944 article in Classic & Sports Car

[PSH]

As the title states this months mag has a buyers guide on the 944. It's pretty good although there are one or two untruths, pricing is interesting :
Restoration: £500
Average S2, lux: £2250-£2750
Show S2, average turbo/cab £5000-£6000
Show turbo/cab: £12,000

Another very interesting item a few pages before this Article is the regular Auction highlights listing from the US. There are a number of 944's that have recently sold including the 1981 944 GTP that sold for £197,436 but the big surprise is two 944 turbo's that I have to say are special, a 1986 cup car and a 1988 turbo s which has only done 500 miles and is basically a new car. The big shock though is that both of these cars sold for more than £50,000 and yes it is £'s.
So if anyone wants top money for their top show car perhaps you should ship it to Goodings in the US.

Of course these are unrealistic prices but as these cars get rarer, sells like these can only add to the value of the examples that survive.

Pete

 

[Copperman05]

One of the better articles I've seen on our cars, he's obviously done some homework and has shown them in a positive light they own and deserve.


Edd

 

[os951]

For some reason UK price level seems to be lower than rest of the europe have.

 

[Lowtimer]

Cheaper than the US as well.

 

[Mike_Pollock]

UK cars rust!

 

[Suffolk944]

From what I have read its also that there is much less "poor mans Porsche" nonsense on the Continent than over here hence prices are more robust as the cars are judged on their own merits rather than being dissed because they don't have the engine in the wrong place.

 

[supersport]

ORIGINAL: Suffolk944

From what I have read its also that there is much less "poor mans Porsche" nonsense on the Continent than over here hence prices are more robust as the cars are judged on their own merits rather than being dissed because they don't have the engine in the right place.

Fixed that for you []

It is interesting to know that the cars have higher values outside the UK, I wonder if there is a market that would make our 944s worth shipping, not that I am considering get rid of mine.

I have never quite understood why anything that isn't a 911 isn't considered a proper Porsche. I was at a show once and got talking to a chap with a stunning 924 and once we talked about my car he was amazed that a 911 owner would lower himself to talk to him, very sad state of affairs really. In some respects I get looked at more in the 944 than I do in the 911, and young kids just love the pop ups []

 

[PSH]

ORIGINAL: Suffolk944

From what I have read its also that there is much less "poor mans Porsche" nonsense on the Continent than over here hence prices are more robust as the cars are judged on their own merits rather than being dissed because they don't have the engine in the wrong place.

I agree with you Jon and have to admit its one of the reasons that I fight the 944's corner so much, well that and the " it's not a real Porsche comment" which I've only heard from certain 911 owners with no real knowledge of the marque.
To say that these cars are poor mans cars just shows how little these people know. First off the Turbo when released was the same price as the 911, IIRC there was a difference of around £10, more telling however is comparing the price with an average house. I bought my house in Harrow ( prices here are very high in comparison to the rest of the UK) in the same year of my cars registration, the house cost £26,000, the cars invoice is over £30,000.??????
So much for being a poor man's car, the 944 turbo on release was rated as a "Junior Supercar" and it had a Supercar price to match.

Pete

 

[Copperman05]

I know we're preaching to the converted here but consensus from motoring press in the late 1980's was that the 944 Turbo was the best car that Porsche made at the time, and that included the 911 Turbo.

The 944 isn't particularly valuable nowadays as most people just don't know what a great car it is, the 911 being that much more famous is the default choice for those wanting a classic Porsche.

Now that Porsche makes a 4x4 and front engined 4 seater the old fashioned opinions held by the air cooled Porsche purists will in my view fade over time, but we still have some way to go before then....


Edd

 

[J4CKO]

Part of me wants to see them get the recognition they desrve and part of me wants them to stay realtively unloved and cheap for those that get them. I think a lot like 944's but struggle with them not being 400 bhp, not being a 911, the "Poor Mans Porsche" thing but judging by the number of threads on Pistonheads there are a few more people "Coming Out" as closet front engine Porsche lovers, the 928 and 924 seeing some love as well.

 

[Frenchy]

Seems a few are going to Oz, both Gmund Silver Rose cars ended up in Perth for the asking price, i know of a local 3.2 SC 911 and an E30 M3 that went over there also, they have a good exchange rate at the moment.

 

[George Elliott]

For some reason UK price level seems to be lower than rest of the europe have.

hmmmm the same market where the Ford Escort was best seller year after year after year...[][][]

a slow market to appreciate a genuinely good car, but not slow to slobber about a poor mans porsche (which they have not driven)[8|][8|]

I lived there, went to school there, went to work there....thats how it was with cars.

George
944t

 

[PSH]

Back to magazine articles has anyone read the latest 911&Porsche World mag?
There's a small article on Toyota/Subaru's new joint venture coupe, front engine, rear gearbox and guess what it looks very similar to our beloved 944's, and there are more similarities than just it's looks.
Worth a look

Pete