Which one would YOU get? S2 or Turbo?
01-05-2004, 02:33 AM
#1
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Which one would YOU get? S2 or Turbo?
I've definitly fallen in love with the Porsche 944, and currently I'm looking at two different cars. One is a 1990 944S2 with about 60k. And the other is an 87 951 with about 125k. Both are in pristine condition, and I'm not too worried about the engine konking out on me because of high mileage.
Now, I'm aware that the S2 has a smoother torque curve and pulls better than the Turbo in the low rpms, and pulls all the way in the high rpms. It's also a little bit louder I hear, (and have verified). But nothing beats the turbo, and when it kicks in it kicks in.
Are there any S2 owners that would rather have a Turbo? Or are there any Turbo owners that would rather have an S2?
Now, I'm aware that the S2 has a smoother torque curve and pulls better than the Turbo in the low rpms, and pulls all the way in the high rpms. It's also a little bit louder I hear, (and have verified). But nothing beats the turbo, and when it kicks in it kicks in.
Are there any S2 owners that would rather have a Turbo? Or are there any Turbo owners that would rather have an S2?
01-05-2004, 04:45 AM
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Being a turbo owner for the last 16 months, there's no doubt in my mind that I should have bought an S2. I'm an 'in town' driver and I *HATE* bogging away from stops. Sure, the turbo kick is fun... but it's absolutly Worthless in real world driving.
In anycase, I'm selling the turbo and sticking with motorcycles... no way a cage could ever compare.
In anycase, I'm selling the turbo and sticking with motorcycles... no way a cage could ever compare.
01-05-2004, 04:49 AM
#7
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Depends on what you plan on using it for, but i would totally take the S2... i currently own an S, and absolutely love it!!! NA just has more character... plus on a small tight track its going to be a MUCH more competent car!
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01-05-2004, 06:54 AM
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Hey;
The Turbo definitely has appeal, but it is a much narrower focus than the S2. The Turbo is visceral and brutal, where the S2 is more refined and tractable. Roughly the same speed, but far different in character. You'll get strong opinions from the boost crowd that they are the only way to go, but bottom line, most people looking for a comfortable, smooth, quiet, and manageable car to drive every day that is also quick will like the S2 better.
The Turbo definitely has appeal, but it is a much narrower focus than the S2. The Turbo is visceral and brutal, where the S2 is more refined and tractable. Roughly the same speed, but far different in character. You'll get strong opinions from the boost crowd that they are the only way to go, but bottom line, most people looking for a comfortable, smooth, quiet, and manageable car to drive every day that is also quick will like the S2 better.
01-05-2004, 09:11 AM
#10
Nordschleife Master
Have you ever seen that Jeremy Clarkson / McLaren F1 review from BBC's Top Gear? He guns it on a back road and his jaw just drops and he says, oh my LORD! as you see him almost hanging on for dear life.
My car only has Guru Chips and a 968 Sway bar, with lowered ride height and wider 17" tires, but let me tell you: Especially in this cold -10C or 20F weather, the car pulls like a freight train when the turbo kicks in. And it kicks in hard. My jaw drops in disbelief just like Jeremy's did when he drove that McLaren F1.
Yes the turbo lag is the eternal thorn in our sides, but if you always get into the boost everytime you drive it, trust me, you will never be satisfied with just an N/A.
You really have to decide first what you want. If you are doing mostly only city driving, an auto or tiptronic N/A is the most appropriate car for you. If you want a car that you can turn into a real beast, you gotta get a turbo. There are just so many more upgrades available for the turbos, too.
The ultimate is obviously a turboed 3.0 or 3.1 litre engine, but even for that it's best to start with a turbo, based on what I've read on this list..
My car only has Guru Chips and a 968 Sway bar, with lowered ride height and wider 17" tires, but let me tell you: Especially in this cold -10C or 20F weather, the car pulls like a freight train when the turbo kicks in. And it kicks in hard. My jaw drops in disbelief just like Jeremy's did when he drove that McLaren F1.
Yes the turbo lag is the eternal thorn in our sides, but if you always get into the boost everytime you drive it, trust me, you will never be satisfied with just an N/A.
You really have to decide first what you want. If you are doing mostly only city driving, an auto or tiptronic N/A is the most appropriate car for you. If you want a car that you can turn into a real beast, you gotta get a turbo. There are just so many more upgrades available for the turbos, too.
The ultimate is obviously a turboed 3.0 or 3.1 litre engine, but even for that it's best to start with a turbo, based on what I've read on this list..
These cars are a bargain these days and you get a lot of car for the money.
01-05-2004, 10:55 AM
#12
Race Director
No one has asked the most important question: what do you plan on using your 944 for?
As an S2 owner, I would say I have no reason to step down to a turbo. (Ducking for cover!!)
Most of the driving I do with my 944S2 is either on the track at DE events, or during autocross competition.
For autox, the answer is hands down a 944S2: better low end torque, and no turbo boost to kill you in a corner! Granted a good driver can really extract a lot out of a 951 (944 Turbo), but a 944S2 still seems to be a better choice.
For the track, I know I will never be the fastest car in my run group, given the assortment of modified Porsches that I run with, including those pesky 911 Cup Cars.
That said, I prefer the better exit speed I can achieve with my 944S2 over the straight line speed a 944 Turbo has over me. Sure, I'll get passed on the straights, but I live for the corners anyway! Plus on shorter tracks like Lime Rock, those turbos and cup cars don't have enough room to run away from me on the straights! 
Just my S2 biased opinion. Now if I had a choice between a 944S2 and a 968, well then, I'd have to go with a 968...
-Zoltan.
As an S2 owner, I would say I have no reason to step down to a turbo. (Ducking for cover!!)
Most of the driving I do with my 944S2 is either on the track at DE events, or during autocross competition.
For autox, the answer is hands down a 944S2: better low end torque, and no turbo boost to kill you in a corner! Granted a good driver can really extract a lot out of a 951 (944 Turbo), but a 944S2 still seems to be a better choice.
For the track, I know I will never be the fastest car in my run group, given the assortment of modified Porsches that I run with, including those pesky 911 Cup Cars.
That said, I prefer the better exit speed I can achieve with my 944S2 over the straight line speed a 944 Turbo has over me. Sure, I'll get passed on the straights, but I live for the corners anyway! Plus on shorter tracks like Lime Rock, those turbos and cup cars don't have enough room to run away from me on the straights! Just my S2 biased opinion. Now if I had a choice between a 944S2 and a 968, well then, I'd have to go with a 968...
-Zoltan.
01-05-2004, 11:02 AM
#13
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Originally posted by Z-man
As an S2 owner, I would say I have no reason to step down to a turbo. (Ducking for cover!!)
As an S2 owner, I would say I have no reason to step down to a turbo. (Ducking for cover!!)
In any case:
-if you're going to mod the car: 944 turbo obviously
-if not, i would imagine an S2 is more reliable in yearly maintenance costs, stock vs. stock, but I could be wrong
01-05-2004, 11:11 AM
#14
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Maybe my local track (Ahvenisto, Hämeenlinna Finland) is somehow special or something, but it sure seems to work really well with the 951 ... I can fly out of every damn curve on full boost 
... can't see an S2 having the edge there 
... can't see an S2 having the edge there
01-05-2004, 11:45 AM
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posted by Rich Sandor
Have you ever seen that Jeremy Clarkson / McLaren F1 review from BBC's Top Gear? He guns it on a back road and his jaw just drops and he says, oh my LORD! as you see him almost hanging on for dear life. My car only has Guru Chips and a 968 Sway bar, with lowered ride height and wider 17" tires, but let me tell you: Especially in this cold -10C or 20F weather, the car pulls like a freight train when the turbo kicks in. And it kicks in hard. My jaw drops in disbelief just like Jeremy's did when he drove that McLaren F1.
Have you ever seen that Jeremy Clarkson / McLaren F1 review from BBC's Top Gear? He guns it on a back road and his jaw just drops and he says, oh my LORD! as you see him almost hanging on for dear life. My car only has Guru Chips and a 968 Sway bar, with lowered ride height and wider 17" tires, but let me tell you: Especially in this cold -10C or 20F weather, the car pulls like a freight train when the turbo kicks in. And it kicks in hard. My jaw drops in disbelief just like Jeremy's did when he drove that McLaren F1.