Is a cheap Porsche 944 a good first car?
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- čas přidán 21. 02. 2021
- Casey Putsch drives a 1984 Porsche 944 that is white with white Fuchs wheels and the black interior with the old dash. Casey talks about what it's like to own and drive a Porsche 944 and if it is a good first car or sports car.
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Bought my 944 as my first car at 17. I saved up and fought to convince my parents. When I bought it I knew how to change a tire and That was it. In my last 5 years of ownership I’ve rebuilt the front suspension, trouble shot many different gremlins and learned about electronics. Put in all brand new speakers, with a modern radio, replaced everything that was broken or wasn’t working, and even added other factory options that my car didn’t come with when I initially bought it. Brakes, starter, every single oil change on time, I just replaced the timing belt and balance belt. In the last 5 years of owning it I’ve put about 35,000 miles on it and it’s about to tick over the 200k mile threshold. I love this car to death and it will never leave my ownership as long as I’m alive lol.
Edit: My car was totaled today. I am beyond heartbroken and shocked. Im alive because of the integrity of the structure and chassis. One of the safest cars I have ever driven. Thank you Porsche.
Is it worth getting it? What are the first things i should look out for when buying one?? Also, are parts expensive?
@@WoozieWookie it depends on the part, a control arm is $20 for an early car, but a fuel pressure damper is $500 so it depends. If this is a car you’re trying to purchase as an investment it’s not the best choice. If it’s a car you’re going to love and keep then absolutely go for it. I wouldn’t buy one unless you have another car you can depend on while the 944 is down. Keep up on oil changes and basic maintenance and these cars can last well over 3-400k miles. I just ticked over 200,000 myself.
Most costly and expensive maintenance is timing belt. If that goes engine goes. 30-45k miles or 3 years is the general rule of thumb. $500 for a Tbelt kit with rollers and water pump, $1700 for labor at a Porsche shop, dealer will obviously be more expensive. If the car doesn’t have history move on. Look for obvious things like overspray, body gaps etc. check the coolant expansion tank for milkshake. Head can be clean but oil cooler seals will leak oil into the coolant system. That’s about a $700 job at a shop or a weekend at home. Every car is different. Pay as much attention to the owner as the car. Are they clean, organized, is the car inside or out even if it doesn’t run etc.
RIP your 944 she was a beauty no more no less
@@skylarkirkland3768 Thank you for the kind words 🙏🏻
@@TakeFlightGarage anyone that has an appreciation for these beautiful timeless cars/being an owner of one or not you/they deserve some hardlined main vein respect as an automotive enthusiast. Beautiful car man.
“Is this a good first car?”
*Yes*
Welll is it really
Compared to a rusty Integra is it really that good? Bang for buck?
You really got that exhaust note dialed-in, Casey. It has a much more authoritative sound. I believe that a 944 looks better than 90% of the cars on the road today. That rear view...
The 944's looks are totally mismatched to its performance, because it looks like it should be good for at least 180 miles an hour
It reminds me of Audi Quattro S1 rally car!! Love the vibe
@@tn18977 lol I have always thought that
I have an 80 924 for my first car. A month into ownership and I needed a new clutch cause it still had the original one. The car has taught me so much about doing my own motor and electrical work
Because they do. :/
The clutch is fun to change eh?
@@Ermy1996 borderline just disassembling the car with that job
@@cumcrete716 yea...mine is on it's way out. Maybe is betted to just pull the engine and do some "while you are in there"
Botch products will teach you a lot about diagnosing electrical problems
Anyone buying the 944 I recommend ask the owner when was the car last time had clutch replaced. Porsche rubber centred clutch are guaranteed to fail and it’s a pain in the rear to replace for someone that’s not mechanical inclined.
Yeah my clutch failed within 2 days of buying the car
My first car needed a CV. That's when I learned how to put a CV in hahahaha
Woah me too i re greased the bearing and re built it
@@straguera4658 the girl that owned it curbed it and it was broken.
Ended up replacing a few things on that car before I got to drive it.
Had to machine and rebuild my Jetta's front end when my bearings fried inside of the housing. That's what happens when you let a broken CV joint go for too long.
I love my vintage front engine Porsches! They're easy to work on, built to last, and fun to drive; a good economical thrill!
I like how you realise yourself making dad jokes and then try to make us enjoy ourselves (that's exactly what we like btw)... Sadly I can't really get a 944 here in Germany for a reasonable price... The driving school here cost me all my money I worked for for 5 years (and I passed both tests (with manual trans) in the first try...) it just sucks living in Germany, where the simple 18 yr old has no chance of getting a 944 because of extreme costs
Ich weine immer, wenn die Preise von vor 5 Jahren und im Ausland sehe :(
@@magnetpull7587 ja... Es ist einfach schrecklich deprimierend...
you can get the ultimate anti snob car
the twingo
@@paulmaartin no thanks, I hope you enjoy your multipla!
@@that_escalated_quickly2720 exactly what a european snob would say
I had one of your topics saved on Mp3 from 2019 and just re-listened again, Depression, brilliant Casey Putsch, thank you!
Hey Casey, I love the vids of the 944. Keep them up. I'm 19 and bought a 944 as my project car and it's definitely been a learning experience, to say the least. But I've loved every minute of it and dollar spent.
Out of curiosity what is the insurance like where you live because I am 18 and the insurance on anything beyond a Ford fiesta is absolutely criminal in the UK so while some nice cars aren't overly expensive running them is impossible due to the insurance
@@bengracey8542 I don’t own a 944, but when I checked the insurance on one I got roughly 80 dollars a month (i’m 19) since it’s an older car, the insurance rate does get lowered because the 944 is going on 30 years now
If you determined enough every car can be your first car
You had me at Psychedelic Furs...
If I was Jeff bezos I would buy every sheepskin seat cover that exists and burn them
Awesome talk Casey! Agreed the 944 is the ultimate driving machine and could take on the 911 back in the day. I have a 89’ 944T in Baltic Blue. It’s drives, shifts and LOOKS amazing!! Iconic car.
My first car and I’ve had it 7 years. I sent a request to join the group. Currently installing the three shifter parts on my car and looking into exhaust options.
My first "nice car" was an '86 944, guards red with black leather and phone dial wheels that I got when I left the navy in 1996.. I still have it.
Got mine in 1998, still have mine too. Would NOT recommend as first car. Way over engineered and difficult to work on (no proper documentation) for a shade tree mechanic.
@@robt8042 I bought a Haynes Manual and then a lot of parts from Pelican Parts. I am tempted to try the 07K swap that Boost Brothers Garage are developing.
they keep going up in value
I've got a 924 in the uk, as my first, picked two up for a grand, super cool cars for a low price
Damn, what a nice ride and conversation with the cool uncle.
Absolutely, I just turned 16 and put some money down and got a 1987 944 n/a, I love it so much it’s the best driving car I’ve ever felt, and driving stick just makes it that much better
My first car was a 79 924 and then I learned what the 928 was and promptly swapped it and made a sleeper. I ended up going thru a phase of 924 and 928s and loved them all. Always drooled but never got the chance at a 44.
Wasn’t my first car but it was my first standard, first sporty car, I can think of no better car to learn to drive fast on. Perfect , godlike handling, enough power to have fun, not really enough to get into serious trouble. Honestly The ideal first car
After that initial "Dad joke" and a promise that it would be the ONLY one, I began to type this comment..... 9 words in and Casey has to apologise for ANOTHER!!
I KNEW IT!!!
I saw a 944 for sale looked up a video and now I’m subscribed. Great video!
i bought my 944 when i was 15 years old after saving up and I got it running for $2500. fast forward 2 years and I could not have been happier with my purchase. i spent lots of time sorting electrical issues but its all worth it after looking at the final product.
Although it's the older brother per-say, my first car was a 1979 924 and it was great. Other than a cooling issue, I loved it. I'm definitely a big fan of that lineage... In the not too distant future, I see myself in a 968.
awesome video mate! appreciate it!
Oh I regret not getting one of these! Love me some Porsche! Great video!
this literally was my first car. pre1985 944. i will always love them. and taught me alot as a first car
I have a 1985.5 944 base I bought from the original owner. It has 66,000 miles and it only leaves the garage on Saturday night. I wish you and I could drive it, only you be the driver, and you will easily become my new best friend. LOL! Great video and you have a great sense of humor, thanks very much.
The shearling seat covers are like period for the 944, and you saw them in Porsches throughout the 1970's and 80's. If you look through old Car and Driver, or Road & Track issues from that period, sheepskin seat covers were very common.
You’ve earned a new subscriber.
I’m a part of the PCA, I’ve owned 996’s, a couple Boxsters, and my current GT3.
But I’ve never subscribed to the “Porsche Master Race” attitude.
These cars are meant to be driven (quickly) and thrown around, and when it comes to the 944’s, I think they hit the nail on the head.
A “Real” Porsche is a car that you enjoy, and a car that you can afford to keep on the road.
Awesome man! Glad you’re here.
I bought a 944 as the first car to teach my son and daughter how to drive a manual gearbox. My feeling was if they're going to learn, let's teach them right along with an appreciation for a real machine (rather than a civic) along with a little edge. Actually, the 944 might have been cheaper to buy than a civic! I can wrench on it (and teach them that, too) so that keeps costs manageable. Looking forward to it very soon with spring in sight!
Another great option that's even cheaper than this is the 924S; it was a short two-year run of the 924 that basically had the powertrain ripped directly out of the base 944 and a few of the exterior bits from it too. I nearly bought one as my first car, a 1987 model in Guards Red with the black leather interior and the 5-speed for $8,500... oh yeah, and it had just clocked 36k on the odometer, so a low-mileage car.
My mother was the only thing keeping me from traveling over to Dallas and picking the car up on site, especially after getting in touch with the owner and figuring everything out with it. She was against it for the fact it was a Porsche and an old one at that with no modern safety features. What a damn shame.
I love driving in the snow 🤣😂
Especially when it's actively snowing hahahahahaha
I'm that way too
@@isaiahjames7628 I think I got it from my dad when he would take me with him plowing in Philly.
Something about a warm truck in the snow when it's snowing is nostalgic to me.
It's also one of the easiest Porsche's to work on (besides the 924's, and the air cooled 911's). The fuel pump is very easy to change. Parts are also everywhere, thanks to VW parts that interchange with other vehicles.
I was 18 when these hit the market. A 911 is still a dream car for me, but I have always loved the 944 and would happily own one and in fact it is the Porsche I am most likely to own given how much 911 prices have spiked.
My first sports car was a 1972 Triumph TR6 I purchased in 1974 and sold it in 1974. It was a pos that never ran correctly having to keep it tuned almost every time I drove it. My second sports car was a 1975 Toyota Celica GT which ran like a top for 6 years until I traded it for a used 1978 K5 Chevrolet Blazer.
Good man! 1967 GT6 myself
Yeti seat cover is just an insulator. You should grab a Dorman seat warmer kit and slide that under the upholstery. I just did both front seats on my mustang myself. It comes with a hi/lo switch and a relay with the heating elements all plug and play. $100 both sides with back warmer too.
😂🤣
Gotta say, really liked the Psychedelic Furs joke.
There was one time I saw two deers crossing the street while I was slowing down for a stop, I immediately shifted into neutral and revved to red line -- lots of pops and cracks. The terror in their eyes were real.
I've been actually searching around for a secondary car/ sports car for the weekends. Think you just sold me on this car.
I saw the Psych Furs about 2 years ago...still killin it..:)
I’m not even a dad and I loved the Psychedelic furs joke 😂
I have your same opinion on snobs, but air cooled 911s are my favorite cars because I actually think they’re amazing.
Flowmaster Pro Series are where it's at. They're straight through but have conical diffusers in them.
More crazy men in 944s, I'm sold.
What camera and mount equipment did you use for the recording of this? It looks so good!
Casey I have a crazy story for you so I recently started subscribing to your channel and watching your stuff so I'm new to your stuff but I've been a huge 944 fan pretty much since I started driving my first car was a 944 and I've had quite a few cars now that I'm 31 and just recently I just finally got my 944 Turbo back then I sold over 7 years ago I believe I unfortunately had to sell the car because I was going homeless and just the other week we managed to accidentally find the same car I sold and bought it back I cannot wait to finish it and drive it again
Your sweater goes with the seat's
I need some help im an 17 year old guy that's been saving up some money by working for quite some time now and im looking for a 944 but im worried that the car parts might be to rare to find or way to expensive can anyone help me out?
My 924S has a very similar sound. It is quite good.
I got a 924 as my first car 3months ago. Still can't believe it
I would love to have one just I live in Hawaii also is it fairly easy to buy replacement parts? Thanks enjoyed the vid
I own my Porsche 944 S2 since over 5 years and it was my first car. Its not the cheapest car in service but its a great car and i never regret the buy.
I’ve been looking at one online, a 1986. The seller is selling it for 8k. Do you think it’s a good idea to check it out?
I love the seats
Borla's sound's great with my 3" stainless exhaust.
It’s my first car and I love it.
Any problems with it yet? Tryna buy it as my first too
@@kamikaze7175 same
"I just don't give a *&#$ anymore and that's the best place to become in life"
Truer words have never been spoken. No really, words to live by.
I feel like you have a lot of old school "hooning-in-a-944" stories - bring some of them to VINWiki or this channel! Id love to hear a lot of just fun stories.
Casey, any chance you'd start working on 944s again? Love your take of this classic. Best...
Here for more Casey rants
whats your opinion on boxsters? Bought one as my first car at 17 for 6k with 108k miles. So far its been pretty good. Automatic though :/ Been having thoughts of selling and buying a manual 944. Do you think that's a smart idea? Car is now at 115k had it for about a year and a half now.
80s 300zx turbo is where its at. I
Very nice!
Does anyone know the insurance group the 944 sits in. For the UK
Gotta love Porsche
I have my 84 n/a for 8 years and still loving it. I will never sell, even for 30K! If necessary I will convert it to electric too!
I've always had a soft spot for a 944 in my heart since I have my 87 RX-7, which was a shameless knockoff of a 944. Been shopping for one lately as I'm between cars and I need a fun car that I can also commute with. Prices are borderline staying reasonable, but the NA 944s are definitely creeping north...maybe a 928...
Nah, the FC RX-7 is its own thing, they weren't trying to copy anybody with that car. It just so happens to be that a lot of cars from that era were mostly wedge shaped
I've had an 87NA for 29 years now (I'm 53). It was my daily driver for the better part of those 29 years. Had to park it due to rust issues (yes, they rust if someone violates the galvanized coating due to an accident) and plan on restoring it. I has over 270K miles on it. It had a 7V LSD transmission and always drove fine in normal snow conditions. I now drive an 86NA almost identical to it. Unfortunately no LSD but I don't have to drive them in the snow anymore. I have 3 others for projects. I've always loved driving the 944 even if it's a bit slow. I'm not racing anyone and I just don't give a fuck any more either.
What tires did you buy, Casey?
In europe the price of a 944 is gowing up year after year🙃but i’m ok.i already have 1😅😍and i love it.it’s a blast to drive
I would LOVE to have a 944 electric conversion, it would perform well, be fun to drive and be good for the environment (and save you a fair bit on petrol cos that 2.7l engine has to be thirsty af)
hell nahhh
How is this as a daily driver? Winter too
Are parts easy to find for this car
hey i have a 1984 944 manual, i'm thinking about putting a auto trans in it and converted. Good idea? Will it fit right in place with no customization? @caseyputsch
Yuck, you want to take the fun out of your car? Manual everything is the best!
@@P1983sche noted!!! After considering, idk what I was thinking! Thanks
Refreshing!!!!!!
Casey what’s your opinion on the 924? I quite like the look of them.
Well, depends. Is not fast but is great, i love mine. If you have any questions maybe i can help
They’re ok!
What about the the follow on model the 968 is that a good car?
It is. Is also 60 grand.
i'm still planning on the 944 being my first car after years
dream car omg
J'ai eu cette voiture 5 ans..et elle était sublime. Ton approche video est très baveux... je la compare a la alpha romeo 4c et a la Lotus elyse avec lesquelles j'ai eu autant de plaisir. Cette voiture etait magnifiquement construite et très performante par rapport a toutes les les voiturettes d,aujourd'hui...
I’m from the uk. Over here I’m regularly seeing 944s being bought from private buyers for £5000 and then being sold at dealers for £10,000. Really annoys me as I don’t have a 944...yet!
Me too so annoying to see the prices rise
@@caddy-coyou in the UK too?
@@Jamesmorley1999 they're rising in the US too. It sucks
@@mattlott8766 that does suck 😒
@@Jamesmorley1999 in italy a nice one is over 20k. Not gonna get better i fear
Conclusion: if you take good care of the car, everything should be fine. (This applies to almost every vehicle)
Cool new intro
Quick question, how tall are you???
Always wanted a 944 S2. Too bad S2 and Turbo prices is going up due to snobs
Engine in the front = enlightenment!
944 in my country is really expensive...,but I still want one🙂
My 1k 944 lost a transmission after 5 months of driving the drive clutches we're damaged so I'm getting a parts car and I'll be getting it drivable again but I'd say yes realistic goals spend more money getting a nicer one because the transmission quote the few I got were around 4k and my cars well not worth 5k even after the transmission getting fixed so don't be like me but I gotta say great car over all had less problems than my 86 300zx and honestly it's been very reliable
1987 Porche 944 vs 2011 Nissan 350z
Debating on what to get. I’m getting told by a lot to get the 350z. I’m conflicted.
Update?
It was my first car. Best first car ever!
I'm currently driving a red 84 944 on cookie cutters as my first car!!!!!
you might have just talked me into a 944 my friend
I would join your Facebook squad, but I don't Facebook. my 84 is red black interior. black Fuchs.
Well my first car is a 1986 944 turbo and I'm still loving it. Mine is probably the only Porsche in history to hit a high altitude air balloon.
?!
@@CaseyPutsch yes my mom was driving it one early morning in fog and hit an air balloon cracked the front bumper and the windshield the company that maid the balloon paid for the damages.
The 944's here in Florida, sell in excess of 12 to 14k for 944 and 928's sell for more. It is unreal. They buy them from Porsche Club owners after they've been fixed up and buy them for about 6 to 8 k and then they sell them for ridiculous money.
Haven’t watched yet but YES. As long as you have either the money or the skill to maintain it properly. My car is a 1987 924S (which now has a 944S engine) and it was my first car thirteen years ago. I love it.
Edit: I had a Flowmaster and it was ok but I like my Magnaflow better.
Edit 2: I’ve always driven her really hard. But I was doing modifications at the same time so I’d swap things out as they developed problems. 😆 Manual steering rack, engine, suspension, wheels and tires...and I got most of those free from parts cars I made money from.
Edit 3: You don’t slide around in original leather sport seats 😉 Most comfortable 80’s Porsche seat outside of the 928.
Edit 4: When my 16v engine gives up, and I have the resources, I will absolutely give Sabine an electric drivetrain with the goal of reaching 200 mph.
16v engine in a 924 that must be nifty
@@fredbobberts5753 It's great, especially with the original transmission with shorter gearing, and a VEMS kit put together by a guy in eastern Europe that I can tune on my laptop. My last attempt to measure a 0-60 came out at 7 seconds with a decent launch but not good shifts, because my tach isn't hooked up. I'm pretty sure it can get close to 6 seconds with a perfect run. The power to weight ratio is close to a new Miata. I've taken a couple hundred pounds out of it.
Of course the handling is the best part, with Bilstein HD struts and 225# springs in the front, 16x7 wheels, and those GForce Sport Comp 2 tires. It's every bit as capable as my 928 was.
There’s a 968 swap 944S here I’m going to take a look at. I have a pair of stock examples and I love them like the snob I am, but I also have respect for the 968 power plant. I’m not sure how well the swap was done. That I would need to check carefully.
If you held me down I would tell you I prefer the look of the 924 S. We had one up at my friends shop. A red 1987. I like the rounded style of the 924 better and I think they match up well with the look of the early 928.
One of my cars has the Koni set up and I like it, but I redid the other with 16 inch forged 928 sewer lids and all stock- with new struts and shocks and bushings and decent rubber ( I went Dunlop’s because it looks like I can’t get my beloved P7s for the fronts anymore unless I mix all seasons with summers on the back) . You know what? It’s great. The secret is to bite the bullet (hard) and go for the Sachs mounts. The stock 944 suspension is actually really good.
I forgot to mention you’re not wrong about the tall gearing on the 944S. Annoying.
@@fredbobberts5753 I’m fond of the 924 styling as well. Mine is also an originally red 87. I had to sell the 928 sadly. instagram.com/p/B8CxUHcAXUt/?igshid=1edocf3o2a1u4
The calm John Mulaney of car videos
Where does one find a 944 nowadays?
sick intro
me with a 944T as a first car...also me late to cross country today bc it wouldn't start ( it was a bad battery nothing to do with the car, its been reliable)
Carry an extra fuel pump relay too, I owned a turbo for awhile.
@@fredbobberts5753 ya, I have the f-tech solid-state DME relay its amazing especially with the fuel prime function
Will have to look at that. I also got good at pinching the tps.