1986 Porsche 944 2.5 turbo from North America

Summary:

An incredible high

Faults:

Parts that I have installed. Cylinder, waterpump, brake master, hood struts, clutch slave cylinder, timing belt and idlers.

General Comments:

I will never sell this vehicle. It handles so incredibly, better than my Vette.

28 MPG and accelerates like a rocket. They even sell computer chip upgrades to create even more speed. Buried the speedo, that's enough for me.

I have a mechanics certification and $12,000 worth of tools in my own hobby garage with an lift.

If you want one of these babies you better be set up like me or own a couple of banks.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 13th June, 2010

1986 Porsche 944 Turbo 2.5 turbo from North America

Summary:

Excellent super fast prestigious sportscar, good value for money if one finds a good one

Faults:

Engine mounts worn.

Cv-joints worn.

Exhaust pipe corroded.

Windscreen wiper mechanism malfunctioning.

General Comments:

A great true sports car with its famous badge to own.

Extremely quick and fast and responsive due to design, 0-60 under 5 seconds, max. speed likely around 170 mph.

With a simple chip the torque and horsepower increased tremendously to almost 300 bhp and similar torque, this with an almost 50-50 weight distribution and relatively light vehicle weight.

Handling is superb, even in curves at high speeds, on straights it rockets away effortlessly.

Generally very reliable, but I had to fix inherent problems when I bought it.

Basic interior but well designed, out in a new cd-i-pod deck to boot, seats are original and hug well.

Passes practically any car and most newer US and Japanese sports cars in a blink and with vim, is a well "respected" vehicle despite its age.

Still has some turbo lag from 0 however, and is "grumpy" at lower speeds because the clutch is relatively stiff which my mechanic tells me is normal.

Was lowered when I purchased it, so is terrible with speed bumps!

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 3rd March, 2009

1986 Porsche 944 Turbo 2.5L inline 4 cylinder turbo from North America

Summary:

Rev to 3500rpm, catch a gear and BANG!

Faults:

Clutch and stud sensors failed.

AC compressor ceased.

Exhaust corroded.

Headlight motor died.

Spark plug wires cracked/arced.

Heater valve failed.

Side view mirror glass fell off.

Various turbo/interc-ooler hoses failed.

O2 sensor failed.

Fuel pressure regulator failed.

Shocks lost damping ability.

Hatch glass separated from frame.

Glove box plastic stops broke.

Sunroof mounting plastic parts broke.

Dash cracked.

Heater clip broke.

Center console plastic hinge tore.

Cloth on seats pretty much disintegrated.

Given the age of the car, most of the above can be expected as 'normal' wear and tear for a 944 turbo.

I've fixed all but the glove box, hatch, heater clip to date and am currently ordering parts for the sunroof.

My exhaust has a rattle, so at some point, I'll need to get it in the air and find out where it vibrates.

Also, the hatch repair is a monster job, but I'll get started when my daily driver is out of the shop!

General Comments:

TONS of fun!

Improvements that have transformed the car are as follows:

1. New exhaust, boost enhancer, chips (added 60-70 horsepower, much different car) ($400)

2. 250 lb springs ($150) to replace stock 160 lb springs and Koni sport yellow adjustable shocks and new bushings all around.

The first one is "Wow! WHAT a difference!" but, the second one is "Holy s***!"

Given the 2 mods above, I have no desire to get another sports car. Perhaps a larger turbo and MAF are in the future (Another 100 horsepower or so, but is around $4K before installation)

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 19th January, 2009

1986 Porsche 944 2.5L Flat-4, N/A from North America

Summary:

Too small to get laid in, but you will get laid the moment you step out of it

Faults:

Had to refit the A/C system for r134a coolant.. the original used Freon, which is now quite hard to come by.

Thermostat needs to be replaced, as it's no longer quite responsive enough (doing that this coming weekend). This often happens with older cars... a symptom is that the vehicle runs hot when idled or driven easy, but cools off when pushed hard.

Minuscule oil leak, also common on older cars. This is so slow that I don't even need to add any between oil changes.

General Comments:

Do you want to pay $10000 or less for a Porsche?

Do you want modern, expensive, wasteful V8 muscle cars to stare at your receding taillights wondering what just happened?

Do you want a flat torque curve that delivers fierce acceleration not just near the redline, but all through the power band?

Do you want to get 30 mpg in a sports car?

Do you want a head-turner so unique that you'll rarely if ever see another on the road, with a look that blends modern streamlining and classic style?

Do you want to impress women with not just your car or your wallet, but with your taste and discernment?

Do you want a sports car that can serve ably as a daily driver, with a cabin as comfortable as a modern luxury sedan?

Then you want one of these.

Oh, you'll have to do your homework. They haven't all been well-maintained, and the ones that are totally stock are generally somewhat less high-performance than the tinkered-with ones.

Find one that has been somebody's baby all its life. You will very quickly feel the same way.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 23rd July, 2008

23rd Jul 2008, 16:55

Such a classy title to this review... and if true, you must park it in a red light district.

27th Jul 2008, 10:13

Very well written review, couldn't agree more. I spent two years looking for one of these and finally found an 86 N/A with 62,000 miles on it that I paid 7500 for.

Original paint, no rust, no dents, no scratches, all maint records, immaculate shape. I am very happy with it.