Luis de Prat

We have an ongoing debate in the general E-Mail list on this topic. I presently own both cars, so I'm not exactly biased, but a fellow lister claims that the early cars are preferable because they have less electronics/weight, and deliver a more genuine driving experience.

I'm moving back to Europe in 2003 and can only take one of these two cars with me. For highway driving over there 130+ MPH capability is a big plus, so it makes sense to take the 208 HP 16-valve performance and tote the extra weight any day over the early 145 HP 8-valve engine limitations of my 83.

Any thoughts?

user 8430

I would choose the S2, just for the fact that it is a more advanced/evolved model, better power/torque, improvesd suspension, more aerodynamic etc., faster.

streckfu's

Definately th S2! Better everything really. But, they are your cars and you know them better than most of us. It's your choice.


However, Definately the S2.... <img src="graemlins/burnout.gif" border="0" alt="[burnout]" /> <img src="graemlins/burnout.gif" border="0" alt="[burnout]" /> <img src="graemlins/burnout.gif" border="0" alt="[burnout]" /> <img src="graemlins/burnout.gif" border="0" alt="[burnout]" /> <img src="graemlins/burnout.gif" border="0" alt="[burnout]" /> <img src="graemlins/burnout.gif" border="0" alt="[burnout]" />

red9four4

s2

Rich Sandor

I'd trade them in for a 951, but that's a matter of personal taste.

For me, it's important to feel that I OWN the road. (As in if I want to pass something, I CAN pass it, even if they don't want me too.)

I'd take the S2 over a 944na

User 41221

Let me offer a dissenting perspective... I own a '84 944, an '86 951 and a '92 968 cab, and if I could only have one, which would I keep? The '84! And no, that doesn't mean I will be giving the other cars away...

Each of them has their own character and feel... but the '84 has a lighter, more well balanced feel to it, and I feel more "at one" behind the wheel of that car. Does that mean I don't enjoy the other cars? Heck no! I love 'em all, just for different reasons. But the '84 is the one I would keep if I had to choose, assuming I wasn't tooling down the autobahn at 130mph on a daily basis, in which case, I would pick the 968.

Regards, ...Scott

Tom R.

My brother's 84 is more fun to squirt around in than my S2.

As an everyday car I think I prefer the 84.

But then again way back in 85 iwas drivng an 85 RX7 (first generation) and I read the review of the second generation. for four years I felt like i was a dope for not keeping my 83 for another year. in 90 the 85 was stolen, and i bought a super super clean 86 like what ribs just bought.

After about year i realized i liked the slower lousier handling 85 better than the more advanced car.

now a dozen years later i know i havent changed.

the more primitive car is more fun to drive.

Matt Sheppard

Hmmm, I dont think I'd give up power & refinement for tossability, not for the "only-one-I-could-have" scenerio.

David Floyd

I have owned an 84 944 and now a 87 951, the 84 was fun the 951 a blast, so I would say take your 208 HP S2.

In the end take the one you like best.

<img src="graemlins/burnout.gif" border="0" alt="[burnout]" /> <img src="graemlins/burnout.gif" border="0" alt="[burnout]" />

Shane

Leave them both and buy a '92 GTS. You get speed and refinement both.

Ahmet

I'd also vote for a 951 but you don't want to hear that...

I had an 84, and loved it. I had gotten that car exactly where I wanted. However I then bought a 951 and as much as I had still liked my 84, the joy a 951 puts on the table is a different story altogether. Soon I sold the 84 cause I never drove it anymore! I hate to sound like a wuss but for day in/day out usage you can't beat an S2 (well, not with an 84 944na). If reliability is important as well as upkeep then the 84 starts to make a better case.

Is there anything keeping you from selling both here and buying a car there (perhaps bring that back when you come back?)
Ahmet

RS 2.7

i own an 84 so i might be able to add some insight. sure the earlier ones are more tossable, but it would be nice to have the s2 power on the autobahn.

often times i press the peddle down and wish for a little more power , but since i am more of a handling performance lover i dont mind. to me, the lighter a sports car the better!

Ahmet

Well, at some point my 944 had 350lbs springs, with bilstein sport shocks, sitting on wider track and fat 17 inch rubber. It also had a turbo sway bar in the front, and an early sport bar in the rear. It was almost two inches lower than stock with a few engine mods. Been there, and yes it was fun. But my 944 turbo can lap any track much faster on 16 inch snow tires, with dead shocks, and no front sway bar! I value handling and that direct feel, tossability etc. also but when you're talking about a car that can have twice the power, why bother? It's not like the 944 turbo (or s2) is an overgrown pig. +A lot of power brings a new angle to the whole handling equation. Playing with 300hp sure is more fun than playing with 150hp...
Ahmet

Luis de Prat

From the responses thus far the S2 wins hands down for what I would be doing with the car: highway cruising at high speed.

Yes, the 83 is quite fun. I've had mine since 1994. Then again, my '72 Standard Beetle with its 1.6 dual port and retro feel was also fun to drive, but not exactly convenient for highway cruising in Europe these days.

The only reason I'm thinking of taking the S2 is that I'll get peanuts for it when I sell it here and am inclined to get my investment out of it by driving it.

hybrid_944

a porsche is not a daily driver. so id sell them both, and get a 951.
or better yet. keep the S2 and use the $ that you just recieved to convert the s2 to a turbo. hum. well. I dont know if the income from the earlier one will ballance that.

so sell both and get a 951.