A to B quicker, 944 S2 or turbo (250) both unmodified?
Discussion
Just to balance the above, I know you said unmodified but for the price of a standard 250 turbo you could probably get an S2 fitted with kwv3 or similar and have some left over for track orientated mods such as bucket seats. If you can get away from the more bhp is always best analogy, the n/a engine makes for well poised and easy to drive car at the limit, the S2 is also actually lighter than both 968 Club Sport/944 Turbo and with uprated suspension is just as effective a track weapon.
If you really are saving for a caterham (i'e don't want to waste too much money in the meantime) and it has to be a 944 then buy one pre-prepared. Even a good standard car will want the suspension re-freshing / upgrading and you'll probably want to spend a bit on the brakes before you begin to take some of the weight out of the interior and get some cheap seats / harnesses.
You are probably looking at a minimum of 3k for that lot, 2k if you buy second hand stuff and you won't get it back in a couple of years - in fact it will take value from the car!
Also bear in mind a 944 isnt the cheapest track car to run - its heavy and a Turbo will burn 2 tanks of fuel on a track day (I used to do this regularly)
A 944 is a great track car, but its not a gereat short term proejct in my view. If you told me you were keeping it 5 years - I'd say jump right in, but if the Caterham is your goal it may be cheaper in the long run to borrow a bit to get one now, or at least make your interim car very cheap indeed - something like a Westfield or even a converted golf.
Good luck whichever way you go
You are probably looking at a minimum of 3k for that lot, 2k if you buy second hand stuff and you won't get it back in a couple of years - in fact it will take value from the car!
Also bear in mind a 944 isnt the cheapest track car to run - its heavy and a Turbo will burn 2 tanks of fuel on a track day (I used to do this regularly)
A 944 is a great track car, but its not a gereat short term proejct in my view. If you told me you were keeping it 5 years - I'd say jump right in, but if the Caterham is your goal it may be cheaper in the long run to borrow a bit to get one now, or at least make your interim car very cheap indeed - something like a Westfield or even a converted golf.
Good luck whichever way you go
A 944 is a great track car, but its not a gereat short term proejct in my view. If you told me you were keeping it 5 years - I'd say jump right in, but if the Caterham is your goal it may be cheaper in the long run to borrow a bit to get one now, or at least make your interim car very cheap indeed - something like a Westfield or even a converted golf.
Good luck whichever way you go
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Cheers for that. Already have a fast super charged '72 mini( re golf suggestion). Just fancy a bit of comfort on the way to the track. Did think of a westfield, suppose it could be a good interim motor.
Ive always loved 944's though.
If outright pace is your goal then neither will be fast compared to modern cars - in standard form.
However the S2 will give you a huge amount of fun on track even in standard trim - it's simply a great drive - can be steered via throttle, balanced, predictable & quite flattering but importantly fun to push its limits.
Should be a cost effective stepping stone to another car as you should be able to sell it for the price you paid for it - possibly add a set of brake pads & fluid change & get driving!
However the S2 will give you a huge amount of fun on track even in standard trim - it's simply a great drive - can be steered via throttle, balanced, predictable & quite flattering but importantly fun to push its limits.
Should be a cost effective stepping stone to another car as you should be able to sell it for the price you paid for it - possibly add a set of brake pads & fluid change & get driving!
If I were doing it again I'd probably go S2 and keep it standard unless you really want to go for it and commit to keeping the car. The lag can get tiresome out of slow corners whereas the S2 will just pull smoothly out.
Also look for 968 bargins if you can find one. On paper its little different to an S2. in reality it feels more different than it should in my experience
The turbos are very quick with a bit of light modification, but I never really got on with the on/ off nature of the power - it feels very slow off boost.
You need evidence of relatively fresh suspension as it really lets the car down if its tired and isn't cheap to fix if you need to replace a few bits
Also look for 968 bargins if you can find one. On paper its little different to an S2. in reality it feels more different than it should in my experience
The turbos are very quick with a bit of light modification, but I never really got on with the on/ off nature of the power - it feels very slow off boost.
You need evidence of relatively fresh suspension as it really lets the car down if its tired and isn't cheap to fix if you need to replace a few bits
Two questions, surely?
A-B, in the real world, and with an average driver, an S2 every time. As a track car, a turbo would be the sensible starting point.
Why "unmodified"? Any 944 destined to be a track car could be improved from standard, and should have at least some work done before it's going to be thrashed to it's limits on 20-plus year old parts?
As already said, if it's a short-term project buy a well-prepared track car. Enjoy it, maintain it, and sell it on for what you paid when you change it.
A-B, in the real world, and with an average driver, an S2 every time. As a track car, a turbo would be the sensible starting point.
Why "unmodified"? Any 944 destined to be a track car could be improved from standard, and should have at least some work done before it's going to be thrashed to it's limits on 20-plus year old parts?
As already said, if it's a short-term project buy a well-prepared track car. Enjoy it, maintain it, and sell it on for what you paid when you change it.
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