Original-Owner 1986 Porsche 944 Turbo Is Our Bring a Trailer Pick
This 944 is from the first year for the Turbo and has some tasteful options.
It also has exceptionally low mileage.
For decades, the Porsche 944 suffered simply from not being a 911. Why would you get Stuttgart's front-engine, four-cylinder sports car if you could afford the rear-engine, flat-six icon? Well, with air-cooled 911 values now shot to the moon, many Porsche fans have taken another look at the 944.
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This 1986 944 Turbo up for sale on Bring a Trailer (which, like Car and Driver, is part of Hearst Autos) is a prime example of Porsche's transaxle era. It has just 35K miles on the odometer and boasts the desirable 16-inch Fuchs wheels, sport seats, not to mention eighties-tastic features like pop-up headlights and a boost gauge.
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And despite its little-brother status, a naturally-aspirated 944 was crowned champion in a 1984 Car and Driver shootout to find the best handling imported car, beating a 911 and a Porsche 928, as well as a Ferrari, a Lotus, and several others. Testers had few complaints, other than Don Sherman pointing out that the tested 944 could do with the added support of the sport seats. Well, this one has them.
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It also comes with forced induction grunt for its 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine, good for 217 horsepower and 243 pound-feet of torque. That power gets to the ground through a five-speed manual, the gearbox mounted in the rear—again, this is a transaxle machine—for better weight balance.
With a curb weight of around 2800 pounds, this 944 has roughly the same power-to-weight ratio as a modern Toyota GR86, more than enough to carve up a back road. However, with a bit of turbo lag to manage, and more torque on tap, the Porsche has a bit more character. It's an accessible performance classic, and great fun to drive.
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Change out the tires (with a date code of 2010, it's probably time for something fresh and sticky), and change the timing belt (again, based on age), and this 944 Turbo is ready to go. Overlooked for decades, these cars have aged like a fine Württemberg riesling.
The 944 should always have received the respect it does today. This example has just enough wear on it that you won't feel bad about driving it, and the silver-over-black combination is perfect for shrugging off the miles. Spool up that turbo and hit your favorite piece of wriggling tarmac. A 944 might not drive like a 911. It might actually be better.
The auction ends on August 7.
Brendan McAleer
Contributing Editor
Brendan McAleer is a freelance writer and photographer based in North Vancouver, B.C., Canada. He grew up splitting his knuckles on British automobiles, came of age in the golden era of Japanese sport-compact performance, and began writing about cars and people in 2008. His particular interest is the intersection between humanity and machinery, whether it is the racing career of Walter Cronkite or Japanese animator Hayao Miyazaki's half-century obsession with the Citroën 2CV. He has taught both of his young daughters how to shift a manual transmission and is grateful for the excuse they provide to be perpetually buying Hot Wheels. Read full bio
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Comprehensive Market Analysis and Forecast Industry trends, key growth drivers, challenges, future opportunities, and regulatory landscape Competitive landscape with Porter's Five Forces and PESTEL analysis Market size, segmentation, and regional forecasts In-depth company profiles, business strategies, financial insights, and SWOT analysis Key Attributes Report Attribute Details No. of Pages 165 Forecast Period 2024-2034 Estimated Market Value (USD) in 2024 $69.8 Billion Forecasted Market Value (USD) by 2034 $141 Billion Compound Annual Growth Rate 7.4% Regions Covered Global Key Topics CoveredChapter 1 Methodology & Scope1.1 Research Design1.1.1 Research Approach1.1.2 Data Collection Methods1.2 Base Estimates & Calculations1.2.1 Base Year Calculation1.2.2 Key Trends For Market estimation1.3 Forecast model1.4 Primary research and validation1.4.1 Primary sources1.4.2 Data mining sources1.5 Market scope & definitionChapter 2 Executive Summary2.1 Industry synopsis, 2021-2034Chapter 3 Industry Insights3.1 Industry ecosystem analysis3.1.1 Automakers3.1.2 Third-party remanufacturers3.1.3 Reverse logistics providers3.1.4 End use3.2 Supplier landscape3.3 Profit margin analysis3.4 Technology & innovation landscape3.5 Patent analysis3.6 Key news & initiatives3.7 Cost breakdown3.8 Price trend3.9 Regulatory landscape3.10 Impact forces3.10.1 Growth drivers3.10.1.1 Improving remanufacturing processes3.10.1.2 Stricter environmental policies3.10.1.3 Growing emphasis on reducing waste3.10.1.4 Increasing cost savings by using remanufactured parts3.10.2 Industry pitfalls & challenges3.10.2.1 Negative consumer perception3.10.2.2 Supply chain complexity3.11 Growth potential analysis3.12 Porter's analysis3.13 PESTEL analysisChapter 4 Competitive Landscape, 20244.1 Introduction4.2 Company market share analysis4.3 Competitive positioning matrix4.4 Strategic outlook matrixChapter 5 Market Estimates & Forecast, by Component, 2021-2034 ($Bn, Units)5.1 Key trends5.2 Electrical and electronic parts5.3 Engine5.4 Transmission5.5 Wheels and brakes5.6 OthersChapter 6 Market Estimates & Forecast, by Vehicle, 2021-2034 ($Bn, Units)6.1 Key trends6.2 Passenger vehicles6.2.1 Hatchback6.2.2 Sedan6.2.3 SUV6.3 Commercial vehicles6.3.1 Light Commercial Vehicles (LCV)6.3.2 Medium Commercial Vehicles (MCV)6.3.3 Heavy Commercial Vehicles (HCV)Chapter 7 Market Estimates & Forecast, by Supply, 2021-2034 ($Bn, Units)7.1 Key trends7.2 OEM7.3 AftermarketChapter 8 Market Estimates & Forecast, by Region, 2021-2034 ($Bn, Units)8.1 Key trends8.2 North America8.2.1 U.S.8.2.2 Canada8.3 Europe8.3.1 UK8.3.2 Germany8.3.3 France8.3.4 Italy8.3.5 Spain8.3.6 Russia8.3.7 Nordics8.4 Asia Pacific8.4.1 China8.4.2 India8.4.3 Japan8.4.4 Australia8.4.5 South Korea8.4.6 Southeast Asia8.5 Latin America8.5.1 Brazil8.5.2 Mexico8.5.3 Argentina8.6 MEA8.6.1 UAE8.6.2 South Africa8.6.3 Saudi ArabiaChapter 9 Company Profiles9.1 Andre Niermann9.2 BBB Industries9.3 BorgWarner9.4 Bosch9.5 Cardone9.6 Carwood9.7 Caterpillar9.8 Denso9.9 Detroit Diesel9.10 Eaton9.11 Jasper Engines & Transmissions9.12 Lucas Electrical9.13 Marelli9.14 Maval9.15 Motorcar Parts of America9.16 NAPA9.17 Stellantis9.18 Teamec9.19 Valeo9.20 ZFFor more information about this report visit About is the world's leading source for international market research reports and market data. We provide you with the latest data on international and regional markets, key industries, the top companies, new products and the latest trends. Attachment Remanufactured Automotive Parts Market CONTACT: CONTACT: Laura Wood,Senior Press Manager press@ For E.S.T Office Hours Call 1-917-300-0470 For U.S./ CAN Toll Free Call 1-800-526-8630 For GMT Office Hours Call +353-1-416-8900
