Porsche 944 Coupe 83-88 Review

Good Points
Gorgeous Styling, supernatural handling, added power of the 16V Twin Cam, nice shifter, comfortable seats

Bad Points
Repairs can be costly, but nothing bad about the car itself

General Comments
My '87 Porsche 944 Coupe S is a sports car I think I will always love, and try to keep for as long as possible. I've had it since March 2004. Bought it from the original owner with 102,500 miles on it and a folder of receipts about 4 inches thick. It was kept up to a high standard, and I haven't had any problems with it other then a cracked heater hose which I replaced for $4. This car has a sweet 16V DOHC 2.5 that sings wonderfully and revs happily. It really moves the car well in the mid and higher rpms. With 188HP and less then 3,000lbs to move, what do you expect? It's not supercar fast, but it's sports car fast, and it definitely won't embarass itself (unlike the regular 944, which is kind of slow, and really slow with the automatic). The handling is otherworldly, even with the not so spectacular Bridgestone Touring T/A all-weather tires it has. The shifter is a little notchy, but nice and precise, with a nice spring-loaded feel. The seats are very comfortable, and hold you in place really well, and the interior is still very contemporary and wonderful in its simplicity and functionality. No messy electronics to spoil the fun. The car is in all original condition and can easily change from a daily driver to a show car in no time flat. Try and get a car with lower-mileage and a good mantainence record. Don't be fooled. It's still a Porsche. The asking price is not a lot at all, but repair costs are still Porsche super-sized. As long as you take care of the car, it'll be very reliable and can easily serve as a daily driver. The 944 is the best kept secret in the sports car market today. If you ever get the chance to drive one or buy one, DO IT. You definitely won't regret it.