1986 Porsche 944 Reviews, Pricing & Specs




































































































































































































































































































































































































What owners say
"Overall, drivers of the 1986 Porsche 944 have a lot of love for this classic sports car, praising its superb handling, fun driving experience, and distinctive design. Many highlight the car's excellent balance and precise steering that make it enjoyable on twisting roads. However, some owners express frustration with maintenance and the need for regular upkeep, especially concerning timing belts and the intricacies of the car's components. Additionally, while the performance is appreciated, there's a common sentiment that the power could be greater."
I test drove a 1985.5 944 while considering it's purchase. The car was a rock. I absolutely loved it. Entry/Exit is somewhat tough due to the very low seating position, but once in place, the seats are extremely supportive and comfortable. The engine leaves a bit to be desired, but is more than adequate for a 2600 pound car, returning 0-60 times of around 7.5 seconds. Where the car really won me over was with it's handling. It drives like it's on rails, at any speed. Braking is firm and responsive, direction changes are an exercise in wishing the wheel to turn, and the car almost reads your mind when you're driving it. In 1986, Car and Driver named the 1986 Porsche 944 the best handling car in the world, and I feel that it may still have a shot at that title, especially for the price that you can pick a great one out for.
April 21, 2009Not enough horsepower but decent pickup and long revs, handles better than most cars, voted #1 handling car of it's time, unique drivetrain, 50/50 weight distribution, flooring it on an off-ramp is flattering, i like the look, one of the most fun cars ive driven, love it just as much as the day i got it.
September 24, 2008Performance - Very good ( ~330WHP) What you expect from a Porsche Build Quality - Good (Audi factory) Appearance - Very good design (allmost timeless) Cost of Ownership - Not great . average 10L/100km Fun factor - On race track great drive . But turbo lag is noticable .
November 5, 2011What owners say
I test drove a 1985.5 944 while considering it's purchase. The car was a rock. I absolutely loved it. Entry/Exit is somewhat tough due to the very low seating position, but once in place, the seats are extremely supportive and comfortable. The engine leaves a bit to be desired, but is more than adequate for a 2600 pound car, returning 0-60 times of around 7.5 seconds. Where the car really won me over was with it's handling. It drives like it's on rails, at any speed. Braking is firm and responsive, direction changes are an exercise in wishing the wheel to turn, and the car almost reads your mind when you're driving it. In 1986, Car and Driver named the 1986 Porsche 944 the best handling car in the world, and I feel that it may still have a shot at that title, especially for the price that you can pick a great one out for.
April 21, 2009Not enough horsepower but decent pickup and long revs, handles better than most cars, voted #1 handling car of it's time, unique drivetrain, 50/50 weight distribution, flooring it on an off-ramp is flattering, i like the look, one of the most fun cars ive driven, love it just as much as the day i got it.
September 24, 2008Performance - Very good ( ~330WHP) What you expect from a Porsche Build Quality - Good (Audi factory) Appearance - Very good design (allmost timeless) Cost of Ownership - Not great . average 10L/100km Fun factor - On race track great drive . But turbo lag is noticable .
November 5, 2011Good acceleration, superb handling. This is a sweet car that I don't plan on getting rid of anytime soon! This car has a top speed of about 160 MPH, and that's with no mods, just stock. The car is a blast to drive! Wouldn't trade it for most anything else!
September 10, 2008I've owned this car since December of 2005. It's been tracked, it's been hit, it's been a rugged daily driver. I'm happy with it and wouldn't want anything else -- insurance is pretty cheap on account of it being over two decades old. To date, I've spent less than ten thousand dollars on the car -- and that number includes the 6100 initial purchase price, the 400 bucks to recharge the AC, the 700 bucks to fix everything from a hydroplaning accident that banged up the front pass. side pretty good, oil changes, etc etc. I could have spent $11,000 on a new Hyundai, but I didn't want to spend that much -- so I got a Porsche instead! Sure, there's some intricacies and unique stuff to the car that can be a bit of a pain every now and then -- Timing belts have to be changed religiously lest the interference engine explode on itself when the belt snaps and force a top end rebuild. Like most old cars, there's going to be stuff that needs sorted and refreshed -- rubber, seals, gaskets, etc -- but once you take care of those issues, you basically have a reliable car at your disposal. People knock the NA model in favor of the turbo variant, and while the 944 Turbo is much faster, the regular 944 can be just as maneuverable, if not more so than it's boosted bigger brother. On track days I've passed several turbos, even some Boxsters -- the best feeling I've had in my car was knowing I could do more with a less-powerful car than some folks were able to do with their $60k boxsters and $18k 951s. In addition to summer weather driving, my 944 has seen winter duty since the end of 2005, and there have been no problems to date. I purchased a set of nokian winter tires and haven't had any problems with driving in bad weather. The handling is exceptionally precise while remaining very forgiving.
April 8, 2008Not the fastest car on the road, it can hold its own.
January 6, 2008The 944 turbo is a great car from the 80's. A pure sportscar with great performance. It goes from 0 to 60 in about 6 and a bit seconds and has it's top well over 150 mph. Although it's a car from the 80's, it's looks are quiet good, especially the rear fenders, they are pretty wide and give it a more aggressive look.
May 9, 2011The 944 is an excellent vehicle to own. Stylish and a lot of fun to drive, the Porsche 944 is a perfect car for a person whose passion is cars. I would recommend this care to anyone and everyone, and it costs less that most cars on the market. Enjoy!
July 31, 2008My Porsche is the first car i have ever owned. I love it to death. It couldn't be in better condition. It handles like a dream. It sounds amazing and it's needed a new timing belt... Typical Porsche 70,000 miles. The gas mileage is about 37 though it does take premium. It's also incredibly fun to drive.
July 28, 2008This car was modified by a racing pit crew. It had a stage three kit that gave it about 75 more horse power that a regular 944 turbo. The kit includes upgrades to the clutch, air intake, suspension, exhaust and a computer chip...it had about 360 horse power and had been driven over 200 miles per hour.
June 30, 2008Trims & specs
Base MSRP $23,500 | Seating 4 |
Engine N/A | Cargo Capacity N/A |
Combined MPG N/A | Drivetrain N/A |
Base MSRP $30,050 | Seating 4 |
Engine N/A | Cargo Capacity N/A |
Combined MPG N/A | Drivetrain N/A |







