During the eighties and nineties, the car magazines were filled with road tests of the latest Porsches from Stuttgart. We were treated to full articles and comparison tests almost every month. Want to see what the fuss was about and get another glimpse of what the average cover car looked like? This 1990 Porsche 944 S2 for sale on eBay in Omaha, Nebraska is a great example of Porsche at their front-engine finest. This Guards Red stunner has just 44,262 miles on the odometer and presents as new except for minor blemishes. With bidding starting at $23,000 and having no bids with four days to go, will this car sell for the starting bid, or is the seller a little too overambitious? What do you think the market value should be for a top-notch 944?
It took until later in life to see just how brainwashed about cars we were thanks to the automobile enthusiast magazines. Every month we would wait impatiently until the newest edition of Car and Driver or Road and Track showed up at the newsstand (remember those?) or in the mailbox. The cover never had a picture of the latest Oldsmobile or Mercury sedan. It was always some sports cars or muscle cars duking it out in a comparison test. If it wasn’t Mustangs and Camaros, it was Porsches and Corvettes flying around in scenic places on twisty roads. To be honest, you can’t blame them. The magazines got the cars on loan. Would you want to spend the month driving a boring old sedan or the newest Porsche?
This never-ending parade of European goodness went on almost every month. You either had a single car write-up or a comparison test. Their favorite was pitting Corvettes against Porsches to stir up patriotism and brand loyalty emotions to drive up sales. The Corvette vs. Porsche thing was the automotive equivalent of fighting World War II all over again. A Shermans vs. Panzers kind of thing, part two. The Corvette was always described as a crude, blunt instrument with performance numbers that were always grudgingly acknowledged to be better in any way. Porsches, however, were Mikail Baryshnikov-like in the way they danced around curvy roads with finesse and grace. Whether it was a standard Corvette vs. a 944 or a 911 Turbo vs. a ZR-1, we got the same story every time, and the faithful on both sides would write letters to the magazine either calling the writers idiots or praising them for acknowledging the obvious so eloquently.
One of the most popular test cars was the 944. Cheaper than a 911 or 928, this was the Porsche that most felt they could attain if they worked hard and got a job selling illicit pharmaceuticals or stocks. With its roots in the 924-body structure that was introduced in late 1976, the 944 debuted in 1982. It differed from the 924 in that it had flared fenders, a new Porsche-designed engine, and the usual handling enhancements. Production ran until 1991. Over that period, numerous updates were applied to the car to both make it faster and to provide reasons for it to be covered yet again in the press.
The 1990 Porsche 944 S2 you see in the photographs is one of the finest we have featured at Barn Finds. With 44,262 miles and in showroom condition, this car almost looks like it drove off a magazine cover. The seller tells us that it was purchased from the original owner. Unfortunately, she no longer could drive a car with a manual transmission, and that this 944 has covered relatively few miles in the last ten years. To prepare it for sale, the seller has replaced not just the usual fluids and wear items, but items such as the gears for the sunroof motor, wiper motors, and the fuel pressure regulators. Fans of the 944 also know that replacing the water pump is an ordeal that should be the standard treatment for prisoners at Guantanamo. Thankfully that nightmare was endured in 2019 and the car is ready to enjoy.
There are a few issues with the fit and finish. The hood has seen some touch-up work, there are some small dents that the seller clearly documents, and the rear hatch area upholstery has experienced some sun fading. Regardless, this is a 944 that one could drive and enjoy, or store away in a garage to appreciate in value like a stock or bond of sorts. Prices are still on the rise for all Porsche automobiles, and many still dream of having the Porsche they grew up reading about in magazines. This one is well-sorted and ready for fun. Hopefully, it finds a good home soon.
Do you remember the treatment that Porsches got in the magazines in the eighties and nineties? Would you like to add this 944 to your collection? Please share your thoughts in the comments.
One of the nicest driving cars ever built. Everything is there… power, handling, comfort, etc. Just plain great car all around. Great example here.
The 944S2 received the much needed engine displacement to 3.0 which at the time was the largest 4cyl. in production at that time. However with the Mitsubishi patented twin counter rotating balance shafts made these engines extremely smooth and refined. I had a 1988 944S with the 16V 2.5 engine. I couldn’t wait to sell it on. Hated driving that car. Right car but the wrong engine.
i read Car and Driver and and Road & Track from cover to cover shortly after we got them in the 80s and 90s. I was interested in most of the new cars and trucks made then, and yeah, the comparison tests were great. There was a shoot out of all the four cylinder Porsches in ’87 or ’88 and a test of a 944 vs. an Alfa GTV6 vs. a Z car (I think) among many others.
This Porsche is an hour away from me, the price might be a little optimistic, but they would be more likely to get there with a true auction on Bring a Trailer rather than a high starting price on eBay.
The later cars are probably the ones to have with the big 3 liter motor.
It was immortalized in the 1980’s song, “Welcome to the Boom Town”.
Nice example!
Whenever I see a 944 in this color, all I can think of is the commercial with one drifting and “Purple Haze” playing. One of the coolest commercials ever.
In college I the 80s, my roommate had the blonde on the hood of the 944 poster. We framed it and had it on the wall with track lighting on it. We had a social room big area with couch, chair, bar and TV. Yes, I graduated.
On game days, the old timers would come over and admire the car…
In case anyone is wondering, the 2.5liter in the 944 and later 3.0liter engine of the 968 were half of the 928 V-8, which necessitated the twin balance shafts so they wouldn’t fly apart at high revs.
And I very clearly remember all the comparison tests from the 80’s in C&D and R&T, those magazines are why I dream of owning so many Corvettes and Porsches. If it comes down to a 1990 ZR-1 or a 944S2/Turbo, I’m taking the ZR-1, simply because of its power and handling and because I’m a patriot who bleeds red, white and blue. But if I can afford it, I’ll take both and never look back in regret.
This is a sweet 944S2, and will probably bring in a decent chunk of change considering how it’s in very good shape with really low miles. The fact that it’s had a ton of expensive maintenance done recently will definitely up the value. I bet it brings in well over $35k.
Wish I had an extra $23,000+ laying around. I could see ME driving it.😀
Which one is it – showroom condition or small dents and some faded paint?
You can get a nice turn key next gen 968 the car l prefer to the 944 for 20 to 40k which l feel is a better looking and performing Porsche. Although the S2 does command a higher value l just like the 968 for this asking price. Just my preference.