$2000 Challenge: When $1800 could get you a 944 (but not much else)

David S.
By David S. Wallens
Aug 13, 2025 | $2000 Challenge, Porsche, Porsche 944

Photograph by Mark Langello

  • Entrant: Tom Tarasovic
  • Event year: 2004
  • Budget spent: $2002.16

Back in 2004, you could buy a pretty decent Porsche 944 for $1800. That didn’t leave Tom Tarasovic much remaining budget for modifications, though, so he ran his 1983 Porsche pretty much as found.

He drilled and slotted the bottom of the front struts to allow more negative camber, spent $70 on a used Momo steering wheel, and the rest of the budget went to maintenance items.

Porsche touchup paint proved too expensive, so Tom went with the next best thing: He spent $1.29 on Liquid Paper and touched it up regularly.

Make your own low-buck memories at the Grassroots Motorsports $2000 Challenge is Presented by Tire Rack and Powered by AutoBidMaster, held April 18-19, 2026.

The Grassroots Motorsports $2000 Challenge is Presented by Tire Rack and Powered by AutoBidMaster, in Association with HPX ShowCRC IndustriesA&A ManufacturingKnight's Automotive and BendPak.

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Comments
DavyZ
DavyZ Reader
8/13/25 8:02 p.m.

I use white toothpaste to fill tack and nail holes in walls, so using liquid paper on a white car just makes good sense to me.  

Colin Wood
Colin Wood Associate Editor
8/14/25 11:16 a.m.

I wonder how much Liquid Paper you'd need to cover an entire 944?

Loweguy5
Loweguy5 GRM+ Memberand Dork
8/14/25 4:21 p.m.

In reply to Colin Wood :

Approximately $5,000 worth...

GCrites
GCrites Dork
8/14/25 5:55 p.m.

Enough for the Mike Nesmith estate to notice.

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