944 values

[Joseph Battista]

Hi guys
What do you think the value of a 944 is with less than 30 k miles?
Original paint...Up to date on service.
Thanks
Joe

[omnivore]

Condition and documentation are key on such an example. How complete is the service and ownership history? Proof of the mileage claim is important- has the odometer ever stopped working? It will break if you reset the trip meter while in motion.

$10K-$20K depending on above factors. Maybe more for condition 1 (perfect/concours) with full documentation, interesting colors, etc.
Hagarty says these are softening.

Post pics and a full description to nail down a number.

Run it by the BaT boys- see what they think.

Here’s a comp:

https://bringatrailer.com/listing/1985-porsche-944-9/

[thamlin000]

Good comp there. I say $20k +/- $5k. I saw a really nice early one with under 20k mi sell for $30k within the past couple years.

The higher end of the value spectrum of a sub 30k mi 944 n/a is one spec’d out with a rare color original paint, sport seats (especially tweed or pasha), Fuchs, sport suspension, non-sunroof and a manual trans. Euro spec and early ‘PORSCHE’ script door panels add value too.

Early 944s seem to be getting some traction. Since these cars were new, everyone wanted the later 85.5+ ones. With these cars becoming more collectible people value the more interesting and vintage early interior instead of the later more modern later interior with better ventilation.

[dsfnctn]

Depending on options and color combo. Lets see it

[VADER86]

Slightly off topic, but in the past few years, some magazines have written about these and it causes the value to go up. It wakes the cars up to people and increases the cost to a buyer or value to an owner/seller.

[Sunroof]

I owned a 1985.5 for 12 years and ended up selling the 944 to my mechanic with 345,000 miles on it! For real!

Of course everything but the engine and transmission was rebuilt. The 944 is a bargain these days. But beware, it can be costly to repair and maintain. It has its weak points (oil cooler gasket, fluidized engine mounts, head gasket, timing chain, front engine seals, warping expansion tank, electronic temperature control unit, radiator fans, torque tube, A-arms ball joints, etc). But, the 944 is a fantastic car to drive with its G50 rear mounted transmission for great balance in the turns. Outstanding highway cruising car. That four banger (2.4) has the counter rotating shafts for engine balance based on the Lancaster principal and was taken from the Mitsubishi Starion with royalties of course. Porsche pulled as much horsepower out of this 2.4 it could.

I do not know what the fair market value of a low mileage 944 is these days, but the these units are rare. I know if I was to buy another it would at least be a 1985.5 or newer. The 1985.5 has the better interior and a host of improvements. I would certainly consider buying another 944 knowing what I know now about the vehicle.

BTW, my secret to the high mileage was Chevron Techron. Years ago, Porsche put out a bulletin on Chevron Techron and recommended its use to keep the valve train, injectors and cylinders clean. I used a 20 ounce every other month and it obviously worked! This was before Seafoam and the other commercial cleaners came on the scene. Getting 345,000 miles out of an engine is a challenge, but that 944 will go forever, if you take good care of it.

My 2-cents

Bob
1973.5T 911

[sugarwood]

G50 ! It's instantly worth $50k

[sugarwood]

944 have not really gone anywhere.

My friend bought one for $7k
Put a TON of work into it.
A year later, he could not give it away.
I think he sold for $4k

[NYNick]

As with them all, they have their fans. Great, inexpensive sports car.