The Porsche 944 is unquestionably a worthwhile purchase in 2021, with average costs between $9,000 and $24,000.
Almost usually, the 904, 906, 908, and 917 are the first models mentioned when discussing vintage Porsches. The 914 is one of the Porsches that receives the least attention, though. a partnership between Porsche and Volkswagen. While many people disregard the 914 because it is rather unusual, among Porsche enthusiasts it is regarded as the company’s first genuine entry-level model.
Volkswagen-Porsche decided to create a prototype to replace the 914, and after a string of unfortunate events, the Porsche 924 was born. The 944, a front-engined, rear-wheel-drive Porsche, is the result of further development of their mid-level model. The 944 Turbo, 944 Turbo S, 944 S, and 944 S2 were among the several variations of the 944 that followed the 968.
Prior to the Boxster and 911 Carrera, the 944 was Porsche’s most popular model, yet it didn’t earn a place in automotive history as a classic. Whatever your opinion, the 944 is every bit a Porsche, and having one would be something a petrolhead would look forward to, especially given how affordable they are.
The Porsche 944 is unquestionably a worthwhile purchase in 2021, with average costs between $9,000 and $24,000. Prices are beginning to increase quite quickly as demand for the mid-level Porsche grows.
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Porsche 944 specifications
Purchasing a Porsche 944 won’t likely make you rich, according to Hagerty, but it is a logical decision that will have you beaming from ear to ear because of the “quantity on offer, range of prices, build quality, and comparative value compared to the 911.”
Goodbye, budget 944
Some 944 values have increased in value by a factor of two, three, or more during the past ten years. Therefore, even if the average Condition #3 (Good) value across the 944 range is still $11,500, the vehicles are no longer great bargain buys.
There are many American and Japanese performance cars that are faster, cheaper to own, and/or more affordable than the 944 at its present price range. Even Porsche’s own first-generation Boxster, which costs about the same as a base 944, just feels more sensible. This is primarily the cause of the 944s’ flat tracking and somewhat average market performance. They had had their time in the spotlight and there isn’t much more opportunity for development, but they still draw attention because they are a reasonably priced way to acquire a Porsche.
Prices for the Porsche 944 Turbo are out of control.
Years ago, the Porsche 911 used car market surpassed an outrageous level, and it has yet to decline. The majority of high-end Mercedes-Benz or BMW cars eventually lose value to the point that regular people can buy them, while the 911 appears to have an infinite shelf life, at least in terms of the pre-1997 air-cooled models that purists prize the most. Only the 996 generation, which was ridiculed for having explosive engines in the back and Boxsters up front, from 1999 to 2004 offered discounts.
Due to the 911 bubble’s durability, less wealthy Porsche lovers must purchase other models. The Porsche 944 from 1982 to 1991 has been a common option. The 944 was a solid performer with classic attractive looks, 50/50 weight distribution, excellent cornering, and more torque than the Audi-powered 924 from which it descended. On Car and Driver’s 10 Best lists, it frequently appeared. Although the original 944’s performance would place it below a contemporary Subaru, the Turbos’ sub-6.0 second 0-60 mph times were actually rather fast.
The 944 has remained very inexpensive due to a number of factors. Because it was front-engined and water-cooled, Porsche snobs turned their noses up at it. Four-cylinder engines typically don’t elicit the same level of emotion. Japanese competitors to the 944 provided superior performance, value, and tuning foundations. The 944 also requires expensive maintenance.
However, perceptions of the 944 may be shifting. Prices for turbocharged variants seem to be rising: Only four of the 85 944 Turbos listed on Bring a Trailer had sold for more than $30,000, and none had gone for more than $40,000. This year, however, four 944 Turbos have givenled for more than $58,000. (That is essentially the starting price for a new 718 Cayman.)
However, it’s not just happening on BaT. A 1989 944 Turbo was sold at auction by Gooding & Co. somewhere in 2018 for $72,600. Jerry Seinfeld, a well-known Porsche fanatic, also purchased a 944 Turbo this year.
There are certain restrictions. The four were sold on Bring a Trailer were in excellent to near-perfect shape. Three of them were coveted Turbo S versions. The vehicle that sold for $74,000 had only 5,300 miles on it. Any Porsche kept in such pristine condition would command a hefty price; on BaT, models like the 912 and 914, which some might regard to be Volkswagens dressed up, have sold for comparable sums.
Why the sudden love of the 944 Turbo? Nothing is entirely clear. Hagerty observes that over the past ten years, 944 values have quadrupled or even tripled in some situations. 944 prices have generally been rising along with the 911 tidal. There may be a growing understanding that the 944 Turbo was a superb car overall but was underappreciated because of the 911.
Additionally, it might not take that many value-unconcerned aficionados to move a small historic car market. The same BaT customer who won the $74,000 944 Turbo placed an offer as high as $58,000 on another 944 a month later. Since December, this buyer has placed bids on five 944s.
Without a doubt, Porsche produces top-notch automobiles. But it seems harder and harder to find good deals on them, whether they are new or old. To put things in perspective, Mercedes also produces high-quality vehicles, but you could acquire a 2016 Mercedes-AMG E63 S wagon for the same amount as a newer, more potent, and lightly used R129 500SL or a top-end 944 Turbo. Which would we like to purchase at that price?
Is Investing in the Porsche 944 a Good Idea?
Due to its affordability, renowned Porsche engineering, and vintage excellent looks, the Porsche 944 has attracted many classic vehicle aficionados in the past.
However, costs have been increasing recently. Even 944 projects are now selling for hefty prices on the historic car market; you can no longer buy one for the same price as a used hatchback.
Although the Porsche 944 is no longer a bargain, it is still a good investment prospect with consistent returns. It is also one of the most practical investment vehicles of its time and is inexpensive to maintain.
The 944 has a lot of potential as an investment and a usable classic car, despite the fact that its value may already be growing. To find out what all the hype is about, we were able to borrow one for a day.
You’ve therefore fired up eBay, Facebook Marketplace, or your preferred regional equivalent and located a very gorgeous Porsche 944 that you’re quite keen to purchase. We’ve all been there, and if you’re reading this, you either just bought a 944 for yourself or are at least considering purchasing a transaxle Porsche. Here is a buyer’s guide for the Porsche 944.
The Porsche 944 is a vehicle that, in terms of classic Porsches, was formerly regarded as a bit of a “underdog.” Over the past several years, it has had a significant recovery in popularity and is now one of the most sought-after vintage Porsches that is still available at an affordable price. Having said that, there are many things I’ve discovered about owning a 944 over the past few years that I wish I had known before making the purchase. In light of that, here are five things I wish I had known before purchasing a Porsche 944.
Porsche 944: the verdict from Classic & Sports Car
Despite a pretty substantial price increase over the previous ten years, the 944 is still a great deal today, whether you prefer the flexible, smooth power of a normally aspirated 944 or the supercar kick of a turbo.
A prize might become a source of anguish if it suffers through rust, clocking, or misuse. Additionally, a meticulous service record will pay off a tiny price premium tenfold over time.
What is the price of a Porsche 944?
Cost of the Porsche 944 Original MSRP for the Porsche 944 is $36,990 or $43,350 for the Turbo S. corresponding to $92,457 and $108,354 in 2021, respectively.
Will the Porsche 944 make a comeback?
Porsche has declared that the 944 model will return in 2023 as its entry-level option into the niche sports car market. The automobiles will be produced in Germany at a facility outside of Stuttgart that is now undergoing refurbishment and retooling.
What’s the market price of a 1987 Porsche 944?
Prices for the Porsche 944 1987 range from $6,600 for the base trim level Coupe 944 to $28,600 for the highest trim level Coupe 944 Turbo.
How uncommon is the Porsche 944?
At the very end of the 944’s production run, only 528 specimens of the one-year-only 1991 Porsche 944 Turbo Cabriolet were ever produced, most of them by hand. The Porsche Museum in Germany sent this Maritime Blue 944 halfway around the world to be here in Hawaii, just like he had.
Is a 1983 Porsche 944 reliable?
An enduring bond with Porsche can be established with the 944. High dependability, outstanding parts availability, and excellent performance. Few cars can compare in terms of performance and driving fun, and it still attracts attention and compliments on the street. 944 was the starting point, and then the 911
Porsche 944s are quick?
In conjunction with Porsche, the US-Spec 944 turbocharged package was first made available in 1983 by American tuning business Callaway Cars. The basic 2.5 L inline-four engine’s 9.5:1 compression ratio and complicated Bosch Motronic engine management system made it susceptible to failure when subjected to forced induction, hence the engine was not appropriate for forced induction. By removing metal from the piston heads and chamber walls and increasing the volume of the engine’s combustion chambers, Callaway engineers were able to solve this issue. They also installed their own Microfueler unit and modified the Motronic system to ensure optimal fuel injection to the turbocharged engine. The complete engine had to be disassembled for this phase to work, which added significantly to the package’s cost. Although the compression ratio of the resulting engine was lower than that of the normal engine (8.0:1), linear power delivery was still guaranteed. Callaway installed a common internal waste gate and advised the use of 91-octane fuel to boost engine reliability in order to prevent any catastrophic engine failures. In addition, a new free flow exhaust system with a larger exhaust pipe was fitted, coupled with an IHI RHB6 turbocharger, on the right side of the engine for maximum performance. Because there was no turbo-lag, linear levels of boost were guaranteed. A boost control knob on the dashboard was optional, although the turbocharger produced 10 psi of boost. In comparison to the normal car’s 143 horsepower (107 kW) at 5,500 rpm, the modified engine produced 284 hp (212 kW) at 6,000 rpm and 312 Nm (230 lbft) at 4,000 rpm. With a 0-60 mph (0-97 km/h) acceleration time of 5.9 seconds and a top speed of 165 mph (266 km/h), performance surpassed that of the normal vehicle as well. According to Callaway, removing the rev limiter would result in even faster acceleration times. One of the rarest Porsche 944s ever made, only 20 vehicles were made.