Turbo Porsche 944 or Fiat 20v turbo?

[whythem]

Trying to decide which makes best sense as a fast road car, the 944 turbo or the Coupe 20v turbo. Both around the 220bhp mark, 0-60 6 secs, 2+2 coupes, both highly tunable to 350bhp+, both similar in terms of reliability and running costs.

similar in many respects but the Pork has RWD and prestige at £6K+ Vs the Fiat with FWD but £2k- for clean examples.

Should I get the Fiat and tune the suspension and brakes, then spend the remainder on instruction and petrol, or go RWD and prestige.

Its amazing how just writing things out helps with decissions. I think its the Fiat coupe 20V turbo.

Thanks for your help PH

[s m]

Later 944 Turbo had 250bhp

[chrisr29]

I think budget will dictate your choice really, Porsche initial outlay plus running costs will be about 3 times that of Fiat.

Let your wallet do the talking.

[s m]

Fiat a fair bit newer

[Codswallop]

I don't recall that the Fiat was highly praised for handling finesse when new, and to me personally, uprating suspension and brakes on the Fiat would seem a waste of money, since I'd rather up the budget and get the 944 if spending more than the purchase price of a good Coupe. At least you can then sell on the 944 for what you bought it for too, whereas mods tend to be lost money (from previous experience ).

Interesting middle ground alternatives - how about a 200sx (similar weight and power to the other two, RWD, about £2-4k), an MR2 Turbo, or FI MX5? Personally, I'd be more tempted by one of these myself.

[chrisr29]

s m said:

Fiat a fair bit newer

This as well. I looked at a 944 turbo a few months ago for round about 6k. It was decidedly frilly around the edges and need at least 2k to sort the body work.

Great cars but chuffing pricey to put right.

[J4CKO]

Have had a Fiat Coupe and a 944 S2, go for the 944, but just don't see either just as a way of going fast cheaply, drive both and see what you prefer, the Porsche has more depth of ability.

[chrisr29]

How about a 968 for a bit more? Owned one of those for 3 years. Great cars, same pace as a 944 turbo but no rust issues. Just as pricey on parts though.

[billzeebub]

In my opinion Porker definitely, whether S2 or Turbo. Great drive and so much more of an ownership experience than an old Fiat..

[J4CKO]

Dont just focus on BHP and tuning, despite the impression on here you need 500 bhp I don't find my humble S2 slow, I find it fairly quick, certainly quick enough to end up doing silly speed in not much time, I think a tuned 944 Turbo could be a handful if you aren't experienced with powerful RWD stuff, well worth doing some track time, 944's are fairly predictable but any powerful RWD car needs a bit of caution, the Fiat is fairly benign but still a fast car.

[carlingofblack]

Another vote for Pork. Love my late S2, haven't driven a turbo but the build quality of these old cars is just immense. Set aside £500 a year for average maintenance, £1000 if you need belts/sills/ or anything big doing.

[davepoth]

Mate of mine has an early 944. He paid £500 for it as an MOT failure. It needed a fuel pump relay and some new tyres to pass, which was nice. Someone did start to restore it at some time in the past, so as a result the body is a mixture of faded red, primer, and bare metal (!), but incredibly in the two years he's owned it the rust hasn't galloped through the whole car like I expected. I drove it round the ring and it was very balanced, but on the nankangs he'd fitted it was a bit low on grip.

[rallycross]

I've had a few of both, the 944T is a very special car, hence prices now rising, you can get a good example of a 20vT Coupe for 1/3rd the price of a good 944T, the only thing the Fiat has in its favour over the 944 is it will be newer.

[s m]

rallycross said:

I've had a few of both, the 944T is a very special car, hence prices now rising, you can get a good example of a 20vT Coupe for 1/3rd the price of a good 944T, the only thing the Fiat has in its favour over the 944 is it will be newer..............

...................plus the 5-cylinder warble

[rallycross]

s m said:

...................plus the 5-cylinder warble

Yes 5 cylinder sounds better but 944 T on full boost sounds good.
Plus:

944 has sublime handling, the best steering feel of any volume production car and build quality at 20+ years that will leave any Fiat rusting in it's wake.

[blade7]

chrisr29 said:

How about a 968 for a bit more? Owned one of those for 3 years. Great cars, same pace as a 944 turbo

[GC8]

On paper the pace is similar. Ive owned both, arguably the best f each range so I think that qualifies me to comment.

The Turbo S M758 was harsh and crashy, laggy but when the turbo spooled up, it was rapid.

The 968CS was equally harsh and crashy without the push in the back that a turbo gives nd ultimately, it was a good deal less quick, despite the on-paper figures suggesting otherwise.

A 951 wold certainly offers better value now, as the price of 968CSs is silly - pushed up by the endless supply of wallys who want to 'track one, yeah?'. The Sport is the same car and a normal 968 isnt particularly far behind, so maybe that be a more sensible solution.

[MissChief]

IMo it comes down to the ownership costs. The Fiat might produce a largish bill every so often (cambelt etc) but the 944 would probably bring about a much bigger bill.

[s m]

MissChief said:

IMo it comes down to the ownership costs. The Fiat might produce a largish bill every so often (cambelt etc) but the 944 would probably bring about a much bigger bill.

Hard to guess at though without running both surely?

[blade7]

If the 944T price is an issue I would have an E36 M3 evo over a Fiat everytime.