November 9, 2022 Update – The high bid did not meet the seller’s reserve price, so we’ve moved this vehicle to our “Rides Still Available Page.”  Click the blue button above or below to navigate to this ride’s bid page, where you can either select the green “Buy Now” button or place a realistic counteroffer in the “Bid” box.

Guys With Rides is pleased to offer Lot 159, a 1988 Porsche 944 5-Speed, in an online, reserve-style auction format on behalf of the private seller.

Bidding opens Wednesday, November 9, 2022, and will run for fourteen (14) consecutive days ending at 3:30 PM eastern time Wednesday, November 23, 2022.

This 1988 Porsche 944 resides with the current caretaker in Middletown, New Jersey, approximately 90 minutes from either Newark or Philadelphia International Airport.

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The Deets

Porsche introduced the 944 for the 1982 model year. It was slightly faster (despite having a poorer drag coefficient), better equipped, and more refined, had better handling, shorter stopping power, and was more comfortable to drive. At launch, Porsche claimed a 0-60 MPH acceleration time of less than nine seconds and a nearly even front-to-rear weight distribution (50.7% front/49.3% rear) courtesy of the rear transaxle balancing out the engine in the front.  North American market cars had bigger bumpers and the front bumper had a larger rubber portion, replacing the auxiliary lights as required by North American laws.

In mid-1985, the 944 underwent its first significant changes, these included: a new dashboard and door panels, embedded radio antenna, upgraded alternator (from 90 amp to 115 amp), increased oil sump capacity, new front and rear cast alloy control arms and semi-trailing arms, larger fuel tank, optional heated and powered seats, Porsche HiFi sound system, and revisions in the mounting of the transaxle to reduce noise and vibration. The front windshield was now a flush-mounted unit. The “cookie cutter” style wheels used in the early 944s were upgraded to new “phone dial” style wheels (Fuchs wheels remained an option).

For the 1987 model year, the 944 Motronic DME was updated, and an anti-lock braking system (ABS) and driver and front passenger airbags were introduced. The 944 Turbo was the first car to offer airbags as standard equipment; they were optional on other 944 models.  Because of the ABS, the wheel offset was changed to 52 mm (2.05 in), and Fuchs wheels were no longer available as an option.

The current caretaker’s ownership of this Guards Red over Black Leather 1988 Porsche 944 5-speed spans two decades.  During the past twenty years, he actively participated in the Northern New Jersey Region Porsche Club of America with his 944.  Activities included various Driving Events on Track (“DE”), Concours, and social treks.

During his twenty-year ownership, the current caretaker commissioned a thorough window-out and trim-off repaint in the correct Guards Red original factory color. While the paint still shines, it will benefit greatly from thorough detailing.

The seller’s mechanic performed two timing belt changes during his ownership.

The seller notes that his mechanic also updated the air conditioning system to modern 134a refrigerant and, during the conversion, upgraded the system with more robust 968 parts for quick cool-down.  The system appeared to need a recharge from non-use during Rudy’s inspection.

Here is a complimentary CarFax® for this 1988 Porsche 944 5-Speed confirming the long-term ownership and the fact that this car has never been in an accident. To review the CarFax, please click on the picture below. When finished, click on your browser’s back button to return to this listing:

Rudy personally photographed and inspected this 1988 Porsche 944 5-Speed two days before the start of this auction and confirmed this Guards Red is a solid, rust-free, driver-quality example with several items needing attention noted in the report.  The picture below contains the results of Rudy’s Pre-Purchase Inspection.  To review the Pre-Purchase Inspection, please click on the picture below. When finished, click on your browser’s back button to return to this listing:

To help you make informed bids, we’re providing you with access to Classic.com, the analytics and search engine for the Classic Car market, that provides an interactive graph of recent comparable sales year-to-date. By clicking on the green dots, you can navigate to each comparable car sold as a way to help you make an educated bid on the car we are featuring for auction here:

Exterior Gallery

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Interior Gallery

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Underhood And Undercarriage Gallery

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Tires And Wheels Gallery

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Windows & Mirror Gallery

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Documentation Gallery

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If you have any questions about this 1988 Porsche 944 for sale, please leave a comment below or feel free to call Rudy directly at 877-468-6497.  Thank you for looking, and happy bidding!