944 project-car buyer checklist
The order to inspect a 944 in, from paperwork to the transaxle, before you commit to a project.
Start with paperwork. Belt history, cooling system work and clutch records tell you more about a 944 than the odometer does. A car with a documented maintenance file is usually cheaper long-term than a lower-mileage car with none.
Then inspect the mechanicals in this order: timing and balance-shaft belts, cooling system, engine mounts, clutch and torque tube, transaxle. Each of these is a substantial job in its own right, and a car needing several at once should be priced accordingly.
Check the body for rust at the sills, the battery area and around the sunroof drains. Interiors wear, but parts availability is decent.
Finally, drive it properly. These cars should feel balanced and precise. Vague steering, vibration under load or a clutch that engages oddly are diagnostic, not just character.