michaelhofastcar

Does one has an advantage to first own a 944 as an entrance to the world of Porsche before owning the ultimate 911? In other words, does a 944 ownership experience prepare you for a 911 ownership.

I am thinking of dropping $3000 - $5000 for a 944, train myself for a few years to drive and maintain a Porsche, sell it, then use the money as a down payment for a 3.2 Carrera. Is this a good way to go or I should keep saving money and go for the 3.2?

GrantG

They're quite different cars. I wouldn't think that a 944 would prepare one for a 911 any better than most other sports cars. A 911 is a unique creature. A 944 is a very good car, but they are disproportionately expensive to run (more than a 911). The 944 Turbo is perhaps one of the very fastest track cars for the purchase price, but the maintenance is a killer!

Auto_Werks 3.6

I think you should keep saving. I started with an "economy" 944, and it really was expensive to keep up. If the car you ultimately want is a 911 then keep saving, because you probably will not make any money when you sell the 944.

82Targa

Not the same animal.

KCinBR

Have you considered a 914? Cheaper than a 911 and a blast to drive. Not sure what the are going for at this time, I gave $3995 for mine ...............oooppppsss that was in 1976

Revvin_911S

A 914 probably really is closer to a 911 then a 944 is, but niether is a 911. I don't think owning any other car will really "prepare" you for ownership of a 911, nothing else is like them at all...in fact you might even say "There is no Substitute". If a 911 is what you are really after, keep saving until you are ready to make the plunge. If you do your research and get a good car, you will be very happy you waited to get what you really wanted.

nkgosselin

Buy a 912. For about 7,000 you can get a driver. Excepting that - a bug.

TRWright

I have a 951 and a 911SC in the garage, the sc being as close to perfect as they probably get. I still find myself in the 951 more often. It's a lot more fun......

Magown

As a current owner of a modified 951 and previous owner of many other 951's, 944's and 911's. Do your self a favor and skip the 944 NA. You'll have so much money sunk in one by the time your ready to upgrade you want be able to afford to sale it. Then it's a toss up on prefrence weither you get a 3.2 Carrera or a 951. Get the 951 if you like to go fast and crave cool a/c, get the 911 if you want one of the most fun total package cars in the world.

avainio

I currently have a 1986 951 and a 1980 911 SC. I was hooked on the 951 as soon as I got in it just to test drive it. This is the fastest car I've ever even sat in, much less owned (and I've had a lot of muscle cars). This is the ultimate passing car in traffic. Very nice car, but not many people recognize it as a Porsche at first glance. I just got the 911 300 miles ago, I can't wait for nice days to drive it again. There really is something special about the 911, even though my 951 will run circles around it. I was at a stop light this week with the 911 and a kid jumped out of a car behind me and just listened to the exhaust until the light changed. That was pretty cool. I like the option of choosing, I don't know how long that will be practical. My brother in law is happy as we're planning some day trips and he and my sister will be in one of the cars.
Arne.

911Dave

Do yourself a favor and drop your 3-5k on a 911 right now. There's really nothing to prepare for. The 911 takes a little more skill and effort to drive fast, but just give yourself plenty of time to get used to its quirky characteristics and you'll be golden. It's an incredibly fun car and you'll fall in love with it instantly. I've found that the key to maximizing your enjoyment of it is to learn everything you can about it. Read books and study its development and evolution. And then drive the hell out of it. It likes that.

michaelhofastcar

Thank you all for your honest advice. I will skip the 944 and go straight for my heart: the ultimate 911. Whenever I test drive a 911, my heart keeps pounding. I think I found my passion.

M491

I've had both.

There is no relationship between a 911 and a 944. Other than the badge on the hood, they may as well be cars from two different automakers.

There is no advantage in owning one before the other. Nor can a 944 ever be a substitute for a 911. A 911 is an icon, really a special car. A 944, simply put, is neither of those things.

911Dave

Welcome to the club. Now, get ready for your passion to consume your bank account....