bonus12

It's simply only a matter of time before values go up. That includes parts. Everything is in place and time is passing = inevitable value increase.
But back to the discussion - in 1986 the 944 was Porsche's flagship vehicle at the time with more horsepower and a quicker 0-60 time than the 911. It was their premier offering and was coveted by millions all over the globe. It is the better car in these respects but somehow it's popularity is currently taking a backseat to the 911's. And, as noted above, the 911 feels much different inside. Regardless, the 944 is the better car!!!

Van

I think, somehow, the 911 of the era struck an emotional chord with people familiar with the beetle - and the 944 never had that "generational heritage" to boost it's status.

Remember, the 911 was the product line that was designed to replace the 356 - and it did. But then came the 914 (the 6-cylinder version) which was better than the 911 in every way, and was supposed to replace the "old" 911 model line. It didn't replace it. Then came the 928 - which, again, was supposed to replace the old 911 model line. It didn't. At that point the 914 was moderately successful as an "entry level" Porsche, so they decided to make a "new" entry level car - the 924 (which did successfully replace the 914!). By then it became apparent to Porsche that they would always have two product lines: 911 and "other". The 944 replaced the 924, and the 968 replaced the 944. Then came along the Boxster (986) to replace the 968. All the while the 911 has soldiered on - from the 1964 short wheelbase model to the new 991 (with 911, SC, 964, 993, 996, and 997 submodels between).

Think of it like ordering steak in the restaurant. There's ribeye and there's filet mignon. The filet will always cost more - but it probably has more to do with market value and demand, rather than it being a superior beef product.

Techno Duck

Currently have a '88 911 and '88 944 Turbo (albeit heavily modded). Previously owned an '87 924S and a '87 944. So i can draw some opinions.

Now the '88 911 is a bit different than an '83 911 model. Fuel injection rather than the CIS (mechanical fuel injection), slightly higher displacement and it has the G50 trans rather than the 915. Some will go as far to say the '87+ 911 equipped with the G50 trans is not the true 911 experience due to slightly higher weight (were talking like 30lbs) and the 915 is a 'right of passage'... air cooled snobs i say!

Comparing the '88 951 and (and my '87 944) to the '88 911 and its hard to imagine they are the same model years. The driving dynamics are completely different. The 911 feels downright archaic in comparison. The 911 interior feels dated, the stock a/c is pretty bad and alot of the electrical connectors are a mix match of the old and new style molex connectors while the 85.5+ 944's had the new style electrical. The 911 interior ergonomics are also a bit interesting. I also still havent figured out how to use the HVAC controls on the 911.

Its easy to live with the 951 and 944 day to day. Tons of cargo space, good a/c and just overall a much more refined and comfortable interior. Even the pre 85.5 interiors (like my 924S) are more comfortable than the 911 i think.

With that said the 911 is a damn good car. I thought the steering feel on the 944 was good, the 911 is even better. The G50 is probably one of the best shifting transmissions ive ever had and its got 160+k miles on it. Its also not at all difficult to work on this car either, probably a little easier than the 944. Only having to deal with oil leaks is really nice! For me transitioning into the 911 was easy as it uses the same exact Bosch Motronic, so you see all the same major components. My biggest gripe with the 911 is cruising on the highway at 75mph you are turning 3300rpm.

If it came down to picking between the 911 and 944 i would probably pick the 911 every time..as long as you have a 2nd car. I guess what im getting at is i get the 'air cooled' thing now.

Humboldtgrin

I think I'm a little bias. I have 5 944's in my yard. (2)87 944S, 86 944, 89 944, 87 951. And I'm not counting the one that's scattered on my porch or the one I gave my brother. Sure the 911 is nice when it's time to sell and is easier to replace the clutch. And I think it's easier to work on then a 944 in some cases. But there a little out of most people's price range, to include mine. If I had $ to drive a 911 I may change my mind. Probably not thou. The 944 handles very nice and has a timeless style, well the 951 does anyways. And I can pick up a 944 cheap unlike any 911's.

jr10cross

@Bonus12 I agree, the "feel" of the 911, especially sitting inside the purpose built cockpit is very unique, very exclusive. It really appeals to my minimalist mentality. But I do like an arm rest, "just sayin". I remember swearing after my first car (1979 canary yellow Volvo 244 DL) that I would never again own a car without an armrest.

The 911 is uncompromising, which is usually a good thing for enthusiasts, but not so good for development. Think if Porsche nixed the 911 and kept developing the 356. Sure the 356 would become an outstanding car with a flat 4 but would it ever match the performance of the progressive thinking 911? I don't think so. It just seems like development was halted with the continued run of the 911 because of fear of change. In the attempt to remain uncompromising, Porsche has become compromised with the 911, because they made the decision to keep developing it based on others.

Now keep developing it, they did and we see the results, a beautiful machine. I watched the factory build of the 991 and it almost brought me to tears, seeing the ingenuity involved. But my question remains, are we compromised in the development of Porsche today? Were the customers the "Boss" that told Porsche, "get your head out the clouds and get back to work"? I love the 911, it's one of the first model cars my dad bought me. I just don't know if I can agree with what it stands for. I see 911 and all I can think is "Cave". Sorry for the continual rumbling on but if we want to talk pure Porsche, pure development, pure cutting edge, the 944 best represents that in my opinion. My money is waiting for a successor to the 944/968, something totally new and freshly developed. I don't want the compromise.

(many will say that the compromise is the 928,924,944 family because Porsche was developing around soon to be imposed US restrictions. I recognize that, it is possibly a very valid point.)

jr10cross

Very well said sir, I like it!

g-50cab

Driving one at speed is like throwing a hammer - backwards

Van

I have to say, I think the successor to the 944 family - in soul - is the Boxster/Cayman family. These aren't a tweaking of an existing platform, but rather were designed from the ground up on a blank piece of paper. And, if it's any indication by the Cayman always getting a smaller engine than the 911 so it's performance numbers don't trounce it, it's an exact corollary to the 944 turbo!

Next I'd like to see a more reasonably-priced design on the 918 platform.

jr10cross

Good point, less rear engine more sanity. I wish they would just make the better car and not dial back performance. I could see myself in a new Cayman but I want another front engine 2+2.

I wonder what they think an affordable model will be? $250k lol

jr10cross

Ahhhhh haaa haaa ha, O God you kill me! - Goose - Top Gun reference

mel_t_vin

You're comparing 944 maintainability/reliability to 10 years of 99X ['99-'08] and 11 years of 98X ['98-'08] production...arguably, some of the most poorly designed/assembled platforms in Porsche history. That's only one-sixth of the 911 lineage.

Re: easy...I suspect you haven't spent much time in/around/under a 911, 964, or 993.

The 924/944/968 platform is a very capable chassis, with many desirable characteristics, that oftentimes fights [and wins] in [much] higher weight classes. This is nothing new for us...Porsche has espoused this David and Goliath mantra since the earliest days of the 356.

mel_t_vin

Well said.

mel_t_vin

Huh?

944 = 147 hp, 0 to 60 = 9.3
911 = 204 hp, 0 to 60 = 6.1

Depending on how one defines flagship, in '86, Porsche's:

- luxury flagship was probably the 928
- acceleration flagship was probably the 930
- handling flagship was probably the 951

And in '89, the speed/acceleration gap between the 944 [951] and 911 [930] got even narrower.

mel_t_vin

That about sums it up, Jon.

black944 turbo

I love the air cooled car and I could have bought one for what I spent on my 951 13 years ago, but they are very archaic feeling compared to the 951. I grew around classic cars and had several corvairs, to me the driving experience is very similar to a late corvair ( although much more powerful) . Great car, but to me not worth a premium over the 951 and if value did not play into the equation I would have bought my 951 over a 911 again today.