHE 
Good luck with it.
Dave
Lifetime Member #116
Dave's '82 
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.
Lifetime MemberModerator
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Vette(s): #1-1974 L-48 4spd Cp Med Red Metallic/Black deluxe int w/AC/tilt/tele./p/w-p/b/
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Viel Glück mit ihr. Sie müssen 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 ....
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.
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.
Joel Adams
C3VR Lifetime Member #56 
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"Money can't buy happiness -- but somehow it's more comforting to cry in a CORVETTE than in a Kia"
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.......
ebo
ebo said:
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.......
ebo
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.......
ebojudging from your photo ... you be doin' just fine ....
you can always sell spare firewood !!!
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.
|UPDATED|3/21/2013 3:07:10 PM (AZT)|/UPDATED|
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|
Jim Olson 
"The Toys"...!!! Save the Wave! 
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.
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in Forum: General Non-Vette Discussion
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