For a few days every month, I convince myself that I need a front-engined Porsche. It could be a 928, or a 968, and in today’s case, a 944. This usually follows a chance encounter with a 911 listing where I’m absolutely shocked by how much a rat-trap of a long-hood air-cooled model sold for, and I try to comfort myself by believing a 944 Turbo will deliver the same satisfaction. This 1986 944 Turbo listed here on eBay caught my eye for having a set of attractive BBS wheels versus the typical phone dials, and for having a somewhat reasonable Buy-It-Now of under $20,000.
Now, to my earlier point: the front-engined Porsches, no matter how impressive they are in track-day applications, will never achieve the same level of satisfaction as a 911 (or even a 912). This assumes, of course, that you don’t measure a car’s competence solely in terms of performance metrics, because a 944 Turbo set up correctly will absolutely school a 911 with an average driver behind the wheel. The turbocharged models are no joke, and there’s been plenty written about just how impressive the 944 Turbo S was on the local road course back in the day. While we do love track cars, the fact that this 944 hasn’t been prepped for competition use is a major point in its favor.
Despite having nearly 160,000 miles on the clock, this 944 remains quite tidy inside and out. The seller reports that it does look quite clean inside and out, and underbody photos show a chassis devoid of any rust. There’s also plenty of evidence of OEM parts used throughout, with stampings from Porsche throughout. The listing reports a healthy maintenance portfolio, but we sadly don’t see any photos of any service records. Regardless, the condition suggests it’s been looked after, and 944 owners are known for being fiercely loyal to their front-engined flames.
The 944 Turbo was rated at 220 horsepower and 243 lb.-ft. of torque. You got stiffer suspension and a different final drive ratio with the Turbo, along with 16-inch wheels and tires that kept you planted to a top speed of over 160 miles per hour. Now, at the risk of offending my water-cooled readers, the 944 is a compelling pathway to Porsche ownership, but it sadly lacks the visceral qualities that make a 911 or 912 such special cars. In another few years, the same debate will escalate between purveyors of the Cayman and Boxster against the modern-day 911, and so long as we remember they are all fantastic driver’s cars, we should be able to get along….right?
Don’t know about getting along but if you drive one of these cars you will be impressed. Nice example here.
Being a rear-engine Porsche fan for years, I moved to the mid-engine car and had loads of fun. Now, in my old age, the front-engine, water-cooled Porsche has just graced my garage, and I’m pleased as punch! What a fun car!
Jeff – I am going through the same thing. I keep thinking, maybe I should pick a 928 or something to just have for a bit.
This looks like a really nice example and the seller seems to have shown all the bumps and bruises on this car.
My problem is two fold. Too many cars I don’t want to sell and not enough space. Plus I am reminded of the brief period of time I drove a 911 and the bills that accompanied that. And that was 25 years ago!
I used two 944 Turbos for cheap daily drivers, the first was a basic Turbo flood car and the second was a Turbo S with a little parking lot crash damage and a bad exhaust manifold. Put nearly a hundred thousand on both after minimal repairs. Lots of used parts available, cheap to modify and a blast to drive. The Turbo S was the most expensive to purchase at $5800, $4000 for the std Turbo.
Back in 1985.. my sister in law dated Danny Sullivan for a little while. He came to a family reunion we had in KC Kansas. It was held at a nice wooded park with lots of winding roads. I had driven my 69 Mach 1 there from Tulsa and was having fun blasting the curves. THEN.. Sullivan drives up in a Porsche just like this red one. We get to know one another a bit and after lunch he asked me to take him around the park in my Mustang. I jumped at the chance. I hit 85 to 90 in some of the curves and then 120 on the straights. He asked if I wanted a ride in his Porsche.. Here we go. He hit 100 in the curves and 130 on the straights! it was awesome. Not only being in a 944turbo but 3 weeks later he won the Indy 500! if you remember the spin.. you can guess how in awe we all were..
I was at Indy for the 500 when Sullivan did that. Didn’t actually see it as we were in the infield near turn 2 IIRC. But it was a crowd pleaser for sure and then he went on to win besides! I think that was the last time I went to the 500 except for time trials.
wow cool… Danny was a cool guy. When my wife worked for Andretti racing, we got to meet a lot of drivers.. I bet you can still feel the excitement of that…
Got one in the garage with 27,000 miles on it. Bought it new in 1986, taking Euro delivery at Porsche HQ in Zuffenhausen. I could have bought a new 911 for about the same money. I test drove them both and in my opinion the 944 Turbo was simply a better ride from almost every standpoint.
With no catalytic convertor we saw slightly over 160 mph on the autobahn. In 1986 that was fast. Porsche removed the cat temporarily if you were going to drive in Europe due to the lack of universal availability of unleaded gas in Europe at the time. They were reinstalled when you returned the car for shipping to the US.
But a 944T that does not come close to equaling a 911 in resale value at the tender age of 39 years. A 911 brings at least $20k more in the same condition.
The 944 was so balanced with the performance to match the 911 in turbo form that Porsche was afraid of they improved the car anymore it might effect 911 sales.I just prefer the 968 although it didn’t offer a turbo it did offer an S and Club models which are quite collectable today. That 968 cabrio is the one from me but you can’t miss with this beautiful 944 turbo.
On August 29-31,there will be 944 FEST at
Virginia International Raceway (VIR) if anyone’s interested.
http://www.944fest.com.
Dad has one in silver. The one and only time I was allowed to drive it (when I was in my 20’s) it was disappointing. I drove to all my friends houses to show it off, but nobody was home. I went to my workplace and everybody that I knew would be interested in seeing it weren’t working that day. I did several loops on the freeway doing zero to 80 runs on the onramps before heading home. Dad is in his 80’s and we will be selling in soon.
Keep it! Do whatever you can to keep it. I kept my grandfather’s 1957 Dodge custom Royal Lancer. I took out a small loan to build a garage for it and it is one of my greatest memories of him. I could have sold it and made some decent change for a 26 yr old just married kid. As i drive it around now… Pa is still with me… especially when I take MY grandkids to get a Root Beer float like he did with me.
My best days and now… my oldest granddaughter wants it when I’m gone. She also wants my El Camino.
Can’t keep it. Everybody in the family has moved on to other things. I’ve been into old European 4x4s and I don’t need another car I’ll use maybe 2 or 3 times a year just to blow out the cobwebs.
Ended at 8,600.
Reserve Not Met.
I will be the first to say what many others are probably thinking.
With a tidy interior and overall presentation and 160,000 miles, this porsche is perfect for an LS swap.