StoogeMoe

Well, I've owned both (84 Carrera and 86 944), and like everybody has been saying, they are different cars. The 911 is more raw racing car than the 944. There are so many positives and negatives about each one, you really have to drive it to make up your own mind. Spend more than 15 minutes driving it, so the initial coolness factor wears off.

I didn't like the shifting on the 911. Very hard to get the gear you want everytime. Loved the pedals though. You could adjust them to your liking. Loved the steering on the 911. Very communicative. Brakes were rock hard on the 911, 944 slightly spungy by comparison. Sound of full throttle flat six is very addictive. 911 is harder to drive on the limit, but more rewarding.

Environment controls were horrid on the 911. ***** all over the place. 944 is more comfortable on long trips, and a bit quieter, and not as harsh.

Finally, look for upgraded chain tensioners on the 83. You want this.

NO-H2O

I have owned both and for me the 911 has been a car I would not sell now, I loved the 944 but it just didn't do it for me. the 911 is a crazy little car.. as mentioned the pedals are from the florr and all so it IS od at first coming from a 944 series car. the 911 also has the pedal cluster offset from the driver to the rightside so if you look you have to swing you legs over ever so little to get centered up on them but man what a car to drive at the track.. normal road use doesn't do any for the car .. but on a track the 911 will come alive and brother it is AWESOME!

-Eric

icat

Well Duh! Buy a bigger garage.

PeteL

Hell, Why didn't I think of that?

black944 turbo

I have a slightly different opinion. I have driven both and have to say the balance of the 944 makes it a much better choice. The interior is nicer, its quicker, and just feels better. But hey that is my opinion, I have owned 2 corvairs and still own a 64. I have to say the 911 feels like a powerful corvair, same sound and all. That being said they are both loads of fun. The only 911 that I have driven that I thought wow this thng is incredible is 996 GT3. Good luck and pics would be nice.

PeteL

Appreciate the input. There will be pics, one way or the other. Just trying to work out a good time to see the car.

PeteL

Bump

PeteL

Just got off the phone with my wife, who knows the owner of the subject 83 SC. Apparently it has a new Targa top (I never knew it was a targa) I LOVE targas. And he put power seats in, man I hope they are Sport Seats. I hope to see the car this weekend or perhaps Monday. Droooool

UDPride

Any 3.0 or 3.2 Carrera will run circles around a 944NA all day including twice on Sunday. The only way a 944NA even stays in the conversation would be a specific DE or autocross suited to the 944s strong points. I bet a 944NA cant even outrun a Ford Probe with four frat boys stuffed in the seats. 944NAs are great cars, nimble, relatively inexpensive, great design, great interior. But, well, they are pretty slow.

3.0 and 3.2 Carrera can haul *** for an 80s NA engine. Threaten 6 seconds 0-60 and top out at 150. 944s are noted for being relatively light but my 930 weighs less than my 951. Both are basically stock. So the 944 loses in the power to weight advantage too.

Were he contemplating giving up an S2 or Turbo, I might have to think longer about it were it me depending on my long term goals.

Jacks911

Pete,

Sounds like a good buy .. if you like the drive in the 911. Having had 2 911's I just offer 1 bit of advice. After 7 years in a 944 you will need to learn to drive all over again. The famous "lift throttle oversteer" is Real and if you don't get some PCA Skill Days you may find yourself kissing a guard rail or worse. These cars are very much fun to drive - but if you drive your 944 hard you will need to change your habits and learn to handle this Rear Weight advantage 911. I just switched from 911 to a 968 and had a blast on the track - the wonderful Balance of these cars is just as advertised. And one more note ...put away some extra cash for maintenance. Unless you do it all yourself ... valve adjust & tuneups are pretty pricy on 911's compared to the water pumper 4. Either way Enjoy!

Charlie

When you test drive it if the top is off I would put the top on and drive it also.

tifosiman

Come on, the 944 8V N/A is not that slow. I'm not saying they compare to a 911SC or Carrera, but they hold their own well. You find me a Ford **** Probe (that doesn't have some FastNFurious motor with a turbo and NOS) and load it with 4 average-sized University of Dayton frat boys (ie:, 220lbs each). $10 says I take it 0-60mph. Throw a curve in there afterwards and you can call 911 (that's nineoneone not nineeleven) to recover the bodies that are strewn all over Stewart St.

UDPride

Tifo-

I think we agree more than disagree. Sure in the tight corners of the backcountry, a Probe wouldnt stand a chance, but pretty much everywhere else, it probably would. I dont have to remind everyone Id rather have a fleabag 944 over a Probe any day. But my point was the only thing a 944NA will see is the back end of a 911 3.0 or 3.2 in about 8 out of every 10 ways to measure the two.

If someone wants to set up a bunch of cones to fit the 944s profile, all bets are off if theres no room for the 911 to swing the gate. And it goes without saying all but a few of us could drive a 911 in the corners better than a 944. 98% of our driving is on the road however so if I was in a 944NA, I would not want to pick a fight with an SC or 3.2 Carrera. It really is a step up in class. In fact, a 3.2 Carrera will go toe to toe down a highway entrance ramp with a 944 Turbo.

Id love to have a 944NA. I think comparing it to a Carrera however is a bit maniacal though.

tifosiman

I agree with that fully, as I am not blinded by 944 goggles as many are here on this forum.

BUT, there is no way in hell a standard non-turbo (non-massaged) Probe, filled with frat boys, is going to take my car in a straight line 0-60. Or 0-100. No way. I don't think the 944 N/A is a powerhouse by any means, but damn, let's keep the desparaging remarks to something based in reality.

UDPride

I think I just threw in the frat boy reference because I hate frat boys in Probes.

I strike frat boys from the record in accordance with the record and I thank you for allowing me to revise and extend my remarks.