Age old question: 944S2 or Turbo?
 

All:

I've owned several Porsches, mostly 911s starting with early 70s all the way to a 96, as well as an 86 944 and a 93 968. I have $8K to put to good use and I would like some seasoned advice on what to get 944-wise. I think that for the money you can not get anywhere near the performance a good 944 gives you (power and handling) but I am wondering if I should be looking at Turbos or normally aspirated 3 liters?

I know I can not touch a Turbo S for that money so i am mostly limited to 86-88 turbos or early S2s...

Any info is appreciated. Thank you in advance,

Ugats

Personal preference really...

Do you want an engine you can mod the hell out of and make 400+rwhp?
Or do you want an excellent street machine with lots of low end grunt that you can't do _too_ much to in the way of mods?

Most likely you will wind up chipping the car at least if you get a turbo, and with the Guru kits out there 270rwhp isn't that far off. So with a small investment the 951 is going to be a lot faster. What type of driving do you do most? If you hit the track a lot, and stick to bigger roads go for the 951 - the big power will be more fun here. If you do more city driving and like the tight windy roads and autocrossing, the more flexible 3 liter will probably be more fun.

Reliability wise, the turbo has more hoses and plumbing, but the S2 has that damn chain tensioner that wears out a lot.

Price wise you'll probably be able to get a turbo with lower miles and in nicer shape for the money, though it will be older then the S2 of course.

Like they always say..."Buy the best example you can afford".
I'm planning on selling my 85.5 and buying an S2, but if I find a really clean 951 in my price range I'll snap it up...unless someone has a 968 they want to sell cheap.

[quote]Originally posted by KW951:
<strong>Reliability wise, the turbo has more hoses and plumbing, but the S2 has that damn chain tensioner that wears out a lot. </strong><hr></blockquote>
I disagree, unless you consider that a new cam chain guide/tensioner needs to be installed every 100k miles as "wears out a lot." People get too scared by the cam chain guide/tensioner. IT's not really that bad! Seriously: as long as the cam chain guide has less than 100k miles on it, you really have nothing to worry about. AND if it does go, it's won't crack the head like the 944S units! It will bend your valves, but that's about the only damage it will do. (don't forget, valves are about $90 a pop, so $90 x 16 isn't cheap!)

I have only owned a 944S2, not a turbo. I assume the power of a turbo at full boost is awesome, but I prefer the low-end acceleration of my 944S2 more anyway: it's more usable power just about everywhere: streets, autocross, and even on tracks. (Just expect to be passed on the straights by the 944 turbos!)

If you don't need that surge of acceleration, get the 944S2: it will cost a little less than a 951 in the same condition.

-Zoltan.

PS: What happened to your 968?

$8k is just going to get you in the door. Plan on spending another $8k in the first two years of ownership.

There is no debate. For $8k you get the cleanest car you can find period!!

If I could find a decent 3 litre for under 8 grand, I'd be driving it. I've seen a few decent turbos in that range but S2's seem to be starting at ~10k lately.

Has anyone else noticed that prices on ALL water pumpers seems to be climbing lately, ALOT for some models?

Two years ago I went looking for either a 951 or an S2. Happened to find a nice S2 before I found a nice turbo. I am now a firm S2 believer and heartily recommend them unless you are interested in serious power - simply because it is easier and cheaper to make a turbo go even faster (like a stock turbo or S2 isn't enough for most mortals).
Tom's advice on $$ is sound - I bought my car for $8500 and immediately spent another 2K! I might be a cheap Porsche - but that don't mean it's cheap to keep.
Take a look at the Porsche Club of America online "Mart" - nice cars at fair prices. You might need to join first, there is an associate membership for people considering purchase.
I'll say one thing - you have landed in the right place for help and guidance - I cannot count the $$ and time Rennlist members have saved me over the past few years!
Good Luck

Good sound advice! It really depends on what type of driving you like to do. I LOVED My 89 944 Turbo...But that Boost/speed can be adictive...It seems the police just don't understand! I would test drive as many as you can and see what GROWS on you the most! ;)

My personal take (Stock vs Stock)

For daily street driving in traffic with lots of stop and go... Get the S2. Better low-end torque for smoother starts and better low rpm crawling in traffic.

For strictly pleasure driving and back road jaunts. 944 Turbo. Man is sure is fun to let that boost kick in a 4000 rpm... :eek: <img src="graemlins/burnout.gif" border="0" alt="[burnout]" />


BTW for back country drive I know a guy with an S2 cab that will pretty much stay with group of stock to chipped only 944 Turbos. Sure he will not if we really wail on the turbos, but since that will propably land us in jail he has no problem keeping up.

PS you may want to drive one of each to find out for your self. :)

I paid 7500.00 for my S2 in 98' it had 54K on it when i drove it home...

I paid 7500.00 for my S2 in 98' it had 54K on it when i drove it home... I love the car and had did little to it until last year

I paid 7500.00 for my S2 in 98' it had 54K on it when i drove it home... I love the car and had did little to it until last year I must have overheated it at the track and scored up the cylinder walls... getting pistons where a pain in the ass..........

[quote]Originally posted by Larry Parker:
<strong>I paid 7500.00 for my S2 in 98' it had 54K on it when i drove it home... </strong><hr></blockquote>


Wow, thats an amazing price - I paid $11,500 for my 87 951 in 99 - was near perfect with about 65K on the clock. The owner was asking $14,000. Even in its great condition - I did alot of work to the car in the year following to get it as close to perfect as I could.

Larry, did it have a salvage title too?