1987 Porsche 944

Summary:

Modern looks and performance with yesterday's price

Faults:

The sunroof gears were stripped out (very common as they are plastic/nylon)

The battery was not charging properly and I was getting a warning light. This was solved by replacing the voltage regulator. Very easily done in this car since the engineer's were thinking and made it external to the alternator and the car has a built in alternator test mode!

Clutch is feeling weak and is an expensive replacement compared to other 5 speed vehicle.

General Comments:

Beautiful, fun to drive, beautiful, it's a Porsche and did I mention its beautiful? The car is so graceful and responsive. It has become my daily driver out of pure enjoyment for the vehicle.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 13th September, 2002

1987 Porsche 944 2.5L 4 cylinder non-turbo

Summary:

Amazing used sports car value

Faults:

Haven't had any failures in this first year of ownership - but have done a lot of "catch up" maintenance. Maybe that's why nothing has failed, must have caught it in time...

General Comments:

An excellent value. First sports car I've owned in which there's not a trade-off between performance and solid, reliable construction. The sound of the doors shutting on this car is amazingly solid, not like what you'd expect in a small two door hatchback.

Love the way the car is a tame little commuter at low RPM, and a beast when you wind it up! Like two cars in one...

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 17th December, 2001

1987 Porsche 944 S 2.5L 16v

Summary:

Not the best car ever built, but the best for the money.

Faults:

Clutch, the factory original died at 92,000 miles.

Water pump. If you buy a water cooled Porsche, this will die.

Cam chain. If you buy a 16 valve Porsche, replace this. I was going to, didn't, major catastrophe.

Center console hinge. Plastic, very cheap to fix.

General Comments:

Road & Track agrees, best handling car of the 80's, and beyond. For the money, nothing offers such a neutral handling car.

If you want more power, just buy a Turbo, I wanted a 16 valve, very unique, and a smoother motor.

Anybody who complains of the high repair cost of a 944, has never owned a real sports car before. These are a $32K - $45k or above car. They are not going to be as cheap as a Saturn to fix, even though a new Saturn is worth about the same as a used 944. This is a Porsche, you will pay Porsche prices for parts and labor, if you don't like this, buy a Camaro. I currently own a New Beetle, 86 VW Scirocco 16V, '90 Audi Coupe Quattro, and a '83 Mercedes 380SEC. This car is not anymore expensive to fix than the others, when you remember, it's the only 'true' sports car of the group.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 25th October, 2001

1987 Porsche 944 2.5

Summary:

The love affair continues..

Faults:

Replaced the radiator at 155,000 miles.

Replaced sunroof gears.

Other than routine maintainence, nothing has gone wrong.

General Comments:

Every time I drive this car and really think about it, my love affair with it grows. What other car can you buy for a very meager amount that will give you the sheer level of driving pleasure of a 944? Properly maintained, these cars regularly see over 200,000 miles and at 14 years old the suspension and interior still feel/sound like new.

My car has the full 944 turbo suspension added to it. I auto cross the car fairly often and it handles like it was on rails.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 24th October, 2001

1987 Porsche 944 S 2.4

Summary:

Amazing handling and performance but at a high price

Faults:

Starter motor.

Clutch.

Engine mounts.

CV joints.

General Comments:

The 944 problem areas are well known, and are mostly wear and tear. Do all required updates (i.e. motor mounts) and do ALL scheduled servicing (i.e. timing belt every 60 K) and these cars will not let you down!

These are great cars to drive, but be wary of the cheap selling prices - they do require a big budget to keep them serviced properly, and make certain that all records and servicing have been performed prior to purchase.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 20th October, 2000