Buying guide: what matters with a 944
Records, the lift, the test drive: the key checks before buying a 944, S, S2 or Turbo.
In short: Buy the best example you can afford and have it checked by someone who knows 944s. Without proof of the last belt change, the belt drive counts as unknown.
Records
Complete records matter more than mileage. If proof of the timing belt is missing, there are three options: walk away, have the belts done before purchase, or negotiate the price accordingly and replace them straight away. A recently renewed clutch is worth paying extra for.
On the lift
- Timing cover area: oil points to leaking front crank or balance shaft seals, water to the water pump – or, worse, the head gasket.
- Coolant reservoir: a brown, frothy film can indicate oil and water mixing.
- Power steering: check pump, hoses and rack for leaks.
- Exhaust manifolds: cracks and soot trails.
- Engine mounts, heat shields (especially at the starter), oil pan, CV boots and ball-joint boots.
- Fuel lines to the fuel rail: check for brittleness – there have been recalls and engine fires linked to these lines.
On the test drive
Watch idle, oil pressure and coolant temperature (reference values in the table). Idle vibration that disappears towards 1,500 rpm points to engine mounts or an incorrectly fitted balance shaft belt. Clicking from the rear in corners is usually the CV joints. On a Turbo, watch the boost gauge.
More points to check
Rust at the battery tray, lower wings, wheel arches, sills and floor pans; dashboard cracks; operation of the pop-up headlights, windows and gauges; corrosion at the fuse and relay panel. The individual knowledge-base articles cover each point.
Technical values
Only work with the workshop manual and the correct tools. Do not use unverified values without checking them – wrong tension values can destroy the engine.
| Value | Figure | Condition | Status | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Idle speed (warm) | about 900–1000 rpm | – | unverified | [1] |
| Oil pressure, cold at idle | about 4–5 bar | – | unverified | [1] |
| Oil pressure, warm | around 2 bar, never below 1 bar | – | unverified | [1] |
| Maximum boost, Turbo (standard, absolute gauge) | about 1.7–1.75 bar | – | unverified | [1] |
| Timing belt change (guide value) | every 30,000 miles (30–40,000) | The manufacturer's maintenance schedule is authoritative | unverified | [2] |
Sources
- Secondary source Buyer's Guide: Porsche 944 / 944 Turbo
Enthusiast buyer's guide (1998), checks on the lift and on the test drive.
- Secondary source Porsche 944 buying checklist (PDF)
Buying checklist ordered by area.