The words budget and Porsche, are rarely found in the same sentence,
particularly when discussing 911s. Yet in the case of one Porsche it is actually
true. Because for the price of a tatty example of perhaps the most undesirable
of 911s, such as the 150bhp mid '70s 911Lux, you could be in the driving seat of
a superbly balanced and more powerful Porsche 944.
With prices ranging from £1500 for early cars and topping out at around
£8-9,000 for late low mileage and mint Turbo examples, the 944 was available in
many different guises and is affordable on almost any budget.
At the very bottom of the budget we have the 1982-1988 2.5 litre 944Lux which
is not only the cheapest 944 to purchase, but also the cheapest to run. Examples
are available for not much more than a thousand pounds or so, but unless you are
building a track car, or are really handy with the spanners and like a
challenge, it is best to budget in the £2,500-£4000 area where surprisingly
good examples - such as the car pictured here, can be found.
Although it is capable of almost 140mph the 944 Lux is not rocket ship fast
in performance terms, with similar power to a TVR S, but weighing around an
extra 250kg. The 163bhp four cylinder engine which is essentially half of the
928s V8, is however a reliable powerplant offering good midrange torque, a
possible 30mpg and if regularly serviced, the engine should be good for over
250,000 miles without a rebuild. The 2.7 litre engine replaced the 2.5 unit in
the Lux in 1988, it only had a few more bhp but the midrange torque was
noticeably improved.
Other than the cheaper purchase price, two main factors make the 2.5Lux such
a good budget buy over later 944s. Firstly the unlike the later 16v cars such as
the 944S and the S2, the 8v Lux (along with the Turbo models) is not equipped
with the potentially troublesome chain tensioner unit situated between the twin
camshafts. This unit is quite a common weak point and although regular
mantenance minimises this risk, its failure can basically destroy the top end of
the 16v engines, resulting in a bill that could basicaly purchace an entire
944Lux!
The second budget advantage of the Lux is with regard to the braking
department. The early cars feature large cast brake callipers more akin to
something the great Isambard Kingdom Brunel created for his steam locomotives.
They may not be items of beauty and you don't get the famous PORSCHE letters
appearing behind your alloy wheels, however they are still strong &
powerful, with huge advantages over the later 944s alloy callipers. This is
because over time, the alloy callipers can corrode and react with the brake pads
steel backing plates, this problem can result in quite large expenditure at
service time.
Younger & more expensive brothers
The most powerful 944 is the 2.5 litre Turbo which was available in both 220
& 250bhp forms. Both are easily uprated quite cheaply, with a reliable
300bhp easily achievable from the 250bhp unit without even changing the turbo.
Many enthusiasts rate the 211bhp S2 as the best all round 944 however, with its
torquey & free revving 3.0 litre normally aspirated engine.
Many consider the 944S, which essentially is the 944 Lux engine with a 16v
cylinder head, to be the runt of the 944 litter. I disagree, as although the S
may not have the power & torque of the S2 & Turbo models, this car with
its rev happy engine, can be a heck of a giggle to drive fast. Rather like 16v
engines in hot hatchbacks, the engine does need to be worked hard to really feel
its 190bhp, however it does offer a noticeable power boost over the Lux if you
bounce it off the red line at every gear change.
What does 'Oval Dash' mean?
In late 1985 came the updated dashboard that is commonly known as the oval
dash. The oval dash does however lack the Italian sports car like separate
instrument pods of the early cars and I quite like the design of the early dash,
paricually the quirky wrong way round rev counter. The updated arrangement will
however appeal to most, as it looks much more modern and the bonus is it offers
improved ventilation.
The handling of the 944 is what most journalists and indeed owners rave
about, with the rear mounted gearbox producing predictable and balanced
characteristics. Indeed many people agree that the 968CS is one of the best ever
handling Porsches, and in essence the 968CS is a facelift model 944 with the
MO30 sport option.
It is worth remembering, if track days are your thing, that much of the 968CS
suspension can be transplanted on to the 944. Although an early 944 Lux may not
possess the 240bhp of the 968CS, it is however almost 200kg lighter in standard
form, so can make a great base for a fun & great handling track car.
Those with larger budgets often use the 944 turbo as a base for very rapid
road driveable track cars, with easily uprated power from just simple
modifications. Supercar humbling lap times are possible if more involved engine
tuning and uprated turbos are used, along with suspension changes.
How the 944 made the Japanese over a million $
Due to the Japanese car firm Mitsubishi, holding the patent for the unique
balance shaft system - that smoothes out the lumpyness of the big four cylinder
944 engine - Porsche had to pay $8 to Mitsubishi for every time they used this
system, which made them a tidy profit with well over 163,000 944s sold. So if
you ever meet Mr Mitsubishi and he tells you that the 944 is a "velly glood
car" its probabally not the driving dynamics he is praising!
| 1982 |
944 first introduced, one model the 2.5 Lux |
| 1985 |
Update inc oval dashboard & the battery
now placed in the boot, 220bhp turbo introduced |
| 1986 |
944S introduced |
| 1988 |
Lux gets 2.7 litre engine, 944S discontinued,
limited edition 250bhp Turbo SE model introduced with special equipment
inc M030 handling pack i.e. brakes suspension & LSD. |
| 1989 |
S2 introduced, & Turbo has 250bhp as standard, Lux
discontinued |
968
|
| 1990 |
Turbo coupe discontinued |
| 1991 |
Turbo Cabrio introduced |
| 1992 |
944 discontinued, replaced by 968 |
Links: [links]944|porsche944[/links], 944
Owners
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