1986 Porsche 944 from North America - Comments

Frozen brake caliper locked up on the rotor, which caused the rear passenger side wheel to hop (very dangerous and expensive problem) which led to extensive brake work.

I replaced the battery because the old one wasn't holding a decent charge. This worked fine up until now, however, I believe it was actually the alternator that need to be fixed. Another expensive matinence endeavor.

Various fuses have blown with the installation of an aftermarket Alpine CD player.

The oil filter gasket housing began to gush oil over the summer; I was losing a quart of oil a week with only light driving.

I can highlight the performance aspect of handling that every other owner has described. It can outrun almost every car around. The neutral, heavy steering makes it so easy to drive, especially if it begins to slide. The trottle is very adaptive and you can feel exactly how much pressure to put on the gas to get the amount of power you want. This car is great for small neighborhoods and twisty roads, and drives fairly easily at speeds over 120 MPH. Don't even think about driving it if there's any snow on the ground, it's a bad idea. It's definetly a summer car, and don't let anyone else tell you otherwise.

The downside is that there is very little power available. Off the line, this car is pathetic by modern standards. Lincoln Navigators weighing twice as much are faster off the line. You have to really push this car to get the pwoer you want; I highly recommend the turbo if you have a need for speed and more fun.

The brakes in my opinion are weak and mushy. I'm not only referring to my own car, but other 944's I've driven; I just think they should be able to stop a 3000 lb. car faster and easier.

I despise the amount of road noise and bumpy ride. The windnoise also contributes to further odd sounds. The seats and driving position are firm yet comfortable and supportive for their purpose. Mind you that this isn't a plush 928 or a bare-bones 911 or 924, it's right in between.

I'm glad to have some power options you wouldn't expect from a car of this age (the orginal check written for the car in 1986 by the first owner was $30,000). The power hatchback and sunroof are nice to have.

Now about maintinecne; it's a killer. If you treat this car with respect and normal tune-ups it will run just as good as any other car on the road, and get an amazing 30mpg at the same time. However, things go bad when you least expect them. Routine mantinece is costly, especially if you go to a dealer. I've put $2,000 in my car since I bought it, and I have to put a lot more into it come springtime. Not only are the parts signifigantly more, but labor (unless you know someone personally) is ungodly. For example, how can a rebuilt alternator for this car cost $250 and a new one even more, when a 12v AC Delco alternator which does the same thing cost $59.95 for my Buick? My silly friend paid $2200 for new belts and mantinence on a 944 with only 49,000 miles on it with one vist to a local Porsche dealer. It's ridiculous how much money you can spend in such a simple car. This is why so many 944's become neglected and end up on shady used car lots next to Oldsmobiles.

However, I can say that you get what you pay for. The image of cruising in a near vintage Porsche makes Boxster owners think twice about the $50,000 they spent. It's something different and exotic that doesn't cost you a lot of initial money.

This car is definitely a blast to drive and nothing but fun. It's a confidence builder to drive. Women like the car because they think it's cute or sexy. Guys like it because of the roller-coaster ride and deep sound it has. The sweeping lines and style is so 80's -esque, yet still looks so cool. Justifiably, it's the best Porsche around for the dollar, but don't forget that maintenance can get out of hand.

That last review was a little, well, unfavorable because of a few areas the authur wasn't aware of. IT sounds like he has a ratty beat up model, which needs basic maintenance. Road noise isn't bad for me, when I don't have loud tires on, wind noise isn't bad since the rubber molding was replaced, the brake system obviously needed an overhaul. With EBC GREEN brake pads the car stops more progressively than any other car I've driven on the street, and in short distance with never any brake fade. The car is underpowered though. The ride depends on the struts, I have boges in now which are quite soft for a sports car and give a easy ride. I even bought a hitch for my car and pull a small motorcycle trailer with it. OH yea, and it's GREAT in snow. I have the limited slip rear end, and with snow tires no other RWD vehicle can touch it. not as good as FWD or 4WD, but very good for RWD. the key again, is Tires. This car has awsome technology and features for the money, it's a shame they're so expensive to maintain (I do my own work) oh yea, the center consol breaks a lot.

I agree with the previous owners comments. I have a 1986 944 with 155,000 miles. The brakes on my 944 are perfect. They have the "German" break feel. Stiff and precise. On my 944, touch the brakes and she stops... straight and true. I have not touched the brakes and have owned the car for 6 years, she still stops perfectly.

I would just like to say that when I first bought my 944 lux 86 model, the brakes were superb. Then I had an engine change and went away for three years; on returning I found that my brakes were very spongy and way less sensitive, so my suggestion is that maybe after a while maybe you need to change your brake pads even if they are not necessarily low! It seemed that over time even though I hadn't used my brakes any more, they lost their texture to grip the disks.

I do not yet own a 944. Have been offered one in trade, almost went for it (still haven’t said no), decided to look into it first. This site has been a real help …thanks and keep up the great work!

Re soft brakes, SOUNDS like classic air-in-hydraulic-line, at least I’ve found that to be true a number of times in past … never noticed major difference in pads, if in good condition and rotor is true.

Am considering 2 944s, one an ’83 w/79kmi, supposedly-well maintained (recent timing belt (“TB “) & water pump) Had new paint too, not too sure of that, too easy to mess things up (haven’t seen it yet). Other is 85/2 w/only 58kmi (suspicious of low miles, but frequency of repair stories and likelihood of summer-only driving probably part of story). Owner bought it last summer, not on road yet, he needs money rather than car, & will take my 91 Previa w/245kmi in part trade (Firm believer in Toyota bullet-proof durability, have had 3 in the 200’s, one from 44 w/only one TB change (that was my favorite, 83 GTS, very nice handling rear wheel drive (which I prefer, especially at speed on wet or in snow … hate to lose steering, which power to front causes more than power to rear).

Would have to retrain myself to be a lot more conscientious w/944, I think).

Am very likely to give 944 a go, especially if I can ID a ‘reasonable’, competent mechanic in Capital District of NYS. Am seeking any advice and comments, including choosing between the '83 w/79,000mis & '85/2 w/58,000mis, latter w/less sure history. Upfront costs reasonable ($2500 –4500), but may not be able to survive too many major fixes (I can do fair bit of mechanics, learned not through pure interest, but out of necessity, and at some levels, it seems 944 can be done by owner, since not as much reliance on total electronics and thus electronic diagnostics & training as newer cars.) Any comment (including from Albany-area repairmen) sent to jcarsten@nycap.rr.com very much appreciated and will be responded to.

(Last note/query... Heard about $500 TB tensioning tool, but Haynes describes TB replacement without it...Are they reasonable, or is the process too tricky or undependable?... This seems a major regular maintenance item, so is important.)

My experience with my 1986 944 has been nothing, but fun. True, the maintenance frequency, and asociated costs can challenge the owner's resolve. But I enjoyed driving the car so much, I learned how to fix it myself- and it is not hard at all... just tediously time-consuming. Plus, the attention this near-vintage Porsche still gets amazes, and impresses onlookers of much newer cars.

Performance of the 944 still keeps me content. A lot of cars today are more powerful than this car. In the handling department- the 944 rides on rails, and handles like a $200k Ferarri. For the money- no other car built today (or even in the past) offers the owner with such driving joy

and contentment. The build quality, fit and finish is distinctively Porsche quality. This is not a poor mans' Porsche by any stretch of the imagination. The low prices of these cars have nothing to do with falling popularity. It has mostly to do with the cost of ownership, and higher parts and maintenance.

If you never drove a Porsche before- this car will immediately captivate you with its timeless design, the V8-like feel of its' large 4-cylinder engine, and the gravity cheating handling. Mere words simply cannot describe the experience, but I feel Porsche themselves said it best;

"Porsche- there is no substitute"

It will not surprise me if you wind up purchasing the very first Porsche 944 you test drive. They are addictive vehicles- if there was ever such an expression. I have seen too many people actually trade-in their NEW vehicles, trade off their monthly payments, just to OWN this car! Go figure...

On reading most of these post, everyone talks about the high cost of maintaining these cars. My advice is to get a Chilton Manual and do a lot of the work your self. They are great with lots of tips you won't find anywhere else.

I might just be a big tight wad, but I can't see paying someone up to $100.00 an hour to do minor work. I have replaced the A arms, timing and balance belt and rollers. I also replaced the clutch. I got it wrong the first couple of times, but now I think I could do it in a good afternoon. My advice would be to get a manual, read it a coulpe of times and try it yourself.

Yeah, I agree with the other owners. I have an '87 944 non-turbo, and the car works great. It stars right up with that gorgeous purr of a German-engineered engine, the way it should. I don't know what you're talking about with the Lincoln Navigator; I'm still smoking some of the newer Mustangs and other cars, let alone SUV's. You have to also realize that SUV's have monsterous engines for a reason, so maybe you're just launching the car wrong if you're gettin' smoked off the line by a Navigator. And the brakes are tight as they could be on mine, so I think your 944 might just need some tender loving.

Canadian winters are the ultimate test for any car's snow going ability. My 86 944 has 4 grips on it and it handles rather well in the snow and ice, I use it daily. The only concern is when there are large chunks of ice and snow on the road - best avoided. The heater is great and the HVAC clears the windows quickly - even in -30C+

I recently bought a 1986 944 NA, and I love it. A few minor things have gone wrong, such as the hood release lever breaking, and one of the sunroof latches being loose, but nothing major. The previous owner took great care of it, and it still has the original paint job, which after 20 years is nearly flawless. I also agree that these cars handle amazingly well, especially on curvy coastal roads. I take mine up and down the Pacific Coast Highway whenever I get a chance, and it is a joy to drive. I don't know jack about fixing cars, but luckily my sister-in-law's cousin is a Porsche mechanic and he has helped me out with the minor problems I've had. In the upcoming year I will probably have to replace some of the exhaust piping, as there is a small crack, the front right strut will also need replacing, along with the front brakes. All in all probably around 2000 dollars, which is more than worth it to be able to tell me people I drive a classic red porsche.

I just bought a 95,000 mile 1986 944. Completely updated with all suggested upgrades, motor mounts, water pump, new clutch and rebuilt trans, original paint, an excellent example, best candidate available for the money. I've been driving an MGB (now for sale) and have wanted more power and better handling. Been looking at 944s for three years so had learned about the car. Only the HVAC disappoints. Tough to get into other cars now. This 944s as good as I wanted. New tires in the spring and some HVAC attention and next summer will be fantastic. JN - Chicago.

I have just changed the clutch fluid and bled the system, and now it I'm having problems changing gear! Can anyone help as I don't think the clutch needs to be replaced, as it was fine before. This is a 944 1989.. Please help.

I love my 86 944, 65k and like new, I hear a lot of people saying that the power is down, but for 86 it is fast! I have an auto trans, and if I hold the brake and then launch it, it will stay with an Mustang GT. And I shift by hand, it beats my 75 vette, all day in power and handling.

Looking at a 944 1986 to buy this Friday. It has 10000 miles on a rebuilt motor, paint is OK, but the hood looks a little worn, and it has no sunroof. Timing belt and water pump have been changed.

What should I pay for this car? Think the car needs TLC for sure. This will be my second one I have owned, but I was a young kid when I got my first one, so forgot how much I spent at that time... so need help. What should I pay for it; he wants 4500, but I think it's too much.

Cheers, thanks for this page, it helped me a lot.

My 944 Porsche Turbo has been garaged without being driven for 7 months. Now the gears won't engage when the motor's running. (Shifts easily when car is turned off.) Fluids have been checked. Any ideas?