Is it worth buying a 944 with rust?
 

Hey guys, I have a lead on a 944 that has a little bit of rust near the license plate. It is originally from Minnesota. It has a new cluctch, brakes, and around 100k miles. I don't really trust the guy who is selling it because he was trying to tell me that it is 1 of 5 black widebody 944's that was imported to North America, but Porsche never made a factory widebody from my research.

He wants $3500, but I think I could take it for $2500 possibly. What is your opinion?

RE: Is it worth buying a 944 with rust?
 

Can you post some pictures of the car?

RE: Is it worth buying a 944 with rust?
 

I don't have the pictures yet because I haven't seen the car. I'm wondering if its even worth the time to drive out and look at it since it has rust on it. I hear that the 944's came with an anti-rust sealant on all the panels so I'm thinking this must have spent a lot of time up North to be rusted.

RE: Is it worth buying a 944 with rust?
 

I was under the impression that much of the body was galvanized.
Theres a few spots on mine underneath the car with large chips out of it and you can see the galvanizing. Likewise some small stone chips on the hood and such with no rust.
I'm sure if I looked real hard I could come across some.

The rust could be an indication of repair or perhaps modification. It also if it's around the fasteners could be that the screws holding the bracket on were creating a galvanic reaction and corroding the metal. Those are some potential explanations off the top of my head without knowing much about it. If it's a deal breaker you could have him take some pics for you.

RE: Is it worth buying a 944 with rust?
 

Even galvanized steel will rust, it just takes longer and harsher conditions. They use a ton of salt on the roads in the winters in Minnesota, which will eat any kind of metal. You can probably assume that since there is rust on the body, probably most of the bolts on the car are probably pretty rusty as well, which will make repairs a bit harder. I would be interested in seeing pics of a so called 1 in 5 cars for $3500 though, lol