Ducati Monster Forum

Kitchen Sink => No Moto Content => Topic started by: ducatiz on June 17, 2012, 05:35:49 PM

Title: Talk me out of the 944T
Post by: ducatiz on June 17, 2012, 05:35:49 PM
I have an old bike that I've got for sale.. a 1953 BMW R51/3

A guy who restores stuff has a cherry 1991 944T that he wants to trade, even steven.

It has 50k miles on the clock, he's the second owner.  Original interior, upgraded wheels, mirrors .. It's one of like 10 cars he has, so it doesn't get driven a lot, but he keeps it in great shape.

Why don't I want a 944T???  I mean, other than the age and the cost of maintenance, etc..??

He also has an Esprit and an M3, but I don't like those as much..

(http://i99.photobucket.com/albums/l309/ducatiz/DMF/th_4ebe09a9.jpg) (http://i99.photobucket.com/albums/l309/ducatiz/DMF/4ebe09a9.jpg)(http://i99.photobucket.com/albums/l309/ducatiz/DMF/th_98f0c132.jpg) (http://i99.photobucket.com/albums/l309/ducatiz/DMF/98f0c132.jpg)
(http://i99.photobucket.com/albums/l309/ducatiz/DMF/th_e71275cf.jpg) (http://i99.photobucket.com/albums/l309/ducatiz/DMF/e71275cf.jpg)(http://i99.photobucket.com/albums/l309/ducatiz/DMF/th_0ae32e23.jpg) (http://i99.photobucket.com/albums/l309/ducatiz/DMF/0ae32e23.jpg)
(http://i99.photobucket.com/albums/l309/ducatiz/DMF/th_fae91508.jpg) (http://i99.photobucket.com/albums/l309/ducatiz/DMF/fae91508.jpg)
Title: Re: Talk me out of the 944T
Post by: kopfjäger on June 17, 2012, 06:26:48 PM
Beautiful car, go for it.  [evil]
Title: Re: Talk me out of the 944T
Post by: ducatiz on June 17, 2012, 06:49:29 PM
I'm 95% there.

Missus says we have too much stuff around.  I figure trading a bike for a car is a step down.. lol

That would make 4 cars, and the SLK is for sale... If i could get rid of it before getting the 944 it would be ok.

I need to clear some space out tho.

She doesn't drive stick, which is I think part of the problem.

More pictures soon...
Title: Re: Talk me out of the 944T
Post by: the_Journeyman on June 17, 2012, 07:05:30 PM
That is probably toward the best model of the 944s available.  Yes, you have to be vigilant about timing belt changes, and yes, the transmission setup is different.  I would be happy to have that in my garage.

Jump all over that.  Sorry, not helping.

JM
Title: Re: Talk me out of the 944T
Post by: ducatiz on June 17, 2012, 07:15:34 PM
Quote from: the_Journeyman on June 17, 2012, 07:05:30 PM
That is probably toward the best model of the 944s available.  Yes, you have to be vigilant about timing belt changes, and yes, the transmission setup is different.  I would be happy to have that in my garage.

Jump all over that.  Sorry, not helping.

JM

Timing belt recently changed, along with the tensioners and valves gapped... this guy takes very good care of cars, which is why I'm very reluctant to walk.  he prefers trading to enthusiasts rather than selling...
Title: Re: Talk me out of the 944T
Post by: Le Pirate on June 17, 2012, 08:09:20 PM
I'd say go for it...



but I'd rather have that Lotus....mmmmmmmmmmm  [drool]
Title: Re: Talk me out of the 944T
Post by: ungeheuer on June 17, 2012, 08:23:56 PM
Maybe thinking of it as an LT van coupe would help?

(http://www.cars-directory.net/pics/volkswagen/lt_28/1990/volkswagen_lt_28_2592471_orig.jpg)

Title: Re: Talk me out of the 944T
Post by: ducatiz on June 17, 2012, 08:31:08 PM
Quote from: ungeheuer on June 17, 2012, 08:23:56 PM
Maybe thinking of it as an LT van coupe would help?


That's sort of like trying to imagine that Kristin Bell is Donatella Versace... can't do it...
Title: Re: Talk me out of the 944T
Post by: ungeheuer on June 17, 2012, 08:39:21 PM
Just trying to help  ;D

Its a nice car, go for it  [thumbsup]
Title: Re: Talk me out of the 944T
Post by: Howie on June 17, 2012, 09:08:56 PM
I will not talk you out of it.
Title: Re: Talk me out of the 944T
Post by: koko64 on June 17, 2012, 09:48:07 PM
Quote from: howie on June 17, 2012, 09:08:56 PM
I will not talk you out of it.

+1
Lifes short.
Title: Re: Talk me out of the 944T
Post by: kopfjäger on June 17, 2012, 11:06:51 PM
SFR built 531WHP 944T (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hbBj8xiWmSg&feature=youtube_gdata_player#)
Title: Re: Talk me out of the 944T
Post by: Raux on June 17, 2012, 11:49:16 PM
The question is why not?
Title: Re: Talk me out of the 944T
Post by: Speedbag on June 18, 2012, 04:11:40 AM
If it were me.....there would be a red 944 Turbo in my garage.
Title: Re: Talk me out of the 944T
Post by: iDuc on June 18, 2012, 05:47:14 AM
She will take your money, break your heart, and leave you spoiled for other cars.

Go for it.
Title: Re: Talk me out of the 944T
Post by: ducatiz on June 18, 2012, 05:54:24 AM
I guess when I said "talk me out of it" I meant tell me what's wrong with these cars.

I had a friend with a 928 and wouldn't touch one with a 10 foot pole.  I've never heard anything particularly bad about the 944 cars though, and the fact that this one has been so spectacularly kept makes me more amenable to it.

The SLK has been a pain in the ass anyhow.  I prefer driving the Golf usually, but that's mainly because the SLK has no back seat at all -- nothing.  The 944 has a token back seat, i can probably put a booster in there for the littles.
Title: Re: Talk me out of the 944T
Post by: the_Journeyman on June 18, 2012, 07:13:25 AM
They had most of the kinks worked out by the 90s.  From what I've read (I looked into buying one some time ago) if you have a well maintained one (you do) then there are not really any reliability.  The transmission isn't super stout, so burnouts & clutch dumps will bring definitely head you to transmission problems.  Timing belts are every 30,000 miles and expensive if you have a shop do it.  You're good for now, but be forward looking about that cost.  All in all, there is no huge concerns for one that has been maintained and not beaten on.

JM
Title: Re: Talk me out of the 944T
Post by: ZLTFUL on June 18, 2012, 07:16:25 AM
Quote from: kopfhunter on June 17, 2012, 11:06:51 PM
SFR built 531WHP 944T (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hbBj8xiWmSg&feature=youtube_gdata_player#)

Just to reiterate what Kopf had to say because I am emphatically agreeing with him...
Title: Re: Talk me out of the 944T
Post by: ducatiz on June 18, 2012, 07:19:06 AM
Quote from: the_Journeyman on June 18, 2012, 07:13:25 AM
They had most of the kinks worked out by the 90s.  From what I've read (I looked into buying one some time ago) if you have a well maintained one (you do) then there are not really any reliability.  The transmission isn't super stout, so burnouts & clutch dumps will bring definitely head you to transmission problems.  Timing belts are every 30,000 miles and expensive if you have a shop do it.  You're good for now, but be forward looking about that cost.  All in all, there is no huge concerns for one that has been maintained and not beaten on.

JM

30,000 mile belt changes?

WTF do they use for the belts?  flower petals?
Title: Re: Talk me out of the 944T
Post by: ZLTFUL on June 18, 2012, 07:19:50 AM
Quote from: ducatiz on June 18, 2012, 05:54:24 AM
I guess when I said "talk me out of it" I meant tell me what's wrong with these cars.

I had a friend with a 928 and wouldn't touch one with a 10 foot pole.  I've never heard anything particularly bad about the 944 cars though, and the fact that this one has been so spectacularly kept makes me more amenable to it.

First, not gonna happen. These guys like their weird shit and them, like me, will overlook a whole shitload of drawbacks by accentuating the positives first.  [Dolph]

Second, the 928 is an enigma. They were finicky bastards and it was always hit or miss with build quality. But a fully functioning and hot-rodded 928S is literally sex on wheels. I followed one for about 50 miles even though he was going the opposite way I was going simply to hear the sound of my Monster and the sound of that V8 together...  [drool]
A friend of mine has a 928S and while it is far from pristine, it is fun as shit to drive. But you couldn't GIVE me a regular 928.  [thumbsdown]
Title: Re: Talk me out of the 944T
Post by: ducatiz on June 18, 2012, 07:26:17 AM
So this is a 1990 "952" model.  I should be getting some more pics.  I need to find someone to check it out locally before he ships it...
Title: Re: Talk me out of the 944T
Post by: RC Fan on June 18, 2012, 06:05:08 PM
Quote from: ducatiz on June 17, 2012, 06:49:29 PM


She doesn't drive stick, which is I think part of the problem.



She should learn!  Now is a great time!  Great excuse to get a standard.
Title: Re: Talk me out of the 944T
Post by: DRKWNG on June 20, 2012, 04:14:20 PM
Is he looking to sell the M3?  Got any details on it?
Title: Re: Talk me out of the 944T
Post by: ducatiz on June 20, 2012, 04:18:13 PM
Quote from: DRKWNG on June 20, 2012, 04:14:20 PM
Is he looking to sell the M3?  Got any details on it?

yup.  no details.  ill ask.
Title: Re: Talk me out of the 944T
Post by: DRKWNG on June 20, 2012, 04:58:57 PM
Thanks.
Title: Re: Talk me out of the 944T
Post by: kunkstyle on June 20, 2012, 10:33:55 PM
As a Porsche enthusiast since age 8 (and an owner for a few of those years) I'm thinking it's going to be tough to talk you out of it  ;D

The Turbo S (that's the 952 designation) is a beautiful car and handles like it's on rails, even by modern car standards. The biggest problems I've ever encountered were some the more common minor cosmetic flaws (failed odometer sprocket, failed sunroof sprockets, cracked dash - that one's really common). The only bigger problem I had was a leaking head gasket. Everything else was just regular wear and tear items (clutch, etc)

Maintenance on them isn't horrendous considering the type of vehicle. If you're handy with a wrench they're actually fairly easy to work on (with the exception of some jobs that require rather specialized tools). The biggest downfall is price of parts. Being 20+ years old they're becoming less and less common to find, and pricier to get.

Pelican Parts has a great used buying guide for the 924/944/968 (and variants) here:
http://www.pelicanparts.com/techarticles/944_buyers_guide/944_buyers_guide.htm (http://www.pelicanparts.com/techarticles/944_buyers_guide/944_buyers_guide.htm)

Hope that helps with the decision!
Title: Re: Talk me out of the 944T
Post by: zooom on June 21, 2012, 01:06:11 PM
if it was a 944T s2 Cabriolet...I'd be telling you to do it in a heartbeat...

the only drawback I can say apart from what has been said is doing a clutch on one of those is a pain in the ass...just sayin....

paging porschemonkey to the thread...
Title: Re: Talk me out of the 944T
Post by: ducatiz on June 21, 2012, 01:58:52 PM
Deal is off.....

He is valuing the car too much...   :'(
Title: Re: Talk me out of the 944T
Post by: MendoDave on June 21, 2012, 03:50:01 PM
Quote from: ducatiz on June 21, 2012, 01:58:52 PM
Deal is off.....

He is valuing the car too much...   :'(

Should have traded and then started a thread about your new acquisition.