mesa87

I'm heavily considering getting into a 944 or a 968 and would like some help deciding on the correct model. I'm replacing my daily driver with this car and also to track, I like the idea of being able to fit 4 track tires into it.

I was told by my mechanic to get a 89+ car because of the ABS, but I'm open to other suggestions per RL members experience.

So far I'm leaning towards the 89-91 S2 but I figured this would be the real place to ask.

I like the idea of the 968 but was told that it was heavier and not quite as 'fun' to drive on the track

Any help, opinions and advice is greatly appreciated.

Cheers,

SD Porsche Fan

An older 944 with early offset wheels definitely has a go-cart feel. 968s are heavier but well balanced and have lots more power.

I'd choose a 968 over the S2 for power and other improvements but parts are definitely more expensive.

Tim Comeau

All the 944's have the same track width....
The 968 is the latest in the evolutionary line. I'd take a 968 any day.

Micah

There is a pretty good premium for a 968 over, say, an S2. Since you're planning on tracking the car, that kind of changes the dynamic. You could certainly buy an S2 and drop a couple of grand on tires, suspension goodies, etc and still spend less than the entry cost for a comparable 968 alone. The S2 will give you ~25 less horses and ~100 less lbs than a 968.

That having been said, if money is not really an issue, I would certainly go with the '68. A very good friend of mine, Joel W (C5Driver951 on the boards) tracks and daily drives a beautiful 968 - I'm sure he could fill you in on the details. Do a post search for him and ask him personally.

968s have done fairly well (as in not yet lost 3/4 of their value) in holding their prices. In a lot of cases, 2.5l Boxsters have already depreciated lower than comparable 968s.

Micah

FRporscheman

Test drive one of each model. There are lots of subtle differences in the driving manners of each car, and it will show differently on both road and track. For example I find the 968 frustrating to drive in city traffic because it has very little power under 2000k rpm.

OK a bunch of pros and cons!
A 968 has the most features and goodies. Also has the best NA engine - with variocam. But consider that 968 parts are more expensive than 944 parts (except for the parts they both share). Sure 968s cost more to buy but they are newer and usually have less mileage. The clutch is a BREEZE to change on the 968, while on the 944 it is one of the hardest jobs on the whole car! 968 body panels are hard to find, 944 body panels are all over the place. With an overall weight of almost 3100 lbs, 968s are bordering on GT status... They have the brakes, suspension, and power to move all that weight, but imagine all those suspension and brake parts on the lighter 944. You just can't get that kind of power out of a 944 NA but it can definitely be built into something that feels like a big go kart. The S2 will give good power and weighs less than a 968, already has the same brakes, and compatible suspension. I don't know how much abuse it will be taking from you, but the S2 engine does have a few "weak" points compared to the 968 engine, like the spring belt tensioner, the chain tensioner, and the cast pistons. They're not weak, just not as strong as the 968 hydraulic tensioners and forged pistons. Overall the 16v heads provide power and complication. The 8v heads have nothing that can break - but early 8v motors (all 8v NA motors?) had stupid oil coolers that really suck.

I think the best choice for a track car is the S2, only because you sound like you don't want to work on a turbo once in a while. The 951 has unbelievable power potential.

I used to have a 944, and I thought it was better as a daily driver, and as a canyon carver. I sold it and kept the 968 only because the 968 looks better and has more power.

A lot to think about! In the end it comes down to cost, power needs, your goals with the car, and of course LOOKS!

Lord_Galva

"Heavier" sounds bad but the 968 only weighs 66 pounds more than the S2. 1370kg vs 1340kg. S2's are cheaper to buy off the bat but only by 3k or so. The revisions that occured to the 968 only made the send-off for the 924-944 line the best they could be. I agree with Arash however, drive the two best examples of both cars nearest to you and make your decision.

FRporscheman

Only 66 lbs? I thought it was more?

svochuck

how about both... a S2 and a early car to track. could be close to the price of a 968. drive the 944 hard and put it away wet . keep the S2 nice and soft for street use.

tifosiman

I'm fairly certain the chain tensioner set up on both the S2 and 968 is the same. If not they both demand checking and replacement at a certain interval/age.


The oil coolers aren't that bad on the 8V non-turbo cars. Yes there is the occasional failure but as a system without an external cooler it does what it was designed to do. And replacing it is not a difficult job for a competent DIYer. There is always the fact that you can replace this set up with an external cooler.

Fishey

The 968 looks horrible it was made to fit porches lineup in looks and it suffers because of that. Its body work looks slapped on by rubber maid.

Voith

I agree that back end looks terrible. front is much nicer.

I'd go with a 944.

J Berk

I won't really be qualified to answer till I've had my S2 on the track (this spring) but I can say that I have a really nice S2 (not perfect by any means though) and I am in for a total investment of $11k at this point...that's with all service up to date...and all important stuff either newly replaced or triple-checked. **exception is the LSD trans which is still on the bench till I can afford to dump in another $2k on a complete rebuild...I have a non-LSD/S2 trans in the car now.

I think to get a 968 in comparable shape I'd probably spend between $16k and $19k...and I think that S2 parts are more simple to source...being that many of them are the same as the turbo cars

FRporscheman

With my 968 I'm in about $11.5k, including car purchase, and everything is up to snuff and ready to go, except it needs 4 new shocks and 4 new tires.

Tifo, you're right, the early oil cooler does its job and does it well enough, it's just that the design is kinda dumb. The leaking seals and oil/coolant mixing is a headache and I imagine a hazard to happen while racing. I don't know why they didn't just start with external coolers?

The chain tensioners are different on the S2 and 968. The general idea is similar and I think the chain itself may be the same, but on the S2 it's spring loaded and needs replacing every so often, while the 968 tensioner is hydraulic, and lasts much longer. But like you said, both need attention and servicing, e.g. new plastic ramps.

Luis de Prat

Buy a 944S2. The later MY the better. Have fun!

PorscheDude1

I currently have a 968 a 951 and 944.
I say get a 968 with LSD.