1990 Porsche 944 Turbo review from Australia and New Zealand

Cooling system - replaced radiator, holding tank and hoses etc.

Air-conditioning dropped gas twice.

Tiny worm-drives in sunroof broke.

Distributor rotor cracked in two, and gouged inside of distributor cap (car STILL ran at 6,000 rpm!!!).

Cruise control unit does not operate.

It is outside now, cooling down after a 200km hard run through the hills near Melbourne, Australia.

It is an awesome car, delivering around 270 hp (when chipped up) in a manageable, predictable handling package. Simply lovely.

The right tyres are essential for this car. I have recently fitted type 'r' rubber (basically street legal slicks) and I have a car beyond my wildest expectations. The 944 itself has a g-force coefficient of around 0.95 - that is, it won't let go until almost 1 g of lateral force. But with the slicks I believe that has jumped to well over 1 - I astound myself (and terrify my passengers) with the acceleration I can dial in the middle of corners.

Also, consider replacing the stock wheels. I am running wheels off a 993 911, and it gives me so much rubber to the road that I am seldom experiencing any tyre-spin. Don't buy this car to dump the clutch and do burnouts - it is not designed for that, and the results will disappoint you and punish your vehicle.

Finally, be prepared to spend money on it - one day it might suddenly need $2k - $5k in mechanics (but it is almost 20 years old!!). But you will have saved 6 times that by not buying a 911 anyway...