CarbonRevo

8 or so valves at 85 a pop is quite expensive. That's not including all of the "while your in there's".

L8_apex

Amen to the great value of an S2 in terms of purchase price - ownership costs would be another story.

Like any 19-yr old machine - keeping my 89 coupe in properly maintained condition is a drag on $ and personal labor hours (but it's fun labor!). Major repair bills lurk behind each hour at the wheel (especially at the track!)

I've had the car almost 3 yrs, and as weekend/track car it's been driven less than 6K (had 111K when purchased). I'd be shocked to calculate the $/mile cost!

My theory on the low market price is that S2's suffer by association with the larger 944 NA population. A very high proportion of which are neglected buckets. Seems the S2s that have higher value (especially among the knowledgable) are: cabs in good condition (most are), superior condition-low mile coupes (rare), and nicely prepared S2 track cars (also rare).

Dan87951

The S2 is a great performer. I would love to have one for autocross since the tracks are so tight and short you really need the power down low which is what the S2 provides over a turbo. By the time I get going on an autocross track the turbo is just starting to hit boost than I have to slow down. At spartan speedway a few years back the S2's were dominating that track compared to the turbo's. Us turbo guys were almost a second off the pace.

86_951_

+1

Only people that really know Porsche's can appreciate the differences between an S2 and an NA. Heck, I can't get people to distinuish my Turbo from a NA. Since there are a lot more NAs, their value will continue to drive down the values of the rarer related models.

I wish Porsche had called it a 951 and left it at that!

Damian in NJ

S2 cabs are great deals, get rid of the elephant ear mirrors, update the wheels, and you've got a great car. Oh, and update to 968 door handles too.

Dan87951

Honeslty I think market prices have gone up! When I bought my car about 9 years ago turbos could be had for 5k all day long, thats not the case now. Sure N/A prices have stayed some what similar but turbo and S2 prices seem to be grabbing some ground.

Jim_K

There is something about S2 coupes. I had a cherry 89 which I loved, but unfortunately totalled it. From my experience, VERY nice, low mileage S2 coupes are rare as hell and still command a very good asking price. There are definitely alot of dogs out there. This goes for the 944 population in general however.

I ended up replacing my S2 with a 968. And while I really, really like my 968, there is something about my S2 that was mo' special.

M758

The S2 is really a wonderfull car.

Just as much real work power as a 944 Turbo, but with nice driveability. Plus they tend to be newer that all 944 Turbos so you a few updates and many are pretty nice.


Downsides

1) Limited hp - 208 is not bad at all, but not a WOW number these days
2) Limited potential for gains - Many here would say if you want to mod it get a Turbo. This infact somewhat artifically increase 944 Turbo prices since making a big power is only a little bit of air pressure away.
3) Less power full and new as the 968. For a few $$ more you could get a 968 and many do.
4) Can be precievd as "less fun" compare to the Turbo.

For example. I have 88 Turbo S. I love the car, but it is not an ideal daily driver. It can work, but the low end power (sub 3000 rpm) is not all that good. An S2 would be much better. However for a weekend car whos purpose is fun the feeling of even my stock 250hp car's boots kicking from 3k to 4500 rpm is a rush. It is the way you go from such little hp to as much as you get that makes the difference. The S2 never feels like that since the power is more linear. Again real world roads a 220 hp 951 vs 208 hp S2 and the S2 may even be bit faster. So in the end for me I will never sell my Turbo S for an S2 or even a 968. I would still love to get my hands on nice daily driver S2, but two Porsche is alrealy alot so it just won't happen.

So there is just one example of how the S2 can be overlooked.

M758

Bob,
Is that the skid pad at Firebrid west? It sure looks familiar?

pcutt

Oh, that's all? I just wanted to make sure there wasn't some issue such as wearing, burning or cracking. I'm quite **** about my timing/balance belts so this wouldn't be a problem for me.