Manual Drop Top: 1990 Porsche 944S2 Cabriolet – Sold?

December 17, 2021 Update – We just confirmed the listing for this “Classifind” expired, so with no replacement found we’re assuming this ride “Sold?” While this one got away, please reach out either by email or call us directly if you’d like to be informed when we come across something similar.

November 15, 2021 Update – After a one-month hiatus following an expired Craigslist ad, we just came across a fresh listing for this 1990 Porsche 944 S2 Cabriolet we first featured in September.  In this latest listing, the caretaker of the past eight years just lowered their asking price by one large to land at $15,500 currently. In their original ad, the seller indicated they were selling this car to make room for their toy.  In this latest ad, one picture of the seller’s garage confirms an air-cooled 911 earned the garage space while this car is relegated to the driveway.

October 16, 2021 Update – We just confirmed the listing for this “Classifind” expired, so with no replacement found we’re assuming this ride “Sold?” Unless we come across a new listing for the car.

Oftentimes, the convertible version of a popular sports car is the much-maligned edition of a vehicle that rarely has a cross word said about it. In the case of the Porsche 944, the cabriolet version is so hard to find that you don’t find much commentary about it at all, but even the most committed hardtop enthusiast would have to admit that this 944 S2 Cabriolet was originally listed in November 2021 on Craigslist is a desirable specimen when fitted with a manual gearbox. This 944 is located in South Brunswick, New Jersey, with a revised asking price of $15,500 (the original ask was $16,500). Comparing this price against the Hagerty Insurance Online Valuation Tool confirms this private seller has his soft top 944 priced reasonably, with an “Excellent” example valued at $27,000, and a “Good” car priced at $13,900.

The 944 convertible wasn’t controversial when introduced, but it did reveal that even automakers like Porsche struggle to preserve their sports car DNA when the roof comes off. The 944 wasn’t exactly known for its overly durable undersides, but that didn’t stop Porsche from effectively welding in a second-floor pan in an attempt to stiffen up a chassis that was known for being impressively tight. Unfortunately, as most road test editors would divulge, this attempt at preserving rigidity wasn’t enough to fool anyone into thinking they had somehow discovered a convertible devoid of “wet noodle” tendencies. In fact, if you buy a rusty one, you’re all but guaranteed to have twice the work to do when addressing a compromised chassis. But, the good news is, the engine is still in the front and the transmission is in the rear, ensuring some of that magical balance the 944 is known for is preserved.

The MotorWeek Retro Review YouTube Channel provides its perspective on the Porsche 944S2 Cab when it was new:

This example presents well, and the seller seems to indicate that it spent some time as a commuter car going between Pennsylvania and New Jersey. That would certainly explain the higher mileage, clocking in at 163,000, which is highly respectable on a car like this. The seller notes that the engine is healthy and had its timing belt replaced four years ago. There’s no smoke or overheating, and that’s the good news about higher mileage, highway-driven examples: if there’s a weak point in the cooling system or a failing clutch, it behooves the owner to get it fixed promptly – and given this 944 S2 racked up the miles, it seems likely it was in the care of a proactive owner. The pictures show what looks like clean bodywork and a surprisingly nice interior for a car that was driven, so it seems like a fair buy if you’re not scared of some big odometer numbers. While the hardtop may be more popular, the 944 S2 Cabriolet is much harder to find. Good luck with the purchase if you take this drop-top 944 home!

Here’s the seller’s description:

“1990 Porsche 944s2 Cabroliet 163k
Hwy driven PA -NJ
What can I say but awesome car
Needs nothing
Timing belt done 4 years ago
Everything works (Top manual)
Clutch perfect
Engine perfect
No smoke , no overheating
Original paint & Owners manual”s
Interior in nice condition
Registered n insured in my name (Hagerty)
For a 32-year-old car it’s amazing
Only selling to make room for new toy
$16,500 b/o.“

Do you have a Porsche 944 story you’d like to share?  Comment below and let us know!