Discussion
I'm rather biased (having had one) but I would definitely choose the 8v, 2.7 if I could find one, over the 16v S. The difference in performance, both straight line speed and torqueyness (is that a word?) is negligible but the 8v engines have a reputation for bombproof reliability that is not completely shared with its 16v brethren. The S2 is of course 16v but is also a significant step up in performance. If you cant stretch to an S2, get a 2.7, and if not that then a 2.5 8v.
Ditto the above.
The 2.7 is great in every day situations it feels faster than my S2, althougn that could be because I had an early 2.5 diff which lowere the gearing a bit.
The S2 is quick when driven hard but the torque of the 2.7 is more accessible. I would think the 2.5S could be a real pain on a twisty road.
What ever you dicide you will love it, but don't get a really early one without power steering they are just to much like hard work.
The 2.7 is great in every day situations it feels faster than my S2, althougn that could be because I had an early 2.5 diff which lowere the gearing a bit.
The S2 is quick when driven hard but the torque of the 2.7 is more accessible. I would think the 2.5S could be a real pain on a twisty road.
What ever you dicide you will love it, but don't get a really early one without power steering they are just to much like hard work.
finding the 2.7 would be a challenge- they are very rare (but thar doesnt make them desirable). Dont bother with the "basic" 944 though. Espeically with the earlier dashboard. Post 86 has the later, better daasboard.
Have you seen what the S2 go for now? Not that much, really. Plentiful, and arguable the best 944.
With all cars, check for cambelt changes. With the 16v version (S and S2) check for the cam-chain and tensioner replacement.
Have you seen what the S2 go for now? Not that much, really. Plentiful, and arguable the best 944.
With all cars, check for cambelt changes. With the 16v version (S and S2) check for the cam-chain and tensioner replacement.
williamp said:
Dont bother with the "basic" 944 though. Espeically with the earlier dashboard. Post 86 has the later, better daasboard.
The early 944 Lux is about 150kg lighter than the later dashboard models,and has noticeably better acceleration-especially midrange.
Some Autocar road test figures for the 1987 944:
(1984 944 in parenthesis)
0-60 - 8.0 (7.1)
4th Gear:
30-50- 7.0 (6.3)
50-70 - 7.2 (6.4)
60-80 - 7.4 (6.7)
70-90 - 8.0 (7.1)
80-100 - 9.3 (8.3)
90-110 - 12.6 (10.8)
The gap widens even further in 5th gear.
I test drove loads of 944's, both early and later models,and the early cars do feel lighter and quicker. I avoided the S because of camshaft/tensioner reliability worries,without any real performance gains.
If you're willing to pay a couple more grand, the S2 is a great buy as Porsche had ironed out most of the problems associated with the 16v engine, and is a lot quicker than both the Lux and the S.
As with any 16valver, if in doubt have the belts and tensioners checked/ replaced prior to giving it some berries. Mine needed the rollers replacing as well as the belts (£50 each), resulting in a rather unpleasant bill of around £600. But total piece of mind for another 40K. Personally I'd rather have the extra 30bhp on the understanding there may be a little more preventative up front cost
Strange as i am I prefer early dash in 2.5 944, unless a later one comes up at a price you just cant ignore I'd then jump to I'd jump to S2- decent cars are going for seemingly little more than peanuts now- many sellers ask almost the same dosh for early 944 luxs. You do need to check stuff carefully on S2 tho, not cheap if you buy one in need of bits, yes lots of parts available in breakers but its still not super cheap.
You can find a lot of intormation about the advantages and dissadvantages of different models (especially referring to the 944 8 Valve, 944 S, S2 and Turbo) in our free buyers guide part 2 on www.hartech.org including photos of 16 valve problems etc.
Although published figures on the 944 S suggest it is faster than the 8 valve - we have only ever come accross 2 that were similar and many that were much worse and then you have to ring their necks off.
Square dash are quicker (mainly due to weight and more ignition timing advance and fuel rich mid range (not popelar later due to emmissions) but very hard to find that are not needing huge expense. Curved dash are great - 2.7 the best - but hey whats wrong with the 944 turbo - best of the lot!
Baz Hartech
Although published figures on the 944 S suggest it is faster than the 8 valve - we have only ever come accross 2 that were similar and many that were much worse and then you have to ring their necks off.
Square dash are quicker (mainly due to weight and more ignition timing advance and fuel rich mid range (not popelar later due to emmissions) but very hard to find that are not needing huge expense. Curved dash are great - 2.7 the best - but hey whats wrong with the 944 turbo - best of the lot!
Baz Hartech
jb37704 said:
I've currently got a 1980 924Turbo and fancy a change.
I have not got a massive budget and it's only going to be a weekend toy but I'm unsure which to go for either the standard 944 8v or the 944s 16v. Any advise and pro and cons greatfully recieved.
I used to have a 944S and it was a dog. No torque, and brakes felt not up to stopping its weight convincingly.
I now have a 924S as a runaround, and it's a great car. Less weight than a 944LUX, same power (if you pick a 1988), same upgradability in the suspension department. I prefer the pseudo Ferrari Daytona 924 looks to the more macho 944, too. Another option?
Tam Lin said:
I used to have a 944S and it was a dog. No torque, and brakes felt not up to stopping its weight convincingly.
I now have a 924S as a runaround, and it's a great car. Less weight than a 944LUX, same power (if you pick a 1988), same upgradability in the suspension department. I prefer the pseudo Ferrari Daytona 924 looks to the more macho 944, too. Another option?
If I do decide the 924 is the one for me, I will keep my turbo she's pretty much sorted with a full engine rebuild and recent turbo and soooooooooo much fun when the Turbo kicks in.
But thanks anyway
iguana said:
Strange as i am I prefer early dash in 2.5 944,
Me too! I miss the my old Lux, I liked the 70's look of the dash, especially the 3 dials in the centre console, and the yellow on black instruments.
Good early ones do(occasionaly)exist , I found a one owner car in Slough in 2001,Almost perfect condition- bought for £3000, sold it in 2005 for £2900. The key is patience,and preferably less than 3 owners.Try to drive as many as possible, and be prepared to look at a lot of dog rough ones with patchy/no service history.
I was actually looking for a 924 Turbo at the time, but when I found the Slough car I could'nt pass it up. Prices for really nice earlier 944 Lux are still about £3-4K : The same as they were in 2001, maybe prices have bottomed out?
I bought an S2 recently,and though its defintely a step up in performance/grip,the old car had slightly more 'feel'imho, though the S2 is very quick on the right roads. Servicing costs/fuel are also substantially more.
Hartech- interesting info on the different timing and fuel mixture in the early 944
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