turbo944

Does a Ruf 993 Turbo count? If so, I'd probably have to go that direction. Basically you're asking us to forget everything we know about our cars and go from a standpoint of being a new to Porsche person looking at 2 cars sitting on a dealer's lot for sale. A 993 or a 944/51/68. We now make more money than God and we have a choice between a much newer, much faster car (if we don't count mods in on them) for a much higher price or a lower priced car which has better balance in its handling. The first Porsche I ever drove was an 84 944 and it sealed my fate into having to own a Porsche one day. I love just about every Porsche design out there (some more than others), but coming from this standpoint, I probably would choose the 993TT. Of course, now that I have my 951, if someone offered me an even trade for a superb shape 993TT, I'd probably have to take the trade. Otherwise I plan on keeping my car and just adding to the stable. Problem is, too many Porsches, too little time (and money!). Problem is, if you had that much money, you could just buy a house at the same time and keep both cars. There eventually would be some way to do that..... The other question you're asking is, would you significantly change your lifestyle if you suddenly had a lot more money to spend. I would to some degree. I would travel more, get a better place to live, but in many areas I would not. Then the next part is, do you get to mod these cars or do you have to keep them as is? That can change some minds as well perhaps, as a lot of these 944s would suddenly have a 564RWHP 3L turbo motor and the best of everything else on them. Too hard of a decision to make knowing you can do anything as you could completely repaint, different wheels, etc. to the 944 series and have essentially a different car in the process with that kind of money.

Z-man

If I had a choice, it would definately be a 996, not a 993. Sure, the purists don't like it, but for the most part, it is a superior car compared to the 993. It's not more power, it handles better, and yes, water cooled engines are better. I have heard this from several drivers of both the 993 and 996.

On the track, the 'alure' of an air-cooled 993 doesn't matter, it's the car that gets to the checkered flag the quickest that matters!

Just my $0.42,
-Z.

Luis de Prat

951 cabriolet. IMHO, best performance/fun value in the Porsche model spectrum.

But how can you limit this poll to just 944 owners? It's obvious that Rennlist 993 owners will be voting as well.

epbrown01

I voted for the 944. I could have a 993, and actually started shopping for one last summer around my birthday, when I realized that I already have the 911 I wanted - an 911SC. I didn't, and still don't, see the need for a 2nd 911 in my life, and so decided to collect the other 1983 Porsches (hence the 944 I just bought, and the ongoing search for a Guards Red/Black 1983 928S).

Overall, the question you pose is flawed. This board has lots of young guys that don't realize how their perspectives will change, and who use their 944s as only cars. On the 911 and 928 boards, people are putting more money into old Porsches than a 993 or even used 996 would cost. Ask it there, where lots of people are already in the position of choosing, and you'd get different answers. You also don't care as much about the improved comfort and features when it's a 2nd or 3rd car.

I suspect that down the line when their financial situations change to something closer to the scenario described, a lot of the respondents here would change their answers in real life, and be a little surprised at themselves. They'd get newer, nicer 944s or move to 968s, because they're being imprinted by these experiences.

Emanuel

EZRider

I am not surprised with the poll's result. Seems most are attracted to the "latest greatest" stuff. Either that or they want to shoe horn a chevy V8 for back snapping performance. But I say going by the price/performance/engineering ratio the 944 is the champion. Yes I voted 944...all the way!

steve g

Thats a tough question and I have a hard time choosing one or the other because I love both cars. I have not done any mods (yet) on my 951 since Porsche made this car such a great package as equipped from the factory. And since Porsche made fewer S type models - I think this model could be at least more desireable as time goes on, we'll see. The reason I bought this 951 (my 2nd P car after my first 924S) was because I read a story in Excellence a few years ago about a guy who bought and re-modified a yellow 968 and also bought and modified a white 951 to be real giant killer supercars. At that time I wasnt really considering any 911 because of the price factor difference for an 87-89 911, which was, at the time, my dream car. At that time and even now - I know that if I ever want to get onto that slippery slope and listen to the wealth of information and experience from Rennlisters that I could make the 951 into an even better supercar. When I eventually - this spring - do take a DE and get out on the track I would definately take out the 951 because, IMHO, it is a more forgiving and easier car to drive faster than the 993. I have owned my 993 for a year and I can tell you that hanging out on the 993 board is even more dangerous than hanging out on the 951 board. Athough my car came with MO30, I have already put 18in wheels on the car. Now, I am contemplating PSS9s, RS sways, and an RSR exhaust. I'll mod the 993 with components that IMHO will make it more competitive as I learn to drive faster that I can appreciate with more experience. I am not voting because I am keeping both cars, forever!
PS - If money is no object here, why NOT keep both cars and keep one in an off-premise garage.

Matt H

Sure, the purists don't like it, but for the most part, it is a superior car compared to the 993

I agree this is my conundrum too.

But how can you limit this poll to just 944 owners? It's obvious that Rennlist 993 owners will be voting as well.

Nope, they sure shouldnt. Read the posts. I was asking, of sorts, to prove a point. That point was if you could have either (which the majority of people cannot) which would you have. It is really to show that if more people here could afford them they would have them, since someone was dissapproving of my comment that most people here could not afford a 997, hence what they think of it is irrelevant. There is a lot wrong with this poll, no doubt about it. If you asked 993 owners it would be even more skewed (as they obviously can afford one) and hence that data is useless.


What the poll shows clearly, is that, if money were not an object the vast majority of those polled would be driving a 993 and not a 944. It also shows that there are a significant number of people who dearly love their 944s.
__________________
Best Car Insurance | Auto Protection Today | FREE Trade-In Quote

Conor

993 is my all time favorite car.

Sach951

968 TRS

Geo

Matt,

I'd take the 951 every day of the week and twice on Sundays. When Porsche came out with the "new 911" it just left me cold. It's a sofa on wheels. OK, a fast sofa on wheels, but I don't like the interior or the exterior. I'd just put more money into the 951 and to hell with resale.

Now, if we were talking about a 930 turbo, that car gives me a stiffy, er, get's me excited (forgive my being crude ladies). I'd take that car over the 951. But that's not what you asked.

In fact, as long as I'm answering questions you didn't ask, I wouldn't even take a P-car. I'd have an E39 M5 in a heartbeat. In fact, if I won the big lottery, the first thing I'd buy is a E39 M5. I'd fill a briefcase with cash and to to the dealer and hand over money until I got what I wanted.

Matt H

George - after we test drove a 545 and were left unimpressed we drove the M5 and ummmm....YEAH its that good. I love the 993 but the interior styling is not great (very dated as well), and they are a touch soft. The 996 is a better car all around BUT that wasnt the purpose of the poll. Being one of the people that I know could afford both I find your answer interesting.
__________________
Best Car Insurance | Auto Protection Today | FREE Trade-In Quote

Red1

Strictly answering Matt's question as he posed it, I'd take the 993 with no regrets. (Ok, maybe a little muttering at oil-change time)

I do not like the idea that all 944-series drivers cannot afford a better car, and therefore are picking at the crumbs of the porsche feast. I know I'm not alone on this board that can say I could afford a newer/more expensive model of porsche. Personally, the decision to own a car that spends the VAST majority of the time in my garage dictated that I not spend too much money on it. I have other hobbies too. Hell, I could have a 996 with what I have in my boat. Life is about choices. That's where the real world intrudes on the initial question.

dgz924s

I am with Geo....Dal 944

Matt H

Brian - true, true, true.
__________________
Best Car Insurance | Auto Protection Today | FREE Trade-In Quote

Red1

Don't remind me that the boat gets used less than the 951.

God, I work too much. Speaking of which, I'd better get something done around here today.