Keith Martin on 924/944T/Cayenne

[cegerer]

This week's market report in AutoWeek features a 1986 944 Turbo that sold for $7,700.

"There's a lesson in the 924/944/968 saga for Porsche that it doesn't appear they have learned. The world wants them to build rear-engine sports cars, and every time they venture from that calling, they have some immediate sales success but do long-term damage to their image. The 924 was a crappy car, and nothing Porsche did to improve the later models could save them from ridicule by association. Today, 914 owners get more respect at P-club meetings than front-engine P-owners. If nothing ever breaks on this particular Turbo (and you still believe in Santa Claus as well), it was a fair buy for the performance it offers. But it will never be accepted as a true Porsche. Oh, the lesson Porsche hasn't learned from its past mistakes about being careful with its image and core focus? You might just spell it Cayenne."

Keith Martin, www.sportscarmarket.com