944 and 968, What's the Difference?
Discussion
but: 968 has the looks, a great NA engine and 6 speed box; the post 89 944 turbo has the performance and (at today's values) about £5k in the bank with which to 'improve' it.That's about it. 6 cogs in the box and a varioram head. Supposedly another 40-odd horses, but I'm told that 968's rarely make that on the rollers (awaits flaming.)
Fractionally different interior. But you'd have to look to see it.
And different exterior appearance, front and rear.
The 968 and the 944S2 have the same suspension and (I think) the same brakes.
The 968 in coupe form is a fair bit heavier than the S2, although you could get the Sport and Club Sport versions, which are slightly stripped out.
Looking at the figures, I don't think there is anything in the performance. But there is a LOT in the price.
Oli.
Fractionally different interior. But you'd have to look to see it.
And different exterior appearance, front and rear.
The 968 and the 944S2 have the same suspension and (I think) the same brakes.
The 968 in coupe form is a fair bit heavier than the S2, although you could get the Sport and Club Sport versions, which are slightly stripped out.
Looking at the figures, I don't think there is anything in the performance. But there is a LOT in the price.
Oli.
I used to own both an S2 and a 968CS - there's really not much between them behind the wheel - the S2 had a more upmarket interior compared to the CS - but you'd expect that in a CS.
The biggest difference is the looks - the 968 had a family look similar to the 993, and a smoother more modern rear. Only you can decide if you prefer the looks to the tune of a few £k more for a 968 than a S2.
In terms of performance the post above is correct - 968's don't make 240bhp - they're very similar to the S2's 210/220 whatever it is. 6-speed box makes for slighlty relaxed motorway cruising & perhaps a bit more fuel efficient.
On track there was nothing between them - they're a brilliantly balanced car to drive - only sold mine to get a GT3...
The biggest difference is the looks - the 968 had a family look similar to the 993, and a smoother more modern rear. Only you can decide if you prefer the looks to the tune of a few £k more for a 968 than a S2.
In terms of performance the post above is correct - 968's don't make 240bhp - they're very similar to the S2's 210/220 whatever it is. 6-speed box makes for slighlty relaxed motorway cruising & perhaps a bit more fuel efficient.
On track there was nothing between them - they're a brilliantly balanced car to drive - only sold mine to get a GT3...
The 944 S2 is definitely better value for money. It is 90% of the car the 968 is, for 50% of the price.
I think the main factor that would influence the decision is if you value the 968's looks £5k more than the 944's. Although you'll not loose any/much money on either in depreciation, so the "cost" difference is more to do with tying money up in a car or not. Personally, I think the 968 is a comparatively modern looking car that's aged well. I don't think the same of the 944. However, this is completely subjective, and I know others that think differently.
Main differences covered in the above posts. I am told that the 968 rarely puts out the full 240 bhp, but relatively, IMO, it feels c.30 bhp up on a 944 S2, and you definitely feel the difference/benefit of the variocam as the revs climb.
I think the main factor that would influence the decision is if you value the 968's looks £5k more than the 944's. Although you'll not loose any/much money on either in depreciation, so the "cost" difference is more to do with tying money up in a car or not. Personally, I think the 968 is a comparatively modern looking car that's aged well. I don't think the same of the 944. However, this is completely subjective, and I know others that think differently.
Main differences covered in the above posts. I am told that the 968 rarely puts out the full 240 bhp, but relatively, IMO, it feels c.30 bhp up on a 944 S2, and you definitely feel the difference/benefit of the variocam as the revs climb.
Li Moo Bai said:
The other thing to think about is that the boxster and 968 are beginning to get cosy price-wise, and my bets would be on the 968 taking the hit a little so financially a good S2 is probably the best bet and should be relatively bomb-proof depreciation wise.
This happened 12-18 months ago and resulted in the 968's market value dropping about £2k or so.No one would buy a 968 because they just want a cheap Porsche. People by 968's because they specifically want a 968. As such, there's a very good owner community of like minded enthusiasts.
willdew said:
I am told that the 968 rarely puts out the full 240 bhp, but relatively, IMO, it feels c.30 bhp up on a 944 S2, and you definitely feel the difference/benefit of the variocam as the revs climb.
Phew, that was half the reason i went for the 968 ('928' headlights, and nice rear-end aside) - so how many ponies should a decent 968 put out? Mine feels gutless below 2.5k rpm and i was expecting more grunt for such a big four-pot ; though i have to admit to putting a mixture of 95RON & Super (din't realise it needed 98!).fido said:
willdew said:
I am told that the 968 rarely puts out the full 240 bhp, but relatively, IMO, it feels c.30 bhp up on a 944 S2, and you definitely feel the difference/benefit of the variocam as the revs climb.
Phew, that was half the reason i went for the 968 ('928' headlights, and nice rear-end aside) - so how many ponies should a decent 968 put out? Mine feels gutless below 2.5k rpm and i was expecting more grunt for such a big four-pot ; though i have to admit to putting a mixture of 95RON & Super (din't realise it needed 98!).I run mine on Tesco's 99 RON, as I get about 10% better fuel economy for spending 5% more at the pump. No brainer really.
Wouldn't describe it as gutless at low revs. You should feel a step up in power 2/3 of the way up the revs as the variocam adjusts the timing for bhp over torque. Guess the best way to tell if you're down on power is to compare yours (literally) side-by-side with another 968. I've done this with two other cars, and all the cars accelerate almost identically.
Li Moo Bai said:
The other thing to think about is that the boxster and 968 are beginning to get cosy price-wise, and my bets would be on the 968 taking the hit a little so financially a good S2 is probably the best bet and should be relatively bomb-proof depreciation wise.
I'm not so sure it has - a good 968 is still a £10-14k+ car. There are several about at £7k but may well need several thousand spending on them. There are relatively few 968's about - about 1,100 or so ever came into the UK - hence why they're a rare sight unlike Boxsters.
As said above there are reasons why folk like 968's which keeps their price bouyant despite cheap Boxsters which are perhaps for a different market sector.
In terms of the power difference, I think I read in a 911 & Porsche World buyers guide recently about problems with the variocam solenoid resulting in 968's not making the right power. I suspect people are suggesting that even if that's all good then they're often not making the full 240, but I would have thought that there would be a better spread through the range, which was what the varicam was for in the first place wasn't it?
stevep2000 said:
In terms of the power difference, I think I read in a 911 & Porsche World buyers guide recently about problems with the variocam solenoid resulting in 968's not making the right power. I suspect people are suggesting that even if that's all good then they're often not making the full 240, but I would have thought that there would be a better spread through the range, which was what the varicam was for in the first place wasn't it?
It's apparent when driving a 968 if the variocam is working or not. It's comparable to VTEC on a Honda. You know when it's doing it's job.I think the point is more general. Most 968's won't put out the full 240bhp. There's a few reasons for this, and I think most are down to wear rather than a component not doing what it's supposed to. e.g. the valve seats and guides are too far apart, resulting in a small amount of wear on the guides meaning the valves don't sit in the seats 100% properly.
944 turbo maybe a good alternative. I ran a silver rose variety a few years ago and with a minor tweak to the boost (set at 1 bar) was quicker than a mates 930 turbo. Awful colour, awful check burgundy interior and dash. Missus hated it. Handled well, very reliable, cost nothing to run.
The 968 is a better car, it is more complete, better rounded and better to drive on a daily basis. It is a more sorted car, the drive train and gearbox are are more smooth,The 968 has a lot more drivable torque lower down, it pulls harder than the S2 accross the rev range.
I am not saying this from a biased 968 point of view as I have an 44S2 and a 68 and they are both great, they are both a joy to drive and I think they offer stonking value at the moment, but i have noticed S2's prices starting to creep up, but not sure if they are selling.
I am not saying this from a biased 968 point of view as I have an 44S2 and a 68 and they are both great, they are both a joy to drive and I think they offer stonking value at the moment, but i have noticed S2's prices starting to creep up, but not sure if they are selling.
Edited by PJS917 on Thursday 5th July 10:46
just my thoughts on this after browsing on Autotarder, as you do ..
there aren't that many good'uns about, either S2 or 968 - so they are becoming rare.
there's a really nice Baltic blue 944S2 (144k) going for £3500 - seems like a good'un but then again it may be ready for major servicing (who knows £2-3k?)
conversely there's a low mileage 968 Club Sport for £22k plus - are they bonkers?! there are a few cheaper ones round £12k-14k - but still alot more than a good 944S2 - precisely why i ended up with my standard 968.
going on the advice repeated here - find one in good condition (engine/gearbox/bodywork) and budget for any gremlins - as i'm not very handy with a spanner that equates to 1 or 2 grand.
there aren't that many good'uns about, either S2 or 968 - so they are becoming rare.
there's a really nice Baltic blue 944S2 (144k) going for £3500 - seems like a good'un but then again it may be ready for major servicing (who knows £2-3k?)
conversely there's a low mileage 968 Club Sport for £22k plus - are they bonkers?! there are a few cheaper ones round £12k-14k - but still alot more than a good 944S2 - precisely why i ended up with my standard 968.
going on the advice repeated here - find one in good condition (engine/gearbox/bodywork) and budget for any gremlins - as i'm not very handy with a spanner that equates to 1 or 2 grand.
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