76 classics found
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Porsche 944 1 generation
The Porsche 944 occupies an unusual position in the collector market: widely acknowledged by professional drivers and motoring journalists as one of the finest-handling sports cars of the 1980s, yet consistently overshadowed by the 911 in value and prestige. That gap is closing. Fast. Collectors are rediscovering what road testers knew three decades ago: the 944 is a superbly engineered driver's car, and it carries a Porsche crest on its bonnet.
Launched in 1982 as a more refined evolution of the 924 platform, the 944 introduced a new 2.5-litre inline four-cylinder engine - actually half of the 928's V8 - with a rear-mounted transaxle gearbox, giving the car near-perfect 50:50 front-to-rear weight distribution. That layout, combined with a sophisticated suspension design, delivered a level of chassis balance and feedback that the contemporary 911 (3.2 Carrera) struggled to match on anything except a straight road. Approximately 163,000 were produced before the 944 was replaced by the 968 in 1991.
The naturally aspirated 944 (1982โ1989, 163 PS) is the most common and the most affordable, with good examples starting from โฌ12,000โ18,000. It is the car that most buyers should consider first: refined, reliable in well-maintained condition, and genuinely rewarding to drive.
The 944 Turbo (951, 1985โ1991) is the performance benchmark. The turbocharged 2.5-litre engine produces 220 PS (250 PS in Turbo S specification), and the upgraded brakes, suspension, and bodywork transform the car into a genuine sports car. Turbo values have appreciated significantly - โฌ25,000โ45,000 for well-sorted examples - and the trajectory shows no sign of reversing.
The 944 S (1987โ1988) received a new 16-valve cylinder head, raising power to 190 PS and giving the engine a rev-happy character that the single-cam car lacks. It is the connoisseur's naturally aspirated choice. The 944 S2 (1989โ1991) enlarged the
A naturally aspirated Porsche 944 in good condition starts from โฌ12,000โ18,000. The 944 Turbo (951) ranges from โฌ25,000โ45,000. The 944 S2 sits between the two. Prices vary by condition, documentation, and market - German and UK cars are typically the best-documented.
The 944 Turbo has appreciated significantly over the past five years and is widely considered the strongest investment within the transaxle Porsche range. Naturally aspirated models are also trending upward, though at a slower pace. The key factors are documented service history, verified timing belt changes, and originality.
Timing belt failure. The 944 has an interference engine - if the belt breaks, the engine is destroyed. Verified belt changes every 4 years or 48,000 miles are non-negotiable. The balance shaft belt, which runs off the same system, is equally critical and often overlooked.
The 944 offers near-perfect 50:50 weight distribution and a front-engine layout that delivers more predictable handling than the 911's rear-engine configuration. Many professional drivers and journalists rate the 944's chassis as the superior driving tool. The 911 offers a more characterful experience and stronger collector values.
