When it first came out, the Porsche 944 was positioned as an entry-level option and the most affordable way to join the Porsche brand. Now, 40 years later, the same idea still holds true in the secondary market. However, it’s worth noting that collectors have discovered the 944 over time, so it’s no longer the amazing deal it used to be. According to classic.com, a valuation site, the average selling price for a base model 944 in the past year is $13,310. However, if you search carefully, you can still find rougher examples in the $5,000 range.

The 944 has always been commended for its balanced handling and weight distribution. It features a rear-mounted transaxle connected to the engine via a “torque tube,” which is basically a solid and vibration-free driveshaft licensed from Mitsubishi, of all places.

From the factory, the 944 came with a compact inline four-cylinder engine that took it from 0-60 MPH in a leisurely 8.5 seconds. While some later models offered turbocharging and four valves per cylinder (16V), even those improvements couldn’t compare to a modern LS engine, especially one that has been customized.

If you needed another reason to replace the original Porsche engine, it’s worth mentioning that it had a rubber timing belt that, if it failed, could potentially ruin the entire engine. Some may argue that installing a V8 engine will affect the perfect weight distribution, but if you opt for an aluminum LS engine instead of an iron block, the weight gain over the Porsche four-cylinder is only around 25-30 pounds.