My Story With Porsche

[@lizard944]

Your video is simply legendary concerning the passion we 944 owners have. It's almost like I made this video myself...LOL I've owned my 1986 N/A since 1991. I bought it at a swap meet at Stoddard Porsche, and I didn't even own a Porsche at that time. I just liked going to the shows because I fell in love with a 924 (with the weird checkered seats 😬) that I had seen at a local Mercedes dealership years before, and always had the dream of owning one of those. Bought my 944 from some company executive that was selling it at the swap meet because it was his girlfriend's and she wanted a 911. HAHA! Had 23K miles on it, I now have over 270K. Like you, I was near the beginning of my career and strapped for cash. I thought I'd better start learning how to turn some wrenches or I'm not going to be able to afford this. I have also worked on every system on the car to the point where a local German-born, BMW factory-trained garage owner would call me up for advice on the rare occasion that he got a 944 in the shop. It has been quite a knowledge and character builder. I'm obsessed to the point that I still clean and repaint things that no one will ever see. LOL! This after owning the car for 32 years. I'm not going to lie, there have been several occasions where I had been mentally unfaithful and thought about selling. Then I'd be sitting at a gas station and someone would come over and say "OMG! Nice car dude," then those thought of selling would disappear for a decade or so! Anywho, thanks for posting this thought-provoking video. I may not post a comment on every video, but I watch all of yours. Warming up the garage right now to replace my clutch master and slave cylinders. Cheers!

[@TakeFlightGarage]

Lizard thanks so much for you your comment and support! It’s that element of the 944 that truly makes it timeless and I love hearing other stories. Thank you so much for sharing and good luck with your clutch change!

[@SimonatMac]

One more thing: in 1998 I bought a 924s (1988) and my 944s2. Still own the 944. It got new oil cooling lines, motor holders, new suspension, new oil gaskets, new handbrake parts, new disks and pads and so on.
It has covered 467.800 km (292.375 mls).
That’s with 1st motor and gears…
Drive safely and be well 😊

[@TakeFlightGarage]

@@SimonatMac That’s awesome I love to hear stories like that! Thank you for sharing!

[@OnlyTheFinest125]

I had a roommate come home late at night and she side swiped my 87 944 S.
Got the insurance money and bought a partscar 944.
Swapped the parts out threw it on marketplace to trade for a clutch job.
Met a really great person who was a airplane pilot. Invited me into his home and showed me how to do it myself along with all the ins and outs of this vehicle.
He moved out to Vegas and said anytime you wanna visit my door is always open.
Talk about turning a negative into a positive!
We still are great friends to this day and we both share a great passion for these!
Sold the 87 944S to a fellow Facebook car groups son as his first car. Hes absolutely loves it! Still get updates to this day.
Couldn't help but get another one. 91 944 S2.
Truly a dream come true. Never thought I would own an S2. It truly does turn any bad day into a good day or better day driving it.
Highly recommend as well to Buy one!
Miles do not matter! The maintenance is key!
Cheers 🥂

[@TakeFlightGarage]

Cheers! Love this story so much thank you for sharing!

[@jvaubry]

Thank you for that heart warming story, and as an engineer, I am glad that you learned a lot about that vehicle. I have a 1988 Porsche 944 turbo that I am restoring from the ground up. So far, I have spent about 6500 for the car, 20k to have the engine rebuilt with a 3l stroker crankshaft with forged pistons and forged cranks. I spent another 6500 on the 5r transaxle rebuild, another roughly 10k on miscellaneous new parts for the various systems, and I figure another 10k on new parts should complete the build. Then I need to spend another 10k on a new paint job, plus another 5k on exhaust, oil cooler, and tires. I have spent 5k on a Vitesse Stage 4 turbo system with Maf and Map sensors. One thing for sure about this car is that does have a hold on you, in your case your back, in my case it’s got me by the balls and squeezing me and my wallet pretty hard. Did someone say money-pit?!

[@TakeFlightGarage]

Jeffrey thank you for your comment that ending cracked me up. Your car sounds like an absolute monster are you on any of the forums???? I’d love to see some pictures!

[@tobysirus4996]

The spare tire area behind the fuel tank must act like an impact buffer sine the tank refused to rupture which would have been the end . This is heartbreaking guy. I would find another one out there that someone neglected (and we know there are many) that needs a motor and use your parts to get it going.I know it wont be th same but at least some of your old machine will be kept alive.I own 2 of these and have driven them for 20 years.An 87S and an 83 with Lt1 transplant.I could not put up with getting beat by our local soccer moms in their mini vans lol ! Your story isnt over Im sure,....its just beginning ! You just got a new subscriber !

[@TakeFlightGarage]

Thanks for watching and for subscribing! My story lives on with the 86! I have a lot of plans and shiny things I’d like to bolt on in the future so hopefully I can start putting together some more videos soon.
I honestly have no idea how that tank didn’t rupture the rear body panel was crunched all the way into the rear seats. The early cars had steel tanks so I think the metal just folded rather than ripped.

[@SimonatMac]

Glad you survived this accident 😮. I hope you get another chance

[@OhYeahAboutThat]

Hey, I just now saw this vid. So glad you ended up with my car!

[@TakeFlightGarage]

Me too and I’m even more glad for the friendship that’s come of it! Next time I’m out in SD I’ll have to take a trip up and visit! Would love to see what that Escondido cars and coffee is all about 🤙🏻

[@AK_918]

As a college kid who did buy a 944 as my first car, this sums up the ownership experience so, so well. Its only been on the road for a few months as of now, but I’m already hopelessly attached to it. And as you said, the community is amazing, I’ve had gt3 and gt4 owners ask me about my 944.
There really is no substitute!!
What happened with your first 944 has been my worst nightmare since I bought mine and hearing about someone else moving on is pretty reassuring. Logically, I know my insurance would probably cover a replacement, but it definitely wouldn’t be as nice as mine (finding another rust free 944 in canada on the cheap would probably be impossible). Plus, it just wouldn’t be the same.

[@TakeFlightGarage]

Thanks so much for watching the video and for your comment! I think I have some good tips that can really help specifically 944 owners deal with at least “protecting their investment” when it comes to ever having to deal with this sort of thing. Certain things like agreed value can help but there’s also other things you can do during your ownership to help solidify your case when it comes down to arguing your value. Now having the experience I know every way left and right they will devalue your car, but I also know how to sort of combat that now too.
Long story short, agreed value and detailed records, but I’ll go in depth and explain the nuts and bolts as best as I can in a future video.
Congrats on getting her roadworthy and here’s to a long journey with your 944! Cheers 👍🏻

[@Porschee944]

I was hit from behind twice in 4 years. Total loss of Passat CC and good old Avensis Kombi. Keep your head up, my heart goes out to you in your pain...❤

[@TakeFlightGarage]

Thanks for the kind words, it really is a terrible experience but from this one negative experience I’ve had countless positive ones. Onward and upward as they say, thankfully we are still here to keep going. Thank you for watching 🙏🏻

[@brando7352]

Great video man, I’m saving up currently to buy a 944 and i’ve gone back and forth between getting one and just saving instead. But i’m certain i’ll get one now after your story. Thank you for that. I’m 18 right out of high school and still figuring everything out as you were it’s nice to see someone who went through the same stuff i currently am

[@TakeFlightGarage]

Thanks so much for watching and I really appreciate your comment. There will be times where the car will give you a headache but if you’re up for a labor of love and if you’re someone who loves to tinker, there’s so much information available out there that there’s really nothing you can’t do with these cars. If you test drive one I’m sure you’ll sort of get that hint of “ohhh okay. I get why people love these so much.”

[@marcsmith2033]

Amazing video! Love to hear your passion and so happy to hear how this unfortunate situation turned out for you!

[@TakeFlightGarage]

Thank you!!!!

[@alansimmons4071]

Yeah my parents asked me "why did you buy that? It's a money pit." Since then they have bought 2 more cars because theirs where breaking down. Mine has not! Now they say, "man that was a good purchase"

[@thelight8869]

What a great video.
I own a 944 turbo. One of my dream cars. And i am a bit older than you so i was kinda late to the game (life work and bikes got in the way for some years)
A small advice from me, try to not sell the new one what ever comes in you path. Before cars was just a thing for me getting to work and back. The 944 changed that for me and i am now in the market for a second summer porsche.
👍

[@TakeFlightGarage]

They sure do have a way of getting under your skin, this new car isn’t leaving my ownership willfully ever I’m way too attached to it hahaha. Good luck on your search!

[@hobocatlawrence]

So glad you got another after the first was destroyed. I no longer drive my 944s in traffic or in bad or wet weather as I have seen so many destroyed by careless drivers. Bought my first in '84 and still own it and have been fortunate to have found 7 more in great condition. All during the time of the "world's lack of appreciation" and depressed pricing. They will go to my friends when I depart this earth and not a mile or a day earlier. These ARE great Porsches and always have been, it's just that people listened to the wrong influences and decided they weren't a real Porsche, just a pretender to the 911, and the cars suffered ill fate because of stupid ideals and careless owners. It makes my heart glad to see your appreciation and care for yours....... keep the faith !

[@TakeFlightGarage]

Thank you for your comment! I share your convictions. I’m finally able to execute on a lot of the plans I’ve had for this car and I’m really excited to share them!

[@SpringVinMoto]

You're a survivor. Remember that

[@jackcourtney9120]

I feel your pain. I bought my 86 turbo in the fall before covid. 2 weeks later I was driving home from a friend's house and it started raining. I went around a 20 mph turn and spun out into a brick wall. The frame in the front was bent and had to be pulled. After the frame was pulled I worked on the car over the following year I worked on it until it could run again. More recently I have had many more issues with the car. Coolant leaks everywhere, oil leaks, sensors going out, and many other issues. Hopefully, I can keep fixing it before something major happens.

[@TakeFlightGarage]

Keep up the good work it’ll be all worth it when she’s back on the road again. The nice thing is that at least once it’s gone through, it’ll be healthy for a long while to come.

[@uglydoor1]

Very cool ,have same one since 84 still lovin playing with it

[@TakeFlightGarage]

Love that man makes me so happy to hear that there’s still cars with the same people for decades. Glad you drive her that’s what she’s meant for! Cheers 🍻

[@robt8042]

I was rear ended twice in one year in my 944, Sydney Australia. People are insane and driving f-ing blind. So glad you are mostly okay and you're back in a replacement Porsche so quickly.

[@TakeFlightGarage]

I’m so sorry to hear that I hope you yourself have recovered and were not injured too severely. I agree the driving is piss poor around the globe it seems.

[@VanaConn]

Hopefully you retained a lawyer as the long term effects can creep up on you physically. I did buy a 996 in my 40s. It will be a 944 sometime soon.

[@marklangren3142]

Nothing better than a Porsche, except for 3 minths i gave had at l east one since i was 16, and yes i bought them

[@TakeFlightGarage]

Amazing cars!

[@arthurmchugh5184]

It doesn't look that bad 😊 i mean the door handles are fine !!!😅😅😅😅

[@Chrisovideos]

Similar destruction to my fully restored 944 NA a few years ago. Texting driver hit me while I was stopped at a red light... As soon as the insurance paid out I went out and bought an '86 944 turbo. Slowly returning it to mint condition. Glad I have the turbo now (way more power and fun) but still sad my NA got destroyed. countless of hours spent making it nice.

[@TakeFlightGarage]

Thanks for sharing your story and I’m really glad to hear you picked up a 951. I’m telling you man it’s harder and harder to drive these cars during the day comfortably people don’t have any regard for others on the road. I might retire my 86 to 12am-5am hours only in the middle of the week it’s so bad lol.

[@MongoMotors352]

Subscribed!

[@TakeFlightGarage]

Thank you!

[@ricoxxx1849]

#PorscheNoSubstitute944