From 1982 until 1991, the Porsche 944 was a sports car produced by the German automaker Porsche. The 944 was a mid-level front-engine, rear-wheel-drive car built on the 924 platform. It was offered in coupe or cabriolet body types with either naturally aspirated or turbocharged engines. Before the Boxster and 997 Carrera were introduced, the 944 was Porsche’s most popular sports car with over 163,000 vehicles built.
Porsche decided to abandon the 944 label and rebrand the car as the 968 for the 1992 model year after making significant design changes.
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An inferior Porsche
Speaking of maintenance, the 944 may have been inexpensive to purchase for many years on the used market, but it has never been inexpensive to maintain, which has caught many owners on a tight budget off guard. The replacement of the crucial timing belt and water pump can cost well over a thousand dollars, and parts are typically hard to come by.
The state of a specific 944 might vary greatly because different owners treated their cars differently throughout the years. Some owners drove their 944s daily and mistreated them, while others took pride in their Porsche ownership and treated it like a 911. That explains in part why prices range so widely, from around $3000 for a basic but functional project to $50k to $60k for a collector-grade Turbo or Turbo S. The rising tide of 911 prices lifted all the other boats in the Porsche sea from roughly 2012 until the end of 2017, including previously underrated models like the 914, 912, and 944.
Is the Porsche 944 a worthwhile purchase in 2021?
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.
Production & Sales Units for the Porsche 944
A total of 173,238 Porsche 944 vehicles were produced during the model’s production period, which spanned the years 1982 to 1991. It was one of Porsche’s most popular sports cars ever. With 113,070 sales, the standard coupe 944 was the best-selling model. With a production of slightly over 25,000 units, the Turbo came in second. Both the S and S2 sold slightly more than 10,000 units.
the last line
Early in 1990, Porsche engineers started developing the S3, which they intended to be the 944’s third development. They were aware as the development process went along that so many components were being altered that they had created a vehicle that was essentially wholly new. As a result, Porsche switched its focus from the 944 S/S2 to the 968, a vehicle that would completely replace the 944. With almost 4,000 vehicles produced and sold, the 944’s final year of manufacturing was 1991. The 968 made its debut in 1992 and went on sale concurrently with the 928 up until 1995, when both water-cooled front engine variants were phased out.
Porsche: 944 saved?
The 944’s base engine produced approximately 143 horsepower (later base models would produce up to 163 horsepower), and the top-of-the-line Turbo S produced 247 horsepower from its 2.5-liter inline-four turbocharger.
What kind of engine powers a 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.
Are Porsche 944 values rising?
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.
What’s the market price of a 1987 Porsche 944?
Similar to any other 944, turbos are dependable IF they have received frequent and thorough maintenance. I’ve had 2 944s so far (Lux & S2) and they are amazingly good value, if you buy properly and are willing to be patient when searching. If you acquire a nice one, they are a dependable and surprisingly practical day-to-day car.
What’s the market price of a 1982 Porsche 944?
The 944 S2’s 3.0-liter four-valve engine produced 211 horsepower, nearly matching the Turbo variant’s level of performance as the successor to the S model.
Is it expensive to maintain a Porsche 944?
With a top speed of 165 mph (266 km/h), the performance is also better than the ordinary vehicle, with a 0-60 mph (0-97 km/h) acceleration time of 5.9 seconds.
What is the value of a flawless Porsche 944?
The Porsche 944 is a vehicle that, in terms of classic Porsches, was formerly regarded as a bit of a “underdog.” But during the past few years, its appeal has greatly increased, making it one of the most sought-after vintage Porsches that is still available at an affordable price.
Which Porsches have a V8?
Yes, they are constructed to function, but they are built to function for a very long time. The lifespan of a Porsche 911 engine is rated at 100,000 kilometers and 10 years. Porsche 911s, like any other vehicle, live longer with good, regular maintenance and care. The majority of Porsche vehicles have a lifespan of at least 150,000 miles.
How durable are Porsche engines?
Porsche opted to make the new 944, which would eventually replace the 924, its racing premiere at the 1981 24 Hours of Le Mans. The new 2.5 liter, four-cylinder engine for this vehicle was evolved from the alloy V8. However, there were a lot of adjustments made when going from a half-V8 to a modern inline 4 cylinder.
Was there a V8 in the 944?
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Are 944 Turbos trustworthy?
The new Cayenne GTS models SUV duo with dynamic setup and special equipment is back with a V8 engine. St. Georg. With the Cayenne GTS and Cayenne GTS Coupe, Porsche is adding two new models to its SUV lineup that were created with exceptional driving performance in mind.
How far can a 944 travel?
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 horsepower does a 944 have?
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. Despite having a high base price, nearly 163,000 944s were in use between 1982 and 1991.