The porsche 944 is Porsche’s best selling model of all time. They were first introduced in 1983 with a 2.5-liter Porsche engine and 5-speed manual transmission.
The car received upgraded suspension components, improved mounts for the transaxle that reduced noise and vibration, revised electrics and a redesigned interior in 1985.
Power
If you’re looking for a classic, cheap rear-wheel-drive sports car for cruising the countryside over the weekend, or even just whipping, a porsche 944 is a great choice. Its power, smoothness and reliability will make you feel like you’re driving a modern car.
The 944 is a true Porsche, built with a genuine 2.5-liter four derived from half of the 928’s V-8. This was a big deal for Porsche because it meant the 944 could be marketed as a real Porsche at last.
A ‘S’ version of the engine was added in 1988 and featured a 16-valve DOHC engine that produced 187 horsepower. This allowed the 944 S to go 0-60 in a respectable 6.5 seconds.
For 1989 a larger 2.7-liter engine was added and the base 2.5-liter received some minor upgrades to give it more torque. All of these changes shaved off a few tenths of a second from the 944’s 0-60 time, but overall the car was still incredibly quick and fun to drive.
Performance
The 944 was always designed to be a pure driver’s car, providing an enjoyable driving experience at a lower cost than its big brothers. The 944 has a surprisingly satisfying power-to-weight ratio for its size, and it can show off against even the best sports cars on a track.
Porsche’s goal for the 944 was to build a chassis that would deliver refined suspension performance, and they did that. Its front suspension was a rubber bushing design, while the rear had cast-alloy horizontal links to isolate road shock.
For the model year 1985, Porsche introduced a completely redesigned interior with the oval dashboard and door trims that were seen in later 911 models. The suspension was also thoroughly revised and a flush-mounted windscreen appeared as well.
The engine was the same as in the base 944, but the Turbo and S2 models had a more powerful version of the 2.5-litre four-cylinder engine that developed 190 horsepower. This meant the S2 could match or exceed the top speed of the Turbo, but it wasn’t quite as fast around a track.
Style
The Porsche 944 was a step up for the brand, bridging the gap between its entry level 924 and the 911. Its design had the hallmarks of a sports car, with wide fenders, clear enlarged wheel arches and flared fender line ups all helping to make it a real sports car.
Its 2.5-litre inline four cylinder engine was carried over from the 924 but a transaxle had been used to balance the car and improve fuel economy. This meant that the car could achieve a standing to 60mph time of 5.9 seconds, about three seconds faster than the 924.
Another key change to the 944 was a completely new interior. Instead of the individual dials of the first generation, a sweeping oval dashboard took its place. This removed the need for a bulky steering column and provided improved leg room in the rear seats, something that was lacking on the previous series.
The 944 also received a number of upgrades to its suspension, including progressive rate springs and larger anti-roll bars. The transmission and gearing were modified to cope with the increased power output from the new engine, which was also available in a catalytic converter version.
Value
The porsche 944 is a classic car that’s been around for a long time, and despite the recent price rises, it remains one of the best values in classic motoring. It’s renowned for its Porsche engineering, and is still enjoyable to drive on a daily basis.
The 944 started life as a collaboration between Porsche and Volkswagen Group. The Audi engine was stripped out, and Porsche’s own four-cylinder was grafted in its place.
After extensive development, Porsche came up with a 2.5-liter that now puts out 147 horsepower. This was a significant upgrade over the 928, as it provided more torque and better acceleration.
Eventually, the 944 gained a Turbo version, with an extra 25 horsepower added to the engine. Later, a Turbo S was introduced with 247 horses.
With the right care, a 944 will last a lifetime. Maintenance costs are usually less than $1,000 a year, but the cost can fluctuate depending on how well the car has been taken care of in the past.
