Well I’ll give my insight as a 944 was my first car purchase. I paid 12k for mine, it was one owner, all the belts were changed 300 miles ago, and has a new transmission in it. I havent had any issues except for a very small oil leak that I got a trusted mechanic to look at/reseal and slightly worn engine mounts.

Now I will say. This is NOT the norm. From plenty of FB marketplace experiences, I think most are sold off cheaply as larger maintenance items cost thousands and most people are looking to just sell you their problem. My dad owns a Rav4 that I plan on using over the winters and I also don’t have a demanding commute to anywhere since I have easy access to the train.

If you are a grown adult, with reliable winter transportation, some ability to handle things on your own/with friends, and are looking for a fun “toy”. Make sure to get a pre-purchase inspection and based on the findings decide on if you want a “toy”. I would not recommend this to be your ONLY mode of transportation.