https://www.youtube.com/embed/qcSyNwPilbU
The best bang for your buck when it comes to old-school race cars? How about the Porsche 944?
[First-time Porsche buyer's guide: 5 models perfect for scratching that itch]
Owner Ramsey Potts gives us the rundown on how he transformed this 944 into a capable track car.
I may or may not have an alert setup on FB Marketplace for 944's after editing this video.
In reply to ChrisTropea :
I can't explain it, but it just looks right, you know?
I am in the market as well. Mine will not look like that after I am done and will be powered by a 07kT.
Nice video but the argument centered around parts availability and the P car community. I could use the same logic for a C5 or C6 Vette and go faster but the Vette guys dress differently....
In reply to ChrisTropea :
Good call. I once drove one back from SEMA. No complaints at all. JG can talk 944, too.
Did they ever solve the Nikasil coated cylinder wall nightmare? Along with the Chevy Vega?
Edit: OK, I really don't know anything about Nikasil and only vaguely remember issues with those types of engines.
Ok hear me out. 94-97 Honda Accord. Made for every major market, lots of engine options, lots of transmission options, double wishbone suspension, dirt cheap, and cool liveries from BTCC and JTCC to knock off.
In reply to ChrisTropea :
Not as far as I'm concerned. I buy rust free mechanically solid Jaguars for $500. They are predicable and durable once you get rid of junky HVAC stuff and turn them into race cars.
If 12 cylinders scare you the 6 is extremely robust and potent. ( and almost as fast as the 12 ) I personally lack the knowledge on the newer V8's and Badged English Fords. But for what others have found, those certainly seem to be a good source as well.
There is no Porsche premium on used parts. In fact there are a lot of American parts that are used by the factory and Jaguar parts in Junkyards sell cheaper than Chevy's or Fords because of lack of demand. ( just don't go near the dealers if on a budget).
Those dealers command a massive premium for service. Which causes many many solid cars to get prematurely junked. A typical Jaguar buyer is a poseur rather than a mechanic so once the new is gone the price drops like a lead ballon.
While even old Porsche's command a extreme price premium.
There are plenty of parts sources for new parts. No, you don't have to order from England. Plus the Jaguar Forum is filled with knowledgeable people willing to share that knowledge and sources.
Hard to beat the value prop of an old e36 BMW but I may be biased. Much more readily available, extensive aftermarket, cheap consumables, faster, roomier cabin, and junkyard parts availability.
Not sure what plusses the 944 has except badgestetics.
Shouty sales sounding guy trying to sell you on a Porsche :)
j/k
Id rather go for an equivalent RX7 from that era.
Olemiss540 said:Not sure what plusses the 944 has except badgestetics.
Looks, parts availability is still pretty good, good handling out of the box, engine is pretty durable as long as you stay on top of timing belts, looks.
Olemiss540 said:Hard to beat the value prop of an old e36 BMW but I may be biased. Much more readily available, extensive aftermarket, cheap consumables, faster, roomier cabin, and junkyard parts availability.
Not sure what plusses the 944 has except badgestetics.
I wish we still had e36s in the junkyards over here.
There are already far too many people out there who are aware of what a great car the 944 is. As a result, prices have gone from the bargain basement to the ritzy boutique.
What we really need you guys to do is to write articles deriding the 944 as a total piece of crap so the few of us who still haven't bought one can afford the price of admission. 
I think this applies to many cars but I love the logic in the video; it's the same attitude that caused me to adopt my Faster Then a Set Bleachers motto for the Datsun.
His car is sturdy, low cost and fun..................it's all you need.
I've been looking for a few months for one to daily. Aside from fitting two dogs, it seems to tick all the boxes.
The 944 is one car that completely underwhelms me. Drove a 944S and thought, "Meh". Raced on the track with them (not against them) with my E30 and they didn't seem to offer much more of anything other than replacement parts expense. I just don't get the appeal.
Aside from price of the car anf parts the design is clearly superior. The low polar moment of inertia thanks to engine up front and transaxle in the back makes for some super stable handling. Combined with the interchangeability of brakes makes this a great car to learn in. Not much power in the NA versions but you can get seriously fast in the corners. After 2 seasons I was taking some corners without lifting at over 110. Serious butt pucker but the car was stable as a rock. And with the huge vented disks brake markers could be ignored. Great fun.
ddavidv said:The 944 is one car that completely underwhelms me. Drove a 944S and thought, "Meh". Raced on the track with them (not against them) with my E30 and they didn't seem to offer much more of anything other than replacement parts expense. I just don't get the appeal.
A stock turbo is entertaining in an "80s turbo car charm" kind of way. Or with a bit of effort and money you can make real power out of them and with some chassis upgrades make a decent overall car out of it. The n/a....I don't get it. It's slow and soft and uninspiring. You can do the same chassis upgrades as the turbo, and then it's just slow and uninspiring. Parts might be available but prices aren't exactly low anymore. And the aftermarket is somewhat limited and at this point most of it is outdated tech. There's some people doing work with modern engine swaps and modern turbos, but I don't think anyone is really putting effort into the n/a cars anymore...if they ever were in the first place.
Tom1200 said:I think this applies to many cars but I love the logic in the video; it's the same attitude that caused me to adopt my Faster Then a Set Bleachers motto for the Datsun.
His car is sturdy, low cost and fun..................it's all you need.
Yes and many cars can fit that recipe not just the 944. So that makes the title a bit misleading IMO.
I love my '86 944. It's a REALLY well prepped track car and was my first "race car". That said, I would suggest a sorted NB or NC Spec Miata. Everything he says good about the 944 is even more true with a Miata, except the "Porsche people" snob appeal. Consumables are cheaper by multiples for the Miata over the 944. I own both.
Yeah, I'd say the Miata is the best old-school racing value, for all the reasons that we all know.
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