1983 Porsche 944 Reviews, Pricing & Specs

Pretty quick 5spd, great handling and fun RWD!! It's our project car so it's needed quite a few repairs -- and because its old and porsche, they tend to be pricey. Although its fun to drive, the center console is a pain to figure out (analog clock, who likes those? and the AC/Heater is just confusing in its setup) But the fact that it has a pop-out moonroof thats so large it feels like a convertable makes it great to drive in the summer. Despite that, its fun to drive and looks great!May 17, 2010

The Porsche 944 is a very easy car to drive. Not only that, but it is a true driver's car... manual steering, stick shift, no ABS, no traction control and no airbags. Definitely not for the faint of heart, since you can pull a four-wheel drift pretty easily. As the driver, you are constantly learning about the capabilities of the car, because they change with every new bump and texture on the road. The shape of this car is unreal. It's one of the sportiest designs I have ever seen, flaring out the fenders so they completely cover the wheels. In fact, looking into your side mirrors, half of your view is blocked by the bulges of the rear fenders... and I just love it! The transmission is an Audi-made 5-speed manual. To give the car a perfect weight distribution, it is mounted between the rear wheels, serving double duty as the gearbox and the rear differential. I have always been a fan of low-slung vehicles, and the 944 is no exception. The roof is only 51 inches from the road. The seats are practically flat on the floor, so you don't really "get into the car" as much as you simply "drop" into it. Hitting your head is a real danger here, something I have done quite a few times. I have done all basic (and not-so-basic) maintenance in my own garage, including injectors, thermostat, brakes, weather seals, and more. The only costly (and necessary) repair I have done is the clutch, which had to be replaced right after I bought the car. Considering that the first clutch lasted nearly 129K, it was a small price to pay for something that will now outlast the car itself... or will it? The paint was another matter. A few rust spots had formed on the lower body, and I knew they wouldn't go away on their own. I was interested in taking the car to a few local shows, so I bit the bullet and found a shop that would paint the car for me at a very reasonable price... less than the cost of replacing the clutch! Last but not least, the bling factor. The 944 is definitely a blast from the past, since a lot of people my age won't even recognize it. This year, in July of 2008, it will officially be an antique vehicle. I'm looking forward to many more years of excitement with this one!Feb 13, 2008