The most authentic Porsche experience can be had in a 944? | Articles

The Porsche 19851/2 944 I owned is definitely on my “one that got away” list, as are most of the cars I owned in the 1990s and early 2000s. Although 944 prices are climbing rapidly, good deals are still out there today, too, but the window is closing rapidly.

Early 944s come in two basic flavors: 1983-’85 and 19851/2 and up. I vastly preferred the later interior–truthfully, it’s one of the most ergonomically sound cars I’ve ever driven–but I’ve spoken to plenty of folks who fit better in the early cars. 

[First-time Porsche buyer’s guide: 5 models perfect for scratching that itch]

Regardless of age, 944s were mechanically similar throughout their run, and they’re generally robust cars when it comes to hard parts, although there are fickle bits. The 2.5-liter engines are understressed–producing just 147 horsepower from all that displacement isn’t exactly demanding–but all the front-motor accessories have fairly tight maintenance schedules by modern standards. And the timing belt that needs to be replaced every 60,000 miles or less also needs to be tensioned perfectly, lest it fail prematurely and take the whole engine with it. Also, be prepared to get…