Porsche 944: Spotted
Roll up, roll up. This could be the last 'cheap' 944 you'll see - and it looks like a good'un, too.
It might be tempting to think the time to buy a good Porsche 944 has been and gone. Where once you could get a decent early example for a few grand, prices have been steadily on the rise for the last few years and now 944s don't feel as cheap as they once were.
For example, back in 2012 we discussed the 944 at length. And, it would seem, £5,750 for a 2.5 Lux with a whopper of a history and low mileage was 'pricey'. These days it'd be anything but, of course - expect to pay anywhere between £8,000 and £10,000 for a car like this.
Even so, the 944 remains tempting. After all, as erudite PH readers will be aware, as much as the 944 was maligned for not being a 911 in its day, it's still tremendously good fun to drive, with incredible balance and exceptional agility. Even the least powerful 2.5 still feels fast and light enough to be exciting.
Nevertheless, there are still bargains out there to be had - and this example is a case in point (as is this unfinished project 944). Confusingly, it's listed as a 2.6-litre, but the reg date suggests it's actually a rare 2.7 - no more powerful than the early 2.5s (yes, anoraks, with the exception of those produced in 1988), but torquier and more responsive. It comes in rather fetching Baltic Blue with a smart leather interior, and the advert boasts of all the handbooks and a good - albeit not full - history.
The ad is rather sparse in further detail, save to mention that there's 'no rust' and it 'drives perfect'. An MOT history check reveals it failed its last test on rust before being repaired, mind you, so we'd take that with a pinch of salt. Also worth noting is that the MOT's up in October - so there's good reason to haggle on that price so you've some budget in hand for potential remedial work if it doesn't get through the first time.
This is not the perfect 944, then. But it is the cheapest going concern in the classifieds - there's one that costs less, but is described as a restoration job by the vendor - and that makes it worthy of a closer look. It certainly has the potential to be one of the last, good 944s around going for sensible money. And while a cheap 944 can be a world of pain, a good one might just be the accessible - and genuinely desirable - 1980s classic you've been looking for.
SPECIFICATION: PORSCHE 944
Engine: 2,681cc 4-cyl
Transmission: 5-speed manual, rear-wheel drive
Power (hp): 165@5,800rpm
Torque (lb ft): 166@4,200rpm
MPG: 24.8
CO2: N/A
First registered: 1989
Recorded mileage: 108,000
Price new: £25,991
Yours for: £4,995
See the full ad here.
The article mentions "light". In a different sense all 944, as I remember, had quite weighted and quality feeling controls, but my early 944 had a very heavy throttle feel. Someone will probably be along in a minute to say there is a fix for that or my car was faulty etc.
Overall, both 944 and 986 are great cars and it seems really good value.
In a world where sheddy old Mk1 and 2 Escorts needing restoration are that kind of money, a tidy 944 seems good value.
I think a Lux is probably an easier proposition than the sixteen valve cars, just check the sills for rust, and then check some more.
As a package they work well, they handle nicely and to be honest, they have never been expensive, the aforementioned Capri with no Porsche badge goes for more than this is up for, so I dont think it would be worth 50p otherwise, anything from that era that is a RWD coupe is fairly expensive nowadays.
If its any good, its worth that much, there are cheaper once but having had to spend a lot of time and money on mine, a sorted one is worth having as bills can soon rack up, the 8 valve NA engine is much simpler than the S2 and turbo engines, not that powerful nowadays but need to look past that, will still move quite well but dont race a 320D, just need to enjoy it for what it is.
I would quite like a 968CS though, I like the looks of it, never even sat in one though.
Has a simple 2.5 boxster a few years later which was a lot better.
If one was deciding between the two ( and prices are now similar ) then it would be no contest. Some will argue that the price of the 944 is on the rise and the other yet to settle but if you buy cars for that reason, good luck to you...
One thing I remember well was the linear power delivery, no peaks or anything, it just pulled all the way to the red line in a linear fashion.
But I always thought the car was waiting to catch me out when driving enthusiastically trhough twisty bits.
And then of course there are the weak transaxles on these - mine would whine like anything...
But it was a satisfying car to drive, and when sat in it, seeing those wide rear arches in the mirror was nice too.
But I wouldn't buy another, not least of all because I probably wouldn't be able to get in and out of it these days lol!
Sold about 4 years ago for about £2500 similar miles good history and no rust.
As said the driving experience wasn't that special compared to more modern stuff (even a 2.5 boxster is miles better).,
This Porsche 165ps, 166lb-ft.
There is the torque factor too.
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