with just under 340 hp, it screams. Very fast, and the removable sunroof is great.

Horrible ride, unrealistic parts costs, and tendency to blow gaskets or hoses at high boost.

This car is a blast to drive, except while street racing. Just today I was racing a WS-6, and the damn head gasket blew. This thing sucks. If you don''t make a butt-load of money, this car isn''t for you. Because when you break it, (which is inevitable) the cost is outrageous.

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Cobras, Mustang GT, Porsche 944 non-turbo

It''s got alright acceleration, and pretty good speed... especially on the interstate. It looks great, and is relatively cheap to purchase and insure. Gas won''t burn a hole in your pocket, either, if you drive modestly most of the time... and even if you don''t, you won''t have to take out a mortgage on your house. And, this car handles. Boy, does it handle!

Maintainance can be expensive... that''s the only downside that I''ve found. But you know what? It''s like someone said up there... if you want cheap, buy a mazda. This car really is the some of the best of the sports car world at a low price in most of the brackets... so consider it!! If you shop around and get a good one, you won''t be dissapointed!

My 944 is a really, really great car. The guy I bought it from had bought the car about two years ago as a hobby car to work on(I think). He was then transferred in the military out of country and was forced to sell it. The engine is rebuilt, and much of the car is new. The car overall is in tip top shape. Someday, I will get a new paint job(due to stone chipping), but that can wait. This car handles like crazy, and has enough power for me right now. It''s practical, too. Because of the hatch-back, it has much cargo space (especially with the back seat folded down). It gets relatively great gas mileage, and is also relatively cheap to insure. If you shop around for a while, a good 944 can be found for a very low price. The only killer is maintainance... Getting parts can be expensive, and so can be paying a repairman... But you know what? The best thing about this car is something that can''t be stated in numbers... it''s just PLAIN FUN to drive. It handles like "it''s on rails", and I know that I can drive around town at a calm pace, and then, just whenever I need that extra speed, I can give it a bit more gas. It''s comfortable for long trips, and the car looks awesome, too. I personally like the dark rims and older style bumper. And all of that makes up for the cost of maintainance and makes it worthwhile.

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The only thing remotely close that I''ve used is Mazda Protege... and it''s not too close. I thought this car gripped the road... but now, when I drive it(it''s now my brother''s car), it wants to sl

Once the boost kicks in above 3000 rpm, the acceleration is vicious. Other cars I''ve driven (911, Boxster S, American muscle cars) that are supposed to be quick feel like slugs in comparison. The only contemporary Porsche that''s quicker is the new 911 Turbo. Another plus is the availability of aftermarket performance mods. $500 or so spent on just a chip and a simple boost control device like the Lindsey Boost Enhancer gives you almost 50 hp more than stock and faster turbo spool-up. Much more power is possible with more expensive mods. The engine is very durable if properly maintained. There are plenty of examples of high-mileage (well over 100,000 miles) Turbos on the road. Handling and road-holding are almost in the race car category. Road feel is uncanny. Handling is very predictable and the limits are beyond anything you could reasonably use on the street. After 13 years, the body on my vehicle is still solid, tight, and completely rust free. The fold-down rear seats actually give you reasonable luggage/cargo carrying capacity in the rear hatch area. The 911''s and Boxster''s don''t have anything like this. I think it''s still one of the best lookin

Turbo lag and lack of low-end torque (under 2500 rpm) are weaknesses. The ride quality is quite harsh and almost unbearable over rough roads. Keep in mind the suspension is tuned for handling and performance, with little compromise for ride comfort. Parts and repair costs are very high. I purchased the car new in ''89. In the first 8-9 years of ownership, my car needed few significant repairs outside of routine maintenance (which is still expensive). In the last few years, however, various leaks--transmission seal, power steering (twice), cam carrier gasket (twice), exhaust manifold--have become a problem, perhaps from just age. The clutch is somewhat fragile and VERY costly to replace. It will not stand up to drag strip launches. Back seats are useless for human passengers, but that''s no surprise for a car of this type.

A no-compromise sports car with phenomenal handling and acceleration.

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911, Boxster, Mustang, Camaro, 944 (non-turbo)

Beauty, style, handling, weight balance and stock performance from a 2.5 liter naturally aspirated 4 cylinder. Attracts alot of attention and receives ALOT of compliments!!

Obviously, higher repair costs, and more routine maintenance than "ordinary" cars. But when they run right they are worth every dime in my opinion.

I have owned my 944 for 3 years now, it had 71k when I bought it and now has 106k. I bought it from the original owner with all the paperwork and maintenance records intact. It is an amazing little car, and although I paid a little more than most people for the same car I felt good about it because I was sure of what I was buying. However, soon I became aware of how much is required to keep one of these cars in tip top shape. At 86k the DME shorted out and cost $1200 to replace, timing/balance shaft belts have been replaced twice since I have owned it at about $500 each. Clutch was upgraded to a 951 version at 94k after the rubber disc seperated. Cost $550 and I did the labor myself. Fuel pump went out at 104k and cost $249 to replace and I also did the labor. Most recently the ring gear and pinion broke and it hasn''t yet been repaired but I am looking for a rebuilt turbo gearbox (approx. $600-$1000). I admit I do drive my car a little harder than some may but that is what a Porsche is best at and it has never in any way been neglected. I have all intentions of repairing her again and driving her till something breaks again (I already have $5000 invested in repairs/upgrades). I can honestly say despite all my personal setbacks I do not regret owning a 944 and would love to buy a turbo car next!!

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Datsun 280Z, Nissan 300ZX, Dodge Stealth, Mazda RX7.

Peace of mind. Feels great to get behind the wheel and just go. Control layout including radio, heater, lights , gear shift are all withing a finger length away

not so much a weakness but not one of the more liked things is the maintenence. Get the car checked before you buy!!! $1200- water pump belt hose and radiator, $550- CV joints (yeah its got 4) $330- struts in front and tires in rear. $120- timing belt (not bad huh, try every 30K! yeah)

What a beautiful automobile! With the aggressive wide-body stance, flawless body lines, and pop up headlights this car looks mean at the line. With the drop of the clutch power produced by the cars 2.5L 8v 4-cyl. zooms to the trans-axel located in the rear the car begins to move. With the enginering of the suspension the massive 245/40-17" tires still grab. Take off is quick and without hesitation thru the grears. Reds at 6500rpm, but will let you take it to 7100rpm without a hitch. Simplicity on the inside makes it a marvel to navigate. Everything is so convientely locate you can jump in and know where everything is. 154,000 miles on my 86 and we are still climbing. If you take care of the engine and keep the compression high the engine will alst forever. Very predictable as to when you are going to hard. And without fade or locking up (even w/o ABS) the brakes give you a sense of security not for the faint of heart. One of if not the best "entry-level" sports cars for the $ around. But nothing about the car is entry level.

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Audi Quattro GT- Wonderful car and similaer in may ways. No comparision in performance ''83 Datsun 200sx. yeah you laugh but the double spark 2.2L really has power. Didn''t handle but it would ke

Handling, acceleration, roomy interior, quality, looks!!! And it''s a Porsche...

Expensive repairs, boot for top could be attached better.

I''ve wanted a Porsche 944 since I was ten, and it''s been worth the wait. I hadn''t considered a covertible until recently, and I''m very glad I paid the extra money to get one. It has an exotic look that pictures just don''t do justice, plus they seem to be holding their value better than the other models since they are so rare. The car has 99K miles on it, and not a single rattle or quirk, if you don''t count the radio which will soon be replaced. The exterior is nearly perfect, with a new top, and just a few minor scratches, no dings. It also had the timing belt, water pump, tires, and clutch recently replaced. While I''m happy to just sit in my garage and admire it, driving it gives me a smile I just can''t get rid of. It never seems stressed or strained, it just pulls to the redline with a beautiful raspy exhaust note, and takes corners with ease, giving you plenty of warning when the rear starts to come loose. Very balanced handling. It looks great with the top up or down, and it actually has plenty of room inside for my 6''7'''' frame. I can''t say enough good things about this car! I''ve owned both an 1997 RX-7 Turbo and 1998 RX-7 Convertible - the 944 S2 is faster than both, much faster than the convertible, and handles nearly as well (that''s more a testiment to the RX-7 than a knock on the Porsche). Build quality is much better in the 944, and it just feels more solid on the road. It accelerates out of a corner like nothing else I have driven. I love this car!!!

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Mazda RX-7 Turbo, RX-7 Convertible

handling low end punch four cylinder economics german ergonomics the gawk factor (put this in your pipe and smoke it honda boy) -for a seventeen year old car with 108k, it still handles like i drove it off the lot yesterday, the steering is tight and the suspension is firm. it also stood up to my dad''s idea of a roadtrip, 3000 miles in three days. 1000 miles strait each day with stops for gas and food as it''s only rest. "performance without comprimise"

just one after four thousand miles,(about the slave cylinder thing, the folks i talked to a vertex auto say they sell a ton of ''em) but i''ll write this review again in a year. i don''t think however that my sentiment will have changed much

So i was visiting my dad last summer after i had just passed drivers-ed. we were talking about cars, and what i had my eye on in a decient price range. just then we passed an exotic car dealership, i first set my eyes on one of the most beautiful cars i have ever seen. my lady in red was just that, a gaurds red 944. we test drove it and i was hooked, i was in deep. much to my surprise, the asking price was 5k. not bad at all, but still i flew home that summer . i spent a majority of my waking hours in the year to come thinking about that 944. how spectacular that car was. the looks, the handling, the price. next summer rolled around and i was still looking for a car. on the way home from the airport, my dad and i stopped off at a porsche dealership in NJ. i drooled at the 944s that were for sale in the back. i drove home with a heavy heart in a Ford contour that i was sure i was going to take home. we crested the hill to my dad''s house and in the drive way was a kalihari metallic (gold)1984 porsche 944. i about wet myself. so that''s how i met met new car. a car that i have an absolute love affair with. but now i''ll be getting to the review part. i absolutely love this car to death. we drove home, across the country i might add, with only one flaw. a slight leak somewhere in the clutchrake system. as i drove around town, the leak got worse, the culprit revealed himself as a bad slave cylinder. with the help of a good friend, we had it off in an hour. here''s where i''m supposed to tell you that the flaw of these cars is the maintnence, and the parts are insanly expensive. i''m not going to, the new OEM slave cylinder set me back 48 bucks. i strongly suggest mail order when you go for maitnence on this car. parts are relativly cheap, if you don''t mind waiting. maintain it like any other car, and you should be fine.(with the exeption of the timing belt thing) i also recomend a haynes manual for you do-it-yourselfers, like me, it has proved to be very helpful. i fire up my 944 every morning and all i can think about is one of porsche''s old advertising campaigns. "porsche, there is no substitute." i snicker at myself for a moment and i''m on my merry way, with my window down and a great big grin. the boys in germany sure know how to build a car.

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my moms saturn definitly does not qualify :)

Balanced, not hard to drive. Won''t be too much to handle for the average driver. A 200K mile 944 still has life left in it.

You have to maintain these cars properly. Change the oil, change the belts, do the scheduled work. Here''s the key... you HAVE to have a trained mechanic do engine/electical work. You shouldn''t take it to your brother-in-law at the Ford dealership and you shouldn''t plan on doing the work yourself. I don''t know why this is, but it''s a fact. Because of this, repairs can get expensive. This is true when compared to a Honda, but if you compare it to a Ferrari which needs a $5,000 (minimum) service every 30K miles, the 944 doesn''t look so expensive. People say repairs are expensive, but compare apples to apples. A Porsche is a semi-exotic sports car not a Dodge neon and not even a mass produced Chevy Corvette.

944''s are very balanced, good performing cars which can last a really long time. Like all Porsches the styling is still fresh after years. They hold up well and are comfortable to drive. My dad bought the car new in 1983 and passed it on to me in 1995. I finally sold it in 1997 with over 200K miles. I had it inspected prior to selling it. It''s original clutch had only worn 40% and the compression ratio was still perfect. The paint and interior was still new looking. These cars will last forever if properly maintained! Of course the last part of that sentance is the kicker.

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My family, friends and I have had several Porsches, 911''s, 914''s, 944''s as well as other sports cars such as Audi TT''s and Ferrari''s. You absolutely can''t get a better awe-to-price ratio than y

Good looks
Great handling
Decent power
Overall comfort

Top is a pain, even though power, to latch down.
A little more steerin column shake than expected but not bad
I really need a cup holder :)

I first saw this car back in 1990 when it came out. I always loved its look but not its original price (over $50K) A couple years ago I saw a Guards Red 944S2C sitting in an exotic car dealers lot. It had just under 43K on it, all original with Porsche CD and upgraded speaker system. An 83 year old man was parting with it. Paint was in good shape as was top, interior looked new. Took it home a few days later.
I love the looks I get, especially from other Porsche owners. They realize it's a Porsche but not quite sure. The stock lowered windshield and raised rear give it a mean stance. I've been asked if it is a Ferrari or a concept car. Some realize right away what it is and run over chanting they've never seen one. Often Boxters (first generation)challenge me, this is where that 3.0l 4 shines, once its rev'd up I'm right on their tale or ahead of them, this car has decent kick. Love those shifts to 2nd with wheel spin.
I would recommend as being an unusual and soon to be sought after Porsche. It is very comfortable and roomy, surprisingly good ride with an insulated top that shuts out noise well. Still has modern looks today. This one is a keeper.

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Lexus ES300 / Mercedes C230 Kompressor
'83 911SC / BMW 323i / Volvo 850 TurboR

I upgraded it with Porsche twin turo's, and an advanced racing suspension,and bbs racing wheels. i raced a brand new Corvette zo6 off the showroom floor and wentto a track. He accelerated quicker, but when we go to corner one i dumped the clutch an dwen tinto third gear(power gear) and just smoked him, I haven tdrove a car that could handle the way min e does. A radar caught me doin 192mph in a 65, how crazy is that!

If i could find one id tell you, its one pist off mother F***ker!

I would recomend it for people who want a exotic car who don twant to break their bank account, an dwith some added performance parts, you will be driving the fastest car around.

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It compares really good for the price, it is a true exotic work of art.The only street race I lost was to a Lamborghini Diablo, an dmine was alot cheaper.