The Porsche 944 has been a fairly accessible sports car for sometime, offering access to P-car ownership without having to pay the cost or entry associated with air-cooled models. In addition, maintenance costs are fairly reasonable as well. This particular 944 presents well but has some paint flaws, and is being sold as part of an estate settlement. Though it hasn’t seen much use since 2008, the seller claims it started up with a fresh battery and the gas tank cleaned out, but there’s no mention of a recent timing belt job – a big deal on these four-cylinder Porsches. Find it here on eBay with bids to $6,100 and no reserve.
The 944 Turbo is not as accessible as the naturally-aspirated models, so you’re still going to pay very real money for a quality example. The non-turbocharged 944s, however, have never seen any meaningful spike in prices whereas the Turbo enjoyed a fairly rapid rise in value over the last 5 years. One of the qualities you always hear 944 enthusiasts talk about excitedly is the balanced chassis, the torquey four-cylinder, and the iconic looks with the 80s-perfect flip-up headlights. The photos in the listing show some paint flaws on the nose, and the seller notes that the elderly owner attempted to fix flaws through touch ups and that the paint, overall, is in poor condition.
In the top photo, you can see it wears awesome BBS or Mahle-spec wheels, and the gold finish pairs nicely with the black paint job. The 944 doesn’t have the optional sport seats, but that’s a sweet upgrade if you can get your hands on a set of those desirable buckets. In fact, upgrades abound for this 944, especially in the suspension realm. Lowering springs, firmer shocks, bigger sway bars, wider rubber and some polyurethane bushings will transform this car, and make it an instant trackday threat. However, given this car’s respectable condition (paint issues notwithstanding), you may be inclined to leave it bone-stock.
The 2.5L four-cylinder in 1985 produces 143 b.h.p. and 151 lb.-ft. of torque. As noted above, however, the timing belt is a big deal on these cars, as this engine features an interference design. It always makes you a little nervous when you have a car listed for sale with a maintenance requirement like this and the seller doesn’t mention it; hopefully, it’s not being driven too far while it’s for sale as a timing belt failure in what otherwise looks like a worthwhile baseline for a project. Would you save a few bucks and get an N/A 944 or splurge for a turbocharged model?
Nice car. Only immediate change I’d make is getting the new timing belt on and ditching the BBS wheels. There are a lot better looking wheels out there. The suspension mods take the factory units up to the next level and turn an already good handling car into a great handling car.
pretty low miles for this vehicle, which means, if the oil was changed regularly, the engine has a LOT of miles left to go. T-belt would be a consideration due to time considerations.There is also the balance belt in there which should be changed as well.Suspension should be aluminum but could be steel stampings as that change occurred during the ’85 model year.Good race car potential as well but they tend to be a little on the heavy side. Nice road cars, stable and well-balanced. As with anything else, the later models are the way to go.
Ugly expensive wheels. Give me a set of phone dials any day.
I’ve often thought the drivetrain from one of these would be desirable in a Track T or Super 7 kit.
I wonder if a small block American V8 would fit?
I know of a 924 that has all the suspension work done that’s sporting a Shelby style 289 with 4 Webers on it that is one great track car and he can still drive it on the road, got to drive it one time at Sebring, during practice, really fun to drive.
Spent plenty of time working one of these for my son. Rering, crank and rod bearing, valve job, timing belt, tensioner and idlers, oil cooler seals,radiator recore, struts, rear wheel bearings and exhaust. The scariest and most frustating thing was attempting to reseal the rear hatch glass to the frame. Fun car to drive!
Had the hatch problem with our ’77 924. There is now a black rope adhesive that does a great job of keeping everything together. Periodic wiping with Silicone will keep the rubber from sticking and putting pressure on the glass.
Seems like a good specimen at a good price. If I had more time to think about it, I would seriously consider bidding. I am OK with those wheels too. Better bid soon if you want it. ___US $6,200.00
28 bidsEnds in 1h 33mToday 12:16 PM___ These are fun “driver’s cars. The weight balance with the transaxle and very well tuned road suspension.
sold $6,700, seems like a bargain to me.
I know of a 924 that has all the suspension work done that’s sporting a Shelby style 289 with 4 Webers on it that is one great track car and he can still drive it on the road, got to drive it one time at Sebring, during practice, really fun to drive.
Sold.
My first customer (I’m retired now 2+ yrs. and he just passed away a few months ago) had a 1st yr (78) 928. Fine, fast, great machine. The only one I ever worked on. I always assumed but never investigated that this engine is half the 928? The 928 was a 5.0 and it looks like the same VC.