1987 Porsche 944S For A Traditionalist-Offending $12,000!

For many, real Porsches are defined by air-cooled, rear-mounted engines, and a lot will turn up their noses at anything with a radiator. Well, when it comes to Porsches, Nice Price or Crack Pipe likes them wet or dry.

In the John Hughes comedy Sixteen Candles, awkward redhead Molly Ringwald lusted after Jake Ryan because of his smoldering good looks and hunky quarterback build. Those of us who were dragged to the movie by our girlfriends found the only thing lust-worthy on-screen was Jake's Porsche 944. Well, while some of us are able to achieve Jake's hunkiness, most of us will have to settle for just being able to afford his car.

Here we have a smoke gray '87 with less than 15K on the ticker, and for only $12,000. The S (for Super, thanks for asking) brings a 16-valve head to the marque, boosting output of the 2.5 litre four to 187 bhp. Like the preceding 924, the 944 carries its transmission in the back- transaxle style, providing for better weight distribution. The close ratio 5 speed has a slick short-throw shifter with a proper fat nubbie for all your gear-rowing pleasure. The rest of the interior – including the new-in-'85 dash – looks factory fresh, although the style is definitely Reagan-era, when ergonomics meant lots of tiny buttons for both you and your passenger.

The exterior has aged better than we'd like to think Jake Ryan did, and while the 924 was deemed by many to be too pretty to be a Porsche, the flared fenders, rubber duck spoiler and deep front apron of the redo butched up the design, while the single-piece hatch and pop-up lights, which were the best features of the platform, were kept intact. The relatively small wheels look disproportionate today, but that's more due to the DUB effect of so many modern sportsters.

So, for less than the cost of a Toyota Yaris you can join the ranks of the Jake Ryans of the world. That twelve grand-firm asking price is low enough that you can afford plenty of popped-collar polos, and a pair of Wayfarers to complete the illusion. But, is your bank account hunky enough for this 944? And would arriving in it help you sweep your Molly Ringwald off her feet? Or, would you still be Michael Anthony Hall with a roll of Certs in your pocket?

You decide!

1987 Porsche 944S for $12,000.(opinion)

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