1986 Porsche 944 Turbo: A Timeless Classic That Won't Break The Bank

Understanding the 1986 Porsche 944 Turbo

The Porsche 944 is not an all-new model. It is Porsche’s third front-engine sports car and was an evolution of the Porsche 924 – a car originally not meant to be a Porsche as it was co-developed with Volkswagen. Production of the two models overlapped for a couple of years (1982-1988), with the 944 being the slightly more upscale model.

Core features of the Porsche 944 Turbo

The 944 is the third of only four Porsche sports cars to feature an engine at the front and a transaxle in the back. This was part of Porsche’s efforts to make a sports car with more manageable performance, following the grim reputation of the Porsche 930 Turbo a.k.a, the Widowmaker. It is no coincidence that the Porsche 944 is, often, referred to as the German Miata. To this day, the 944 platform impresses with great balance. Unlike in early 911s, the addition of a turbocharged engine did not upset the 944’s driving characteristics and only resulted in a better driver’s car.

The 944 featured several innovations, one of which was the inclusion of optional ABS (anti-lock brakes). In 1987 the U.S-spec 944 Turbo became one of the first cars to come with both driver and passenger-side airbags as standard. Remember, this was a time when there still wasn’t an airbag mandate in place. The 944’s body is made of galvanized steel, which explains why so many 944s are still in good condition and fairly rust-free (more on that in a bit). The Porsche 944 Turbo was also available as a soft-top convertible, for one year, in 1991.

Performance and handling of the Porsche 944 Turbo

All Porsche 944 Turbo variants feature a 2.5-liter, inline-four engine, produced in-house, by Porsche. Regardless of model year, the Porsche 944 Turbo engine features a single turbocharger by BorgWarner KK&K. In 1988, the Porsche 944 Turbo S appeared with a more powerful, M44.52 2.7-liter engine, hence the internal designation 952 (versus 951 for the regular 944 Turbo. The 944 Turbo S features a K26-8 turbo housing and a different mapping, which sustains the maximum boost pressure of 25.4 psi up to 5,800 RPM, instead of dropping down to 22.0 psi after 3,000 RPM like on the base 944 Turbo. The bigger turbocharger resulted in 30 additional horsepower. Both 944 Turbo variants feature identical gear setups, with a 3.375:1 final drive ratio.

Unlike the lesser 944 variants, which could be had with a three-speed automatic, the Porsche 944 Turbo was available exclusively with a five-speed manual transaxle. The 944 Turbo borrowed its brakes from the 911 of the time. It featured four-piston Brembo fixed calipers at the front, clamping down on 12-inch, ventilated, steel rotors. The 944 Turbo featured a McPherson-type front suspension with coil springs and a semi-trailing arm setup with torsion bars at the rear. Back in 1984, Car and Driver tested a variety of import cars, including a Porsche 944 and praised the German sports car for its balanced and predictable handling.

Design highlights: Exterior and interior

The Porsche 944 styling was done by Dutch designer, Harm Lagaay. He also penned the 924 and 968. Like many other sports cars from that era, the 944 featured a wedge-shaped design with a sloped front and pop-up headlights. Coupe variants of the Porsche 944 Turbo, produced in 1990 or later, also feature a bow-shaped rear spoiler. The functional piece was integrated under the rear greenhouse/hatchback - another signature feature of the 944 as well as all other, front-engine Porsche sports cars of the 1970s-1990s era.

The Porsche 944 interior featured a snug, two-plus-two layout with sports seats. The rear seats were equally sporty and could fold 50:50, creating additional storage space. In mid-1985, the Porsche 944 got a major update. Among the changes was a new, more contemporary dashboard and door panels. All 944 Turbo variants feature the newer interior design.

Condition assessment

There is a popular saying that if an offer sounds too good to be true, it probably is. The Porsche 944 is an appreciating classic, but with the state of these cars being all over the place, the overall condition is the main factor to consider. Inspecting the body, paint, and interior for any damage or wear and tear is a good place to start. This gives clues to how the car was stored or taken care of, aesthetically. Barn finds come with their fair share of hazards, as rodents have surely done a number on the electrical harness and various other components.

Mechanical inspection of the engine, suspension, brakes, and other crucial elements can save you a ton of money. If a car has sat for a long time, especially if it was exposed to the elements, be prepared for a project, regardless of mileage. All rubber components would have hardened making, components like bushings, mounts, or various seals, more susceptible to cracks and/or malfunctions. Checking fuel and brake lines is extremely important. A leaky fuel line may cause a fire.

Check for service history: If the Porsche 944 Turbo of your interest has a service history, it is a big plus. At the very least, it means the owner has kept track of repairs and maintenance intervals. Many of the 944s have already gone through several owners and you can’t expect everyone to have kept a meticulous service log. If the car has more recent and even partial service records, it’s still something.

Common 944 Turbo problems

The 944 Turbo is, generally, considered to be mechanically solid, but there are a few things to watch out for.

• The turbocharger can be a potentially expensive fix: It’s not that they are inherently problematic, it’s just that with age and abuse, they can start leaking. Examples that have dodgy E.C.U. tunes, which boost pressure pumped to the moon are bound to cause even more serious problems like damage to the turbine wheel. Any modification that makes the stock hardware work way outside of factory parameters is bound to reduce reliability.

• Electrical issues are very common on the Porsche 944 Turbo: The model was conceived in times when electronics just started becoming more common in cars. If you get a 944 Turbo, there is a good chance, dealing with electrical gremlins will become part of your daily routine. Water leaks around the rear hatch and taillights can also be an annoyance. This is, often, caused by faulty or old rubber seals. Trust me, I know. Water leaks and electrical components don’t mix well together. Luckily, there aren’t many electrical components in the 944’s trunk, unlike in many modern-day premium models.

• Possible corrosion: Rust protection on the Porsche 944 Turbo is good thanks to all body panels being galvanized. Unless we are talking about crashed examples with a sketchy patch job that is, rust shouldn’t be much of an issue on your 944 Turbo. Still, it pays to look for rust spots** around the hatch lock, lower wheel arches, inside the boot, more specifically in the cavities of the rear wing, near the arches.

1986 Porsche 944 Turbo Price

With any classic car, you should always research the market. It is a good way to determine how much you have to pay and whether or not someone is trying to rip you off. Many individuals or dealerships will speculate, especially if they know what they have. Ultimately, the market decides, and reaching out to companies like Hagerty or doing a quick browse on Classic.com is a good way to get some answers.

Condition, mileage, optional equipment, and provenance (if it can be proven) are the main criteria that determine a classic car’s value. Current trends indicate that the average market value of a Porsche 944 Turbo is $27,424. This is significantly less than the 930 Turbo from the same era, which commands an average price of $170,000. Now, there are examples of the 944 Turbo from as little as $1,700 to, highly-original and low-mileage examples that have sold for as high as $140,000.

The good news is, as far as modern classics go, the Porsche 944 Turbo is still a relatively attainable sports car. The 944 Turbo offers similar performance and a unique driving experience at a fraction of the cost and as more people begin to look beyond the 911, the market for transaxle models like the 944 and rarer Turbo models in particular will start to gain momentum and see an upward trajectory.