Page 98 - Wayne Carini's Guide to Affordable Classics

at a Porsche specialist shop. Also, ask if the timing belt service has been completed recently, and insist on a professional shop receipt showing the date and mileage at which the service was performed. If the belt fails, it’s a complete engine overhaul because the pistons will hit the open valves.
As with most enthusiast vehicles, the 944 generally got better with each succeeding year and over the development cycle of the different models. Each new iteration built on the improvements that went before it. If you’re looking for the ultimate 944 for street use, the 944S2 is worth the additional cost to purchase. Many 944 Turbo models have been adapted for Porsche Club of America racing, and turbocharged engines from the 1980s are not known for extraordinary longevity. However, any 944 is more than capable of delivering an exciting driving experience.
THE FACTS
944 944 1983-1987 1988
ENGINE
Displacement 2479 cc 2479 cc
Bore X Stroke 100.0 mm x 78.9 mm 100.0 mm x 78.9 mm
Horsepower @ RPM 150 @ 5500 160 @ 5900
Torque @ RPM 142 lb ft/193 N-m @ 3000 155 lb ft/210 N-m @ 4500
Compression Ratio 9.5:1 10.2:1
Fuel Delivery Bosch Motronic Bosch Motronic
TRANSMISSION
Manual 5-Speed 5-Speed
Automatic 3-Speed 3-Speed
Final Drive 3.89:1 3.89:1
BODY
Construction Unibody Unibody
Overall Length 4290 mm/168.9 in 4290 mm/168.9 in
Overall Width 1735 mm/68.3 in 1735 mm/68.3 in
Overall Height 1275 mm/50.2 in 1275 mm/50.2 in
Wheelbase 2400 mm/94.5 in 2400 mm/94.5 in
Front Track 1477 mm/58.1 in 1477 mm/58.1 in
Rear Track 1451 mm/57.1 in 1451 mm/57.1 in
Fuel Tank 17.4 gallons/21.1 gallons 80 liters/21.1 gallons
Trunk Capacity 250 liters/8.8 cu ft 250 liters/8.8 cu ft
CHASSIS
Front Suspension MacPherson struts with lower A-arms, coil
springs, telescopic shocks, anti-roll bar
MacPherson struts with lower A-arms, coil springs, telescopic shocks, anti-roll bar
Rear Suspension Semi-trailing arms, torsion bars, telescopic
shocks, anti-roll bar
Semi-trailing arms, torsion bars, telescopic shocks, anti-roll bar
Front Brakes Disc, power assist Disc, power assist
Rear Brakes Disc, power assist Disc, power assist
TEST DATA
0-60 MPH 8.4 seconds 8.4 seconds
Top Speed 130 MPH 135 MPH
Fuel Consumption 20 MPG 20 MPG
The Knowledge
dIn 1983, the base 944 carried a sticker price of $18,980. In 1987, the 944 cost $25,500, while the 944S came in at $28,250. The 944 Turbo of 1987 was a spendy proposition at $33,250. By the end of production in 1991, prices had risen to $43,350 for the 944S2 and $50,350 for a 944S2 Cabriolet.
dBuyers shopping for 944 models today can expect to spend between $12,000 and $20,000 for a well-kept example with normal mileage. Extreme low mileage
or otherwise special examples can trade beyond that. Even though they retailed much higher than other 944s, the S2 coupe and cabriolet models do not now fetch appreciably higher prices than other models. Mileage and condition are the primary determinants of selling prices.
dPorsche brought back the 924 name and body styling for a reboot in 1987 and 1988. The 924S, as it was called, received the 944 driveline, far exceeding
the performance of the original 924. The 924S was sold alongside the 944 line as a low-cost alternative. In 1987, the 924S retailed for $19,900, a $5,600 savings over the base 944. Today, these are among the most affordable of the four-cylinder front-engine Porsches.
dNorth American imports of the base 944 totaled 56,921. The 944S totaled 8,815, and the 944 Turbo 13,982. The 944S2 is much rarer at 3,650 coupes and 2,402 cabriolets.
dCallaway Cars made an early turbocharged version
of the 944 shortly after it entered the US market in 1983. The Callaway engine was milled to reduce compression, and then a turbo and replacement exhaust system was fitted. The adoption of the Motronic engine management system made this possible, and the Callaway 944 was rated at 284 horsepower and 230 lb ft of torque. The turbo kit and installation retailed for about $8,000,
or almost half the purchase price of the car. Callaway modified a total of 20 early 944s with this kit, and current values are impossible to predict.
The 944 Turbo dashboard is simplicity itself. Just the facts you need to drive a sports car.
96Wayne CariniAffordable Classics