AutoTrader Find of the Week: 1983 Porsche 944 Is an Affordable Gem

Like so many other enthusiast nameplates but perhaps worse than any other, most Porsche sports cars have become out of reach for the average buyer.

Of course, that was always the case for new models off the showroom floor. That’s just the Porsche brand, after all: it’s aspirational. But it’s in the pre-owned models — formerly a bastion of sports car value — where the market has gone simply bonkers.

There are still some bargains to be had, though. Under $40,000? First-generation Cayman S.

Under $30,000? A good number of Boxsters. There are examples of the 996 911 to be had, but in all cases, quality varies.

Which makes stumbling across a gem on AutoTrader like this 1983 Porsche 944 for sale through Porsche Centre in Vaughan, Ont., feel all the more special.

With just shy of 124,000 km on the clock, this 944 would be most accurately described as a “survivor car.” It hasn’t undergone an extensive restoration. It hasn’t been through the Porsche Classic’s factory refresh program. It shows some minor aging and patina.

But it has only ever had two previous owners in 42 years. It was originally sold in Ontario in 1983 and has its full service records. The Porsche Centre itself has given the car a recent service and done some minor paint correction to its original black paint.

Porsche Centre is asking $24,900 for it. And it seems like they really want to get rid of it, because that asking price is down from an original listing of $29,900.

True enough, the 944 is not the most desirable Porsche, and it likely never will be. But that aside, this is still an opportunity to buy a classic Porsche that was, at one point, named the “best handling car in America” by Car and Driver.

The 944 was designed as a replacement for the 924 Turbo, and while also a few thousand dollars cheaper (imagine a new Porsche model today being less expensive than the outgoing model), unlike its 924 predecessor, the 944 would house a proper Porsche engine, rather than an Audi-derived unit.

Essentially a halved version of the 928’s aluminum block V8, the 944 utilized a 2.5-litre four-cylinder producing 150 horsepower. The one in this particular car is mounted to a proper five-speed manual transmission. The 944 was also granted revised bodywork with wider wheel arches (mimicking the 924 Carrera GT), as well as upgrades to the braking and suspension systems. Combined with a near 50/50 weight distribution, the 944 earned its “best handling car” accolade.

Perhaps one of the biggest upgrades over the 924 was the interior. True, the square dash and three-gauge layout is broadly the same as the 924 in these early 944s. But the options list was far better.

Look no further than this 944’s “leatherette” black seats with gorgeously retro pinstripe velour inlays.

This isn’t the kind of melt-your-mind performance or refinement you’d expect from a modern Porsche. But it is a car you can use 100 per cent of on regular roads without worrying about rock chips.

And because actual Porsche technicians have given it a look over, you shouldn’t have to sweat known issues such as worn balance shafts, timing belt failure, or an oil leak from the rear main seal (a savvy prospective buyer of any 944 should ask about all that stuff).

On that note, we’d be remiss not to mention that Porsche Centre Vaughan is also selling an absolutely cherry 1988 994 S — the big brother with the 16-valve, 190-horsepower engine. It also has a five-speed manual. Its Guards Red paint is immaculate. It’s only done 59,000 km in its entire life, and it’s friggin’ gorgeous.

But the ‘88 S model is also more than twice the price of the humble ‘83 base model car.

And that’s really the point of highlighting this particular car. It’s a real-deal Porsche sports coupe for under $30,000.

What do you do with it?

Maybe take it to a car show or two? It is a classic, after all. Or maybe this car is the solid start to your next big retro-mod project? Maybe it’s a safari build? Cutting up an original 911 this clean would be sacrilege. But a 944? Hey, they sold over 113,000 of the suckers. Or maybe you just drive, preserve, and enjoy it for the brilliant simplicity of what it is.

Either way, this is a Porsche sports car you can own and enjoy — that won’t cost you the equivalent of a down payment (or two) on a house. And that alone makes it special.