Vehicle Details
- Year: 1989
- Make: Porsche
- Model: 944 Turbo
- VIN: WP0AA2959KN150237
- Mileage: 49,456
- Transmission: Manual
- Title Status: Clean
- Color: Guards Red
- Seller: TheDragasAutoGallery
- Seller Type: Dealer
- Location: Ontario, Canada N0B 1M0
- Dealer Fees: None
- Lot #: V-0007527
Now available for auction is this 1989 Porsche 944 Turbo finished in Guards Red over a black leather interior. Originally offered as the top-of-the-line 944 model, this U.S.-market Turbo was sold new in Texas before making its way to Canada in 2004 where it remains today in excellent overall condition. Highlighting a factory M030 suspension, upgraded 17” Cup wheels, and a 2.5 L Turbo S engine paired with a 5-speed manual transaxle, this 944 recently underwent a major service in preparation for sale and is now being offered by its seller in Ontario, Canada with approximately 49k miles showing on the odometer.
The traditional Guards Red finish on this Turbo is said to be in excellent condition with a recent paint correction done to ensure the best possible appearance. Some very minor road-going wear is indicated throughout the body and the seller reports the paint to be all original with the exception of the front bumper cover which is believed to have been refinished following a minor cosmetic incident noted on CARFAX in 1996 (detailed images are provided in the photo gallery). This Turbo remains original in its appearance except for the upgraded 17” Porsche Cup wheels that come dressed in brand new tires.
The black leather interior is said to be in very nice shape. The leather was recently conditioned, and the A/C system has been converted to R134a refrigerant. The original Blaupunkt "Reno" radio has been retained and all gauges and accessories are said to be working properly. The American CARFAX shows a potential odometer rollback dated 08/25/2004. This is believed to be a clerical at time of import to Canada as the Canadian Carfax doesn’t show any such indication and the math suggests the conversion was done incorrectly. Both the Canadian and American Carfax reports are available in the photo gallery.
This range-topping Turbo model is equipped with an M44/52 2.5 L inline 4-cylinder turbocharged engine rated at 250 HP and 258 lb.-ft of torque. Utilizing a larger K26-8 turbocharger housing and revised engine tuning, the Turbo S is capable of producing 30 HP more than the standard 944 Turbo. The rear wheels are driven via a 5-speed manual transaxle with a limited-slip differential providing for a 0-60 time of approximately 5.5 seconds and a factory-rated top speed of 162 MPH. The Turbo S also features the upgraded front brakes from the 928 S4 and the M030 suspension package consisting of adjustable Koni shocks, progressive rate springs, larger torsion/anti-roll bars, harder bushings, and stiffened chassis tuning. An aftermarket muffler has been installed and the following service items were recently addressed in preparation for sale:
- Distributor Cap and Rotor
- Spark Plugs
- Ignition Wires
- Power Steering Belt
- Power Steering Adjusted
- Drivers Door Check
- New Battery Tie Down
- Machined and Serviced Front Brakes
- Machined, Serviced, Replaced Pads on Rear Brakes
- Air Conditioning System Converted To 134a and Charged
- 4-Wheel Alignment
This sale will include a set of 2 keys, the original tools, spare tire, and air compressor, a recent service invoice, a clean title, and a Porsche Certificate of Authenticity. For any transaxle Porsche enthusiast, this nicely sorted 944 Turbo offers an incredible opportunity.
Auction Results
- Sold for: $32,000
- Auction End: Dec 17, 2020 08:59:09PM UTC
- Number of Bids: 21
Comments (59)
Congratulations to the high bidder, thank you to everyone who inquired!
Sold for $32,000
Bid in the amount of $32,000
Bid in the amount of $31,500
Bid in the amount of $30,250
Bid in the amount of $30,000
Bid in the amount of $27,000
Bid in the amount of $26,500
Bid in the amount of $25,500
Bid in the amount of $24,500
Bid in the amount of $24,000
We retracted the incorrect bid
Bid in the amount of $23,500
Bid in the amount of $22,500
Bid in the amount of $21,500
Bid in the amount of $20,944
Bid in the amount of $20,500
@paullemoine Thanks for sharing your thoughts. Although the seller provided info about the mileage, I couldn't make it out to the seller tonight and I'm on the fence about this car. (My dad has a original owner 944 base, also in GR.) I'm going to think about it overnight and good luck to you as well!
I would urge folks to look at service and present condition vs. mileage. Low mileage is only desirable because it typically translates to better overall condition. By the same token, high mileage doesnt= bad paint, no service, needs everything, worthless. Bid with confidence as Canadian cars only have import issues if they are wrecked or mechanically not running and driving. Keeping my eye on this one to help see where they are selling price-wise. Becoming more collectable every month.
CONFIRMATION!
I just returned from Service Ontario here with a copy of our Used Car Information Package (required for private sales in Ontario, which is why we didn't have it as a dealer) first documented Odometer indicating 46,210 miles when it was brought into Canada confirming my assumption that the math was done incorrectly and the car is indeed 49k miles as stated on the odometer.
I have sent the pictures to Pcar to post but not certain they will get up before end of business today. I am happy to send to anyone before then if they want to message with contact info.
Thank you and happy bidding!
@porsche_dreamer
I agree the car is between 75 and 80, 000 Miles. The underside shows it was well looked after as does body and paint. I may not be able to be around when it closes tomorrow so seeing what it does today.
Good Luck if yo u are bidding
Paul
@paullemoine Are you now convinced that this is original miles?
Bid in the amount of $18,500
Bid in the amount of $16,500
Bid in the amount of $16,000
@paullemoine Yes, in the worst case scenario... between 75k to 80k miles.
Independent of what the seller has indicated, the 2015 readings gives me some faith that there may be a clerical error. However, the 29k and 39k readings in the notes of the US CarFax in 04/05 are challenging to interpret.
Best case is 49k miles.
@porsche_dreamer
Do you also calculate the total miles to be approx 80,000 Miles
@paullemoine I 100% believe the information was submitted incorrectly which is where I believe the incorrect conversion originated. I can absolutely respect where perspective bidders have their reservations, I am doing what I can to clarify.
08/06/2015 Car is reported to have 48,359km which I believe someone had just read off the odometer and not realized it was an American car in miles not kilometers. It was a Canadian dealer, I can only assume they see more Canadian cars then American cars, could've easily been an oversight at the time.
@paullemoine Thx for outlining... think you and I are doing the same thing! I see exactly what you see. The only explanation I would have is the owner not paying close attention when reporting the mileage as part of the plate renewal process, which is possible.
@TheDragasAutoGallery Thank you. Can you pls check your PM? I would like to come by to take a look.
@porsche_dreamer We didn't know either. We only found out when Pcar went to run the Carfax on their end. Since any Carfax I had ever seen with US history had both US/Canadian information, I figured they were all the same database. Which is also the reason I am confident in the clerical error as there is no such line on the Canadian document.
We have known of this cars existence and a couple of its previous owners for years prior before coming into our possession, another reason (for us at least) that we are confident in its mileage.
Indeed it was originally delivered to Texas as a US market vehicle meaning it would have an odometer that reads in miles. With exception of certain newer vehicles that have the ability to change from miles to kilometers digitally, it would stay in miles.
I absolutely agree with you in regards to the mileage, I believe it was done incorrectly and recorded, then the new figure converted incorrectly and recorded again, both in the wrong direction. Which is how I came to that conclusion in the first place as the math is way too close to be a coincidence.
It was imported by a dealer in the GTA who sold it to a collector on the East Coast where it lived in a 30+ car collection of Porsches. Then Came to Ontario to live in a 75+ car collection of Porsches and other vehicles. Both of whom we had known either through business or the collector car world.
There is no doubt this appears to be a very clean 944 Turbo.
The inconsistencies in both Carfax mileage numbers do not make sense.
Could the information have been incorrectly submitted to them?
10/18/2003 46,000 Miles
08/25/2004 Rolled back to 18,049 miles
04/22/2005 24,708 miles
08/06/15 30,049 Miles a few days later on 08/22/15 Odometer reading 78,054 KM in Toronto witch is 48,000 Miles ( I do not see the car having a KM conversion Speedo Change)
Between 2015 and 2020 19,000 miles were added to the sellers current 49,467 Miles
Just trying to clarify what I can from the information the seller provided .
Does another interested bidder want to compare the mileage numbers and car fax dates.
Thanks for your assessment, Daniel. Also appreciate your transparency by providing both CarFaxes... interesting how they could give different info (did not know that before).
This car is originally a US car and has an analog odometer in miles. There is not another odometer or display in km's. Sometimes when we see a wrong conversion, we would expect the 46k miles to convert to app. 27k kms but this reads 18k. On top of this, we see subsequent readings afterwards of 24k miles and 30k miles.
Can you reconfirm whether you know all the historical Canadian owners of this car? It seems like this car changed ownership after importation into Canada... ON to NS to ON. Or was it the same person who moved the car back and forth between ON and NS? If we go with 49k original miles, that would mean it has put on only 3k miles since 2003.
Thanks again.
@paullemoine To all inquiring, I had put in a request to investigate with American Carfax at the time we had this listing posted but I have yet to get a response.
I had provided BOTH copies of the Carfax to hopefully substantiate my findings based on the both documents, previous ownership history I had learned throughout the process, mechanical inspection, and my assessment of the car.
I am aware of what both Carfax copies say, and to put it bluntly....the math suggests that whoever was entering the figures, didn't know how to convert from miles to kilometers. The ONLY reason I made that calculated assumption was that when you did the conversion correctly, it equaled the approximate mileage shown. If the hadn't, I wouldn't have suggested it in my description. That was just too big a coincidence for me to believe it was rolled back instead of someone simply using their calculator incorrectly. Not to mention, it happened during the inspection/import process while being converted from miles to kilometers, not at some other random point in the cars history.
As I mentioned earlier as well, after entering Canada it had lived a pampered life among 75+ car collection which to me also substantiated the consistency and why it had stopped accumulating and only has 49,xxx miles now. We have also known two of the previous owners personally while it lived in Canada one of whom was the importer, who received the car with its 46,xxx miles on it. We had no reason to believe otherwise. Furthermore, the indicated mis-calculation was also done at the inspection/time of import which further substantiates my assumption that it was more likely entered incorrectly.
I am happy to provide whatever information I am able/have to present. After assessing, driving, inspecting the car both mechanically and cosmetically, I have no reason or evidence to suggest that the car has anything but its current mileage on it.
I had submitted the photos later in the afternoon/early evening last night, I'm sure Pcar will have them posted this morning.
Just want you to confirm the mileage roll back.
On 10/18/2003 the car had 46,000 miles.
It was not converted to KM but for some reason rolled back to 18,049 MILES and Not converted to Kilometers
The car is now showing 49,000 Miles
I calculate that this car has 80,951 MILES on it.
Please recheck the numbers and confirm what the actual mileage is on the car.
I do not see the Chassis photos.
Only one day left so please have PCar add them
Thanks
@porsche_dreamer I would very much love to explain but other than my math calculations, I can only make a reasonable assumption that whoever was entering the values wasn't clear on how to do so and did it incorrectly. The reason I suggested that was that the car runs/shows consistently all over and I know that after landing in Canada, the car lived in a couple large car collections which explains why the mileage accumulation slowed right down.
As for viewing the car, I would be happy to show you the car in person. Please send me a message and I can arrange an evening viewing.
Hi Daniel, can you pls explain why the miles to kms conversion appears backwards? This car seemed to have reasonably plausible mileage up until 2003 with 46k miles... and now the odometer is showing 49k miles... and yet a few ON readings along the way showed (using 18k miles as a starting point) miles creeping back up to the 30k miles mark, before hitting 49k miles now.
Also, what is your general availability to show this car? Can it be in the evenings around 9pm? I am local.
Thank you.
Bid in the amount of $10,250
Undercarriage pictures taken and submitted, please standby!
As for the difference between this car and a 1988 Turbo S, is the S badge.
As noted on the on the Certificate Of Authenticity, this car was built in the later half of 1988 and sold as a MY 1989 Porsche 944 Turbo which is likely why its labelled '944 Turbo S' on the certificate. The document came directly from Porsche Cars North America so that was good enough for us. Car probably handles better without the extra weight the badge would carry!
Hi signalMTB, Do you know why the Porsche COA would show as a Turbo S then.
Paul
This isn't a turbo S...that only existed for the 1988 MY. Sure, same specs in an '89 turbo compared to the 88 turbos S , etc. but it's not a turbo S.
Do you have previous service records. Any for Timing belt and water pump replacment.
Has the clutch been done
Thanks
If you do get it on the lift, would be great to see if there are any oil leaks up front or not (front seals, oil pan gasket, etc.). Thanks!
@paullemoine Hey Paul, I will do my best to get the car up on the lift before the end of the auction and get a few shots. Anything in particular you would like to see?
As for documentation, the Certificate of Authenticity is listed in the photos that came directly from Porsche. As far as I've learned from various 944 nuts, 1989's came with the same options/specifications that the previous model Turbo 'S' had. The 1989 model year 944 were lablled Turbo on car itself, but most/if not all left the factory in S trim. Hope that answers your questions, but if you have anything else feel free to message me or post here.
Could you please post under carriage photos . Any documents showing a Turbo “S”
Appears to be a std 944 turbo
Bid in the amount of $10,000
Bid in the amount of $5,000
@tutone we hadn't taken a video as the exhaust really doesn't make any different sound than a factory one. May have even been a period replacement at some point. No shots of the underside but if I can get the car back up on the lift before the auction closes then I would be happy to get.
@Jarod964 Thank you Sir
How about a video to hear the aftermarket exhaust? Any photos of the underside of the car?
Not affiliated, but can vouch for the seller. Bid with confidence on this one.
@Victor and my apologies for not including in the first message, but the car is located in Breslau, Ontario, Canada. Not sure where you are, but if you're local or considering a drive, I'd be happy to show you the car in person.
@Victor Hey Victor, other than the Carfax report we don't have any information on the reported incident. I have however gone over the car during the paint correction process and can confidently say that with exception of the front bumper, I believe the remaining paint to be all original. Which leads me to believe that the front bumper may have been resprayed at the time but no structual/integral damage of any kind.
Hi, nice car! Would you have any information on the accident that is reported in 1996. Were is the car in Onario? thanks
Bid in the amount of $951
@classic-michael Hey Michael, being delivered as an American Market vehicle when new means it can re-enter the country without any duty/fees. However I imagine that individual states may have their own specific requirements pertaining to paperwork etc.
What is needed to bring this car USA Ohio
Good morning everyone, I thought I would take the opportunity to introduce myself as the seller and offer assitance to inquiries either here in the comments or the provided link.
In addition I thought I would clarify what I believe to be the issue with the stated potential odometer rollback on the American Carfax. The car had come to us with a Canadian Carfax and no indication of any odometer inconsistencies. Going through the protocol to have the car listed here and running the American Carfax we discovered the listed line regarding the odometer. After doing the math, it appears that who ever had recorded the mileage during the time of import/inspection had done the conversion from Miles to Kilometers backwards. Then subsequently who ever had entered the odometer value at Carfax had done the same thing with the now incorrect figure,giving the approximate values listed on the report. We do have an inquiry open with Carfax and will update with any new information.
The car shows, drives and appears consistent with the original mileage at time of import so we have no reason to believe otherwise. However I believed it was best to be and transparent as possible and show both documents.
Here is a chance to own an unmolested factory example of the last of the 944 Turbo lineup, please don't hesitate to reach out and happy bidding!