This Porsche 944 S2 Cabriolet is a Glaring Example of the Company's Problems in the Early 90s

00:04 Night drive
00:31 Front, headlight operation
00:38 Side, top opetion
00:55 Intro, weather
02:50 Start of car review, overview, Porsche's problems
09:22 Events of 1990, news, music, movies
14:00 Development of 924-944
15:48 Exterior styling
19:48 Under the hood, mechanicals
23:35 Trunk
25:30 Interior and controls
33:25 Test drive
38:44 Highway Drive

[@darianlowe8450]

The weather report is never too much Bill...We would be lost without it. Love the vids!

[@drewbiedoobie1416]

i like how Bill can shift lefty, across his body, while holding a camera. Something Bill has never said: "Hold my beer while I shift..."

[@dominikjarych6065]

Bill would say hold my whiskey😉

[@treedeblue]

I love whenever Bill mentions Dalton a photo follows, he did a good job detailing this 944.

[@MisterMikeTexas]

"Cutting Crew" on the radio. That's cool!

[@Randombitsoftruth]

One day I’m going to drive to Naples just to meet Bill. Learned so much from all your videos, helped me with my recent 01 CLK 320 purchase.

[@81cb750fss]

I'd just like to talk cool cars and do some moderately responsible drinking together!

[@egold2071]

It is probably the 5th or 6th time he's re-sold the damn thing down there, God Bless him! 🙌

[@paulie-Gualtieri.]

Bill is the last of a few from a long deleted timeline, he's a legend.

[@Braglemaster123]

@@paulie-Gualtieri. He sounds like an old granny ‘ my friend.

[@Banglish123]

In my English ears it's like a pissed off Jack Nicholson doing top gear

[@mreger6]

I love when you get on the highway... You're doing 90 and not passing anyone.. You had to go 100+ and start passing folks.. God bless FL...

[@FLYEAL]

No inspections, no emissions, no front license plates. Just liability and money. Nobody gives a shit. Lawyers run things. On motorcycles, no insurance required. People drive fast but often not well overall - primarily because they are from all over.

[@FLYEAL]

Note: 3rd gen Floridian. It was even better in the 60s-70s.

[@chicagoscars4058]

Its timeless design makes it look so much newer than 30 years old and you can't go wrong with a drop top! Enjoy your miserable FL weather!

[@severinlourenco8355]

Still a sharp looking car, with over 30 year's old, and worth owning as a weekend getaway 😎 driver. Thanks Bill for your review 👍.

[@mueslix8391]

*years

[@MarinCipollina]

@@mueslix8391 You can edit your post after it's been posted, in case you're unaware of that.

[@robertvance1873]

Pure Skill Driving a Stick with a camera 📸🤣 Awesome Car Thanks Bill.

[@AlanShirtsink]

$48k-$52k new. Best car I have ever owned and I have had 911s and Corvettes and Mustangs. Absolutely glued to the road if you set them up right. Driven my clear across the country 5 times with another trip coming up.

[@MacPoop]

Does it have 789,000 miles, all 900 horsepower, still on its original oil and brakes and still getting 814 miles to the gallon?? 👍

[@SergiuM42]

I’m a Porsche technician and these cars drive like absolute crap. They feel incredibly sloppy.

[@AlanShirtsink]

@@SergiuM42 well learn how to set them up and you might enjoy it. Voted the best handling car in the world when the came out.

[@SergiuM42]

@@AlanShirtsink nah, they suck. I’ve driven many in mint condition.

[@captaincoyote1792]

Not only did they “chop” the roof, they lowered the raked windshield. Yep. I’m a proud owner of a ‘90 944S2 Cabriolet …A gift to “me” the year I turned 50 and made O-6 in the Navy. I still love the car…it’s looks, it’s performance (for a four cylinder of its time) and it’s handling. I live in New England, so she “sleeps” from late November to late March. I really enjoyed your video….I LOLed at “yuppie douchebags” comment. Wife went “what are you,laughing at”? Me? “Uh….nothing’ hon”!

[@jimsmalleimb7709]

Blows me away how this guy finds what can only be called perfectly preserved older cars of all types.

[@gregh3338]

I spent most of the 80 driving my red 944. I can’t describe what a great time that was. I still miss that car no matter how many newer cars I have had. Thanks for the review Bill.

[@generalzod7959]

a red 944? jake ryan approves!

[@roberthickey4869]

I know how you feel. I had an ‘87 944S in red and loved it.

[@danwake4431]

@@generalzod7959 Jake Wyler.

[@Tmrfe0962]

Bill, You really put a tremendous amount of effort in bringing great information on all the cars you review….most you tubers talk of cup holders and window screens…and the fact that you said, yuppie douchbag! Priceless…thanks so much

[@auvomesilampi6325]

It’s still a beautiful and modern looking car.

[@Tonyk24]

Bills the only thing keeping me going these days

[@curtiszzzchicago]

Them 944's were a Kick-Ass looking car. I wish I'd collected them at $4k a pop in the 90's. I always looked at them and thought "it's almost free, why not?"

[@RedHammerBodyShop]

They were DIRT CHEAP when I was based in Killeen Texas (1994), they couldn't give them away on the used car lots, I agree we should have bought them all up!!! Lol

[@papabeats13]

Spends like a Datsun to buy and a 911 to own

[@curtiszzzchicago]

@@papabeats13 I had an 87 300Z and a 90. I'd do them again a heartbeat. Probably would have snagged a 944 if I hadn't had them. The convertible Mazda RX-7's had a similar look and were on my radar too.

[@UndisputedMRecabo]

Agreed, I had a few in high school, all were in very good condition, low mileage turnkey cars that were all had for a few thousand dollars! I made a few bucks on every single one I bought/sold and did enjoy them, handled great, looked cool and having wide body Porches in high school for the same $ other kids were buying fwd 80s and 90s mopars or gm cars worked for me!

[@ericelander9936]

Agreed. Had the same thoughts never pulled the trigger.

[@James__Gregory]

Every car review is a retrospective on a meta level. LOVE.

[@charlessanborn551]

Best auto review channel ,period.

[@joelyons3713]

Thanks for braving the heat Bill! Love the interior colour on this car. I agree completely that cars no longer have individual personality, they’re all the same.

[@tdvandy2]

Thanks Bill for producing something so unique. You know your stuff and make it fun!

[@ryansease7066]

944s were really great cars. My dad had one and really sung its, and the 944 Turbo that he test drove, praises. Also, those 3.0 four cylinder engines were really great and underrated imo. Great job as always and keep up the great, amazing work.

[@Jack_Stafford]

You are my hero Bill! Thanks for showing and educating us about these amazing cars! You're living my dream life!

[@YTjndallas]

Dude. I’ve been trying to remember the title of this channel today. It hasn’t popped up in my feed for a long time. I watch these videos at 2X speed. His voice is even funnier at that speed!🤣

[@amerigo88]

Spent 24 hours in a Porsche 944 (German spec) circumnavigating Luxembourg in a friend's car. The ostensible purpose was collecting a bust of the French Marshal de Saxe from an antique shop in Verdun. The French girls disrobed every time they saw this car rolling through a village. Banging sports car. At 150 mph, it was glued to the Autobahn. I was white knuckled in the passenger seat.

[@ICECREAMAN1701]

Bill, we love the commentary!! Keep it going!!! We want to know about the weather and the cars and those darn Rooskies as well!!

[@ronaround2897]

Wonderful. The perfect start to the weekend...

[@taguer261]

Your reviews are getting much better. For the first time it ended before I wanted it to

[@stevensumner3146]

Another timeless gem Bill keep ´em coming and the weather reports are great too 🥳🥂🍾

[@abczxy1864]

Many good memories seeing these cars. Oh the dreams....

[@news603redux]

To me, the 944 still looks fresh. They handled like a rat with sneakers, and they were very reliable for a foreign sports car. It's nothing to find them now with 150K or more.

[@papabeats13]

Haha rat with sneakers I m stealing that

[@JohnJohnson-dv1ds]

Excellence as always, Bill.

[@cracky_wainwright]

29:45 -- That awesome Blaupunkt cassette sound system.

[@macstone9719]

Makes me feel nostalgic because I owned a 1984 944. I bought it in 1998 and crashed it the same year. I really enjoy your videos.

[@TheKiing81]

Bill you out did yourself on this one 👌🏽👌🏽👌🏽

[@fhowland]

Love your new style of opening with the drive

[@Bullseye120]

Bill, Thanks for the video. I didn't really remember that there even was a Cabriolet version of the 944. Good thing you overstepped the ants.

[@Sedan57Chevy]

Not my usual type of car, but you certainly tell its story and show it in an interesting light.

[@robertnicholls9917]

LOL!! Stay hydrated. Great presentation.

[@MamesJatthew29]

Buddy has a red 87 944 turbo and it’s as timelessly designed as it is, considerably fast- even by today’s standard. Hard to imagine a 2.5 single OHC 8 valve being a powerhouse, but Porsche pulled it off and it handles exceptionally well, too. Not a Porsche fan by any stretch, but it’s hard not to appreciate a mid 80’s- early 90’s 944. Great review, Bill- as always!

[@megadawg342]

95 degrees in Inland San Diego county everyday for weeks. SUX!!! A 1990 MAZDA RX7 looks very similar, like they were designed by the same team at the same time,... boxed fenders and cabriolet version. I liked the 84-88/89 first gen RX7 very much, but the 90's 2nd gen version was really good. The Corvair of that era. Now we know.

[@pauli6043]

That area of the country has some of the best weather in the world and you're complaining! It's 98 in NJ with 60% humidity today

[@davidruffjr6045]

Great video sir 👍🏻👍🏻

[@johngalt5411]

This was the precursor to the Boxster. And like the Boxster these were not designed to set speed records but to deliver a great handling experience. With near perfect 50/50 weight distribution they were excellent canyon carving machines. Mine was black with a black/beige dual tone interior, I loved it and miss it to this day.

[@johnrobinson5156]

Looks just like my 1991 RX-7 Convertible 👋😁👍

[@kevinlowercase]

Even though I prefer the lines of the coupe, this is an extremely handsome car. I nearly bought an '87 Turbo back in the early 90's but passed in favor of an '88 Supra Turbo (5-speed, leather, targa low miles) instead. How I wish I still had THAT one. Ah well. Greetings from sweltering Biloxi. Hope you're well Bill.

[@mowowie]

I drove a 87Supra turbo 5 speed for 9 years...300,000 miles and the engine still purred the day I sold it....even after sitting for 4 years. Car was so nice I miss it.

[@jamesvelvet3612]

Ordered my 1986 944 coupe new from the factory on Sept 24, 1985. Looking at the order sheet now: $22,950 or about $63k in today's dollars, about the same price as a base Cayman, which is 100x the car ;-) BTW, a year later I gave it my wife and ordered my 1987 Grand Prix white w/burgundy interior 930. That one came in at $62k when ordered in October, 1986:from Traynor Porsche in Fairfield, CT.sports seats, limited slip, and sunroof. That was it. Had the E.T. third brake light and a four speed. In 2022 dollars, the turbo cost me $168k...not too far off the price of a '22 911 base turbo. That 930 was beastly car for the day.

[@hgg2577]

One of my favorite cars of all times. Coupe or cabrio, both gorgeous

[@RustyNutsGarage]

Bill, your weather is to die for...literally. I live up in the GWN (great white north in Canada) and we had 80F/80% humidity the other day and we suffered, normally we are 30-40% humidity. Nothing like what Florida offers, I have appreciation for our cooler drier weather. Super nice car!

[@paulaiello9105]

Childhood memories for me with this car. My Aunt had a red one with the white leather interior. As a kid, my favorite part of the car was the pop up headlights, which would be so dated today. However, I still love them. Thanks for posting!

[@MarinCipollina]

I'm not normally a fan of popup headlights, but they work with both this car and the 1981 RX-7 I had back in the day. The 944 design is both timeless and pure 1980s.

[@MrDanielmarlowe]

Something I’ve always loved these 944s they are the best looking sports car out of the 80s IMO

[@HypocriticYT]

Worth the wait!!

[@christopherkraft1327]

What a pleasant surprise to get a video from Bill, dripping, hot, sweaty & all!!! I'm truly sorry you're suffering!!! I'm just home from the hospital, somehow even with all the heat in Southern California I got pneumonia , I guess I need more coronavirus whiskey!!! Anyway, thanks for sharing another one of your great videos!!!! 🥃🥃

[@TheDolphins1973]

Lol. Spooge…. Bill, your car reviews are fantastic. Keep it up. Cheers from a fellow Gen X’er

[@michaeldonaher2851]

I was surprised the ignition was on the right of the steering column. Glad to hear you're kickin up the octane on the Coronavirus whiskey Bill! You can never be too safe. 👍

[@lexuslife9751]

Great video

[@aramos811]

Great looking Cabriolet.

[@johnhenrymcmahon6878]

Awesome review, Bill. What a stunningly beautiful and sexy Porsche. WOW-she is a beauty. Love the color combo, man. :) JV Johnny

[@chrispetersen113]

Dear Bill, I certainly enjoyed this video...IMO: It's a testament to the Halcyon days in West 🇩🇪 where the engineers still ran the show... Regards, Chris

[@mhanan76]

Bill, mate, you should be in a talk show…great listening to you, no bs, no politically correct, just great acid sense of humor! Kudos! 💯✔️

[@phillymikea]

Gorgeous Porsche!!!

[@dominikjarych6065]

968 would be great! This one is cool though. Engine sounds great.

[@BillLaBrie]

968 is probably a better deal. They aren’t as boosted by the nostalgia thing.

[@P.Galore]

Loved how a certain senior citizen left his blinker on!

[@roccol5360]

I mean the cassettes! So 80’s how do you not love a car like this, bring back the 80’s! I remember these growing up, great memories.

[@lancemannion4113]

Great review Bill! I'm around the same age and I have had three base 944s, 2 951s and 2 968s. The first one which was the first generation with the ugly interior (84) turned out to be an absolute money pit because I was stupid and I bought it based on how pretty it was and didn't get an inspection done. I then got two after this one with the updated 86 onwards interior, and they were excellent. Then I got two Turbo 944s (951) - and other than ridiculous turbo lag, in their day these were pretty damn fast cars and even around 2005 they could hold their own due to the fact that they didn't weigh anything. On a highway roll you would surprise many people as these cars can easily top 160 mph! And then finally at the end I had 2 968s, one was stupidly a tiptronic and the transmission failed which ended up costing about $4,000 once it was all said and done! But the other one was an absolutely stunning polar silver over blue six-speed and it was a dream. Bulletproof reliable, plenty fast with 230 horsepower, great on gas, you could stick two bikes in the back with the rear seat folded down (!) - it had the huge removable sunroof which almost turned it into a convertible, they handled and held the road like a kitten on sandpaper chasing a fly, and does anybody will admit - Porsche hater or not - these cars have aged aesthetically very, very well. Truly a timeless design. The only thing I'll say to anybody considering one is absolutely, positively make sure to get an inspection done by somebody who knows these cars inside out and upside down. The timing belt water pump job is the price of admission and if you don't have records showing it being done, bank on it and it's not a cheap job. But once you take care of that it's just a matter of upkeep and there's surprisingly easy to work on. And as mentioned they're almost indestructible. .. as long as you're OCD to the point of ridiculous with maintenance!

[@jays9211]

I loved the 944. I was a teen with an IROC-Z back then and always lusted for one.

[@mikemoxley9477]

Thanks great video

[@josephvaldora49]

Another really good story about how a car came to be and how it improved over it’s production run. The painstaking process of making a 944 into a convertible sounds remarkably similar to Mercedes Benz sending cars to Porsche to have them breathed on, creating the 500E in the 90’s.

[@bradford_shaun_murray]

Very nice. And wow the 944 just had female-like curves to die for back in the 80s/90s and still today. It just didn't have a bad angle. The S2 had the nicest front end of the 944 series. Thanks Bill.

[@TheKiing81]

Absolutely beautiful

[@georgewilson1184]

Coupe Science is fasinating

[@B3burner]

Hi Bill. Great job as always. Unless I missed it, where are you at regarding the goat-flask drawing, and the pics of viewers’ cars? I’m looking forward to it.

[@maxymax3425]

Thank you for posting this video Bill. I drove mine as a daily driver to 300k. I wish to get another one someday but they are getting expensive.

[@migbham1]

This is going to sound hard to believe, but I'd implore you to see for yourself, Bill. If you can get your hands on a 2022 BMW i4, you should evaluate it against your nostalgia for German build quality and uniqueness. Especially with the Tesla review, I'd love to see you review a German EV, and I happen to own one that you can check out if you'd like. I share your love for German quality and engineering, btw. My i4 is my 4th BMW. The first was a 1990 325 ic (the ultimate tanning machine), followed by a 1991 735il, and lastly, an E36 525i. In my years, I've also owned and loved a 1980 Mercedes 300TD wagon, a 1982 300 CDT, and a 1978 300SD. All fine, solid vehicles. It may be that the absence of engine noise allows me to appreciate the amazing fit, finish and drive characteristics, but I can guarantee that you haven't driven anything that is smoother, quieter or more well engineered and built than a BMW i4. And it's "only" a 4 series. Admittedly, it doesn't fart like the six figure Tesla does. I LOVE your channels and content!

[@JCVACCARO]

I know this is a k car I'm about to talk about but I really miss my 85 Dodge 600 es turbo convertible. Had it from 1987 to 1994 and actually was a great trouble-free car

[@joeseeking3572]

Stunning interior color - had to be one of their special orders (see matching shift boot). You could spend a fortune spec'ing a Porsche inside. On shifting and driving one handed with camera: back in day as a tween I sometimes babysat for a family friend. Husband would drive me home when evening was over in a stick shift MGB. Drink in one hand, cigarette in the other. The cigarette did the shifting, the drink steered. And given that he was usually a little bombed (helped the tip, cause he couldn't make change -"here's a 20" - not bad, min wage was 3.25), I don't recall him spilling or missing the ashtray. But hey, convertible with vinyl interior, who knows/

[@BEGGARWOOD1]

Late 80s to mid nineties . Some of the best car ever made

[@richardmorris7063]

My God these last 30 yrs shot right by.To this day I love the 928 & these were pretty cool too.Around the beaches in SoCal these & the 928 were all the rage as well as the Mercedes 450sl.

[@BrianSanbornToday]

Obviously Bill feels very passionate about redlining the car to show its true performance and potential! God only knows what else he does in all of these cars?

[@farragutspikes1]

Hopefully makes use of the "cocaine mirrors."

[@HipsterDoofus100]

Lays the pipe with his lady friend

[@MarinCipollina]

He gives rides to Canadians.

[@joe08867]

They hold on in the looks department very well. Still looks like a new car 30yrs later.

[@markwoodley712]

Another fine video Bill, but I miss hearing your phone's ringtone!

[@a.marvincausey5352]

Glad you pointed out the front headlight operation as opposed to the rear headlights…

[@CherylCold]

Incredible story behind the 944 convertible. The only reason I can imagine it ever happened was the fantastic chassis of the original coupe which was never appreciated.

[@EndeavorsDnB]

I’m right w u here in SF, on the east coast but right here w ya 🤪 repping PBC

[@williamserver4332]

My friend bought one of these used. He traded in shortly after finding out it woukd cost him $400 to get a key for it. Great video

[@kennhi2008]

David and David, I love that album Welcome To The Boomtown

[@av8bvma513]

Nice Wheels!

[@CD-gk9ix]

944 and 968 are my favorite Porsche’s… call me crazy, maybe it’s what I grew up seeing around the roads… they’re just sleek

[@neilouellette3004]

The biggest problem of the 944's was the prices were so low for so long, many landed in the hands of folks who didn't care much for the required maintenance schedule. The only way you can avoid this is to buy a one or 2 owner car. Those were usually well taken care of on time. Problem is those are few and far between. If you find one? Way overpriced for a 944.

[@blakbanshee]

Ha ha billy Joel style with the bottle of jack in the Porsche. Don’t crash into any houses! 🤣🤣

[@saraflores9601]

What killed most enthusiasm for these long term was parts and maintenance costs. A buddy said every trip to the dealer for service was $1500. He got tired and went to Lexus.

[@stoneylonesome4062]

“Carolina Squat” sounds like a profane act that happens to senatorial page boys in Lindsey Graham’s hotel room.

[@curbozerboomer1773]

OMG....I cannot unsee that image!..lol

[@hertzair1186]

Bill hope you can get a 968 some day…the last iteration of the 924.

[@danf321]

I inherited a base 1983 944. 5spd from my late father-in-law. It sat for years in the garage collecting dust. I spent $$$ fixing it to get it back in condition. Now it’s my weekend driver. I get lots of “thumbs-up”. The only problem is finding an independent Porsche repair shop that works on 944’s.

[@glenntremblay5406]

NEVER NEVER stop complaining about the weather

[@clothestravel]

I’ve always liked the simple, straightforward interiors of these things. Driver focused, not too fussy.

[@Jwdude123]

Moving to Naples. Can’t wait to meet Bill and do some business!

[@maryrafuse3851]

It's hot & humid in Canada's Maritimes, but not as humid as you guys get. I recommend, for anyone who can travel, St. John's Newfoundland. Nice 22 to 25 degrees C. In the Maritimes we are up to the mid 30's C. St. John's and all Newfoundland features magnificent scenery and clean air. St. John's has a wonderful bar district with great places to eat. And if you are from the US you will find temperature and humidity a refreshing break. Now that you have viewed the advert it is up to you.

[@watchingitallhere]

Beautiful car. And well kept. Love your reviews. Hopefully the car will go to someone with a garage to keep it outta the rain. Older convertible cars need a garage...

[@sentry9]

Always liked those

[@MrRemcoLamberts]

Talking about cars with flares and fenders....I love the 80s Mitsubishi Starion aka Dodge conquest. Wide body were for the high performance versions. They were more square and rectangular, however I think an inspiration for the 944s.