1988 Porsche 944 Turbo S - The Driving Review

In today's video I take out my 1988 Porsche 944 Turbo S - and talk you through what it's actually like to drive this 1980s performance legend. Costing nearly as much as a Ferrari of the day, the 944 has always languished in the shadow of the 911 - but just how good is it really?
#Porsche #944 #TurboS
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[@CarharttDADDY]

I have enjoyed my 944S Turbo for the past 34 years.....such a underrated gem of a car IMO.

[@MrManBuzz]

I don't really believe they're "underrated" at all. Any time I ever see someone talking about 944 of any stripe, they say they're great cars, so who is underrating them? The market for them over the last 5 years certainly hasn't underrated them.

[@AliceC993]

@@MrManBuzz I think the "underrated" sentiment comes from just not being talked about and receiving as much attention as the 911s (particularly the 930/964 Turbo) from this era of Porsche.

[@rte3y838]

@@AliceC993 definition of underrated by the Oxford dictionary : not rated or valued highly enough.

[@m1l3s27]

@@MrManBuzz I feel it's only very recently the opinion has changed. My mom still sees them as the cheap porsches of the 80s. Meanwhile, my generation has grown up with them appreciating and the people who grew up with them now have the means to bid stupid amounts of money on bring a trailer.

[@Beer_Dad1975]

The 80's and 90's saw some of the best GT Coupes ever IMO, and the 944T is definitely up there with the best of them.

[@cockleshellzero3893]

It fair makes my heart ache, seeing such wonderfully melancholic scenes of a beautiful Porsche wafting by and stirring up the fallen custard creams of autumn.

[@lgz2006]

I've always been loving the 944 Turbo S, such an underrated sports car!!❤️

[@computerhelpcc]

It was highly rated during it’s era

[@lgz2006]

@@computerhelpcc But it's been overshadowed by other, newer and faster sports cars?

[@andresguerin7162]

Full exhaust, performance chips from a well known tuner and a few other tweeks and you have around 320hp and it keeps up with anything. This cars kick ass!!

[@CountryLifeChannel]

proud new owner of a 1988 944s, brilliant cars that have been unloved and undervalued for a long time which is a double edged sword. Like any car make sure you get into one with your eyes open and don't ever think about it as an investment just a toy :-) great work JayEmm

[@thedetailingdoctor5746]

Had a matchbox model of one of these when I was a kid was my favourite toy car by far

[@fbee6844]

Whoa

[@ajrichar0]

Living in Australia, I'd delete the sunroof and go for the A/C. Beautiful car. James, fabulous video.

[@NoChrome]

The leather on my 944 Turbo is Soft to the touch with just the right amount of firmness. Your interior has dried out but leather moisturizer might do the trick. Guards Red with Black interior is still my favorite Color combination in Porsches. Shame these only came in Silver Rose.

[@masterrk7]

The Turbo S came in various colours after '89. They didnt carry the official 'S' tag, but were made with the same spec.

[@simonhurlimann908]

You are so right about the visibility! I was always curious about why I love to drive my 968 so much until I realized this. Its so different and much better! Love it

[@markwood7045]

JayEmm it's you and Harry Metcalfe at the top of the list for car reviewers. SeenThroughGlass maybe on a good day. That's it.

[@JayEmmOnCars]

Thanks mark, lot of people say the same. I think Sam prefers doing more travel orientated content

[@laskos02]

Furious driving?

[@hkwhopper]

spent the Summer of 1988 touring europe in my 944 Turbo identical to the one here, it did over 3000 miles never missed a beat, was one of my favourite cars. Today i. have 911 Turbo great but doesn’t have same personality.

[@MatthewGaither]

Beautiful 944, Jay! Those Turbo S models are pretty special. Enjoy it and thank you for the in-depth look at yours.

[@curvs4me]

That's an understatement, in the twisty back roads. If you drive it like a 2 stroke, it's an absolute weapon. Holding grip way longer than anything else in period.

[@davidfoster1762]

A car that simply looks just right.

[@fabiandimaspratamathesecond]

Yeah. Love the rear design. Very unique.

[@burtfisher6577]

Great video JayEmm! 1988 944 Turbo was my first car out of college. Great car, did everything I ever asked it to do. Performance was so on point that it was almost boring to drive. Timeless style and superb engineering.

[@videomaniac108]

I had a 1987 944S that was a blast to drive, being a great handling car.

[@geoffclarke8934]

Great cars. I had a 1990 944 Turbo with the M030 suspension option and the previous owner had modded it a bit so producing close to 300bhp. Handled brillianty and very quick on boost with epic turbo lag but makes for an involving drive. The only criticism was the engine which didn't sound that great. Replaced it with a 911 3.2 Carerra which made a nice noise but inferior in many respects.

[@steeltrap3800]

My favourite car I've owned/driven remains my 1988 SAAB 900 Turbo. Unsurprisingly, a lot of this video reminded me of it, not to mention how much and why I love driving it. It runs a tick over 1 BAR boost, so it's putting out some similar numbers. I'd happily have a "quirk" contest between that lovely 944 (neighbour of mine had one 30 years ago) and my 900, lol. Just something about those very good cars of that time. Really enjoyed this one. Thanks.

[@dj_paultuk7052]

A Classic 900T on 1 bar is 195bhp. So on the edge of destroying its chocolate gearbox. Paul @ The SAAB Clinic.

[@steeltrap3800]

@@dj_paultuk7052 The dyno and 100,000km I've put on it suggest otherwise. Oh well, I must be dreaming, LOL

[@dj_paultuk7052]

@@steeltrap3800 Yup you must be. I would like to think im the largest SAAB Tuner in Europe. We do 25 cars per week now and my SAAB apprenticeship was on C900's and the B202. 1Bar will be 195bhp with a 3 bar fuel reg. Even a B234 running T5 with 1bar optimised gives 220bhp.

[@evanfinch4987]

LOL I still have a 9000 Aero and 944 Turbo. 4 lyyyyyfe

[@Kraigmire]

The best thing I put on my 944 was a short-shift linkage. Made shifting so awesome!

[@Russell_and_Rosko]

Oh man, yes, fantastic shifting on a properly maintained 944/968 shift linkage, highly satisfying in that last inch of engagement positively verifying that the gear is selected. It makes for a nice rhythm when really driving the car quickly. I make excuses to do quick stabbing heel/toe downshifts and with a lightweight flywheel it makes this sequence even more challenging to “catch” smoothly. Cheers!

[@richardherman650]

Fantastic video! I love my turbo and I am glad your enjoying yours. Just as an FYI, the leather and seats are the identical units used in the 911. The leather is not usually hard unless they are sunbaked. Mine are not hard at all.

[@nickmoore2301]

Great video as always 👍only one complaint, we are lacking an amazing shirt in this video 😁

[@johnycarrera]

Passed the custard test with flying colours!

[@bassface8580]

It's always been a car I've wanted to know more about but never really looked them up. This is pretty interesting. Great review as always man. This channel is an absolute gem :)

[@j.m.2987]

Love all the 944s, great review!

[@mmmmmmmmmmmmmmm420]

Love it. Spent a summer driving a mate's 944 turbo convertible (1of 100) in the mid-90s. Drove really well and felt really quick on boost.

[@DynoCompTuned]

Have a 1989 TurboS. Owned since 1996. Guards Red with black leather. 80K original miles. Best car ever for the $. Minor upgrades with 30r turbo 415whp all day long in a 3100lb car....insane!

[@fredsalfa]

You can’t expect a 33 year old car to have brand new supple leather seats. Those leather seats look hard, cracked and uncared for basically because they haven’t been looked after or cared for! It’s not the cars fault.

[@gregpapagno5683]

Keep that car Jay

[@Guy_de_Loimbard]

@ 2:24 It was actually made it for two model years -- the '89 944 Turbo was just the '88 Turbo S carried over and replacing what had been the "base" turbo. Or at least that's what happened here in the States.

[@wayde187]

They also came with factpry rolled fenders, and hardened 1st amd 2nd gears in the AOR trans.

[@MyHumanWreckage]

We used to have a 944 Turbo Cup Series here in Canada. It was a great series back in the 80s and 90s.

[@Michael-ff7yl]

The leather really can become soft and supple again with proper care. I restored my 1993 968 seats with good old-fashioned elbow grease cleaning and reconditioning. Yes they are years newer than yours but I think it is possible

[@TheMrFishnDucks]

Fantastic video. I hope you do far more videos with it. Keep up the good work.

[@detonator2112]

Sometimes I think the Porsche fans are the most untolerant people in the world. They only accept the air cooled 911's. Everything else is not a Porsche for them. 944 and 928 are absolutely FANTASTIC cars that should get much more respect than they do. PS: I'd love you to drive a 928 GTS one day. Would be curious to hear your thoughts (yes I saw the red 928 S4 review before).

[@discovermetaldetecting]

Great video James....thanks for posting. 👍🏻

[@rafaelbarlund3938]

Excellent Jay! I have owned my -91 S2 for ten years now, says something about these underrated transaxle Porsches..

[@simonharding1572]

one of my all time fav porsches

[@CzechEngine]

It's a Porsche with pop up headlights.........I love it already :-)

[@wayde187]

Loved my 88 turbo S silver rose.

[@salvissmudo4496]

The slow response of the turbo below 3500 rpm might be related either to some minor vacuum leak or most probably due to worn springs of the OEM wastegate. You can put shims in it to make better response or install modern WG.

[@Beer_Dad1975]

They were pretty much like this from factory, IIRC, and the fact that the car is still making factory boost levels would suggest the wastegate is OK, assuming the gauge is accurate.

[@thisisrob8750]

I had one new. They had no boost really till 3500. This is a laggy 80s type turbo that is nothing nothing then bam...boost kicks in and it rips

[@evanfinch4987]

No boost? What? The K26/6 cars were making a bunch of boost by 2500rpm. Also, if your KLR, cycling valve and wastegate (which should be replaced immediately) are all working properly and you have no boost leaks the boost should come on with a surge, not like a bomb.

[@JURASSICDIVERUK]

Really enjoyed this and it’s a very good example you have. Hope you can one day do a 924 review!

[@daviddrew7852]

I always loved this car. A real looker in its day.

[@thenick06]

I had one for a few years after high school. Absolutely loved it!!

[@johnash826]

I have a 968 which is in many ways is better made more reliable handles just as well, just as quick. They are all underrated.

[@wsdxh09]

Loved the Custard Cream low level drive past shot.

[@JayEmmOnCars]

Those were wild custard creams too, found roaming the countryside

[@robertiddon]

@@JayEmmOnCars Got the munchies now

[@paulbelanger7383]

My brother had one of these. Drove it to Los Angeles, California and while there... got sideswiped by an unlicensed (no tags/plates) car "full of mexicans" (his words, he must have a reason to think so). Called cops to report the hit-and-run.. and they started interrogating him why he had a Porsche and if he was a drug dealer or something.. he couldn't believe that they were not going to do anything about the situation and instead tried to harass him.. came back home and sold it.

[@artmchugh5644]

There is no situation that the cops can't make worse !!!! FTP !!! 😀😀😀😀😁😁😁😁😁🍺🍺🍺🍺

[@billabong123321]

Watch all you vids, Love all your vids , Dont mind vids being shorter as long they have most of the good aspects about the car, keep up the great work.

[@robertseely4469]

Well done Martin! Enjoy.

[@simonhughes7382]

Saw one of these for £1k a few years back- at a garage! Cant remember what model but these are all such mega money now.

[@jordanclarkson2010]

16:55 wasn’t expecting that 😂

[@yaantsudnbesdai972]

Having completed the 'evolution' mode of the PC game, "Need For Speed: Porsche Unleashed," I was privy to extensively buying, owning, selling, and customizing many Porsche models from 1950-2000. I ended up 'keeping'.......'owning' only 10 models -- which are my favorite Porsche models. I own no Porsche models later than 1989, of interest... One of my favorite Porsche models is the 1988 Porsche 944 Turbo S. I consider this the ultimate "80s Porsche" and for me it's my Knight Rider-Miami Vice Porsche -- I 'souped it up' and painted it accordingly: I painted the exterior a medium 'candy purple' lacquer with a very swanky 'PINOCCHIO' white and yellow trim package which straddles the middle of the top of the vehicle, from back to front, as well as the bottom sides, from back to front. The interior is custom high quality cloth of a very customized and unique light purple hue. This vehicle is 'radical'......'bitchin'....... I've also 'souped up' the performance of the vehicle in certain ways: I've added huge horsepower increases with a stage 4 supercharger kit, high butterfly intake system, big bore throttle body, etc. This vehicle is FAST! Limited to 140 mph but otherwise very, very fast. Not quite a 'world beater'........but definitely a 'moon beater'... I also added a pro braking race package, super awesome wheel rims, and upgraded to semi-street springs and low-rider shocks -- as well as added a stiff sway bar. Great driving car and track/racing car. The 944S Turbo has its quirks; it nose dives a lot when braking hard and is prone to much 'oversteer' and spinning out if you take a turn too sharply at the top of the rev range -- but this makes it so much funner to drive -- and a master racer like me can recover from these spin-outs, etc. This vehicle often feels 'out of control' which is the way I like it, but it's a great driving car and to reiterate with superior driving skills you can recover from near fatal collisions and oversteer at high speeds...

[@robertiddon]

Love the colour and the wheels, perfect 944

[@chicagoui9299]

My father in law had a 944 base. No turbo. It was slow as a beetle but handled like it was on rails!! Can’t imagine how nice the turbo is

[@GoldenCroc]

It was competitive in performance with other similar size/weight japanese sport cars, which was good enough for the time. Maybe not in price so much..

[@tycorcoran6965]

That is why the S2 is outside. All the advantages of the S2 without the lag, and I don't miss the extra 40 hp

[@bjrnrs]

Nice looks from the Exterieur nearly similar to my 89 S2. Great car.

[@sgp5047]

So… I own two of these, a track and a road car. The road car is 1991 SE, 250hp, just like the one reviewed. I think l would concur with pretty much anything you point out. However, the laggy turbo is - in my opinion - a plus, not a minus. Let me explain. I have a ‘modern’ turbo car, an Alpina B5 BiTurbo. It may need a split second to consider, but it then hands you around 700nm of torque on a platter. It is devastatingly quick and capable, etc etc. and I love it. But if I get into a 1990s car, that can’t be what I am looking for. Instead I want involvement and an opportunity to engage and reap the results of engagement with the car. Here, the turbo is key - learning how to retain boost, judge the road and so on - there could not be a better tool to enjoying a drive. Before you all say 911, I have one, too - but the 944t is the car I’d always pick if I want to get involved with everything, from drivetrain to chassis. As such, these cars represent excellent, almost unrivalled value. I have not driven celiacs, but plenty of other material - I also own a 968 - but the 944t is the one I’d not sell.

[@highlandrab19]

And the engine replacement was probably due to the fact that early on they had a breather that drew air from the belt case which was supposed to prolong the life of the belts. However when going through puddles water would spray up into the case and get sucked into the engine destroying it

[@CathodeRayNipplez]

Totally agree with the seats!

[@Mexxx65]

I've completely forgotten about the 944 (S2/Turbo), and you've forgotten you actually own one!!

[@daimonmarioperez9501]

I had the champagne colored, 944 Turbo S. It had a turbo decal over the right and left wheel wells.

[@The9meister]

Good car, had a black 1988 944s in the 90's, now a black 1985 911 carrera, a great era of Porsche.

[@lasersimonjohnson]

How many more porsche videos as we need some variety here ? Asking for a friend 🤣

[@sensationalfailure]

I've never liked this model line, but please give us more of this.

[@anstroth]

Had a 1988 Guards Red (non turbo) which I drove down to Cornwall in from Chester with mrs & two girls + luggage. Great car and my first Porsche and it had a sunroof🙂

[@seeingthelight3608]

Kept thinking there was something odd about this video. Then I realised what it was: the plain shirt! :-) Looking forward to your review of the BMW Supra (we know your opinion of its interior).

[@MrMichikelomtres]

You should follow the series of budget fun cars, that was awesome! Also, would be amazing to see a review of the 1m coupe

[@JayEmmOnCars]

There's always more for cheap fun cars

[@evanfinch4987]

Not really cheap cars anymore

[@04dram04]

It's an interesting fact, that the porche 924 was originally made to be a vw. But later decided to sell as a porche. So it has mostly VW mechanical parts

[@iboswell]

Sadly my own Turbo S got written off due to flooding in Evesham a few years back - water just about reached the steering wheel... Mine was mechanically identical to yours but in Nautic Blue with a cream cloth interior and again no sunroof (hate them).. Was about to export it to Aus where I now live but that never happened. Apparently there are 6 here, I've seen one in Watsons Bay. My only complaint was that it really tended to push you into going faster than you really should....

[@Anirossa]

I got two 1988 E34s, one mint summer car and a good shape daily, this really makes me want a 1988 Porsche added to the collection one day...

[@vacuumnoise]

nice video Jay Emm

[@dr_ovi_kintobor1408]

Mmm. I fancy a custard cream with a cup of coffee for some reason 😋

[@grayfool]

Always was a good car. I was quite envious of a guy I worked for who owned one. Don't 'sose I'll get one now, my better half likes a big saloon. Quite partial to a V8 engine myself too.

[@petyrkowalski9887]

I love it. May be worth a re-trim but its a lovely car.

[@pereldh5741]

I think you’ll learn how to drive this. Like having the right gear in when overtaking etc, its normal turbocar driving to me. Generally older cars are all less diesel-like to drive, you actually use the engines natural powercurve, which used to be linear with revs

[@ricepony33]

I’ve seen one of these with a 1JZ swap… seems kinda perfect.

[@J4cko999]

Be interesting to do a back to back comparison with an S2 and a normal 220 BHP Turbo, I had an S2 and never expected it, on reputation to feel as quick as it did, always had a sort of poor relation thing going on but though its not as quick as a turbo its a nice engine and has its own thing going.

[@markdschedler]

I’m a big fan. Love your use of the language and your way of explaining what you think. Humor is always lurking; you to take yourself or this topic too seriously and your comment show it’s working. Love this car and would have some version in a minute. Gorgeous and so Porsche; speaking as a very happy 981S owner. Thank you.

[@eze8970]

Thanks J, sounds like you got a good one. Does it have a niche in your fleet tho, or time to move on?

[@justinbest9429]

I wonder if that's my old bosses parents car, his parents had one new and they used to let their son (teenager I believe at the time 😅) drive it, he's always been crazy and managed to blow it up. Maybe it's the same car 😂

[@joetoal8563]

Love the custard cream shot

[@SabretoothBarnacle]

You might be able to repin the door mirror switch so the driver's one is default?

[@med8tor1]

The ‘89 turbo is the same spec as the ‘88 Turbo S but dropped the S because it’s the basic turbo for ‘89.

[@CraftyOldGit]

I used to own a 944 S2, I didn't realise there was ever a turbo version.

[@jim_bocho]

Great review. Love a good 944. Regarding the leather: Sounds like it hasn’t seen much care. Had full leather interior on my old S2 and it was in very nice, soft condition.

[@JayEmmOnCars]

Yes, we gave it a detail and leather balm after filming and it improved it a fair bit

[@jim_bocho]

@@JayEmmOnCars Great to hear! Enjoy the seats and the car 😎

[@patrickhostler5939]

I love this car… 😍

[@fudganuld]

Brilliant handling car...I'd still have one ...Ha !

[@dudley7540]

Love these cars, but classic? Guess I've gotten old.

[@UDPride]

Not sure about the gas mileage issue. I had a 1986 944 Turbo and if I stayed off boost I could get almost 30 MPGs if I really babied it.

[@michaelteret4763]

Nice car. I wish I could have one.

[@stephenoverstreet9898]

Do you think the leather (or foam, or both) have hardened over time? I had an ‘87 944 a few years ago, and while the seats were firm, the leather was nice. Maybe not supple, but not rock hard either.

[@DoubleDeckerAnton]

Always underrated in the shadow of the 911.

[@porschecollector727]

Used to be a bargain and a fun way to get into porsches.

[@JayEmmOnCars]

Yep, although still a bargain compared with an air cooled 911!

[@JamesGadbury]

I remember looking at 944s for not a lot of money five years ago... Wish I had made a purchase now! Great video! 👍

[@wads80z]

I know group tests aren't your thing, but I think a comparison between one of these, an MR2 turbo, and RX-7...probably the closest competitors in intent and power, if not price...

[@Reindrikfredfeldt]

Comparison with the 944 S2 next perhaps? :D

[@evanfinch4987]

Second gear in the wet is the most fun time you can have in a 951.

[@baloonia1]

I love this car, wish I would have money to buy it.

[@gregmayled]

A lot of the features mentioned are standard fit to the 944 S2.

[@JayEmmOnCars]

For sure, although at the time this was made that didn't exist. S2 is my favourite of the 944s though

[@_Oscar_]

@@JayEmmOnCars can you elaborate why?

[@ericcarlson6559]

I own car 1547, Slate Gray Metallic. Gear choice with rev matching down shifts.

[@krijadtes]

Wouldn't the sunroof also sacrifice headroom?

[@alistairthompson2750]

£9k to repair the sills wow they got stung big time great car though always liked the 944 turbo the 968 club sport is a great car too