Just discovered 944's
Discussion
Hi, Whilst trawling these sites looking for a fun sports car (weekends only), my main aim was a TVR S3 (may be a bit brutal for me, being a BMW driver)anyway I stumbled across a few 944's, did'nt realise how affordable these cars were, any advice for me, I've got 5-6k to spend, S2 or cab would be nice, quite like the one (S2) in glasgow, anyone know this car (GDM) Regards Nick.
Purely in my highly biased opinion-
TVR V6 S's- sound great & look good, BUT handle like a wonky shopping trolly, not quick, built out of a combination of an old builders ladder that disolves in the rain & a washing up bowl, at 100k miles & after about 10 recon engines & 10 gearboxes its practically dead & will look like a fifty quid Sierra found on any council estate round the Uk
944S2, sounds like an industrial washing machine on a spin cycle, BUT handles sublimely, looks good, will go on for ever & at 100k the engine is barely even run in & should be good for another 150k & the gearbox shoud be good for another 50k & the car will still look like new.
Sorry can't help with the Glasgow car- is that in Wales?
Ps- focused on earlier 944's but worth a read-
www.pistonheads.com/porsche/default.asp?storyId=6090
>> Edited by iguana on Thursday 5th February 23:51
TVR V6 S's- sound great & look good, BUT handle like a wonky shopping trolly, not quick, built out of a combination of an old builders ladder that disolves in the rain & a washing up bowl, at 100k miles & after about 10 recon engines & 10 gearboxes its practically dead & will look like a fifty quid Sierra found on any council estate round the Uk
944S2, sounds like an industrial washing machine on a spin cycle, BUT handles sublimely, looks good, will go on for ever & at 100k the engine is barely even run in & should be good for another 150k & the gearbox shoud be good for another 50k & the car will still look like new.
Sorry can't help with the Glasgow car- is that in Wales?
Ps- focused on earlier 944's but worth a read-
www.pistonheads.com/porsche/default.asp?storyId=6090
>> Edited by iguana on Thursday 5th February 23:51
Zappo,
For thatmoney have look at a turbo or rather a few so you can sort the good from the bad .
A bad one is a worse choice than an average S2, but a good one is remarkable if a little lacking low down in the range
I have a good left hander which I am parting with soon - likley to be less than your budget
For thatmoney have look at a turbo or rather a few so you can sort the good from the bad .
A bad one is a worse choice than an average S2, but a good one is remarkable if a little lacking low down in the range
I have a good left hander which I am parting with soon - likley to be less than your budget
The basic 2.5 8 valve is a little gutless these days.
A better starting point is the 16v S, or the latter 3 litre 16 valve S2. These have 190 bhp and 211 bhp respectively.
The Turbo comes in 2 guises, depending on age. Upto 89 they have 220 bhp. 89 onwards (and a limited edition in 1988 called the Turbo S) has 250 bhp, with a larger Turbo.
I have an 89S, and the rolling road gave the following power figures:
3,000 rpm 100 bhp
4,000 rep 240 bhp
max of 262 bhp at 4,750 rpm, never going below 240 bhp right upto the red line.
The Turbo is adjustable, and I have turned it down for this weather. I'm bored, however so might turn it back up...
A better starting point is the 16v S, or the latter 3 litre 16 valve S2. These have 190 bhp and 211 bhp respectively.
The Turbo comes in 2 guises, depending on age. Upto 89 they have 220 bhp. 89 onwards (and a limited edition in 1988 called the Turbo S) has 250 bhp, with a larger Turbo.
I have an 89S, and the rolling road gave the following power figures:
3,000 rpm 100 bhp
4,000 rep 240 bhp
max of 262 bhp at 4,750 rpm, never going below 240 bhp right upto the red line.
The Turbo is adjustable, and I have turned it down for this weather. I'm bored, however so might turn it back up...
check out the links in my profile, and you'll see my three wasserpumpers, and a link to Imagestation for lots of info. Since I've driven them a lot, I can give a very very very strong vote for any S2 944 coupe or cabriolet. They are absolutely superb cars.
Actually, any 944 is a superb car. In 1984 a notable automobile publication pitted a 944 up against a Corvette, 928, and Ferrari 308, and the 944 won on overall balance and ultimate points. The 928 was second, by one point, while the Corvette and Ferrari were WAY BEHIND. One of my cars is a '84 944, and it has 150-hp, 165,000 miles on the odometer, and still is a blast to drive and will haul the mail. It's quite entertaining listening to that howl. My other two cars are faster, however, I still appreciate the little (more simple and easier to repair) 1984 car.
If you buy one, you must absolutely KNOW how many miles is on the timing belt. If you do not know proof positive, then you MUST replace it with a new one. At that time, you may also want to replace the water pump and all belts and hoses up front, and then you're off for some trouble free running. Put a good synthetic in the rear transaxle (be sure it has the proper GL rating) use ATF in the power steering system, and something like a Mobil-1 15W50 in the motor, and you're going to have a smile on your face that you can't get rid of.
Dogsharks.
Actually, any 944 is a superb car. In 1984 a notable automobile publication pitted a 944 up against a Corvette, 928, and Ferrari 308, and the 944 won on overall balance and ultimate points. The 928 was second, by one point, while the Corvette and Ferrari were WAY BEHIND. One of my cars is a '84 944, and it has 150-hp, 165,000 miles on the odometer, and still is a blast to drive and will haul the mail. It's quite entertaining listening to that howl. My other two cars are faster, however, I still appreciate the little (more simple and easier to repair) 1984 car.
If you buy one, you must absolutely KNOW how many miles is on the timing belt. If you do not know proof positive, then you MUST replace it with a new one. At that time, you may also want to replace the water pump and all belts and hoses up front, and then you're off for some trouble free running. Put a good synthetic in the rear transaxle (be sure it has the proper GL rating) use ATF in the power steering system, and something like a Mobil-1 15W50 in the motor, and you're going to have a smile on your face that you can't get rid of.
Dogsharks.
james s said:
Are all turbo' adjustable or do you have a DPW?
The 944 Turbo is not adjustable as standard but you can buy devices (basically valves) that sit in the control line to the wastegate and determines the boost pressure at which the wastegate opens and releases boost pressure down the exhaust.
All 944 Turbos have a weak spring on the wastegate (especially older ones) that opens far too early
This increases turbo lag and makes the power delivery more 'on and off'. The valve can be adjusted to hold the pressure for longer 
, and providing your electronics are still standard then you cannot overboost and cause damage, as the engine management will cut the power if it senses too much. re: S3's vs. 944's... 
I'll put in a vote for the old TVR's, as although they _often_ are as Iguana so eloquently put it, they can be really sorted too, it just depends on how well cared for an sensibly modded they are, and putting aside the classic car nuts, a trackday sorted S3 (or better V8S) is a reasonable cheap as chips proposition.
As an example of the kind of thing to look for, here's one that looks like it _could_ be good:
www.pistonheads.com/sales/detail.asp?i=14263&s=4
Fox
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I'll put in a vote for the old TVR's, as although they _often_ are as Iguana so eloquently put it, they can be really sorted too, it just depends on how well cared for an sensibly modded they are, and putting aside the classic car nuts, a trackday sorted S3 (or better V8S) is a reasonable cheap as chips proposition.
As an example of the kind of thing to look for, here's one that looks like it _could_ be good:
www.pistonheads.com/sales/detail.asp?i=14263&s=4
Fox
---
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