Budget options aren’t usually as good as Stuttgart’s four-pot Porker
Anyone who tells you a proper Porsche needs more cylinders probably hasn’t spent enough time driving a 944. Yes, the acoustics aren’t quite as thrilling, but performance is sparkling – even without a turbocharger – and the handling is simply excellent. It won’t try to hurl you into the scenery in the same unforgiving manner as an equivalent 911, though you still need to be a bit cautious when pushing on.
Some early 944s lack power steering, but thankfully the later system doesn’t rob too much feel and does improve comfort.
Automatics are either something you like or don’t. With only three ratios, they certainly don’t sparkle in quite the same way when it comes to putting the power down.
VITAL STATISTICS
Porsche 944 S2
Engine 2990cc/4-cyl/DOHC
Power (bhp@rpm) 208bhp@5800rpm
Torque (lb ft@rpm) 207lb ft@4100rpm
Top speed 140mph
0-60mph 6.7sec
Consumption 22mpg
WHAT TO LOOK FOR
BODYWORK & CHASSIS
Check the snout for accident damage. Being low, it’s prone to the odd knock and the fog lamps can get broken. Make sure the pop-up headlamps work. Engines are generally robust, but service history is very beneficial, and essential if the price is high. Timing belts need replacing every 48,000 miles but these days, the four-year interval is more relevant. The engine choice is 2.5 8v (Lux), 2.5 16v (S), 2.5 8v (Turbo), 2.7 8v (Lux) or 3.0 16v (S2). Power ranges from 150bhp to 250bhp for a Turbo S. Note that the 16v engines use a small timing chain between the camshafts – this needs replacing when the timing belt is done and pushes the price up. Expect to pay from £500 upwards for a belt change. Watch for head gasket failure too. Regular coolant changes are absolutely essential and often forgotten. Watch for exhaust smoke from Turbos.
Watch out for tired dampers causing a skittish or bouncy ride in the corners. Also check for evidence of track use. Worn balljoints and bushes all add up to sloppy handling. The brake calipers can suffer from corrosion, especially if a car has spent a lot of time sitting. Be aware of seized caliper pistons causing excess heat or a pull to one side. Use a (safe) emergency stop on a test drive to check.
It’s a myth that the 944 is rustproof, though panels were galvanised. Rot is now common in the sills, beneath the battery and at the bottom of the front wings. Repair work can run into the thousands, as more rot may be lurking under the surface. Replacement parts may not be galvanised, so check any repairs very thoroughly indeed. Check the flanks for signs of accident damage: panel fit should be exemplary. The sunroof should work and neither it nor the tailgate should allow water into the cabin.
The Turbo and S2 have an underskirt that sits beneath the rear bumper. Check the rear lights for damage, though second-hand replacements can be as little as £20. On Cabriolets, check the roof carefully for damage. Only 5000 Cabriolets were built. Make sure the roof operates correctly and that it is not damaged – a replacement is likely to be around £500.
ELECTRICS
Make sure all electrical equipment works, including front and rear wipers, electric windows and the sunroof. The roof uses quite a complex mechanism, so fixing it isn’t easy and could have an impact if you decide to resell.
RUNNING GEAR
The gearbox is mounted at the rear so while a sloppy linkage isn’t tricky to sort out, check that the clutch has good bite. As you release the clutch, you may hear a rattling which is usually the torque tube. These can get noisy but failure is thankfully rare. The Volkswagen-sourced automatic gearbox is also tough, but watch for gears slipping or excessive noise: it could be a rubber-webbed flexplate breaking up and that’s a £1200 part.
Watch for dubious exhaust upgrades. Stainless steel is often seen as a wise move, but sports systems can be excessively noisy. What seems fun on a short test drive might be a considerable pain in the ear on a long journey. Fuel lines can corrode and proper Porsche replacements cost £1000 to fit as the subframes need dropping. Using flexible pipe can be a lot cheaper, but may upset the purists.
BRAKES
What condition are the wheels and tyres in? Are there signs of kerbing or unusual wear? Matching tyres from a reputable brand are a good indication of diligent ownership. A history file that includes a recent alignment check is encouraging – tyres that are worn along one edge less so. While the front suspension uses coil springs, the rear uses torsion bars. These can occasionally require re-indexing – where you reset the ride height – but not often.
INTERIOR
Cloth trim can deteriorate with time, though you may be able to source decent second-hand items for not too much outlay. But that situation is unlikely to last.
OUR VERDICT
If going ridiculously quickly isn’t the most important thing, you can have a lot of fun in a 944 LUX. They’re brisk and enjoyable. Turbos seem rather over-valued for our liking, though they are undeniably quick – 5.5 seconds to 60mph. The S2 is only a second behind though, and arguably much more drivable in real world circumstances. The torque on offer is staggering thanks to one of the largest capacity four-cylinder engines of the past 40 years.
MANUAL 
LHD
