The Porsche 944 Turbo Is an Underrated Old-School Porsche
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- Опубліковано 27 вер 2024
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Porsche 944 Turbo review! The Porsche 944 Turbo is a cool old-school Porsche -- and today I'm going to review it. I'll show you all the quirks and features of the 944 Turbo, and I'll show you all the interesting things about it. Then I'll get out and drive the 944 Turbo and review the driving experience.
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Doug, I owned a mid 80’s 5 speed 944 with the same roof… once it’s open to the “vent” position, those latches can be flipped and the entire roof panel lifted out and stored In the hatch. Almost a targa roof. It was my daily driver for 6 years and so much fun!
I'm really shocked he didn't mention that. Also the little hump in the trunk helps secure the roof In back.
I had to look that up... didn't seem right when he said that's all it did.
I came here to post this about the roof. Such an oversight by Doug come on 🤦♂️
I wondered about those.I thought Motorweek removed the top in their review way back when.
Super jealous! Love that car 🔥
Hey Doug, the sunroofs on 944's actually can lift out, creating a large, almost Targa-like feel. As for the ignition being on the right, that is how Porsche did it on all transaxle Porsches, the top of the line 928 included. They were intent on changing themselves away from the old VW Beetle based 356 and 911 models. The 924 was actually supposed to be a VW, not an Audi, but it was set for an Audi engine. The 944 benefitted from the same Porsche design and build quality as all their other models, and really holds up well. It is solid, sturdy and reliable. I have a 1985.5 with 55,000 miles and still on the original clutch, that looks like a showroom new car!
sadly even though it's a great car this is one of the worst doug videos with that many inaccuracies
Yeah I'm not sure how he missed it, if you look at some of those latches, it's clear that its supposed to come off. C'mon Doug! You're better than this.
Why remove it when you can pop it an inch 🤣
Thank you for the corrections! Was excited to watch Doug's first video about a car I actually own, but was sad to see how much he got wrong. I have an '87 Turbo with over 160k miles myself.
Good catches.
We love the classic Doug videos! Old cars are what keep me here. Never forget your base!
Exactly
Same. Modern cars are so boring
^^^^^^^^^
Yes but he gets far more views on newer cars. It takes a lot to do videos. I'd understand if he focused only on newer cars when they get 5x more views. Man has a family and has to prioritize.
Agreed. Couldn't care less about the modern supercars and trucks. They're all generic copy-paste stuff.
I'm 17 and I bought my 944 base in January for $2500 non running, after some parts and wrenching I managed to get it roadworthy and have no issues to date. My car is Kalahari beige Metallic over dark brown interior, I have since recovered the seats to a slightly lighter brown colour and have made several upgrades to improve the car. My favorite thing about it is just how it feels when driving it, I enjoy the handling and I find that it has enough power for its size
I've had three base 944s, two turbos (951s) - and 2 968s.... Or what some will call the 944 S3. The days of any of these being affordable are long gone, unless you find a seller that doesn't know ;). But they are an awesome car, although the base ones aren't exactly powerful, but the handling and the driving position and just the structural integrity is next level. The way the doors closed is literally a benchmark for every other automaker. And the design is truly timeless.
Just some forewarnings if you're thinking about buying one. Absolutely positively make sure that the timing belt/ water pump job has been taken care of. If you don't have recent records of it being done, budget for it and do not skip it!
If you're not familiar with Porsche and you're not a competent wrencher, make sure to get a PPI by a shop that knows these. They're incredibly robust cars but as you can imagine the parts can be expensive.
With the back seat folded down you can literally stick two bikes in the back!
As long as you don't drive like a nutcase they get excellent gas mileage (they only weigh around 2,700 pounds)
With the massive moonroof out it's almost like having a convertible!
If you insist on getting the 944/turbo, the one year 1986 model with the updates and nicer interior also gives you the much nicer offset on the wheels (pre abs). The phone dials looks so much better with the lip....imho (I think most would agree)
And finally in my opinion if you do want the penultimate of this series of cars, the final 968 with the massive 3L, 4 cylinder was rated at 240 horsepower and with a six-speed could hit mid-fives 0 to 60, so they go pretty well. And they didn't have the massive turbo lag of the 951, although that can be charming in its own way.
Find a good one, get it up to snuff, take care of it, and it'll be money in the bank!
I almost bought a 924 in 2007 for $2k. I'll probably never see that price again.
I had an '86 N/A in the 2000's, and I got a ton of parts from 944online, seems like that site is still up to this day but the prices are way higher.
I drove multiple modded 944 turbos,modded 944 turbo S(88-89’) , 944 turbo S 2.7 stroker,944 turbo with 3 liter block, 968 3liter turbo ,968 turbo s replica ( 3liter block , 2.7 head, turbo) super fun drives , some of the best experiences of my life.
I also owned a red 968 cab 6 spd for 3 years.
The 968 is definitely the best for your buck , in terms of performance , looks, handling , exhaust note, reliability.the interior is nicer, updated , also has 6spd, updated steering rack(makes big difference). For pure performance if you wanted to mod the 944 turbo is your boy. But for regular city driving and just overall enjoyable driving the 968 will do it better. The 944 turbo has no low end power, so you have to wait for boost. Both are excellent choices though , coming from someone whose driven hundreds of these 944’s, maybe around only 10 968’s.
Although it is not designated with any Badges it should with its vin/ car identity. The Turbo “ S” would be the one to get .
The Turbo “S” was released 88-89’ , every 89 is a Turbo “ S” but not every 88’ is a Turbo “ S” .
The Turbo “S” is worth twice as much as any other 944 Turbo. It came equipped and upgraded with fully adjustable coilovers, larger sway bars front and rear, larger brake calipers , larger spindles and hubs that allow for upgrades to 996 brakes, it also had an upgraded larger Turbo, which boosted power up to 247hp, up from 225. It also had an updated transmission with LSD , different gear ratio and hardened 5th gear.
In the interior is also had upgrades , the door panels were 10 speaker door panels and they had tweeters in the top corner of door panel and the rest under the arm rests.
The gauge cluster had speedometer to 180 mph vs 160 mph.
Practically a track ready 944 turbo.
There’s alot to cover on these cars and Doug barely scratched the surface.
The 89’ 944 “S” was 2.7 head on 2.5 block , with different cam, and it was around 209 hp.
The 89-91 944 “S2” was had 944 turbo look front and back , but also came in a cabriolet, it came with 16v ,3.0l 4cyl, 220 hp, it also had different transmission with shorter gear ratios, some had LSD..it had the 944 turbo “S” 10 speaker door panel interior as well.
my aunt will sell me hers for 3k. It just needs the engine thermostat replaced and some new tires
I had an '85 (N/A) 26 years ago and an '86 (951) about 6 years ago, love them all!
Thanks for continuing with the old stuff. We’re moving to a place where every car looks and feels the same. The old designs are exciting to see!
100%
Great review doug, thanks for bringing some love to the 944. However you missed the 944’s best party trick! That sunroof panel pops out with the key in the first click position and the sunroof button held and then of course un doing the latches; 80% of the roof comes out
I was going to say, I seem to remember the sunroof going in a bag in the trunk.
I own a 1986 944 (naturally aspirated). These days it's a lot of fun to see how people react to the car. There are many young people who have never seen one in the flesh! Teenagers will stop whatever they are doing to check it out. I've seen people make detours across parking lots to stop and look at it. Its design has passed the test of time.
don't blame them, i'm a teenager and this has so much more beauty and a far more unique design than any modern car
It looked fairly modern for the time, with only a few 80's design elements like the pop up headlights (which are cool).
my father had the same model, white color, was the second car i drove in my life, 1 year after i've taken my license (only 5 years ago). That was the car that made me a car enthusiast to this days, still heartbroken because we had to sell it.... it has been replaced with a 2006 SLK but it doesn't feel the same for me: once you go Porsche you will never come back >.<
I've promised myself i will buy it back one day...
had an '83 944 NA that I loved. caught water in the intake, hydrolocked the engine, had to total it as the car was already a savage title.
I'll take "Shit that didn't happen" for $500, Alex.
Small corrections: the door sills badging isn't oem. The sunroof is also completely removal if you insert and turn the key to position 1, then use the down switch to retract the rare latches completely into the body, allowing you to completely remove the sunroof once you uncouple the front latches pictured in the video. The armrest in the center console isn't always a cassette rack. Some cars have it some cars don't.
Please don’t stop reviewing these gems, your variety is what we need on the platform
Love when you do the old cars. I can dig on some of the newer cars if they're interesting but most of them are boring and I turned the video off halfway. But my eyes are glued to just about any older car review
0-60 in under 6 seconds with a mere 220hp and Doug says that’s reasonable…
It was excellent in the ‘80s and it’s still excellent today.
It's alright
I feel with today's mainstream EVs, 0-60 numbers have lost all meaning…
it's no eagle talon
For comparison, my 2016 Focus ST with 252 hp does 0-60 in 5.8 seconds, so calling it reasonable understates its quickness.
It's not 300 HP, and it's probably not the lightest car ether, so it's ok.
My dream car in the 80s. I think I test drove 20 of them all over the Rhineland. Especially when I showed up in a suit and tie and played the "yuppy". Sometimes they even let me take one out by myself for a few hours because i had to attend an important business meeting in Cologne or Duesseldorf. Young me on the Autobahn......Oh how I miss the 80s.
I own an ‘87 944 Turbo with same Guards Red and phone dial wheels; 15,000 original miles. Has the rear wiper delete. ‘87 was first year of dual airbags as the ‘86 has a flat steering wheel. And yes, sunroof can be lifted out, hence the hatches Doug refers to. Great cars and thrilling to see people’s reaction (younger generation) as many weren’t alive when these were roaming the roads. Sixteen Candles made me want a 944 in Guards Red.
I had one that was guards red, in my humble opinion, absolutely the most beautiful color of all. :-)
Great movie and great car, Porsche there is no substitute!
No airbags on European cars...
As someone who doesn’t have any mechanical knowledge on cars but has a passion for older designs, would this be a good daily driver or good private car ?
one thing not mentioned is how confidence-inspiring the chassis/weight set up was. i've raced and instructed for 914, 911, and 944s with the Porsche Owners Club and the 944 was so well balanced. It would gently oversteer on power with no drama on lift (unlike 911 or 914). really a fun car and they could make tons of HP with mods because of the turbo.
Thanks for continuing to review the old and weird stuff! These are your best reviews, Doug!
He’s reviewed everything new, all he has left is older cars really. So I’m sure he’s doing it out of necessity, especially since the car is on his site being sold.
Love seeing these older cars just to get a feel for the history
These cars have shot up in value and hyping them up helps auction sites... Doug owns one of those sites. ;)
AGREE 💯💯
@@sam0wings Well, not really. What about the Jaguar XE S ? (5 second 0-100kph) Or the Mercedes C43 - those are crazy 'Daily Drivers' any petrolhead would love, fast and their engines sounding amazing and fully refined.
Not everything has to be an ''exxxotticcc sporrrts carrr!1''
My dad had one of these when I was a kid. I loved the door chime and the way that car smelled. That’s what I remember about it. It was also fun to watch my dad drive it recklessly as a kid.
Sounds like good memories
same - my brother and I rode in the trunk numerous times...
@@nhr27 there is backseats in these. I rode in my dads
My dad had a 944 S2 for a bit! I remember the key with its weedy little built-in light.
I feel like Doug getting in the back seat of cars like this is like a service to the car community…a “ take one for the team” if you will!
I always feel super weird watching him go ass first into the back seat. Who the F enters the back seat like that?!!?
@@filip000 Doug has the agility and athletic ability of a 80 year old paraplegic so that’s the best he’s got
It's a trope of his videos. In his old videos you'd sometimes hear him say "well there's a backseat so let's see how that goes for me" or "this doesn't have a backseat so we don't have to do that. " it's supposed to be funny but also helps put in perspective how small the backseat is or how pointless it is lmao
I've ridden in the back of a 944 for several miles as well as trips in the rear seat of a Fox body Mustang, an 80s Camaro, and a 96 Corolla. Awful.
Doug is a bad ass for doing so over and over. His knee cartilage is probably nil by now.
This is the most ergonomic and modern looking 80's car I've ever seen.
i have a 928, brilliant daily driver, great on a long cruise, and not a? mummy i have a small penis, impratictable supercar.. i just borrow those from my mates, Porsche 918, great car, and as my owner mate does.. crap it's impractible.. you buy a car to drive it, not sit in some, look how rich i am, museum.. that's jay leno's job..
Still doesn't have one Australian Car in this museum... A9X Maybe? HSV GTS R W1?
The interior still holds up pretty well aesthetically today. VERY modern for it’s time.
I daily drove a 924S and took it on some epic road trips all over the US and can vouch for the driver ergonomics. The reach from the wheel to gearshift is very minimal and the center tunnel makes a naturally perfect armrest - they nailed the design from the very beginning.
@@graemejohnson9025 you schizo dude
Thats an interesting comment in an era where modern cars tend to have poor ergonomics.
Hi Doug, as GTS Car life points out below, there is a special process for completely removing the top that uses all those fasteners and a motor in the rear. There was/is also a special harness in the far back to hold the top once taken out so it is teathered to the trunk floor and doesn't slide around with spirited driving. I still have my 1992 968 midnight blue metallic coupe which has the same top/harness when I bought it new with a more powerful 3 liter 4 than the 944 Turbo with 236HP which it still has at ~ 100kmiles with 100% compression from the vario-cam 11/1 compression set up that runs on 110 octane aviation fuel. Ive enjoyed many miles on HW1 in California since then driving with the top out, targa-likeand open. There is even a big pop up, serrated wind reflector hidden ahead of the fasteners that depolys to damp cabin low frequency ossilations. Its not like you to miss so many quirks and features! LOL All y'all keep up the good work!
First car I ever drove was one of my dad's 944s. One thing I'll never forget about these is the sound of the doors opening and closing. Sounds SO solid.
I bought one when it was 14 years old with 248k miles on it. The engine sounded flawless, and I have yet too hear any car sound that solid when closing the door. Absolutely amazing.
@@erichenry1472 Right!? There's just something about that "ka-chunk"...lol
I know right? Just like the W461 onwards G-Wagens and the 911s, not to mention, the 1980 Chevy Chevette.
@@brianlee9233 Definitely don't make em like they used to!
@@brianlee9233 Well...I guess the G is kinda the exception to that...lol
My first Porsche was a 944 I bought in Germany for $3000. I always wanted a turbo, but never managed to get one. They are GREAT cars to drive. Other things to know about the 944:
1. Do not reset the trip odometer while moving, it will strip the gear inside the gauge cluster.
2. Do not attempt to mount your sub amp in front of the spare tire. You fill find the gas tank.
3. Changing the clutch takes at least 15 hours.
4. The 944 will fit at least 1 Cisco 5509 chassis switch OR an armoire if you fold the back seat down.
5. The sunroof is removable, as others have pointed out.
What else is neat about the car?
The only car I know where the spoiler has a drainage system.
I have one since 2003,love it!
My addition: the rear glass is the most expensive part of the car, tagged at almost 5000 Euro.
Best 944 is the S2, I owned several of them. Almost same power as the Turbo but easier to drive and maintain. Currently own a 968 which is basically a 944S3.
I had a 1990 944 S2, Loved that car. Naturally aspirated felt so fast. The cam on the S2 came in around 3k on the rpm so it felt turboish but still had that torque of a Naturally aspirated car so best of both worlds.
Respectfully disagree. Well disagree on the basis that it's pretty easy to upgrade a few parts on the turbo that makes it MUCH faster than the S2. The S2 were not bad but a well updated 944t is much more fun.
@@333pg333Agreed. A simple chip and removing the cat gets ya something like 50hp, and it’s easy to go much higher from there.
@@VendotronLLC Then if you get a bit silly you can do a 3+ litre 16v turbo and easily make 550whp on pretty low boost but in reality you have to spend on not just the motor then. Brakes, suspension need serious upgrading too.
Yeah, there is a ton that can be done. If being forced to only drive stock, I might chose an S2 or TurboS, but the regular Turbo is the most bang for the buck with even minor mods.@@333pg333
I fell in love with Porsche during my early teen years and the 924 Carrera GT knocked my socks off. I always felt the 944 series was really beautiful as well. Thanks for this review, Doug!
The 944 was not as obscure as Doug thinks. He just wasn't born then. I was in college in 1988 and saw plenty of these and the 924 on the roads. Fairly common.
The 944 wasn't obscure, but the 951 (Turbo) was. It had the same MSRP as the 911 when it came out.
I don't think he means obscure, just sorta overlooked in the car community. It's a rare Porsche that was sold to the public, he knows it's a known entity.
The secondary exclamation mark indicator is actually a good idea. As a technician I can't tell you how many times I've had customers overheat their cars because they don't notice the temperature gauge.
The 944 was a dream, especially the Turbo. The back end was big enough and perfect for a proper custom car stereo with 8s and 10s and real amps. So not only could it corner like crazy, it could rattle your eyes in their sockets. Also, pop-up headlights are still the bomb.
Are you between the ages of 55-65?
@@Maliksamuels33 who cares if he is or isn't.
His life, his likes.
Im sure ur nit alone with what you like, but I bet there are many who would disagree with you
8s and 10s lol.
i bet youre the kind of guy that thinks 8s and 10s "sound tighter" and "play snappy bass" lmfao.
@@OxBlitzkriegxO yeah, physics sucks, eh? Turns out heavier masses require more time to move given the same power.
@@Maliksamuels33 that’s question someone between the ages of 5 and 15 would ask 🤣
These are insanely underrated! Here in Germany they are also pretty easy to find and for a good Price (as of now) Hope they won't go crazy in Price soon because i've been looking into buying one.
I'm glad you're doing a Review on them Doug! Perfect Timing too!
Prost & Cheers from the Berchtesgadener Land in the Bavarian Alps
@@joeyjoejoejrshabadu Even 10 years ago, any well-preserved 911 cost at least €40000 in Germany. But 20 years ago, you could get a good 944 Turbo for €10000...
@@babelhuber3449 I remember a year ago u could get one of these for 5k in Italy
@@cristiancanova You should have brought it 😜
not true. They are already pretty expensive and popular in germany.
@@sammy674 The 944s and 944 Turbos didnt jump in Price the past Years and plenty are available. Maybe you mean the 928s and the V8 engine ones? Those are definitely rare and harder to get here
I'm lucky enough to snag my best friend's 924s LS3 swap for around the same price these are going for nowadays. Absolutely fantastic platforms
Great review! I've got that same year/model sitting in my garage now, surprisingly with less miles (17k). I was 8 years old when my dad bought it. Even at that price I don't think I could get rid of it.
Pro Tip, the sunroof comes off, and it's such a pain I've only done it once!
If I remember right, all of those latches on the sunroof are because you can remove the entire panel and store in the hatch. Wanted one of these bad in the 90's, and wouldn't mind one today either!
Love these classic videos!
I was shocked to when he missed that. The sunroof was a huge opening, almost Targa like and very pleasant to drive with it off.
Popping the trunk from the inside was common on most cars by the late 1980s. That said, will always love this Porsche, especially every time I listen to David and David.
This is one of the best Porsches ever build in my opinion
Had a poster of it on my wall growing up - always loved it.
A little note on the rear wiper: you really, really need to make absolutely sure the space below the motor is clear before shutting the glass trunk. If there's a large enough item place directly below the motor, the whole glass will pop out of the rubber frame!
What an amazing car. One of my favourites from the area. It is neglected due to the VW/Audi link and the fact that it has only 4 zylinders. Porsche fixed this with the Boxster, only to have now gone back to 4 zyl engines for the current Boxster (sales dropped massively since then). Hope you can review an S2 or an 968 at some point.
I used to hate this car and thought of it as a lesser Porsche until I watched a video about its history and how it was cobbled together with VW parts yet actually was a good performance car.
nobody wants a 4 cylinder but many people make due with them. Nobody buying a new/barely used porsche wants to "make due" with anything
They said 4 banger were no real porsches....what we have now? Correct, 4 banger porsches.
I love my 86 951 / all stock,88k miles. Cool to see the 944 get some attention!
You just missed one feature!
The turbo meter in the middle of the cluster!
Love your videos!
I just love the old cars videos, because I get to learn more things about classic cars, like this Porsche 944. Now I see why this car is so underrated, but also so awesome. Loved it!
I love the 944’s! I owned one years back and it was so much fun to drive. I paid $3,500 in 2002 for my red 1986 944 which was in very good condition. I put in $2,500 in mechanicals and $400 in interior fixes. $6,400 all in or adjusted for inflation $10,540. Cheap fun then and now.
Not a sole came here hoping to find out if Doan owed one, why would you think anyone would care what you do this isn't your channel
@@slowery43 I take it you’re jealous you didn’t buy a 944
@@slowery43 I'm interested to hear owners' experiences.
It's great to see this 944 getting a little love. Considering these cars are almost 25 to 30 years old, they still look great and have a timeless quality to them. As the owner of a 968, I have always felt that these cars were very misunderstood and underrated. Thanks for sharing! 👊❤
These cars are definitely over 30 mate there from the 80s it's 2023
I have a 1990 944 S2 and love the car. I've always thought they were underrated for sure
One other cool thing is the manufacturer plate under the hood reads "made in West Germany." I always thought that was a cool bit of 80s cold War history, and neat that the car was made in a Country that no longer exists.
My old man had this car when I was a kid, and it felt like a rocket to us! My bro and I fit back there just fine - perks of being 4 and 5 😆. He passed a few years ago but thanks for the memories!
Oh yeah, my dad had the Turbo 4cyl Mustang SVO. With not one, but two spoilers. Speaking of which two very unique cars for Doug to review the 1985 Mustang SVO and the Turbo 4 Thunderbird. I wonder if there are any good ones left on the road?
I love that you uploaded so many awesome older cars in the last few months, especially because you mentioned that these videos arent doing as well and that you would prioritize new cars.
So am I. Though these are older reviews, for the most part. He said this car was sold on his website in February of this year, and though Doug obviously got out there later than that to review it, we don't know how long that was. The foliage there looked sorta late spring/early summerish, so I'd guess this one was made and put in the bag months ago, and now is just when it was scheduled to be published. So it is possible these reviews were filmed prior to Doug deciding to simply no longer review the older cars.
Let's hope he changes his mind, but at least for now I am really digging that he is still publishing these sorts of reviews. They're much better than seeing some preproduction press car, which looks and drives and sounds the same as a million other brand new cars, because these older cars have use and wear and you get to see their actual character. Instead of a carefully created and crafted press vehicle that does nothing to stand out anyway, which is pretty much all new vehicles, supercars and hypercars included.
@@evilcam Good point.
Loved our 944 Turbo, it was a guards red 1987 very similar to this one. Owned between 1999 and 2009 and it had all the desirable mods, cup wheels, turbo s seats, etc. Awesome car for sure.
My friend had a 924 in High School back in 2004. A 1979 model! All we could do was dream of a 944. That chassis handles incredibly! It could drift balls in the snow ❄️. It had a three speed automatic and was slow as hell, but handled on rails!! Also it had a brand new Maaco paint job, green and blue flaked. That car was special! Thanks for the nostalgia, Doug!
My Aunt had one of these when I was a kid, and tbh I only remember this because of the Turbo labeling on the back. I rode with her often, fun times!
Doug, two things. The sunroof actually was removable, hence all the weird latches. Actually makes a huge hole going over the backseat.
2nd,early 951s did not have airbags standard. I had a 86.5 951 that did not have them. That happened in the years after.
Awesome video as always. Love this car and miss mine that I sold on cars and bids a few years ago!
Usual Doug video where is forces himself to laugh at things he has not even researched to find out what they actually do. His videos are becoming more and more unwatchable.
Gottem! Sunroof is removable. Would love to see Doug trying to remove it though... might take a few minutes(hours) 😅
I’ve been waiting for this for years, thank you Doug!
Someone turn that cigarette lighter!!! This is such a beautiful guards red 944 Turbo. I had 86 turbo, white one with Burgandy leather interior with white rimmed and black center cookie cutters from 2001 to 2007. I had a blaupunkt CD player with a red face that we had installed in my guards red and tan ‘88 944 n/a that we lost in a fire. We installed the same CD player but used the black face it came with in the turbo. I was very lucky that my parents cough* dad wanted me to have very cool cars early on. The n/a was my first car and the turbo was my 3rd car I had my junior year of high school through graduating college. Awesome memories!
Thank you Mr. DeMuro for bringing back memories. I had one of these and then traded it for the 928GTS. Both entirely bullet proof automobiles. The most reliable vehicles I have ever owned.... with the most unreliable being a SAAB 9.3T....
You don’t still have your GTS now do you? They are worth a fortune now!
Good review, Doug. One addition (seen on the owner's manual cover) is there was also the 944 S. 16v head added to bring hp up to 188. Many journalists in period preferred the S to the turbo.
Did they ever turbo the 16v head?
I had a 1988 944, sadly not the turbo model. But it was, by far, the best handling car I have ever owned. I loved it. The next car I bought was a 2003 Mercedes Benz SL 500 AMG that had 4 times as much power, but I still prefer the looks of the 944. It was just gorgeous. If I still had it today, I would have completely redone everything, including replacing the motor with an LS-1 swap, redone the brakes and suspension, redone the exhaust and cooling system. I own a 2017 911 now, but I still prefer my old 944 with their pop up headlights. I miss the 80's!
1) They had a TV commercial that was mostly POV driving down the road. The car only appeared right at the end. It was an awesome spot and actually made me stand up and cheer.
2) I got to drive one of these on a test drive with a friend, and it was the most neutral, pleasant car I'd ever been in. So I agree that it is a pleasure to drive.
You should explore the quirks of the expanding “space saver” tire.
Doug is a type of a guy to adjust tyre pressure with his mouth
Back in the 80s the 944 and 928 were my favorite Porsches. I thought the 911 was a relic from the past that Porsche continued to build for some reason. I like it a lot more now of course as teenagers aren’t the best judge of good things, are they?
Well I’m 51 and I still feel the way you felt as a teenager lol. Love the 944/928 and I’ve never understood what people see in the 911. 😁
@@rauserbegins5850 I still love the 944/928 too, it’s just the 911 is getting the love as well 😁 even if, cabin aside, I’m actually not too keen on the latest 992 series.
@@DavidDatura 992 is the latest
@@petteriotava8558 oh right, sorry about that. I meant the 992 then. Correcting the mistake…
I'm 55 and wanted this 944 Turbo. A few years later I did buy the 928S4. The 928 was so fun but a bit hard to work on as the warranties expired quickly back then.
I'm also sticking to your reviews exactly because of these classic gems. Not only from Porsche or BMW, but also beasts like Suburban, K5 Blazer, Grand Wagoneer or Viper. Perhaps not the sexiest things on the road (except that Viper), but they are like time machines and sometimes, it's exactly nostalgia you need to reset your mind and forget how crappy modern cars can be.
Always loved these Porsches. 924, 928, 944 - all 80's icons that don't get enough exposure. So much character, from the cassette storage to the rear bumper label to the "backseats", it warms my heart to see it reviewed. Wouldn't mind having one of these someday...
Love it Doug. I've had a low mileage 944 turbo since about 2016... and I absolutely love it. Thanks for making this video!
This was always my favorite Porsche as a kid, especially because it looked different from the other Porsches.
A friend of mine later owned a red one as well when we were 20, i think he had it for several years without too many issues.
Nice to see it on the channel.
Will you be reviewing any of the super flashy 50s/60s American cars?
These classic car reviews are awesome as always, Doug. As you've now kinda set a precedent of sorts, I would reason that you've just GOTTA now do a proper review of the MacDaddy of all classic Porsches: The legendary 930 Turbo!
Thanks again for a fantastic review!
If Doug is going to try out the Widowmaker, he's advised to do it on a track hired for the day, where he won't risk hitting a concrete bridge pillar at speed. This car has *very* individual handling characteristics, which require it to be treated with a LOT of respect. This is a car you drive in order to teach yourself *restraint* , because if you drive it like a hooligan, it bites *hard* if you make mistakes.
You only have to experience the tail skip out on one of these once, and you *never* want to experience that again. Especially given that it's powered by a 330 BHP turbocharged engine that in the day, was a fire breathing monster of a power unit, with, of course, the infamous 1980s turbo lag in spades. This is a car you buy, in order to spend five years learning how to handle it properly before trying anything gung ho. But if you do that, you learn skills that will serve you well in many other cars. Boy racers need not apply.
@@Calilasseia I'd respectfully agree that - if abused - the 930 can bite HARD and even fatally. However, I'd venture to reason that its infamous Widowmaker reputation is extremely over-exaggerated. The car is absolutely rock-solid on a straight and can still brake extraordinarily well even by today's standards. The chaos ensues when one naively abuses the brake and/or boost around bends - notably when entering corners. I've only ever fishtailed in the car once as a passenger, because the driver overrevved and gunned it from a stoplight while making a right turn, causing the car to violently pendulum out of line. And no doubt that was a hair-raising experience I'll never forget nor want to ever repeat. But that situation was unequivocally the driver's fault, and could have been easily avoided. I've personally put many addictive boost-happy miles on the car for years without incident or any sense of control loss, because I respect and remain cognisant of its tail-happy uh, "quirks and features" 😊 and I simply just don't "go there", and I'm nowhere close to possessing the skills required to truly drive the car to its limits as you properly suggested.
I'm confident to wager that Mr. Demuro is among those who know better, understands the car's abilities and infamous reputation better than most of us, and would have no problem driving the car on regular roads without incident. I'd even guess that he'd find issue with its massive turbo-lag below 3000RPM, which is more reminiscent of a first-generation Volkswagen Beetle at that point...following which all Hell breaks loose, which is what makes the car still oh, so addictively fun!
Just respect those aforementioned rules of physics and you'll be fine! 👍
@@frankspatone Point on. The 930 with a G5 gearbox was my first car I ever owned. Crazy as I am now broke carwise but at least I did profit from selling it. I saved the car on wet track doing 100 miles/h. Maybe it was due to pre practicing lift-off on a dry track thanks to our local Porsche Club track days. All in all it is not that scary once you dare to use the throttle. If the car wanted to kill its driver, I certainly would not be able to save the car in mid curve doing what I just explained.
@@Calilasseia Sounds amazing, I love 930s! The 80's beast!
I’m 26 and just bought an ‘89 Turbo with 250 hp today. My entry I to the Porsche classics world and it drove like butter. So looking forward to many many years with this gem
Congratulations 🎉 Hope your enjoying it!
What a beauty, love the phone dial wheels, such a classic sports car.
Power mirror switch was definitely pretty ingenious for back then!
Such a good looking car. Thanks Doug for reviewing it. 🙏🏼
Now it’s time to try and find a nice example of a 914. 🤔
Yes sir 914 video better be coming up
Yes, a nice, original Fuel Injected 914, not a 916 or worse, a horrible chevy block drop in monstrosity.
There were two Porsches I loved as a kid: Jake Ryan’s 944 in “Sixteen Candles,” and Wyatt’s 928 in “Weird Science.”
Hi, Doug. The sunroof can actually lift out, hence the latches. I had an ‘87, until a hurricane turned it into a submarine. It always gave me the most dynamically satisfying driving experience!
Pretty comprehensive review, thanks, few minor errors Turbo sill trims are aftermarket. As pointed out by many here - the Sunroof comes out and there should be a bag for it in the back (later cars had straps) along with some clips on the car for the bag to attach too. Those unleaded fuel only labels are amazingly robust! Knees fit either side of the front seats so smaller adults can fit in there for short journeys, as car seats for the back are tricky my wife (5'6") has done some fairly long journeys and later 944s did have 3 point rear belts. 0-60 is not really its forte - you feel like you are abusing it getting it away quickly from a standstill 30 - 70mph or 70 - 130mph it is much happier!
I agree the 944 is very underrated, especially as with relatively mild tuning 300 to 320BHP is possible - I have surprised many people on trackdays in mine!
I have a 1990 coupe (for about 20 years -modified) and a 1991 turbo cabriolet (10 years - standard), short video of the cab here ua-cam.com/video/0cSOPuFgRyA/v-deo.html
When the key is turned to accessories, the rear arms will retract from sunroof, with the same button then you can remove the top. When ignition is “on”, then it just goes up and down.
A 1989 944 was my first car in high school. It was a bit of a beater. My dad and I fixed up the engine (timing belt had broken and bent a couple valves) and I had to add transmission fluid every couple weeks because it leaked. It had the silly 3-speed automatic transmission. It was the perfect car for a high schooler. I sometimes think I should get another...but then I find a Cayman for about the same price, and I think that's the way I'll go next.
NO DOUG. Don't make these go up in value! 😭 I've always wanted one of these and was hoping to still pick one up while they're underrated and under-priced
they are fairly priced garbage, I just saw one listed for $2500 to verify that, and there are none worth more than 25k no matter the condition or mileage, they are not under priced there are just too many of them to have value
@@doug7709 This isn't 2009 anymore.
@@FacePlantPROs117 I didn't tell you anything I didn't see this week, you need to get your head out of the clouds lol
@@doug7709 I wouldn't call them garbage or underpriced.
Great video- cool car, I have owned a few and if u keep up on maintenance they are great.
A few minor things: airbags weren’t standard in 86, they started in 87. As noted below, the whole sunroof comes off, I don’t think those turbo covers on the rocker panels are stock, never seen that style. Regardless- great video sorry to not pick
These cars are actually very stylish. My uncle was giving me his '86 base model "non running" a few years back. I thought about all the repairs that came with it, and just had to pass.
What ? A free 944 and you walked or more likely ran away ! I'm guessing you aren't Gen X like me or Gen Y like my younger brother. The 944 is one of the easiest, cheapest and most economical Porsches to own. It far and away surpassed the 1978 Ferrari 308 GTS (POS), 1976 Porsche 911s (garbage scows) and Porsche 928's (nice car but the 944 was more fun) that I raced back in the day. Only my 90's era McLaren or Gen IV Trans Am could match that old 944 in fun, thrills, chills, reliability and daily drivability.
Has a place in my heart, When I got out of the Army I got a used 944 Turbo [ black] loved it, my with would have been the 944 Turbo S Great Video
Love the classic car videos , I have to say I love love the 944’s
Thanks for reviewing my car's 1-year newer twin Doug! That sunroof panel is completely removable btw, hence the latches. The panel lifts out and can stow in the trunk with a bag that was included.
As Tom Cruise said, "Porsche there is no substitute! " He was dead on. When I was a kid this was my dream car. I was about 19 when I picked my 87 944 Turbo white over cream up for $8900.00 with 98k miles. My dad was so pissed he through all my clothes in it and said you can sleep in it.......I did the first night till my mom made him let me back in the house. Knowing nothing about cars evertime I broke and that was often with me beating on it, I had it towed it to the closest Porsche certifed mechanic. He replaced the turbo, transmission numberous elecrical issues not to mention, three computers on that car. It was located in the passenger floor board under the carpet, when the sunroof drain clogged up the water diverted into that footwell shorting the start sequence. All they had to do is dry out and they worked again come to find out. He probabbly sold me my same one over and over after I bought and brought him the first one. I bought this in 1994 when the bigger your stereo system was the more the girls wanted to test out your bass and sit in the seats. So as impatient as I was, I had a 10k dollar stero system installed, made up of a state of the art Alpine motorized three disc indash changer and large LED display, (so bulky the radio brain had to be mounted under the seat (lol) mb quartz componets for the mids and highs with 2 Alpine V12 Amps mounted to the custom carpeted and plexiglass box that housed my JL audio sub. When MTV chose their location for several years to tape spring break it was only 45 minutes from my house in Panama City Beach where my parents owned two condo's on the beach, and the trifecta of owning a Porsche, created a lifetime of memories that most people would never experience. I am humbled and appreciative as a 47 year old man that understands what I once took for granted. Those were the best days of my life. Did I understand Doug to say that car SOLD for more than the sticker was when it was new? For God sake a 930 sticked for about $65k back then. Now I think I am going to be sick, At 21 years old I removed the Alpine system and sold the car for something like $4k
My dad had one, though im not sure if it was turbo or non turbo! He will love to see this! I was just googling if you had a 944 review a week or two ago to show him.
Those goofy bumpers actually retract! They're on shock absorbers. You can push them in and they'll spring back out again. That's why they look like that.
One other thing to note about that hatch glass - it's VERY expensive to replace. I had an '84 that had a salvage title when I bought it. It had been damaged in storage by a fallen set of shelves. Paint damage was minimal, but the broken glass was enough for the insurance company to total the car! The dealer I purchased it from did a little paint work and installed a used hatch before I bought it, for a song.
Quick two notes:
In order to fully remove the sunroof you need to turn the key to the very first position and then press the sunroof button. This will retract the two tongs on the rear end of the sunroof. Then you unclip the front sunroof latches and you can pop it off fully.
The 86 951’s had no airbags, ‘87 was the first year for airbags.
I've owned two of these and they are one of the most underrated cars of all time. The handling and balance is fantastic and they really are a ton of fun. The downside is that they use timing belts and seem to leak oil constantly.
The rear cargo area in these cars are insane for a sportscar. When i bought my '79 924 i had a new windshield, a front bumper, a 944 spoiler and tons of spareparts in the cargo area and i could easily have easily fit some more stuff in there had i needed it
My friend has one of these. He is also a really good mechanic because of it.
As someone who owns 2, glad to finally see Doug do a video on one of these.
The 944 was never going to be an Audi. It was going to be a replacement for the 914, which in Germany was a Volkswagen. The 924/944 was built at the Audi Nekarsulm assembly plant. Porsche decided that while a V6 would be best for power, it would require installing the engine from underneath the vehicle, so an Audi-sourced 2.0 liter 4 cylinder was chosen for the 924. When Volkswagen ditched the project, Porsche took it over, still using the Audi 2 liter (later turbocharging it). In 1983 the 944 with a 2.5 four was introduced. You need to do more research before filming your videos. Yes, I've had a 944 Turbo. And saying the 944 Turbo "wasn't so bad" in terms of power is absurd; when introduced, it was the fastest car available with a top speed of over 160 mph. And it was the first car that made the same power with and without catalytic converters. In terms of which 944 is better, the 944 Turbo has pretty bad turbo lag below 4000 rpm, and on the track, the 220 hp turbo runs out of breath at 5500 rpm; the turbo S will pull to 6000+, but has even worse turbo lag in slow corners. As for handling, the 944 is the best handling car of the 1980s.
Just got one for my 21st birthday! I’m so excited you reviewed this now! It is awesome.
I loved my 1983 944. So much fun to drive and surprisingly reliable. I owned it for 16 years and drove it through many Canadian winters. The early ones like mine had the 924's interior, which had way more quirks than this one with the newer interior (1985.5+). The tach was the coolest thing that made it feel like an exotic car, and the climate control with A/C had its quirks, but I found it so functional. The gas cap with its separate key was also interesting and the carpet in the interior that lined the filler tube always became discoloured. The dashes always cracked as well. Because the early versions had a not-so-attractive wheel offset in the rear that made the wheels sit too far inwards, I bought new wheels meant for the late 70's 911. These had 225s in the front and 255s in the rear on 17" rims, and they filled out those fenders perfectly! Unfortunately they were a lot heavier and kind of hurt the performance. Probably the best thing I ever did to that car was put a short-shift linkage on it. That made the car so much more fun to drive.
BTW, I upgraded my key to this new one with the light. However, I thought the light was too dim. I found a 5mm LED replaced the bulb perfectly and you could use two coin cell batteries (can't remember the type) to power it.
My car also had the same center console. You can simply remove all those cassette holders and just use it like a regular center console, albeit a pretty shallow one.
Always loved these. And the hate that goes by them makes me love them even more. Sadly this video is going to popularise them.
Clicked instantly, this is one of my favorite Porsche’s out there, next to the Boxster and the 959, plus the 911 930.
This is my favorite Porsche ever. I'm so happy to see it finally in your channel!
Can we just appreciate that hes in an 80’s car and doesnt have to raise his voice to talk to the camera. Thats quality and shows how well the car is maintained.
Hey Doug, Great vid on the 944 Turbo. BTW, the roof is also completely removable, and does not just have an "over-engineered" tilt function. Lower the roof to the normal closed point, then keep pressing the Lower button and the rear latch mechanism releases the rear roof lock altogether! Then while inside the car, unclip the 2 front roof hinges. Then go outside the car and reach through the (open) window and press upward on the rear end of the roof, noticing that the front of the roof is still (partially) hinged. After the rear part of the roof is about 2-4 inches high, support the front part of the roof with your left hand and the rear part with your right hand and then slide the entire roof rearward about 2 inches to slide it away from the front hinge points.Then you can lift the entire roof off of the car. German engineering indeed. If you wish, the roof can be stored perfectly snugly in the rear storage area of the car (open the glass hatch first!). The awesome 944 Turbo rules!
David R. Smith, The key has to be in acc. position to unlatch the roof....
My dad had a 924. Those back seats were incredibly comfortable for a little kid. They hugged you very well.
Also, how dare you disparage the phone dials! Best looking Porsche wheel of all time.
Isn’t that roof panel removable?
Yup!
Remember the Chrysler Intrepid ?
Doug has to review it 😂
Cheers from San Diego California
The tape holder has enough spots for almost the entire Huey Lewis and the News catalog. Perfect.
One of my fav cars I ever had.
It was practical, comfortable, reliable, and pretty quick. And new rotors only cost $400 a corner :)
Wish I still had it. They still look good today.
I owned two of these in the late 80s and early 90s. Both 86 models. Airbags were not available until 87 or 88. Great long trip car. Very comfortable. These cost almost as much as a 911 when they came out and had a ton of innovative new turbo technology. With an inexpensive chip you could easily get 275 hp and they were pretty quick for the time.