Porsche might not be the first manufacturer

 Porsche might not be the first manufacturer 

that comes to mind when thinking of cheap cars, but the 944 can in fact be found relatively easily for under budget. It's also a lot more versatile as a project car than many might assume -- owners have kitted their 944s out as safari-style off-roaders, GT-inspired widebody racers, and even LS-swapped

 drift machines. Of course, there's also always the option of restoring your car back to factory spec, and enjoying one of Porsche's more underrated sports cars.

It might not be that fast in stock form, and it's not as iconic in design as, say, a 911, but the 944 still ticks all the right boxes for a cheap enthusiasts' car. Manual transmissions are common, examples often appear for sale in good condition, and those pop-up headlights give it a retro appeal that not even a 911 could match. A manual '86 944 went under the hammer in early January 2023 for $8,420, and there are plenty more like it in Bring a Trailer's historical listings data.