Porsche Enthusiasts Club Forum

Hi, i,m new to porsche and i,m looking to perhaps buy a 944 early next year. My current dailey is a 1972 swb land rover pick up, but i have a 1989 eunos roadster for summer fun.
Now i love the mazda, but i have spent a small fortune buggering about with it over the years, 6 speed box, torsen lsd, lightened flywheel, bigger d/shafts with uprated hubs etc etc, all with the intention of supercharging it in the fiture.
The thing is it hasnt moved in 3 years, so i,m going to have to spend even more cash getting it on the road next year, and i have had it for 11 years and sort of fancy a change.
I was wondering what sort of performance i am going to get out of a 944. how do they handle, after the mazda am i going to be let down, i no there will be more low down grunt, after the roadster it will be nice, got to scream them to get them going, redline is 7,200.
Now the mazda is known for it,s handleing, and i understand the 944 is also rather good, but i,m used to verry little weight so i,m kinda concerned about that.
Sorry to hit you all with a few daft questions, but i want to be sure before i commit myself AND try to buy the right car first time, a lot to ask i no . . . . . . . .,
thanx,
Dave

I've owned my 944 for 3 years. A few years before that I drove my friend's stock H reg MX-5. I would describe it as nimble and predictable in the corners, but unimpressive in acceleration. Now the n/a 944 is the one of the least impressive accelerating Porsches, but 2nd and 3rd gears still put a smile on my face, and the cornering ability is so sticky it's incredible. The driving position of the 944 also makes it feel rather special.

There are not many worthwhile performance mods that can be made to the n/a 944's, but the turbo engines seem to infinitely modifiable.

Hi Dave, lots to consider there, but here's my take on this...

The 944 is a heavy car compared with the Mazda, so in general it is not a 'pocket rocket' car, you will have to adopt a different way to drive it. That said, the 944 is simply sublime in the handling department, not many cars come close to the way it sticks to the road like a train on tracks especially in the bends, it's exciting! The 944 power plants are big units that by todays standards are a bit 'agricultural', but they do have power and can be tweaked, again they are different to what you have experienced in the Mazda. Consider the Mazda a sports coupe, the 944 as a GT. If you are after a fast car, then perhaps a Boxster might be more suitable and closer to what you think you want, but a decent 944 Turbo will get you as many points on your license as you need (to lose it!), that's for sure.

There are several options though to choose from, all have their good and bad points. Best thing to do is go and have a look around, test drive as many as you can for as long as you can before making any buying decisions. Maintenance and upkeep costs will factor in here too, as they do require a fair amount of TLC , just have a look at the threads here, or on the USA forums (Pelican Parts, Renlist, etc.)

Have a look at the 924S - its slightly lighter and drives really well.
Try a 2.5L 944 Turbo, it's a Saturn V rocket in disguise...and there are plenty of performance options to be had, LSD, vented brakes, chipped ECU, and blah blah blah..you get the picture.
Try a 2.5L 944S (my personal favourite) this is the 16V engine, no real difference to the 8V at lower than 4000 revs, but after that...Houston, we have lift off! The later S2 has a bigger engine (3.0L) and better intake mechanicals and the bodywork is taken from the Turbo, so a really good all-round car, well worth a look.
The standard 2.5L 944 is a good solid car and the NA 8V engine is more robust that the 16V, so maintenance costs are lower.

Then, if the bank can stand it, go and have a look at a 968...but don't buy a lemon cheaply as it will come back and bite you, due to the Variocam design, the engine tends to need a full rebuild at around 100K miles due to camshaft sprocket wear, etc. This is expensive...make sure you get a solid service history.

Good luck with your decision, and keep us posted!

I will echo what has already been posted, the 944 is a different beast to the MX5, a S2 is a great all rounder with a big torquey motor, the turbo can be very tame when tootling but a run in a 300bhp car which can be had on a 250 for about £500 will blow your socks off if that is what you want, quicker and better handling than a lot of modern "performance cars"
It will feel more solid and is better built than a Mazda, but remember they are old cars now and if not properly looked after can cause grief and £££s
Buy a good un and you will love it.plus you can fit a shiiit load of stuff in them.

it's all been said, other than pop along to your local meeting and see some cars for yourself.

Well thanx for the replys fella,s. . ..
,

nimble and predictable, yes, unimpressive acceleration, hmmm, you really do have to give them a kicking, but i do like the handleing, not to much grip, i do like to go slieways, it keeps my heart beating. . .


WOW, lots to consider here,
i no the drive will be ALOT different to the mazda, a turbo would be really nice, or a 968 sport, but i wont have that kind of money, i,m see,img a bit of a lean towards 2.5 engined cars, is there a problem/problems with the bigger engine,s. . . and as for a boxster. . . . driven a couple. . . . rich mans mr2 ? not my cup of tea i,m affraid . ..



300bhp. . .. now we are talking. . .. i like the sound of a s2 tho. . . .just depends on what sort of money a decent one will cost me. . . .


thats a really good plan, best do some digging on my local club scene eh. . .
thanx for the reply,s everybody, a good start. . .
Dave

A supercharged MX-5 is going to be an awful lot faster than any normally aspirated 944, even an S2. Its driving position is better, too.

Only an NB can match a 944s propensity to rust...

After 21 years that is hardly surprising though!

Like has been said try as many as you can and go for the best condition, history one you can find and don't discount the 924S.

How is the driving position better?