You might think the very definition of an everyday classic Porsche is the iconic 911 in its various generations. However, if you want a practical second-hand Porsche to enjoy every day, look no further than the 944.
Where the 924 upset Porsche die-hards with its front-mounted water-cooled engine that was everything the 911 wasn’t, by the time the 944 rolled off the production line in late 1981, the market had advanced considerably. Not least Porsche’s own 928 had shown there was more than enough appetite for Porsche models other than the 911.
The 944 arrived across most of mainland Europe in early 1982 and it was perfectly timed to catch the wave of new money that was being earned on the continent. However, to dismiss it as a yuppie trinket would be to miss the appeal of this car. It often appeared on screen as a more subtle performance choice than the 911 in the likes of Dallas and Miami Vice.
To dismiss it as a yuppie trinket would be to miss the appeal of this car
The compact coupé shape of the 944 made it ideal for Europe’s main and back roads, while the perfectly balanced handling furthered its superb driving ability. Having the gearbox mounted towards the back helped, though it can make some servicing tricky and expensive nowadays. As for power, the 2.5-litre engine was one half of the 928’s V8 motor and offered 163bhp to start with. That was enough for 0-100kph in a respectable 7.8 seconds.
In 1985, Porsche revised the interior of the 944 to give it a classier, more rounded look with an oval dash. At the same time, the company also launched a turbo version with 220bhp that lowered the 0-100kph sprint to just six seconds and elevated it into a more serious performance category.
The S model was boosted with a 16-valve cylinder head to increase power to 190bhp, but this was a short-lived exercise due to the engine’s peaky nature. For the standard 944, the engine was enlarged to 2.7-litres instead and power was a more modest 165bhp, though it felt quicker than its figures suggest.
In 1989, the S2 replaced the S and its 211bhp 3.0-litre engine is a gem. It has smoothed-off styling and a more generously equipped cabin, and it’s the best bet for everyday use. Or, if you want open-top thrills, the S2 was also offered as a sleek cabriolet.
There’s little to worry about when buying a second-hand Porsche 944 as any faults should be obvious, so look for rust and smoky engines. Otherwise, the 944 marks you out perfectly as an astute Porsche owner for a fraction of the cost of a 911.
Fact file
Dates manufactured
1982 – 1991
Popular colours
Red, white, black
Cost at the time
Approximately €20,000
Value today
€6,000 to €8,000 should get you a well-conditioned second-hand model