944 pricing

Hey. I'm new to the Porsche scene but very eager to get started.
I'm always on the lookout for 944s in my area, and to my surprise, a nice one finally popped up.
I've gone through many posts on here so I have a basic idea of what i'm looking for, and what maintenance might be needed.
The one I will be looking at is an '86 n/a with 43k on it. They are asking $3600 for it. Unfortunately I don't have all the details as of now, but does this sound like a fair price?
Is there anything that stands out that I should really be looking out for?
For instance, how do I know the speedo hasn't been changed?

Based on the pic, it looks like its in excellent shape. The owner should have all the maintenance records on it right?

Any help is much appreciated.

"The owner should have all the maintenance records on it right?"
Hopefully. The cost is always dependant on condition and how it was treated so for a nice example, $3600 is a fair price IMO.

See if it's really is in good shape. (maintenance records would give you a glimpse) test drive it. Listen for any oddball noises. Is is easy to shift? Does the clutch engage smoothly? Vibrations? Whirring/squealing/squeaking/rattling noises?

If you've got the money, get a PPI.
If you can, drive another one for a comparison.
And of course, Good luck!

Oops, PPI means pre purchase inspection

Welcome to the board!

Just an update:

I got to see the car today, and to my surprise, 43k miles was too good to be true. The engine had been replaced, and the actual car has 111k on it. There was a couple spots of rust coming though near the door handle. The rear sidemarker light was sort of pushed in as if to indicate an accident. There was no passenger window control, and the dome light had been taken out (he said it blew possilby due to a fuse)
The power steering leaks, and the rubber seal around the rear window was rotted out......and yes the trunk had moisture.
The belts hadn't been replaced since '98, and he only had "some" of the service records.
The car did run smooth though I must say but it was definitely in need of some work. You could tell it just wasn't taken very good care of.
I would be willing to pay a little more and get something that was pampered.

He said he was willing to negotiate and offered (actually encouraged) to take it somewhere to get checked out, so that was kind of cool.

I don't know......I think I might just keep looking. Sounds like I might be in for some costly repairs.

Any thoughts?

$3600 is too much. Keep looking.

Did you know the 944 is completely galvanized? It was probably repaired and during the process they stripped the galvanize off the door for painting. It would explain the rust.

IMO it's worth about $2,200 if the PPI checks out.
Expect to do the belts and water pump very soon. Possibly the rollers as well. Also check for any coolant/oil mixing.
Install a dome light bulb to see if it blows any fuses. Electrical problems tend to be complex but fixable with common sense and a multimeter.

Where are you?

I'm in Buffalo, NY.

Completely galvanized? No, I did not know that. It wasn't normal rust, like we get on our cars around here (around the wheel wells and gas tank doors)
It was like a pinhole crack in the paint.
Anyway, I have crossed that one off the list. IMO it needed too much work along with the interior needing some major TLC.
I have been looking on Autotrader.com and have found some pretty nice ones that are in the $4-6k range, some near Ohio....which is about a five hour drive for me.

I have decided i'm going to sell my baby (97 Accord coupe) and pick up beater, then just take my time and find the perfect one for me.

On a side note, my GF (soon to be wife) and I just bought a condo so shes not entirely thrilled with me buying a car at this moment......and i'm just in hurry so I can drive it at least a little before the snow starts to fall.
Another thing is she wants a Mustang GT....which isn't all that bad I guess.
I have also been looking at old Zs and Talon TSI's,
but theirs just something about that 944!!
Yesterday was the first time I have ever been in one (any Porsche for that matter) and needless to say, i'm hooked.

Yesterday was the first time I have ever been in one (any Porsche for that matter) and needless to say, i'm hooked.

I know what you mean. I was hooked from the minute i got into my cousins junker 924 a few years ago. i dunno, theres just something about it.