911 SC v 944 Turbo v 968 Sport
Discussion
Been thinking about my next purchase and I have pretty much shortlisted these three and still can't decide.
I am after something great driving with steering feel but reasonably good value and lowish running costs.
I still have the 911 itch to scratch and what I will buy will probably be a keeper but it is hard to do ignore the others.
Things I need are:
.useable rear seats
.practical enough to be used year round (with being waxoyled annually)
.fast enough. The ability to pull big oversteer slides a definite bonus but not at the expense of fun at sane speeds.
Budget is about £15k. Are any of these a good idea or should I be thinking M3 CS? Also have a Caterham and Elise so this is the practical do-it-all car.
I am after something great driving with steering feel but reasonably good value and lowish running costs.
I still have the 911 itch to scratch and what I will buy will probably be a keeper but it is hard to do ignore the others.
Things I need are:
.useable rear seats
.practical enough to be used year round (with being waxoyled annually)
.fast enough. The ability to pull big oversteer slides a definite bonus but not at the expense of fun at sane speeds.
Budget is about £15k. Are any of these a good idea or should I be thinking M3 CS? Also have a Caterham and Elise so this is the practical do-it-all car.
I always thought the Turbo was a laggy old Hector and much preferred my S2, less power, sure, but linear delivery all the way to the red line, and a lovely engine.
A 968 is kind of the ultimate evolution of an S2, the same engine but with variocam and about 30bhp more, close to turbo power but with FAR FAR better delivery.
And very pretty, never was able to find a good one with air and leather..
A 968 is kind of the ultimate evolution of an S2, the same engine but with variocam and about 30bhp more, close to turbo power but with FAR FAR better delivery.
And very pretty, never was able to find a good one with air and leather..
Id prefer a 3.2l to a 3.0l 911, but my choice would be 911.
I love 968s but theyre all relatively old and saggy now, just like 944 Turbos and they will both need work and parts to perform at their best. There is no fundamental difference between the steering or suspension on a 968 and that on a 944 and theyll both very similar when refreshed, but the 944 Turbo is a quicker car, if more difficult to drive.
I love 968s but theyre all relatively old and saggy now, just like 944 Turbos and they will both need work and parts to perform at their best. There is no fundamental difference between the steering or suspension on a 968 and that on a 944 and theyll both very similar when refreshed, but the 944 Turbo is a quicker car, if more difficult to drive.
Thanks all. I nearly bought a SC last November-had first refusal but for me at the time I didn't feel it was sharp enough for a weekend plaything. Interestingly, I see that the editor of EVO now has it so he must have been one of the others after it! Odd seeing the car I nearly bought in this month's mag.
I drove a 968 at the time but found it a little dull TBH. But again, as a more everyday car, its qualities may take some time to shine through.
As far as I see it:
911 is the ultimate but running costs and rust are a worry. I will do about 6k miles a year but in all weathers, including salty conditions. And will a 204hp car running 15inch wheels really go sideways?
968 is cheaper but is it special enough? And does it have enough power? I don't see it as a car to grow with like the 911 but no doubt has a great chassis. My thinking around the 944 was that it would be a more exciting 968.
The M3 is a fine car. Sideways and the most practical. But perhaps too heavy and less special than the Porsches?
I drove a 968 at the time but found it a little dull TBH. But again, as a more everyday car, its qualities may take some time to shine through.
As far as I see it:
911 is the ultimate but running costs and rust are a worry. I will do about 6k miles a year but in all weathers, including salty conditions. And will a 204hp car running 15inch wheels really go sideways?
968 is cheaper but is it special enough? And does it have enough power? I don't see it as a car to grow with like the 911 but no doubt has a great chassis. My thinking around the 944 was that it would be a more exciting 968.
The M3 is a fine car. Sideways and the most practical. But perhaps too heavy and less special than the Porsches?
Edited by SidewaysSi on Tuesday 20th August 21:24
SidewaysSi said:
I drove a 968 at the time but found it a little dull TBH.
Will a 204hp car running 15inch wheels really go sideways?
I agree that the 44 turbo, 968 and S2 are dull. 928 GTS is fun.Will a 204hp car running 15inch wheels really go sideways?
Edited by SidewaysSi on Tuesday 20th August 21:24
Sure you can get a 204hp SC sideways. Just chuck it in like a mk2 escort. Just make sure there no hard objects for you to run into when you try it.
SidewaysSi said:
or should I be thinking M3 CS?
Yes you should! Heavier than any of the Porsches you mention (so maybe doesn't have quite the handling subtlety) but having run one for 4 years and over 60k miles a superb all round car with sensible running costs IMO. £15k will buy a very nice example (assuming you can find one) and definitely worth having a drive if only to benchmark against the others on your list; my only regret was selling mine!I had a 944T and then a 968 Sport as everyday cars, the 944 was my favourite of the 2 although the 968 was the better handling/more complete package and certainly attracted the most attention.
My 944 was mildly tweaked to negate a lot of the lag so it was an effortless way to get around, you just didn't need to drop out of 5th until you got below 50 on the motorway as you could still out-accelerate 99.8% of the diesel grotboxes riding the torque wave, whereas the 968 needed to stir the box to get it above 4k before it came alive.
The 944 had more character and I preferred the looks too
My 944 was mildly tweaked to negate a lot of the lag so it was an effortless way to get around, you just didn't need to drop out of 5th until you got below 50 on the motorway as you could still out-accelerate 99.8% of the diesel grotboxes riding the torque wave, whereas the 968 needed to stir the box to get it above 4k before it came alive.
The 944 had more character and I preferred the looks too
Edited by Fat Albert on Wednesday 21st August 12:03
Probably the best car for the money out of your chosen 3 is the 968.
But and it is a big But can you avoid the magnetic pull of owning a 911.
For your £15k budget you should get a decent 911 SC a decent, good coupe 3.2 Carrera are becoming increasingly difficult to find thisside of £20k. If however you would be happy to own a Targa version of the 3.3 911 Carrera then as these are not as expensive as a coupe you would be spoilt for choice and find a nice one for your budget. Maybe the Glass Back of the Targa might be lighter and nicer in the rear for your children as well.
As some one has already mentioned as a outside suggestion a 928. With your budget you could buy a very very good condition and sensible mileage 928 S4 GT manual.
The 928 GT version only comes in manual and is a good drivers car quite different from the auto cars which can be driven like a hooligan if you so wish but is a well behaved car the rest of the time.
Of all the 928's a lot of people tip the GT manual as the one to have which may gain in value over the next few years. If you did not want a manual 928 and would be happy with an auto then you could go for the last of the line GTS version in auto.
If it must be a 911 then personally I would go for a Targa 3.2 Carrera as per the links below. Same car as the coupe but you will buy a nicer and lower mileage car for the money.
The cars in the links are just a few suggestions but I have no knowledge of any of those cars or their condition etc. you would have to view for yourself.
http://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds/used-cars/p...
http://www.carandclassic.co.uk/car/C410292
http://www.carandclassic.co.uk/car/C407095
http://www.carandclassic.co.uk/car/C182104
But and it is a big But can you avoid the magnetic pull of owning a 911.
For your £15k budget you should get a decent 911 SC a decent, good coupe 3.2 Carrera are becoming increasingly difficult to find thisside of £20k. If however you would be happy to own a Targa version of the 3.3 911 Carrera then as these are not as expensive as a coupe you would be spoilt for choice and find a nice one for your budget. Maybe the Glass Back of the Targa might be lighter and nicer in the rear for your children as well.
As some one has already mentioned as a outside suggestion a 928. With your budget you could buy a very very good condition and sensible mileage 928 S4 GT manual.
The 928 GT version only comes in manual and is a good drivers car quite different from the auto cars which can be driven like a hooligan if you so wish but is a well behaved car the rest of the time.
Of all the 928's a lot of people tip the GT manual as the one to have which may gain in value over the next few years. If you did not want a manual 928 and would be happy with an auto then you could go for the last of the line GTS version in auto.
If it must be a 911 then personally I would go for a Targa 3.2 Carrera as per the links below. Same car as the coupe but you will buy a nicer and lower mileage car for the money.
The cars in the links are just a few suggestions but I have no knowledge of any of those cars or their condition etc. you would have to view for yourself.
http://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds/used-cars/p...
http://www.carandclassic.co.uk/car/C410292
http://www.carandclassic.co.uk/car/C407095
http://www.carandclassic.co.uk/car/C182104
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