1989 Porsche 944 S2 Goes for a Drive 

Great review as always Matt, but please don’t just repeat incorrect history, the 924 NA was not a van engine, it was a Audi 100 block, and an alloy head that Porsche redesigned with an overhead cam. They also refitted the Bosch’s Kjetronic fuel injection system ( as fitted to your Merc!) the block was later used in a Volkswagen van, along with a range of other Audi/Vw products. But essentially it was extensively redesigned by Porsche during the development of the car. I’ve owned several 924’s from the early 77 4 speeds, to the last NA’s 2.0 ltr in 85, before the S variant. I now have my ‘dream’ transaxle Porsche, a 92 968 coupe. Along with my ‘daily’ Cayman 987.1. You can review them anytime...keep the great vids coming!

One thing you didn't discover is the amazing fuel economy on a long run. In my 944 S2, I used to drive to Scotland and on one trip (driving at 65-70MPH) managed to get 36MPG! Even driving at up to 90MPH and overtaking everything you would get 30MPG on a run. these are really efficient cars.

Yet again another proper, proper video! Being in my late 40's cars of this period are seminal and the benchmark for which I subconsciously judge. I think the understated elegance of the design looks even better today. What an interior! And those alloys look stunning given their actual size they look far bigger and perfectly proportioned (would look good on a Merc W124!) I'd happily use this as a daily driver forever. Keep up the great work Matt! 👍

Much underrated car even in launch 924 guise. As an air (oil) cooled Porsche ex-owner I think I was also one of those snobs that shunned water cooled models but I'm reformed these days and would love an S2 3l model.

Great video Matt. That mic needs to go. I never thought much of the 968. The 90’s update on a 70’s car just never worked for me. The 944 on the other hand....just looks good from every angle. The 1985 update in the interior made it so much nicer inside.

Now officially depressed.. Great cars and for every day use and the S2 was better than mine for that but:- I owned a 944 Turbo S on a late E-plate bought in the mid-nineties for £7700 (cheap but then they were then) and written off in the mid/late-2000s due to flood damage in the UK. Was it 2007? I can't remember but the insurance pay-out was £7200 so very little loss. Boy would I like to have that car now along with a Lancia Montecarlo it shared it's garage with... The bummer was I that I was about to export it to Australia where as far as could tell at the time there were just 6 in Aus. I've lived here since 2001 but was able to travel regularly back to the UK etc and the Porsche was at my parents - Mother was quite keen to keep it there as she'd had a couple of 928s and to this day aged 78 drives a WRX... Father hated it - he was more a Rover Stirling kind of man, sorry but what a crap car! This was a rare spec, I never was quite sure how it came to be given the dates but I was lead to believe it was imported by Porsche UK as a potential race car. E.g. all the Turbo S (or SE) parts including Koni coil-overs, LSD, big Turbo, transmission cooler , forged alloys etc but NO sunroof and cloth seats. It did have A/C though so who knows... I've never seen one in that spec and guess I never will. I bought it at 70,000 mile and it was flooded at about 110,000. NO major repairs were ever needed, just a water-pump and a couple of hoses in all the time I had it. To be honest it was a bit hard to drive on UK roads as it only came alive at well above the national speed limit but it was just so nice to drive . I well remember doing several track days with it and it was superb to blast around Castle Coomb and then cruise back home along the M4 in A/C comfort. I miss it to this day...

As I child I always preferred the style of these to the 911. There is something about that huge glass tailgate that is very appealing and I love that it is powered. I've grown to appreciate the 911 style more through time but still love these. Incidentally the Porsche dealer I grew up with in Perth dropped the franchise and changed to Rover

Although a Hubnut fan, as Ian is a very interesting and amusing character, the cars that you review are mostly the ones I like, Porsche, BMW and the Rovers. Great stuff!

Great memories for me. I owned a 944 Turbo for several years in Black too, but with better alloys. And, as you say, it was a very rapid car indeed and a joy to own. Also reminded me of the perculiar clutch travel. Wished I'd never parted with it now. Great video. Lovely car.

Excellent, detailed discussion of all the features, switches, and personality traits of the 944S2. Although I have a brand new Macan S, I just couldn't sell my 1989 944S2 because I still love that car. If you visit Connecticut and see a red Porsche with the license plate "944S2" give me a wave and I will happily wave back.

Good video, ... but it hurts me to hear you say Porsh, and not PorschE ... I own an 89 S2 myself, having previously owned a normal 2.5l 944. The big difference in daily driving was the 0.5 liter lower fuel consumption of the S2. What you may not have noticed now is the climate control in the S2. In the versions without air conditioning there was an automatic temperature control. Using internal temperature sensors, it tried to keep the preselected temperature automatically. I was particularly impressed by the defroster button. When the button was pressed, the temperature was set to maximum, the ventilation switched to the highest level, and the ventilation nozzles only switched to the windshield, and that in a 30-year-old car.! The car is a perfect GT and nice to drive over long distances. It fits like a well-worn-in sneaker :-D And it's actually fast ;-) When I had the opportunity to drive out on a quiet motorway here in Northern Germany, the speedometer actually showed 275 km / h at the end. My biggest problem here in traffic is the size of the car. Because it is so small and flat, other motorists often misjudge the distance and speed, and it is no fun to have to brake almost on the highway at 240 km / h just because a truck driver thinks he could change the lanes because of another truck. (At the time these were the only vehicles in sight on the motorway :-( )

I used to have one of these ,good car ,sills rust problem. And yes it was the biggest 4 cyl

Damn it Matt, I just filmed one of these *shakes fist*

Another S2 owner here (1990) - Fun facts: Yes, it did have the largest production petrol 4cyl engine in the world at the time. It was only the 1991 models that had the 'to be' 968 bridge spoiler. German cars had the battery in the front - right side in that space in front of the windscreen. The windscreen wipers have three speeds plus variable intermittent function. Options 030 and 220 (sports suspension and LSD) are very rare to find. When the headlights are not in use, the 'high beams' for flashing are the lights in the lower bumper, however if the headlights are on, the high beams are both in the headlights and the lower bumper lights - giving extremely good night vision. The clock has a built in stop watch function for track timing use. The engine valve cover is straight from the 928 S4/GT with zero changes (I was always curious if they could make a 3.0lt from one side of a 928 engine, why didn't they make the 928GTS a 6.0lt?).

The camera angle in the interior stuck to the windscreen while you drive is spot on, smooth and no vibrations, a much improved furious driving experience.

Really excellent review, these front engined Porkas were ridiculously underrated in the 80s and 90s. I was really licky to have owned and driven most of the range and they're all brilliant drivers' cars. It's great to see them finally getting some much overdue appreciation all these decades later. The values are finally rising to reflect just how good these cars really are 👍👍

I'm never sure if I'm listening to Egon Ronay these days or Furious Driving. Your culinary reviews offer as much expert knowledge as your car reviews! Nice video mate and brings back memories of my Guards Red 924 back in the early 90's. I was in the RAF and someone had one for sale that i couldn't resist.

Dad just sold his last week, Guards red with Cream interior... first performance car id ever been in as a little kid and I loved it! Hes upgrading to a gen 1 cayman.... the door clunk is unbeatable 💪💪

I have owned a black 1989 (registered 1990) S2 Cab for the last 14 years & absolutely love it - I even forgive it when it has a hissy fit on the odd occasion , well he is 31 years old :-D

You looked at home driving that little beauty , nice to see you having a chill rather than doing some fiddlee job and struggling to stay calm.

I cannot imagine anyone eating in a 944. This is not the car for that, specially which such white interior! I am not sure I would own a Porsche, but if I did, it would be one of these. I really like the design with the pop up headlights and that huge glass in the rear. It’s very well proportioned and looks like it doesn’t have the same limitations the 911 had like poor ventilation and almost no luggage space. They also seem to be easier and safer to drive. They are not famous for getting wrapped round trees. Anyway, I really your reviews. Very comprehensive and you always try to talk about the good points more than pointing out the bad, unlike other youtubers that always bash older cars and try to compare them to modern stuff and even giving them “scores” that only apply to new cars. Keep up the good work.

I'm a 928 man myself but this is still a very fine car indeed.

My parents owned a black 924 from new in 1983. It was quite often called KITT from Knight Rider (does that mean that a black 944 was KARR due to the difference in the two?) It was in the family for 36 years, but we took a family decision to sell it. I never drove that, but did drive a friend's 944. Lovely car! Keep up the good content.

What this really needs is the Blaupunkt Bremen SQR 46 DAB it's a retro 80's unit with DAB, Bluetooth etc.

Yeah a 3.0 displacement is huge for a 4 cylinder. Cool video. Well done. Thanks for sharing this beauty.

The Turbo S version was a dream car of mine as a kid. Where as the 911 turbo was a widowmaker, this more or less drove itself, they said, which led to similar laptimes around tracks according to some car mags, even with less power. The engine was supposedly easy to tune as well. Thumbs up for this one.

Fantastic review. although I wish you'd shown how to, and removed the roof. I've had two over the years, when they were still cheap to buy. A 2.5 LUX and a Turbo, which was chipped and tuned. bigger injectors and fuel pump ect ect. It was stupidly fast and I miss it dearly.

I had a guards red S2 for a couple of years around 2003-bought it one lady owner 50k and dealer history. Bloody loved that car. Could fit my mountain bike in the boot with wheels off! Can't believe I let it go for £3.1/2k 😔. Bet it's worth a few bob now

Great review of a truly great car. I love the balanced handling of these front engined 4 cylinder cars. They feel alive in the same way a well sorted Volvo 240 does. It is almost magic. Very usable cats and great fun.

I had a '90 Guards Red S2 back in 2002. Used it every day for 4 years on my 60 mile commute - loved every minute of it, in fact it was better than my current 996.The only problem i had was with dissimilar metal corrosion in the brake calipers.

Porsche 944S Automatic: The Porsche 944S, produced from 1987 to 1988, was offered with an optional automatic transmission. This model featured a 2.5-liter inline-four engine. Porsche 944S2 Automatic: The Porsche 944S2, produced from 1989 to 1991, also had an optional automatic transmission. It was powered by a 3.0-liter inline-four engine. Porsche 944 Turbo Automatic: The Porsche 944 Turbo, also known as the 944 Turbo S in later years, had an automatic transmission option. This high-performance model was produced from 1986 to 1991 and featured a turbocharged 2.5-liter inline-four engine.

My Dad’s first Porsche in the 90’s was a Guards Red 944 S2 - great memories. It was replaced with a year old 993 there after!

Enjoyed, Thx. I think only the sunroof and the leather were this car's fitted options by 1989. The rest was standard by then. The colour is linen. Those are the optional sports seats which weren't mentioned on the sticker, so were probably swapped in.

Good looking car you have there. I have a 86' turbo in my garage, and its chipped, exhaust modified, and some other goodies on it. Yeup it makes more than the 220 bhp as advertised, heh-he. The trunk actually has plenty of room for luggage. You see that back seat? It folds down, so, um, yeah, plenty of luggage room, for a tiny sports car. I do have alternator issues, going to replace mine soon. Clutch pedal sticks when cold, I may need a new slave cylinder or just a fluid flush. Porsche was very smart to make these cars accessable to the avg Joe. Ferrari never did that, shame, they would have had more customers...Enjoy your 944!

Owning this type of car 15 years ago I still remember how much fun I had with this car and what a reliable machine it was

You never told people the best kept secret. Resetting the trip meter. Wow that took me a while to figure out!

Hey! I'm First. That's a first for me. Nice Cars, The Turbo was Totally nuts! It's a shame the values have gone crazy, it makes you scared to use the thing for its original purpose, driving.

It seems like European models don't have the side blinkers on the front bumper; I love this look, much cleaner than the US version. I wonder how hard it would be to source an EU-spec bumper, or maybe just remove the blinkers and cover the holes with fiberglass.

I'm pretty sure I followed you on the motorway when you filmed this! If I'd known it was you I'd have flashed the lights! Nice video on what I think is the nicest looking Porky built.

Did not know that RHD cars got the battery moved to the hatch.

I like the 944, some people say it had better handling that the 911 from the same era. The trunk it wasn't that deep. You say because of the rear-mounted transaxle, the Alfa Romeo gtv6 had a deeper trunk and it also had a rear transaxle. Anyway 944 is a beautiful car

I had one, mine was a convertible and I enjoyed it but though the convertible aspect was nice it did rob the car of a lot of structural integrity, the scuttle shake was pretty bad. That looks a good example (even the clock works ! they usually don't) but beware, they are old, potential money pits. The previous owners did a huge amount of very expensive work on mine, top end rebuild, hood, clutch, full respray etc etc but it still needed rust repairs and had various other issues. They go well for the power output, I went to a 350Z Roadster and it didnt feel much faster despite 80 bhp more and two extra cylinders. Headlights are woeful even with new glass and better bulbs, compared to a modern car anyway. I spent more time under it than in it, I know where it lives locally and passed recently and it was up on axle stands which seemed familiar. Get a good one and they are lovely, get a bad one it could easily be 10k plus worth of repairs or more, dont get the idea they are a cheap to run Porsche, cheaper than some but not cheap, even if you do most stuff yourself.

Ive just bought a white S2 one of the last ones made in 1992 does have the usual rot problems but otherwise its nice has the upgraded cobalt blue interior which compliments the white paint thanks for a great vid

I think the 944 is one of the best looking retro sports cars out there.Would love one in my garage

I've had and loved these cars since I was 28, now 66, and have an 89 & 91 S2. I don't even listen to the radio they are so awesome to drive being low tech and high fun. Do yourself a favor and get one.

I adore these! Almost bought one back in '01. But I bought a 20V quattro in stead. And that was a restoration project... The 944 S2 was in very decent shape. Anyway; still have the quattro and still think about the 944 from time to time. Thanks for the great review Matt!

Kind of sounded like you said the S2 was an update of the original 2.5 litre 944, it was a separate model with a 16 valve head, at that point the base model had a 2.7 litre 8 valve. Prior to the S2 there was an S model with a 16 valve version of the 2.5. And as you mentioned there were the turbo models which only ever had 2.5 8 valve engines, a weird line up for sure. Yet another car I owned when they were cheap and now wish I still had, still the memories come back through channels like this so keep it up.

“Ventilation to any rodents trapped in the glovebox,” a fantastic line.

The video says the S1 was 160 HP. That was the regular NA 944. The 944S got the 16v 2.5L engine with around 190 HP. S2 is a 16v 3L. I've got the '88 944S. I just put a chip in it. Very fun cars with great handling!

Fantastic video - I'm the proud owner of a guards red 1990 S2 which I love as a summer driver.. The car still turns heads (particularly when passing teens driving Honda Civics equipped with "fart cans" lol). One other thing I'd mention is that not much goes wrong but when it does it's expensive. The main source of worry for me is the interference engine design in the S2 so the dual cams are driven by a chain that is under tension by a tensioner. If the chain breaks or the tensioner breaks your engine can be a write off.

There's not a heated front windscreen. The one on the right is for the tailgate elements, the one on the left just puts the blower on full, closes the downward flaps, fully opens the windscreen flaps and turns the heat to max.

Great video Matt, awesome car, looks as good today as when it left the factory 30 years ago.

the center console is missing the tape cassette dividers (hence thoes slots) in the cab, you stored the handles for the top, and that round sensor on the dash detects the interior for the tempreature, for the climate control

Fantastic review, of a car that I always have craved for! Its a proper no BS sportscar, not flashy in any way - its simply buildt for the purpose, and with a high level of quality. And who doesnt just love pop-up headlights ! This "specimen" is the best I have seen, for many years. Great review as always, well done !!!

Like the looks of the Porsche 944, just a pity it never received a decent fixed headlight conversion. While the engine was also used in the LT van and Audi 100 (IIRC) aka the EA831 before Porsche modified it for the 924, read the EA831 unit was actually a development of the Mercedes-Benz developed M118 engine later used in the Audi F103.

Love these. Mitsubishi in Australia made a 2.6l four cylinder vehicle called the Magna in the 80's and into the 90's. That was the largest four in production until the 3.0l 944 and 968 came along.

I drove a 1976 924 many years ago and it was an absolute hoot to drive, so I can imagine how much better this one is with a larger engine. Fantastic cars and still “affordable”.

I can only assume that in the 70s and 80s the Porsche designers, having designed all the rest of the car, then played the car equivalent of pin the tail on the donkey with the switchgear. Ie, while blindfolded pick up a button and stick it on a drawing of the interior and just put it there when built it. Lovely car though, always liked these

Very thorough video, I learned about a button or two on the dashboard and I own a 944S2. I believe they only built the S2 from 1989 to 1991.

My first Porsche was a 1990 944 Turbo which I had for a couple of years in the late 90s. Great car with the M030 suspension option and the previous owner had nodded it a bit getting the power up to around 300bhp from 250 stock. Fast with a great chassis but horrific turbo lag.

Balancer shafts are a *really* old technology--I still have a three-volume set of "The Modern Motor Car" given me by my grandfather, which dates from the 1930s, and it mentions car with balancer shafts to smooth out the engines.

It might’ve been the largest production gasoline car engine with four cylinders, but they were plenty of considerably larger four-cylinder diesel‘s in trucks. I can mention the 5 L one used an Isuzu Elf’s (called NPRs in the US and who knows what in Europe) Although undoubtedly there were others.

Lovely car. Seen a 944 Turbo on Zandvoort decimate everything up to 964 C4's.

I had one of these in the early 80's but parted company with it sadly after about 8 months. Why? Being a biggish guy in those days it was not at all easy to get in and out of, it was a target for car thieves on more than one occasion and I did find it low but I enjoyed owning it at the time. It could fly. This one is in amazing condition.

Great work Matt, another gem. I thoroughly enjoy these reviews of classic iconic cars from yesteryears. Keep up it ! 👍

Great video! Apart from the panel of buttons on the passenger side, the interior looks more mid 90's than 80's.

My grandpa had a 1983 924 when i was younger so i have a soft spot for these transaxle Porsches

I see some Michelin winter tires on it. Change that for the real experience. Great video.

I miss my 1990, but I was very fortunate to find one in my budget at only 18 years old, in the year 2000. I would buy another S2 over many modern sports cars.

I still remember my first meeting with a 924 on the Autobahn outside Stuttgart in the summer of 1978. Passed me in ca 0,1 with a huge groan.

thanks for the memories mine being guards red back in the late '80's, nice review.

The rear seats are fine if you open your legs and let the back of the seat fit between your legs My old boss had one of these it was two years old and when I passed my test at 17 he said go and put fuel in my Porsche I felt like a king driving it

I love the 944 with its wide body, it makes the 924 look weedy.. I would love Porsche to make a modern day successor to the 944/968 series

Can’t beat the simplicity old skool flavour of these and the 924! Really good review of a distinctly classy car!

"And that is a very loud crow!" Nice

Love all your content.Subscribed.You know your stuff. 👍My dad went to buy a 924 Carrera GT in 1980.The dealer also had a 6 month old 911 Turbo for sale.I told dad to buy the 911.He did.long term I fucked up.Sorry dad. R.I.P.

For us 'ordinary people' a 911 is well out of reach, but a 924/924 oh yes please. Many thanks Matt, that's a beautiful motor car.

Looked really planted on the motorway like adding another 40 or 50 mph would not phase it at all. Fantastic engineering for today never mind 30 years ago. Excellent Matt.

Love this car, the dashboard is pure class. 3.0 four pot 👍👍

I had a 1990(December 1989 built) North American Spec and my battery was in the front engine bay not in the back under the carpet like your example. I wonder if that was for RHD/UK spec cars only, given how they had to move some things around for Right Hand Drive. My car was the same colour combo

So RHD models have the battery in the rear, presumably due to the dash being where the battery is on the LHDs. I plan on moving my battery to the rear anyways, so the windshield washer tank can go where the battery is and a secret little something can take its place.

In black, with those fog lamps and wheels, it looks brilliant. Just lovely

It's been a good car for me. I didn't hear this one taken to the red line. It does make mean noises around 6000 RPM. Out with the Porsche club, it holds its own on a twisty road with the rest of the clan.

Another video I watched recently stated that the engine was from the Audi 100, and although it did later go into a Volkswagen van, it was in the 924/944 first. So it's less of a Porsche with a van engine and more the Volkswagen is a van with a Porsche engine, as that's the order they came in, according to this other video. . I believe it was a PetrolPed video on the 924.

Hi Matt,great video on this Porsche 944,looks a clean car for the year,

I am going to put on the kettle, make a nice sandwich and savour this pinnacle of quality, solidity, power and handling perfection. 31 minutes suggest enjoyment Matt.

Rear louvers/splitters were functional. Rear seat were "engineered" for legislation. Insurance, etc.

Matt, why would you assume eating sausages in a German car?

FuriousDriving = “Accelerating rapidly up to the posted limit”

I had a 1986 944 N/A, still regret selling it!

My favourite Porsche!

Nice one. Has the same rims as my 944 S2. Love also the black beige leather. But I think it’s a rare combination. Or is its custom made? The engine is the best you get in this car 👌

If you look at a 991 or 992 911...and Panamera etc... they now have this high up centre console design...

Beautiful car! I love this timeless around 1990 design, would love to own one. 👌

Solid review of an under appreciated car

Great review, beautiful car.

I was really starting to like this car until it was revealed that there's barely any place to put your Swiss roll.

Just a gorgeous car in every way. Amazing how German cars of the eighties are still so enjoyable to drive today particularly Bmw and Porsche..

1:15 my my, so that's why I love it's looks, it's a vw design. I want it.

I had one 20 years a k plate 1992 one of the very last with the bridge spoiler on the rear Black with grey logo interior I think it had something wrong with the rear diff it was tail happy going round a corner at 15 mph in the wet