Why do people pick on the Porsche 944 so much...?

Question

It is an amazing handling car.

Lasts a long long time / durable and practical.

Relatively easy/inexpensive to maintain compared to other Porsches.

Answer 1

I've been a PCA member for quite awhile and often attend track events that are well represented with both 944 and 911 owners... and overall I can't say I've ever seen much of an attitude presented against the 944. Though the 924 is another story! So, I could guess that with the very strong visual simularity between the 924 and 944, you may be getting some of this?

The 924 was originally conceived as a sports car for Audi. However, after paying for the design and development, a management change at Audi sent them in another direction. Meanwhile, at Porsche, they needed an entry level model to replace the outgoing 914. With an appropriate car already designed and ready for production, the 924 was born. Powered (or underpowered as the case may be) by an Audi engine, the car was not well received by the Porsche faithful. And while the 931 (924 Turbo) made some improvements, it would continue to suffer ill reputation.

The exception to this would of course be 924 Carrera, which 100% Porsche, and quite successful in it's racing. A few years on, a number of the 924 Carrera's styling differences were added, along with a Porsche engine (that was literally half of a 928 engine), and the 944 was born. It was generally well received as it directly addressed the major complaints with the 924.

Moving forward to today, many of the 944 models can be had for quite a cheap price... this too could lead to some looking down on the model. Though they are very well balanced and are quite reliable (though, worth keeping in mind these cars were expensive to begin with, and if repairs are needed, they can easily exceed the current purchase prices). While they have some power, their real strengths are in their handling and balance (one the track, they are driven as momentum cars). They do lack in some areas compared to similar aged 911s, but at the same time they are also a much more modern car than those same 911s.

Answer 2

1. It's got an engine in the front. Real Porsches have engines in the rear.

2. It's from the 80's. Those were bad car years.

Answer 3

Porsche snobs say that it's not a real Porsche,
but for people like me who don't care in the slightest what they say, it's a good thing. It means that now they're all over the place! Cheap!

Answer 4

A Porsche durable?
What universe are you living in?
And how did you tap into the earthling web?

Answer 5

Drive a 911 and you will know why no one likes the 944.

Answer 6

becuase it is the poor man's porsche. It is basically a sell out car!