S2 Soft Top: 1990 Porsche 944 S2 Cabriolet – Sold?

February 11, 2022 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.

Hagerty recently published a report discussing the car and truck models they see as most likely to appreciate over the coming years. There was a four-cylinder Porsche on the list, but it wasn’t the 944 – it was the truly oddball 968 coupe. Does that mean you’re going to be able to get a good deal on the 924/944 for years to come? Possibly, as this clean 1990 Porsche 944 S2 Cabriolet goes to show us, as was originally listed in January 2022 on Craigslist in Raleigh, North Carolina, with just over 100,000 original miles and an asking price of $13,500. Comparing this price against the Hagerty Insurance Online Valuation Tool confirms this private seller has his Cabriolet priced fairly, as an “Excellent” condition is model is worth $27,000 while a “Good” condition car is pegged at $13,900.

Back to my earlier point about the projections around which Porsche model that isn’t a 911 will become the next big thing: I can’t say I’m surprised that Hagerty has moved its attention onto the 968. The 944 has been here long enough now that its virtues and vices are well known; if it was going to explode into the car collector consciousness, it surely would have happened by now. That’s not to say the 944 isn’t worth fair money in pristine condition, but more that you’ll be able to buy one for the foreseeable future without having to apply for a second mortgage on the house. The 944 S2 is a great example of a perfect compromise, as you get the racier bodywork of the Turbo cars along with four-piston 944 Turbo brakes, a taller final drive ratio, and ABS. S2 coupes weren’t made in huge numbers and the Cabriolet was even more scarce.

The MotorWeek Retro Review YouTube Channel provides this vintage road test of a 1991 Porsche 944 S2 Carbriolet:

The seller provides this video of his 944 S2 Cab’s engine running:

The seller’s car looks and sounds like one that had been sitting for a spell and has since been rejuvenated. With fresh plugs, a fuel filter, and a fuel strainer among his recent repairs, it has the trappings of a car left parked with some old fuel in the tank. Regardless, it starts up without issue and drives well enough that the seller has been taking it to work. The rear window has been replaced, which can sometimes yellow and crack when left exposed to the sun. The 944 shows a variety of cosmetic flaws in the photos, including scratched and faded paint and a center console lid that appears to have been dislodged. The asking price definitely reflects condition, and if the mechanical health is as sound as the seller implies, this seems like a fair off-season buy for a rare convertible with respectable performance credentials. Good luck with the purchase if you take this 944 S2 Cabriolet home!

Here’s the seller’s description:

“1990 944 S2 Cabriolet, 3.0L 5 speed manual, since I got it replaced rear window section, heat control valve, plugs, fuel filter and fuel strainer. Starts and runs great, decent interior, been driving it to work, my next task is air filter. Most likely needs engine mounts, has rare factory air compressor and tool kit. $13,500 or best offer, sorry no trades I have too many cars now. This car is one of only 1824 imported to the US in 1990, and only 2401 total were imported 1989 to 1991.Vid of engine running here: https://www.flickr.com/photos/115986104@N05/51785503471/in/dateposted-public/

The ultimate naturally aspirated 944 is the 944 S2, which arrived for the 1989 model year. With a redesigned engine block, the S2’s engine capacity rose to 3.0 liters, making it the largest four-cylinder engine in production at the time. It retained the 16-valve cylinder head, and the car also got the Turbo’s Brembo brakes, integrated nose, larger anti-roll bars, 16-inch wheels, and stronger five-speed gearbox. Output increased to 208 hp and 207 lb-ft of torque — almost the equivalent of early Turbo models but without the low-end lag inherent to those cars.

For 1989, only 16 of the 944 S2 Cabriolets were produced for the U.S. market. For the 1990 model year, Porsche produced 3,938 cars for all markets including right-hand drive units for the United Kingdom, Australia and South Africa. The share for the U.S. market in 1990 increased to 1824 units and followed with 561 units for 1991, which was the final year of production for the 944 S2 Cabriolet..”

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