Discussion
Sure this has been done before, but interested to hear peoples views.....
The late model 924S is described in the Hartech guide as a 944 with the wheels moved in. It's also considerably lighter and apparently produces less drag. So, is it worth getting a (non-S2) 944 over a 924S?
I know the 944 has a wider track - does this significantly improve the handling? Also, are there any changes to the loading area between a 924 and 944? The reason I bought one in the past and am considering getting another is the comparative practicality offered by something that's still a real sportscar (ok, GT maybe!) The brakes weren't great on my 924S - are there any changes on the '44? Anything else? - basically, given, say £3k should that go on a 924S or 944?
The late model 924S is described in the Hartech guide as a 944 with the wheels moved in. It's also considerably lighter and apparently produces less drag. So, is it worth getting a (non-S2) 944 over a 924S?
I know the 944 has a wider track - does this significantly improve the handling? Also, are there any changes to the loading area between a 924 and 944? The reason I bought one in the past and am considering getting another is the comparative practicality offered by something that's still a real sportscar (ok, GT maybe!) The brakes weren't great on my 924S - are there any changes on the '44? Anything else? - basically, given, say £3k should that go on a 924S or 944?
Chris71 said:
The late model 924S is described in the Hartech guide as a 944 with the wheels moved in. It's also considerably lighter and apparently produces less drag. So, is it worth getting a (non-S2) 944 over a 924S?
I know the 944 has a wider track - does this significantly improve the handling? Also, are there any changes to the loading area between a 924 and 944? The reason I bought one in the past and am considering getting another is the comparative practicality offered by something that's still a real sportscar (ok, GT maybe!) The brakes weren't great on my 924S - are there any changes on the '44? Anything else? - basically, given, say £3k should that go on a 924S or 944?
Here we go...I know the 944 has a wider track - does this significantly improve the handling? Also, are there any changes to the loading area between a 924 and 944? The reason I bought one in the past and am considering getting another is the comparative practicality offered by something that's still a real sportscar (ok, GT maybe!) The brakes weren't great on my 924S - are there any changes on the '44? Anything else? - basically, given, say £3k should that go on a 924S or 944?
The early 944 (pre mid '85-924 dash) weighs 1180Kg-the same as an early 924S and less than a late model 924S.
The wider track DOES improve the handling,and the roadholding-the 944 rolls less and has better steering feel,in my experience.
Loading area is identical.
The brakes are the same on both cars and should be well up to the job if they are in good condition. A lot are neglected in this area and the brakes can be pretty marginal if they are not in good order.
When I had my early 944 years ago,my budget was £3k and I was initially looking at 924 Turbo's. Nice ones were thin on the ground. So I eventually bought a beautiful '85 944 which I kept for 4 yrs and,put over 30k on then sold for £2900.
The 944 hold their value better,sell easier and look nicer imho.
Edited by HAB on Tuesday 29th May 13:02
Ah, that's not usually made clear - the figures I've seen before (http://www.autozine.org/classic/924.htm for instance) put the 944 as considerably heavier - 1114kg plays 1320. I know that's the old VW engine 924, but still it appears to be a 206kg difference to a 1982 944.
edit: Guess that source is just plain wrong.....
Carfolio, does indeed have the early 944 as being lightter (and surprisingly, shorter) than the 924S at 1180kg plays 1195.
The later 2.7 944 is down as 1290kg apparently (and for anyone interested the S2 is 1350)
Are the later 944's worth the extra 100kgs? I guess that's aircon etc and you have a few more BHP to play with and a (marginally) newer car?
TBH, as a daily driver left out on the streets something relatively subtle (as few Porsche logos and flared arches as possible!) would probably be a good thing for my no claims bonus! That said, one of the main reasons for the question was that I was under the impression 8v 944's still cost a decent ammount more than tidy 924S's. Taking a quick look at the PH classifieds, it seems that might have been a little unfair.
edit: Guess that source is just plain wrong.....
Carfolio, does indeed have the early 944 as being lightter (and surprisingly, shorter) than the 924S at 1180kg plays 1195.
The later 2.7 944 is down as 1290kg apparently (and for anyone interested the S2 is 1350)
Are the later 944's worth the extra 100kgs? I guess that's aircon etc and you have a few more BHP to play with and a (marginally) newer car?
TBH, as a daily driver left out on the streets something relatively subtle (as few Porsche logos and flared arches as possible!) would probably be a good thing for my no claims bonus! That said, one of the main reasons for the question was that I was under the impression 8v 944's still cost a decent ammount more than tidy 924S's. Taking a quick look at the PH classifieds, it seems that might have been a little unfair.
Edited by Chris71 on Tuesday 29th May 13:54
stevep2000 said:
Always curious why the S2 is so much heavier than an early 2.5, especially as some of the suspension changed from steel to alloy....an extra cam can't be that heavy? Most S2's didn't have aircon
Power steering adds a couple of kg. Powered seats add about 1 elephant's worth. The later (post 85) interior trim was more elaborate & heavier. 15" wheels (7 ish kg each) or Fuchs forged (6 kg) replaced by 16" teledials or 928 wheels (about 10kg). Dipstick was revised in 87 (I think) to allow extra litre of oil in engine: 1kg. The suspension pieces may be ally, but the ABS adaptation meant the pieces are longer & consequently heavier.The S2 engine weighs only about 12 Kg more than the 2.5 single cam engine. Which is a good reason to put it in a 924S.
As I seem to be particularly fond of front-engined cars I've a 968, 944S2 and now a 924S too. The biggest difference I've found has been lack of ABS on the 924S compared to the others (not sure if the then equivalent 944 did or didn't have ABS).
Handling-wise on the road you won't notice the difference unless you're driving beyond your ability - they're all incredibly well balanced that to push them into an 'incident' would border on dangerous driving.
I think the 924S has a purity of line that the 944 doesn't quite have.
Handling-wise on the road you won't notice the difference unless you're driving beyond your ability - they're all incredibly well balanced that to push them into an 'incident' would border on dangerous driving.
I think the 924S has a purity of line that the 944 doesn't quite have.
Personally I found the appeal of the 924S being to push it to an beyond it's limit of adhesion - wet roundabouts were great fun 
Would have been even better if the bushes, dampers etc on mine were in the state they deserved, but sadly not.
I think of the whole I prefer the 944's looks, but I think they'd attract too much of the wrong sort of attention to The slightly more understated 924S would probably be safer out on the street.
Would have been even better if the bushes, dampers etc on mine were in the state they deserved, but sadly not.
I think of the whole I prefer the 944's looks, but I think they'd attract too much of the wrong sort of attention to The slightly more understated 924S would probably be safer out on the street.
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