968 v/s 944. Who wins!?
Discussion
0-60
60-100
Braking
Handling
General performance
Usability
Looks
Fuel economy
Build quality
Spares
I came across a mint 968 cabrio in black the other day, and out of interest started looking at ads on Autotrader. A good 968 can be found for the price of a 944 Turbo!
Any comments on the above?
60-100
Braking
Handling
General performance
Usability
Looks
Fuel economy
Build quality
Spares
I came across a mint 968 cabrio in black the other day, and out of interest started looking at ads on Autotrader. A good 968 can be found for the price of a 944 Turbo!
Any comments on the above?
a good 968 may possibly be found for the price of a 944 turbo. a good 968 cabrio almost cerrtainly cant, since their rarity value keeps the price up.
performance - comparable but different. 968 smooth and more refined, 944t has turbo lag then kicks your arse. horses for courses. parts, labour, again comparable. a 968 clutch will cost less than half a 944T clutch but a 968 exhaust will cost twice as much as a 944t.
looks? only you can decide.
the 968 is a more modern car overall - remember the 944T range in age from when they first came out (in 1989?) whereeas the 968 is a 1994 onwards. 968 suspension is more refined IMHO, brakes are comparable since the 968s were derived from the 944T.
944 engine pretty indestructible, 968 probably has more issues with cam wear.
as always, buy on condition. there are more good condition 968s out there than 944Ts and very few cabrios of any condition.
performance - comparable but different. 968 smooth and more refined, 944t has turbo lag then kicks your arse. horses for courses. parts, labour, again comparable. a 968 clutch will cost less than half a 944T clutch but a 968 exhaust will cost twice as much as a 944t.
looks? only you can decide.
the 968 is a more modern car overall - remember the 944T range in age from when they first came out (in 1989?) whereeas the 968 is a 1994 onwards. 968 suspension is more refined IMHO, brakes are comparable since the 968s were derived from the 944T.
944 engine pretty indestructible, 968 probably has more issues with cam wear.
as always, buy on condition. there are more good condition 968s out there than 944Ts and very few cabrios of any condition.
Softinhead, thank you for your well measured reply...
I am just so torn. I am buying in Sept/Nov and have been torn between 968's, S2's and 944T's...
The 968 I saw had the most ghastly interior... did they come in leather too?
Would you say the 968 is still a very quick car (akin to 944 T)?
I am just so torn. I am buying in Sept/Nov and have been torn between 968's, S2's and 944T's...
The 968 I saw had the most ghastly interior... did they come in leather too?
Would you say the 968 is still a very quick car (akin to 944 T)?
I have just returned from a trip to the ring in my S2 (full m030 setup stripped out caged std engine output ) along with my brother in his 968 sport ( road car KW suspension and MASSIVE blacks )... I was 10 secs faster BTG in the 968...
The 968 has a huge advantage over the S2 in terms of torque, it makes the uphill sections a lot easier than the S2.
The 968 has a huge advantage over the S2 in terms of torque, it makes the uphill sections a lot easier than the S2.
A 968 is about 100kg heavier than a 944 S2, it's looks are what keeps it's prices higher than a 944 - dynamically it not worth double the money than an S2 say.
Despite this I have a 968 & it's a great track car, however an S2 or Turbo makes a greater track day car as it's significantly cheaper.
In terms of interiors 968's are as good as they got, however I don't think any Porsche interior will win prizes compared to BMW/Mercedes...
Whatever you buy make sure you get the 968 Sport/CS three spoke steering wheel - a HUGE improvement on the 4-spoke original item.
Despite this I have a 968 & it's a great track car, however an S2 or Turbo makes a greater track day car as it's significantly cheaper.
In terms of interiors 968's are as good as they got, however I don't think any Porsche interior will win prizes compared to BMW/Mercedes...
Whatever you buy make sure you get the 968 Sport/CS three spoke steering wheel - a HUGE improvement on the 4-spoke original item.
AdvocatusDiaboli said:
The 968 I saw had the most ghastly interior... did they come in leather too?
Would you say the 968 is still a very quick car (akin to 944 T)?
I dont think the standard 968 - i.e the "lux" as its sometimes called, though porsche never did - is as quick as a 944T. though they were mooted as 240bhp few achieved this. however they are significantly more torquey and free-revving than the S2. my 968cab has just had a sports exhaust and a promax chip and now, for the first time, I would compare it favourably to a 944T. its mad, barking mad.
the standard 968 comes with leather. the CS is stripped out, usually with bucket seats. the sport model was a UK-only halfway house with cloth seats not leather, and much of the CS suspension set-up. many regard the sport as the best compromise. myself, I like a bit of luxury and I dont think the cloth ages gracefully.
just a note of caution - you say you were looking at a Cabriolet. the cab only EVER came in standard form. to my knowledge no sport or CS versions of the cab were ever made, so it should have leather interior throughout. if the seats are cloth its because someone has nicked the originals!!
>> Edited by softinthehead on Monday 4th July 15:15
hard to say. 0-60 times for the 968 are quoted at 5.9 to 6.5 depending on which source you believe and how much the driver valued his clutch, tyres and cams! the cab is heavier than the coupe as well. all I can say is that it now feels really really quick - much more so than my Dad's S2 - whereas previously I was always a bit worried he'd beat me in a short sprint, aint no way he'd do it now. frankly the acceleration is astounding and if I concentrate too much on working the gears as I overtake, I am now finding I am ending up going much much faster than I expected or wanted. 80 comes up way quicker - I think mainly because the chip allows more comfortable use of the 5-6.5k rpm range. at the moment i am absolutely grinning...
I have a 968 Coupe'. My views on this car:
Pro's:
- superb build quality
- beautiful paintwork
- exquisite shape
- nimble and wieldy
- relatively rare and unusual
Cons:
- quite a heavy car, so feels underpowered
- luggage space a bit lame
- sunroof is a bit impractical
There are quite a lot of tatty 944's out there, so watch out.
P.S. Avoid Tiptronic 968's unless you want a very relaxed drive.
>> Edited by DriveFree on Monday 4th July 21:22
>> Edited by DriveFree on Monday 4th July 21:23
Pro's:
- superb build quality
- beautiful paintwork
- exquisite shape
- nimble and wieldy
- relatively rare and unusual
Cons:
- quite a heavy car, so feels underpowered
- luggage space a bit lame
- sunroof is a bit impractical
There are quite a lot of tatty 944's out there, so watch out.
P.S. Avoid Tiptronic 968's unless you want a very relaxed drive.
>> Edited by DriveFree on Monday 4th July 21:22
>> Edited by DriveFree on Monday 4th July 21:23
Firstly I'd just like to say I might be a little biast toward the 944 turbo here because I really love my car and I only drove it in standard form once! But...
I'd say if your seriously looking to buy one and cant decide. Drive both. It’s a lot like love you'll just know. Trust me.
They are both excellent cars with similar handling, looks and reliability but to drive they couldn't be more different.
A 968 is your best friend and will do everything in its power to get you round any corner at any speed no matter how hopelessly you throw the car at it. Its100% obedient always giving you maximum feedback and control, it pats you on the back for every right move and makes you feel like a driving god as you smile confidently behind the wheel. You'll find yourself relaxed and calmly swinging from bend to bend imagining your driving through the alps at the start of the Italian job.
The 944 turbo however will always keep you on your toes constantly trying to turn round and bite. It can still handle any bend faster than common sense and the law would see possible but it will really make you concentrate keeping you fully alert and focused on the driving experience. This car is not going to help you drive well like the 968 but when you get it right its really rewarding. After a long hard journey you get out thinking you've just finished Le-Mans but you’ll have had an awful lot of fun.
In a straight line they are equally as different, the 968 is a never tiring soldier which will pull strongly in almost any gear at almost any speed and it just keeps going and going, pulling and pulling making it very easy to lose track of just how fast your actually going.
Back in the 944 and at low speeds the 944 turbo will spit and grumble at you if you even think about trying to accelerate in the wrong gear. When your in the wrong mood it can be torturous to drive around towns and traffic at anything below 50 is a constant effort of changing gear but once you get to 50, even without putting your foot down it will happily glide along in 3rd, 4th or even 5th without a sound and acceleration which would normally be an effort in the 968 becomes blissfully smooth and relaxing. Then of course comes my favourite part, that bit that makes this car worth buying and which never ever fails to make me smile.. You've been sitting behind a couple of cars at 28mph for what seems like an age, you can see the national limit signs looming up ahead and that little voice in your head says 'Smoke them.. Go on! You know you cant resist!' you drop down into 2nd and as you test the accelerator lightly with your foot you cant help but grin as the engine note begins to change and the boost gauge gives you a little nod and flick. Then you see its clear, bury the throttle and WHAM your body lifts off the seat as the engine roars and the cars you were behind blast past you in the other direction just a little bit faster than your memory had expected. You grin an evil grin as you flick it into third and twitch the steering back into your own lane miles ahead of everyone you were following. As you sit there smiling uncontrollably you think to yourself… that’s what owning the turbo is really all about!
I'd say if your seriously looking to buy one and cant decide. Drive both. It’s a lot like love you'll just know. Trust me.
They are both excellent cars with similar handling, looks and reliability but to drive they couldn't be more different.
A 968 is your best friend and will do everything in its power to get you round any corner at any speed no matter how hopelessly you throw the car at it. Its100% obedient always giving you maximum feedback and control, it pats you on the back for every right move and makes you feel like a driving god as you smile confidently behind the wheel. You'll find yourself relaxed and calmly swinging from bend to bend imagining your driving through the alps at the start of the Italian job.
The 944 turbo however will always keep you on your toes constantly trying to turn round and bite. It can still handle any bend faster than common sense and the law would see possible but it will really make you concentrate keeping you fully alert and focused on the driving experience. This car is not going to help you drive well like the 968 but when you get it right its really rewarding. After a long hard journey you get out thinking you've just finished Le-Mans but you’ll have had an awful lot of fun.
In a straight line they are equally as different, the 968 is a never tiring soldier which will pull strongly in almost any gear at almost any speed and it just keeps going and going, pulling and pulling making it very easy to lose track of just how fast your actually going.
Back in the 944 and at low speeds the 944 turbo will spit and grumble at you if you even think about trying to accelerate in the wrong gear. When your in the wrong mood it can be torturous to drive around towns and traffic at anything below 50 is a constant effort of changing gear but once you get to 50, even without putting your foot down it will happily glide along in 3rd, 4th or even 5th without a sound and acceleration which would normally be an effort in the 968 becomes blissfully smooth and relaxing. Then of course comes my favourite part, that bit that makes this car worth buying and which never ever fails to make me smile.. You've been sitting behind a couple of cars at 28mph for what seems like an age, you can see the national limit signs looming up ahead and that little voice in your head says 'Smoke them.. Go on! You know you cant resist!' you drop down into 2nd and as you test the accelerator lightly with your foot you cant help but grin as the engine note begins to change and the boost gauge gives you a little nod and flick. Then you see its clear, bury the throttle and WHAM your body lifts off the seat as the engine roars and the cars you were behind blast past you in the other direction just a little bit faster than your memory had expected. You grin an evil grin as you flick it into third and twitch the steering back into your own lane miles ahead of everyone you were following. As you sit there smiling uncontrollably you think to yourself… that’s what owning the turbo is really all about!
I have a 968CS, and have owned a 944 turbo (250) in the past. IMO a good 968 is 10% better in just about all areas, and well worth the difference in price.
Officially, the CS is 'only' 50kg's lighter than a coupe. However, look a bit closely and its clear that figure is unrepresentitive. The Coupe weight quoted in the stats is for a car with cloth interior, no a/c, 16" wheels, no stereo upgrade and no sunroof. In reality the difference is more like 100kgs. The 951's also have all those heavy bits. The CS is also a knat's c*ck from the 951 in straight line performance and generally faster in day to day running.
While on boost the 951 is very fast. But trying to engineer a brisk take-off, for example when pulling into traffic on a busy roundabout, is a frustrating all-or-nothing wheelspin-or-bog-down experience.
SS7
Officially, the CS is 'only' 50kg's lighter than a coupe. However, look a bit closely and its clear that figure is unrepresentitive. The Coupe weight quoted in the stats is for a car with cloth interior, no a/c, 16" wheels, no stereo upgrade and no sunroof. In reality the difference is more like 100kgs. The 951's also have all those heavy bits. The CS is also a knat's c*ck from the 951 in straight line performance and generally faster in day to day running.
While on boost the 951 is very fast. But trying to engineer a brisk take-off, for example when pulling into traffic on a busy roundabout, is a frustrating all-or-nothing wheelspin-or-bog-down experience.
SS7
Oh yes, Softinthehead is a little out in his dates.
The 944t in 220 bhp form was launched in 1986. The 250bhp version was first launched as a limited edition in the 1989MY. Production of 944's ended in 1991, and the 968 was built from the 1992MY on. At the same time production was moved from the Audi factory in Neckasulm (sp?) to Porsche in Zuffenhausen. The 968CS and Sport were a 1993MY introduction.
Points to watch when buying a 968 are rear transaxle noise (although the change quality is much better than a 944S2/turbo, and the additional gear helps acceleration), and the cam sprockets wear. The caliper plates lift, and the engine leaks, but these are both true of the 944s.
SS7
The 944t in 220 bhp form was launched in 1986. The 250bhp version was first launched as a limited edition in the 1989MY. Production of 944's ended in 1991, and the 968 was built from the 1992MY on. At the same time production was moved from the Audi factory in Neckasulm (sp?) to Porsche in Zuffenhausen. The 968CS and Sport were a 1993MY introduction.
Points to watch when buying a 968 are rear transaxle noise (although the change quality is much better than a 944S2/turbo, and the additional gear helps acceleration), and the cam sprockets wear. The caliper plates lift, and the engine leaks, but these are both true of the 944s.
SS7
Nifty951, what can I say? You're large post made me grin and grin some more... Sounds like driving at 28mph is your thing!
You're all so right, I simply need to drive both. They both sounds marvellous. If only there was a way to incorporate the finer points of both into one car, wait there, does that give you an F355?
I am so worried though, that in spite of careful notemaking and research I'll still end up with a dog of sorts.
Does anyone here think they might be able to give me a hand when checking a car out? Travel and a beer (or lemonade, us drivers never drink do we!?) included!
You're all so right, I simply need to drive both. They both sounds marvellous. If only there was a way to incorporate the finer points of both into one car, wait there, does that give you an F355?
I am so worried though, that in spite of careful notemaking and research I'll still end up with a dog of sorts.
Does anyone here think they might be able to give me a hand when checking a car out? Travel and a beer (or lemonade, us drivers never drink do we!?) included!
advocatusdiaboli said:
Nifty951, what can I say? You're large post made me grin and grin some more... Sounds like driving at 28mph is your thing!
You're all so right, I simply need to drive both. They both sounds marvellous. If only there was a way to incorporate the finer points of both into one car, wait there, does that give you an F355?
I am so worried though, that in spite of careful notemaking and research I'll still end up with a dog of sorts.
Does anyone here think they might be able to give me a hand when checking a car out? Travel and a beer (or lemonade, us drivers never drink do we!?) included!
First, I thought I'd reply with more of a feeling quote because if all you ever hear is technical information and problems it would be easy to lose sight of why your actually buying the car! Glad you enjoyed reading it.
Second you mention a 355?! A car full of spirit and respect that the 944 cannot muster plus you get the best sound, in the world EVER! but from those I know who have had them (beside the obvious price difference) they are not quite so glamourous to own! They are comparatively very poorly built compared to an 80's Porsche and you DEFINATELY couldn't use one every day!
Lastly you wanted someone to help you look arround? Well if you get no better offers I'm happy to spend a day driving arround looking at cars depending upon where abouts in the country you live?! I'm no expert in any sense of the word, but having owned 2 944's and seen/been in many others I'd say I know my car round the car pretty well and know what to look for.
Send me a PM if you get stuck.
Devils Advocate,
Be prepared to travel to look at cars, don't buy the first one you see, and budget for an inspection. If you go 944S2 or 968, this should also include checking the state of the cams.
While essentially extremely well built, both these cars have the potential to be extremely expensive. And no amount of polishing will turn a rough one into a good one.
SS7
Be prepared to travel to look at cars, don't buy the first one you see, and budget for an inspection. If you go 944S2 or 968, this should also include checking the state of the cams.
While essentially extremely well built, both these cars have the potential to be extremely expensive. And no amount of polishing will turn a rough one into a good one.
SS7
shoestring7 said:
Oh yes, Softinthehead is a little out in his dates.
The 944t in 220 bhp form was launched in 1986. The 250bhp version was first launched as a limited edition in the 1989MY.
The 220 bhp turbo was launched in the middle of MY85 and the turbo 250 (turbo S) at the beginning of MY88.
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