RE: Spotted: Porsche 944

RE: Spotted: Porsche 944

Wednesday 10th October 2012

Spotted: Porsche 944

Park the 911-based snobbery, it's time to wake up to the 944



Many a plan is hatched at the pub. Many a better one on the walk home, the combination of fresh air and ale-enhanced dreaming a potent accelerant combined with a bit of speculative man maths.

Turbo S is probably the informed choice
Turbo S is probably the informed choice
So it was that I walked past a 944 Turbo the other night. And it got me thinking. And straight into the classifieds when I got home.

Now, the 944 is one of the cars I vividly recall from my earliest days reading car magazines. No idea why I was more struck by these than 911s but, along with Sierra Cosworths and the like, the 944 seemed like an attainable kind of performance car. A dream within reach as it were.

So it proves today still.

It’s easy to be blinkered by 911s and, sure, if you’ve got the funds who’s to say you shouldn’t. But that moment where a car goes from being a mere abstract memory to something more vivid and real may, I think, have just happened with the 944. This one I saw, it was nothing too special. Nice but there are better. But it just struck me as so compact and purposeful compared with all the seemingly vast modern cars around. It’s an old car and it looks it now but that’s what makes it more charming. Having spent a while looking simply outdated enough time has passed and it’s now taking on a pleasingly classic feel.

Low miles, big price but very tempting
Low miles, big price but very tempting
So what 944 should one be buying? Well, head says this 944 Turbo S, complete with the desirable S2/Turbo bumper, 250hp, M030 suspension and LSD is the driver’s choice for a smidge under £5K. Or if going quickly really is your thing Porsche specialist RPM has a much more expensive but sorted ‘Clubsport’ of its own specification for £10K.

Nah. I want a proper 80s one though. It’d mean forgoing the turbo for the separate bumper Lux look. This white one, complete with bulging history file, is pricey at £5,750. But if the reality is even close to the description it’s the 944 imagined by my teenage mind and though down on power has the nice 928-style dash, oval-centred wheel and later aluminium suspension components.

So, basically, what we have here is one of the older, slower and more expensive 944s in the PH classifieds. You can do it cheaper – a lot cheaper. You can do it faster. But this one, with a set of black Fuchs, is the one I’d have.



 


PORSCHE 944 LUX
Engine:
 2,479cc 4-cyl
Transmission: 5-speed manual
Power (hp): 165hp@5,800rpm
Torque (lb ft): 151lb ft@5,000rpm
MPG: 21.4 (overall figure, as tested by Autocar 1985)
CO2: N/A
First registered: 1985
Recorded mileage: 75,000
Price new: £18,354
Yours for: £5,750

See the original advert here.

 

Author
Discussion

Itsallicanafford

Original Poster:

2,750 posts

158 months

Wednesday 10th October 2012
quotequote all
....my next second car for sure, need to do my research though, any big bills associated with these?

Bisonhead

1,567 posts

188 months

Wednesday 10th October 2012
quotequote all
I did consider these a while back but the potenbtial for big bills did put me off.

I also felt they were a little dated and, for the money, better metal could be had...then I bought a diseasel a6!
ETA - in before title! wooo

300bhp/ton

41,030 posts

189 months

Wednesday 10th October 2012
quotequote all
Itsallicanafford said:
....my next second car for sure, need to do my research though, any big bills associated with these?
I think they are fairly robust, watch for rust and do your research first. I think Gaz. (on of the mods) had a 944T, maybe he'll chime in with some good info.

300bhp/ton

41,030 posts

189 months

Wednesday 10th October 2012
quotequote all
Bisonhead said:
ETA - in before title! wooo
wink

poprock

1,984 posts

200 months

Wednesday 10th October 2012
quotequote all
You post this story the morning after I sold my 1989 944 Turbo. It’s been the automotive love of my life—I doubt I will ever feel the same way about another car. Absolutely gutted to let it go.

I’m away to cry into my morning coffee now. Thanks.

Morningside

24,110 posts

228 months

Wednesday 10th October 2012
quotequote all
I was offered one of these a few years back as a straight swap for my BMW 750iL...maybe I should have taken it?

Richieboy3008

2,058 posts

182 months

Wednesday 10th October 2012
quotequote all
My Dad has an 87 944 S, which he's had since new, under 40k miles on it. Top condition, would be interesting to see what that's worth.

MarJay

2,173 posts

174 months

Wednesday 10th October 2012
quotequote all
Hmmm...

250bhp you say? £5k you say?

Two questions:

1.) Reliable enough for a daily?

2.) How much do they weigh?

CaptainSlow

13,179 posts

211 months

Wednesday 10th October 2012
quotequote all
Great cars but getting old now so owners need to be happy to pay bills that are a high % of the vehicle value.

Plenty of cheaper, faster and more reliable Jap alternatives.


Flewis

13 posts

165 months

Wednesday 10th October 2012
quotequote all
My current daily is a 1986 924S, bought for £1500 with a fairly decent history. Driven for the past year with no issues whatsoever.

Any car has the potential for big bills. I think these 80's porsches are pretty well built and reliable if looked after.

Dan Trent

1,866 posts

167 months

Wednesday 10th October 2012
quotequote all
Oops, sorry Poprock. frown

Moving on... According to the old Autocar roadtest I had the Lux kerbweight was 1,274kg.

In terms of buyer's guides there are a few around, including an old PH one here. This one from JMG Porsche and this one looked pretty good too.

Cheers!

Dan

barks

29 posts

180 months

Wednesday 10th October 2012
quotequote all
Very reliable, also a pretty bomb proof engine. Standard engines as in this car have been boosted to 400hp on E85. A lux like this should get > 30mpg if its not hammered. Peak power figure doesn't look great but the cam is tractor like so it makes torque. 50:50 weight distribution makes it a very stable and predictable handling car. This has kept me out of a few hedges!

They do rust, so check the sills (inside). Don't be afraid to get your hands dirty with maintenance theres tonnes of help and guides out there. http://www.clarks-garage.com is top notch.

kit80

4,764 posts

186 months

Wednesday 10th October 2012
quotequote all
I adore the 944 over all the Porches. There are quite a few near me, I often pass a well refurbed gold one, I would never do gold on a car but that one would be the only exception. I seriously considered buying one as I found a slightly wrecked white one but the cost of parts etc scared me off over the old school jap cars.

Willeh85

760 posts

142 months

Wednesday 10th October 2012
quotequote all
I looked at this exact advert last night while I was looking at cars that were registered in my year of birth or older. Thought it would be nice to tell people the car is older than me.

poprock

1,984 posts

200 months

Wednesday 10th October 2012
quotequote all
Dan Trent said:
Oops, sorry Poprock. frown

Moving on... According to the old Autocar roadtest I had the Lux kerbweight was 1,274kg.
I’m just gutted about your timing Dan. This promotional activity could have got me a decent price instead of the pittance I let mine go for last night.

I mean, just look at it. It’s so pretty.



Over the years I’ve made a habit of embarrassing 911 drivers on PH runs and around racetracks. It’s been an amazing car.

matbat

772 posts

244 months

Wednesday 10th October 2012
quotequote all
Nice cars indeed and well screwed toegther. I may be out of touch with the values of these now however almost £6k for a 2.5 seems a lot, they are somewhat underpowered by todays standards, though it only has 3 owners which has to be rare for a 27yo car.

For that money I'd be looking for the stunning 3.0 S2 or a well sorted 2.7

Many happy miles were covered in my old S2.......... Hmm, trip to the classifieds methinks.

J4CKO

41,190 posts

199 months

Wednesday 10th October 2012
quotequote all
I am getting on for a year into 944 ownership, mine is an S2 cab, kind of bought on a whim as I am lazy it was nearby and when I went to see it I had to have it, I always saw myself as a stripped out 944 Turbo with extra boost kind of guy but I have really enjoyed having the Cab, the roof is an added dimension and it is fast enough for me, seems faster than its 208 bhp, guess it is down to being fairly raw and a revvy 4 cylinder.

They can be money pits, mine has rafts of bills, I havent spent much (£200 on a new battery, coolant elbow, blower knob, Lambda sensor and a couple of other minor things) but it is due belts (£300), an MOT and the rust that is appearing needs dealing with, luckily its the ends of the sills, a snake cam into the main box reveals all is well, also there is a spot on one wing which will get cut out and new metal let in, you need to be fairly hands on.

They do handle well, have only driven the cab which to be honest can suffer from scuttle shake on poorly surfaced roads but it still handles way better than my previous Saab 9-3 Aero (later shape on Hirsch springs), god only knows what a well fettled Coupe on coilovers, new bushes and uprate ARB's is like, suspect not much modern stuff is any better. They are fairly forgiving but I think once you have lost one, two big weights, one either end, you are along for the ride, dont let the reputation for being a pussycat get you into trouble, it is still a 200 plus bhp, fairly light rwd with no driver aids.

The interior and features are fairly "rustic" by modern standards but perfectly usable as a daily I reckon, I cycle to work most days but quite happy in the 944, good in traffic, clutch isnt too heavy, steering despite being assisted isnt light but very manageable.

The engine is nice, very tractable, not particularly tuneful but can produce a nice bark, it does pull, been driving a V8 Mustang in the States (Manual) and came back to the 944 expecting, having half the power it would feel dog slow, it didnt, ok it isnt as fast but it wasnt the gulf I was expecting, I think really big engines mask the performance a bit, some prefer the S2, think the turbo is more effective but cruder in its delivery, only based on reading as have never had the pleasure, basically I think the choice is usually down to power and tunability but the S2 has virtues that the turbo doesnt as well.

It does early twenties MPG, improved after replacing the Lambda sensor, I suspect owners who do more miles may get better economy, I dont drive it for economy, if I am using it I am in it for fun, use the C1 for mundane jobs.

Brakes are ok, they need some heat in to give their best.

Most parts are fairly cheap in the scheme of things, a lot is available off Ebay, some stuff can be difficult to get hold of, frotn wings for the later cars for example, the forums are exclellent soures of advice, Tipec and Porsche Club GB to name but two.

I paid £4250 for mine, there are lots about at that money, a couple cheaper, you need to keep a float to deal with things as they arise, worth seeking out a good one, or at least one that isnt just a hulk needing thouands spending on it, mine had six grand spent in its last ownership. I think prices will rise a bit, trouble is the 968 acts as a buffer and they will always be overshadowed by the 911, strange how 2.8i Capris are going for more than a 944, I love the Capri but the 944 was always the better car, it cost more than double new.

It is the first car I have had where I am not hankering for the next thing, sure it has its faults, its a bit wobbly, a bit whiffy but I have driven other stuff since and I am in no rush to change, also, spoke to a 911 owner who sold his 944 and regreted it, hates the late eighties 911 he has and has bought another 944.


tomoleeds

770 posts

185 months

Wednesday 10th October 2012
quotequote all
i can see why a 944 turbo might be worth, but the one featured here surley more like 2k,there are plenty for sale,there was a mint 924 i think but looked like a 944 ,can remember which. for sale locally last year in red for £1,400 took a while to shift

poprock

1,984 posts

200 months

Wednesday 10th October 2012
quotequote all
The prices are absolute rock bottom now. I’ve only ever owned 944s, never had another type of car … and this latest Turbo is the first time I have ever had to sell for less than I paid.

I can’t imagine a better car per pound is out there right now. I think the 944 has overtaken the MX-5 as Pistonheads’ favourite.

GranCab

2,902 posts

145 months

Wednesday 10th October 2012
quotequote all
I had a 944S brand new in 1988 - Guards Red from Gordon Lamb in Chesterfield F944 CHL - where are you now ?

Superb car - I was smitten with it !