Is a Porsche 944 more fun than a Boxster?
Discussion
I have a 986 Boxster 2.7 which is a great car and very capable however I don't find it that much fun or involving to drive at lower speeds, it really only starts to make sense when heading towards the NSL. I've always liked the 944 and looked at an S2 before buying the Boxster but I decided against it as that particular example looked to have some big'ish bills looming.
I can DIY and always have done, have swapped engines and can weld so I don't mind the general upkeep of an older car. I just think I have grown a bit bored of the Boxster and fancy something older with more character and which is fun to drive at lower speeds.
I would be open to any model of 944 not just the S2, probably couldn't stretch to a good enough Turbo really. I think I would get about £4.5k for my Boxtser and would be looking to spend no more than £5k on a 944. Ideally less so that I have some money back to tinker with the 944. I think I actually like the non S2 models better looks-wise. They are more retro cool whereas the S2 shape looks dated.
Has anyone owned both or got any advice?
I can DIY and always have done, have swapped engines and can weld so I don't mind the general upkeep of an older car. I just think I have grown a bit bored of the Boxster and fancy something older with more character and which is fun to drive at lower speeds.
I would be open to any model of 944 not just the S2, probably couldn't stretch to a good enough Turbo really. I think I would get about £4.5k for my Boxtser and would be looking to spend no more than £5k on a 944. Ideally less so that I have some money back to tinker with the 944. I think I actually like the non S2 models better looks-wise. They are more retro cool whereas the S2 shape looks dated.
Has anyone owned both or got any advice?
Brother has a 944 2.5, I have a 986 2.5.
The 944 is, when sorted, much more of a mini GT in character. Smoother, softer ride, nice balance-shaft engine thrumming away up front. The Boxster has a much stiffer ride, but with it less roll and feels "sharper". Plus, you that boxer noise from behind, and having the roof down on a sunny day would be missed.
I imagine a 944 Turbo would be a right giggle, however I've yet to drive one.
The 944 is, when sorted, much more of a mini GT in character. Smoother, softer ride, nice balance-shaft engine thrumming away up front. The Boxster has a much stiffer ride, but with it less roll and feels "sharper". Plus, you that boxer noise from behind, and having the roof down on a sunny day would be missed.
I imagine a 944 Turbo would be a right giggle, however I've yet to drive one.
Their high final drive ratio makes urban driving difficult and less than pleasant. On the other hand, it allows you to reach 60mph with only one gear change in under six seconds.
The principal advantage of a Boxster will be that it should be cost less to run, and be far, far less rusty...
The principal advantage of a Boxster will be that it should be cost less to run, and be far, far less rusty...
Captain Muppet said:
I really wanted a 968 until I drove one. I didn't find it very exciting.
I imagine the 944 will be much the same but with better looking pop-up lights.
Yes, the 968 myth. Constantly talked up to the point where it cant hope to meet your expectations, mostly be people who haven't ever owned one.I imagine the 944 will be much the same but with better looking pop-up lights.
I owned a 968 when they were current, a Club Sport, bought because it was the cheapest, and no one really cared about them then. This is why Porsche sold so few.
Willber said:
I have a 986 Boxster 2.7 which is a great car and very capable however I don't find it that much fun or involving to drive at lower speeds, it really only starts to make sense when heading towards the NSL.
Has anyone owned both or got any advice?
Yup, I've owned both and can concur with your feelings towards the Boxster. The 2.7 is a nice lump and is great to wind up when you're on the right road. At other times, it just feels like a normal car with a nice engine. I disagree about them feeling stiff in terms of ride, I found mine (on 17" rims) to have a very compliant and supple ride.Has anyone owned both or got any advice?
I loved my 944 2.7 for it's solidness and hefty control weights. You had to drive it rather than it drive you. They're from the more analogue age of Pork so it comes down to personal preference as to what you like best. Finding a good 944 is getting harder these days plus you have to contend with corrosion eating them on top of looking after the usual bits. There's nothing too difficult mechanically with the 8v 944s (2.5 and 2.7) - simple brakes, no cams/cam chain wear to worry about but clutch replacement for all models takes a long time & is expensive. I'd say a good 2.7 if you want to work on it yourself or a good, extremely well looked after S2 would be pick of the bunch.
Try one and see if you like them and go from there.
A quick drive in a 944 doesnt let you see its good points, an S2 isnt that fast so the acceleration wont blow you away on a quick go, you wont get to throw it about so you wont see the way it handles. Other cars may wow on first aquaintance but be a one trick pony.
You drive one for a while it gets under your skin.
Never had the pleasure of a Boxster for long enough to form an opinion but do quite like them, the first ones are becoming a bit collectable now
As long as they dotn get "Modernised", like so many did to the poor old 944, so many ended up with big clumpy wheels, body kits, weird paint, 968 mirrors etc etc. I say get one with the gingercators and small wheels, just like the ones in that PS1 game Porsche Challenge that came out when the Boxster did.
Not heard of Boxsters rusting, that is abig advantage over a lot of 944's for sale, they do like to rust, get a camera in the sills, if it looks like divers footage of the Titanic, walk away. To be fair, they are between 22 and 32 years old now.
Going back to how fast an S2 is, my 350Z didnt feel much quicker and a newish Evo didnt eactly leave me for dust like I thought it would (Must have been the 270 bhp one), Porsche ponies do seem quite strong compared to other makes. Not bad for an old one, mine had quite a lot of engine work so think was exceptionally fit.
You drive one for a while it gets under your skin.
Never had the pleasure of a Boxster for long enough to form an opinion but do quite like them, the first ones are becoming a bit collectable now
As long as they dotn get "Modernised", like so many did to the poor old 944, so many ended up with big clumpy wheels, body kits, weird paint, 968 mirrors etc etc. I say get one with the gingercators and small wheels, just like the ones in that PS1 game Porsche Challenge that came out when the Boxster did.
Not heard of Boxsters rusting, that is abig advantage over a lot of 944's for sale, they do like to rust, get a camera in the sills, if it looks like divers footage of the Titanic, walk away. To be fair, they are between 22 and 32 years old now.
Going back to how fast an S2 is, my 350Z didnt feel much quicker and a newish Evo didnt eactly leave me for dust like I thought it would (Must have been the 270 bhp one), Porsche ponies do seem quite strong compared to other makes. Not bad for an old one, mine had quite a lot of engine work so think was exceptionally fit.
Edited by J4CKO on Friday 30th May 10:39
Thanks for replies so far chaps, very useful.
Forgot to say this is a second car too so won't get that much use & not too much of an issue if it needs the odd bit of maintenance.
I must admit i'm leaning towards a 2.7 for the simplicity & more classic look. I used to have a MK2 Golf GTI which I liked, cable throttle, mechanical gear linkage, thin firewall so you could feel & hear the engine doing it's thing!
Forgot to say this is a second car too so won't get that much use & not too much of an issue if it needs the odd bit of maintenance.
I must admit i'm leaning towards a 2.7 for the simplicity & more classic look. I used to have a MK2 Golf GTI which I liked, cable throttle, mechanical gear linkage, thin firewall so you could feel & hear the engine doing it's thing!
J4CKO said:
A quick drive in a 944 doesnt let you see its good points, an S2 isnt that fast so the acceleration wont blow you away on a quick go, you wont get to throw it about so you wont see the way it handles. Other cars may wow on first aquaintance but be a one trick pony.
You drive one for a while it gets under your skin.
Never had the pleasure of a Boxster for long enough to form an opinion but do quite like them, the first ones are becoming a bit collectable now
As long as they dotn get "Modernised", like so many did to the poor old 944, so many ended up with big clumpy wheels, body kits, weird paint, 968 mirrors etc etc. I say get one with the gingercators and small wheels, just like the ones in that PS1 game Porsche Challenge that came out when the Boxster did.
Not heard of Boxsters rusting, that is abig advantage over a lot of 944's for sale, they do like to rust, get a camera in the sills, if it looks like divers footage of the Titanic, walk away. To be fair, they are between 22 and 32 years old now.
Mine is an early 2.7 in 'launch' Silver, completely standard with good spec, amber lights & 17" wheels! I had a model of the Boxster concept as a kid and it's almost the same but without the red interior, also loved the Porsche Challenge game on PS!You drive one for a while it gets under your skin.
Never had the pleasure of a Boxster for long enough to form an opinion but do quite like them, the first ones are becoming a bit collectable now
As long as they dotn get "Modernised", like so many did to the poor old 944, so many ended up with big clumpy wheels, body kits, weird paint, 968 mirrors etc etc. I say get one with the gingercators and small wheels, just like the ones in that PS1 game Porsche Challenge that came out when the Boxster did.
Not heard of Boxsters rusting, that is abig advantage over a lot of 944's for sale, they do like to rust, get a camera in the sills, if it looks like divers footage of the Titanic, walk away. To be fair, they are between 22 and 32 years old now.
I agree though that clean early ones will be sort after eventually. Im looking to replace all the suspension arms on mine and give it a machine polish, it will look and drive like brand new then. Maybe I should do that first?
aka_kerrly said:
J4CKO said:
I say get one with the gingercators and small wheels,
Sorry I have nothing useful to add just that "ginercators" cracked me up, a genuine laugh out loud in the office
The term that cracked me up yesterday, from the Lounge, relating to Mass challenged younger women was "Gregnant", a portmanteau of "Greggs", the well known high street budget bakeries and "Pregnant", i.e. the swell of her abdomen doesnt mean she is with child, just that she is a commited Pasty/Vanilla Slice enthusiast.
Have owned both. Boxster 2.5 first which I loved and did many track days in and a trip to the ring etc and also used daily, would love another 1 day. Bought a 2.7 944 and didnt really like it. Felt very old fashioned by comparison and very fragile, all the plastics old and brittle and didnt handle very well (prob due some suspension refreshing to make better) sold after less than a year, on the plus side they are going in value.
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