Discussion
Hi All,
First post here after surfing the last couple of weeks.
I've managed to clear space in my garage and have got £10k to fill it. I like the Porsche marque but know I'm asking for trouble getting a 911 for that kind of money.
I'm lookng for something to have a run in now and again, maybe take over the channel for a run and track days.
I also like Elises so wonder what you'd advise, pro and cons. I guess with the Elise it would be faster and have more kudos but I'd only need to spend £5k for the 944.
Any advice appreciated.
I'll post this on Lotus forum too.
Cheers
Matt
First post here after surfing the last couple of weeks.
I've managed to clear space in my garage and have got £10k to fill it. I like the Porsche marque but know I'm asking for trouble getting a 911 for that kind of money.
I'm lookng for something to have a run in now and again, maybe take over the channel for a run and track days.
I also like Elises so wonder what you'd advise, pro and cons. I guess with the Elise it would be faster and have more kudos but I'd only need to spend £5k for the 944.
Any advice appreciated.
I'll post this on Lotus forum too.
Cheers
Matt
Edited by MattBucks on Sunday 6th August 21:11
Odd choice of cars - they are totally different 
One is very light, very small, very chuckable but not very practical. The other is well built, much heavier, but much faster with lots of space and very practical.
It really depends what the primary purpose of the car is? I have a 944T because it is a very good compromise. It will tour the continent with my family, it will blast round tracks several times a year and it can take rubbish to the tip or pick up DIY from Wickes.
With a 10k budget you could have one of the very best 944s, a 5k budget would limit your choice a little
One is very light, very small, very chuckable but not very practical. The other is well built, much heavier, but much faster with lots of space and very practical. It really depends what the primary purpose of the car is? I have a 944T because it is a very good compromise. It will tour the continent with my family, it will blast round tracks several times a year and it can take rubbish to the tip or pick up DIY from Wickes.
With a 10k budget you could have one of the very best 944s, a 5k budget would limit your choice a little
diver944 said:
Odd choice of cars - they are totally different One is very light, very small, very chuckable but not very practical. The other is well built, much heavier, but much faster with lots of space and very practical.
It really depends what the primary purpose of the car is? I have a 944T because it is a very good compromise. It will tour the continent with my family, it will blast round tracks several times a year and it can take rubbish to the tip or pick up DIY from Wickes.
With a 10k budget you could have one of the very best 944s, a 5k budget would limit your choice a little
One is very light, very small, very chuckable but not very practical. The other is well built, much heavier, but much faster with lots of space and very practical. It really depends what the primary purpose of the car is? I have a 944T because it is a very good compromise. It will tour the continent with my family, it will blast round tracks several times a year and it can take rubbish to the tip or pick up DIY from Wickes.
With a 10k budget you could have one of the very best 944s, a 5k budget would limit your choice a little
dive kit?
I don't think that its an odd choice at all - I am in a similar position myself (although I was originally considering a 968CS/ Caterham/ Elise). They are different cars with different characteristics but are available for similar (ish) money and most car enthusiasts (rather than marque enthusiasts) would probably be delighted with either. It depends on the use that you intend to put the car through, the running budget (as opposed to the purchase budget) available, perceived reliability, availability, location of local specialists or ability to service the car ones self etc etc.
In the end I have opted for a 944 Turbo. I think that the Elise might be a better track day car but I could not find a S1 111S for the money I had available, I was nervous of the reputation for head gasket failure and it would have had to live outside which I was not sure that the Elise would cope with in the long term.
In contrast, I considered the 944T to be bullet proof (ish), I have an independent specialist on my doorstep, it will still handle the track very well, will cope with living on my drive, is flexible enough for the track/ the commute/ the motorway and the trip to the golf club and was available 3 miles from home. Its also worth mentioning that I am a Porsche enthusiast, having owned a 944 before and being a subscriber to "911 and Porsche World"; I just did not want an Elise enough but I can understand why someone would consider it if they were just looking for a second fun car/ weekend toy.
In the end I have opted for a 944 Turbo. I think that the Elise might be a better track day car but I could not find a S1 111S for the money I had available, I was nervous of the reputation for head gasket failure and it would have had to live outside which I was not sure that the Elise would cope with in the long term.
In contrast, I considered the 944T to be bullet proof (ish), I have an independent specialist on my doorstep, it will still handle the track very well, will cope with living on my drive, is flexible enough for the track/ the commute/ the motorway and the trip to the golf club and was available 3 miles from home. Its also worth mentioning that I am a Porsche enthusiast, having owned a 944 before and being a subscriber to "911 and Porsche World"; I just did not want an Elise enough but I can understand why someone would consider it if they were just looking for a second fun car/ weekend toy.
Hi Matt,
I was in the same position, had the money, and on the "Dream cars" list theres the Elise and the 944. So this time ive gone for the 944 when I change it will probably be for the Elise.
I can only comment on the 944 and I find it a great car. I insure it on a classic policy with limited (5000) miles which is very cheap, cheaper than the Elise would have been. I know practicality isn't an issue for you but the 944 is much more practical than the Elise which does help if your out for a weekend jaunt and want to bring anything back with you.
Im sure whatever car you decide on be a lot of fun.
Oh how about depreciation as another factor?. From what ive seen good examples of 944's seem to be increasing in price probably due to low mileage ones being very hard to find.
I was in the same position, had the money, and on the "Dream cars" list theres the Elise and the 944. So this time ive gone for the 944 when I change it will probably be for the Elise.
I can only comment on the 944 and I find it a great car. I insure it on a classic policy with limited (5000) miles which is very cheap, cheaper than the Elise would have been. I know practicality isn't an issue for you but the 944 is much more practical than the Elise which does help if your out for a weekend jaunt and want to bring anything back with you.
Im sure whatever car you decide on be a lot of fun.
Oh how about depreciation as another factor?. From what ive seen good examples of 944's seem to be increasing in price probably due to low mileage ones being very hard to find.
diver944 said:
Odd choice of cars - they are totally different One is very light, very small, very chuckable but not very practical. The other is well built, much heavier, but much faster with lots of space and very practical.
It really depends what the primary purpose of the car is? I have a 944T because it is a very good compromise. It will tour the continent with my family, it will blast round tracks several times a year and it can take rubbish to the tip or pick up DIY from Wickes.
With a 10k budget you could have one of the very best 944s, a 5k budget would limit your choice a little
One is very light, very small, very chuckable but not very practical. The other is well built, much heavier, but much faster with lots of space and very practical. It really depends what the primary purpose of the car is? I have a 944T because it is a very good compromise. It will tour the continent with my family, it will blast round tracks several times a year and it can take rubbish to the tip or pick up DIY from Wickes.
With a 10k budget you could have one of the very best 944s, a 5k budget would limit your choice a little
While I don't think the fact that the cars are different precludes you from considering both, I will agree that the 944 T is the way forward.
I too considered exactly the same choice, chose a 944 T Cab (rare as hen's teeth) and have never looked back (only forward, I need somethin faster!).
The 944 T cab I have is half as practical as the coupe, but I have driven the length of the UK, moving house in it, having had friends squealing with joy in the front and back seats (now, now...keep it clean gents! You know what I mean!) and been approached by millions (hyperbole
) of kids asking me "how fast does it go mister?" I think I made the right choice... for me. The car will spin its wheels in third, and handles well enough to badger loads of modern car (though not an elise!).
I love it.
You buy.
there quite different cars althouhg they come in at similarish price points, one is more hardcore speedster the other sporting/GT, running cost wise i would say the 944 will be more, not only is it going to be around 5 to 10 years older, (and old cars always need more tlc), but it was a much more expensive car when new (prob around 30 to 40k at todays prices), an this will reflect in parts prices etc.
The elise is much more basic and uses a standard 16v engine from a rover, being a newer car and cheaper to buy when new should mean costs are lower.
As to which you get try them both, performance wise a standard elise will likely be around as fast as a 944 2.5 16v to a 100mph, it will be quicker than the 2.5 8v and slower than the turbo or 3litre, top speed wise it will be slower than any 944
The elise is much more basic and uses a standard 16v engine from a rover, being a newer car and cheaper to buy when new should mean costs are lower.
As to which you get try them both, performance wise a standard elise will likely be around as fast as a 944 2.5 16v to a 100mph, it will be quicker than the 2.5 8v and slower than the turbo or 3litre, top speed wise it will be slower than any 944
MattBucks said:
I also like Elises so wonder what you'd advise, pro and cons. I guess with the Elise it would be faster and have more kudos but I'd only need to spend £5k for the 944.
Any advice appreciated.
Really quite odd choices.
All depends what Elise & what 944.
Sorted 944T vs stock base Elise= Elise is gunna get a spanking, but is comparitivly lardy GT vs lightweight (in S1 form anyway) roadster so very difrent in pretty much every aspect of driving, so what ever floats yr boat really.
diver944 said:
Odd choice of cars - they are totally different One is very light, very small, very chuckable but not very practical. The other is well built, much heavier, but much faster with lots of space and very practical.
It really depends what the primary purpose of the car is? I have a 944T because it is a very good compromise. It will tour the continent with my family, it will blast round tracks several times a year and it can take rubbish to the tip or pick up DIY from Wickes.
With a 10k budget you could have one of the very best 944s, a 5k budget would limit your choice a little
One is very light, very small, very chuckable but not very practical. The other is well built, much heavier, but much faster with lots of space and very practical. It really depends what the primary purpose of the car is? I have a 944T because it is a very good compromise. It will tour the continent with my family, it will blast round tracks several times a year and it can take rubbish to the tip or pick up DIY from Wickes.
With a 10k budget you could have one of the very best 944s, a 5k budget would limit your choice a little
Exactly, the Elise and 944 are very different cars. As diver says, the 944T is a very good compromise. If you have to have just one car, my advice is to buy a good (i.e. sound) 944T "platform" car at the lower end of the market and spend the remainder of your budget on some choice upgrades to the suspension and brakes.
Edited by theturbs on Tuesday 8th August 16:50
Gassing Station | Porsche General | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff