What I would like to wind up with (if anyone cares)
#16
An S will get you in trouble (this is not a slam - I love them!) Since you have to rev the pee out of it to get to the powerband, if you're like me, you will do so...feels almost like a stock non-S 951 once you're there.
Got a ticket for 16 over the limit and reckless driving 2 weeks after I bought an S last year. State (party) pooper hit me with instant-on radar in mid-drift, somehow I got the speed down to 76 before he clocked me...type of situation where my trusty V1 couldn't save me.
Now I'm driving an S2, which with the low-end torque, doesn't require me to rev it high for grins. Would still love to have another S.
YMMV Al
Got a ticket for 16 over the limit and reckless driving 2 weeks after I bought an S last year. State (party) pooper hit me with instant-on radar in mid-drift, somehow I got the speed down to 76 before he clocked me...type of situation where my trusty V1 couldn't save me.
Now I'm driving an S2, which with the low-end torque, doesn't require me to rev it high for grins. Would still love to have another S.
YMMV Al
#17
I agree, look for an S2, they aren't much more expensive actually. And theres loads more bottom end and more high end than the S has. The 3L is the ultimate evolution of the NA 944 motor. Well, besides the 968 but you're talking at least double the price for one of those.
The S2 gives you the better brakes of the 944 turbo, a tighter suspension and a few other upgrades over the S. The S is a great car though. If you can't find an S2 is the same condition for a reasonable price the S may be the way to go. You don't want the hassle of a lemon even though it's always tempting to go for the extra power..
The S2 gives you the better brakes of the 944 turbo, a tighter suspension and a few other upgrades over the S. The S is a great car though. If you can't find an S2 is the same condition for a reasonable price the S may be the way to go. You don't want the hassle of a lemon even though it's always tempting to go for the extra power..
#18
I drove an S last year, before buying my N/A. Went to PAR Porsche in Westchester to check out that "mint, cream-puff" car that turned out to look as if it had 175k instead of the 75k the odo showed. Anyway, it really rev'd faster than an NA...so stepping on the gas brought you right to 4k in no time. And since the engine was quiet...it was easy to get to the power band in a hurry. That was pretty cool to me. Otherwise, it was like driving an NA.
My view of an S2 is that they are harder to find, and seem to be twice the price of an S...and still have their share of (Tom) problems. I really would like the better brakes and suspension of an S2 though. If I could find one in my colors, with low miles...for under $10k, that may work. What I dont really need is a $10k-$12k S2 that will need repairs.
Here's a cool looking example of an S2 on Ebay. If it wasn't the same Zermatt that I sold, I would be more into it. Seems like a cream-puff.
<a href="http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=2419912805&category=6434" target="_blank">S2 on Ebay</a>
My view of an S2 is that they are harder to find, and seem to be twice the price of an S...and still have their share of (Tom) problems. I really would like the better brakes and suspension of an S2 though. If I could find one in my colors, with low miles...for under $10k, that may work. What I dont really need is a $10k-$12k S2 that will need repairs.
Here's a cool looking example of an S2 on Ebay. If it wasn't the same Zermatt that I sold, I would be more into it. Seems like a cream-puff.
<a href="http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=2419912805&category=6434" target="_blank">S2 on Ebay</a>
#19
my car isnt so much problems, as while im in there i might as well.
my problem is because someone (the first butcher) changed the head gasket before i got it, and hid it from me. i not have paid as much of a premium for my car had i known. plus i wasted my money having the oil cooler o-rings job done three times. thats over $100 in parts thrown out, six gallons of havoline coolant thrown out plus the down time.
i probably would not have known if it didnt overheat because the second took the lazy way out when he changed the coolant, which probably didnt have to be changed because the head gasket was new.
the car has been great but for the oil in the coolant which was traced to a rolac grinder used near the oil passage on the head!
My point was once you open up one of these motors for something small like a head gasket, the job mushrooms to a valve job, full tune up, belts and a $450 water pump. nothing like a $60 distributor cap, and $200 wires.
And, once you go to the bottom of the motor for mounts, and decide to change the oil pan gasket because of age, it mushrooms to rod bearings, and rings.
my problem is because someone (the first butcher) changed the head gasket before i got it, and hid it from me. i not have paid as much of a premium for my car had i known. plus i wasted my money having the oil cooler o-rings job done three times. thats over $100 in parts thrown out, six gallons of havoline coolant thrown out plus the down time.
i probably would not have known if it didnt overheat because the second took the lazy way out when he changed the coolant, which probably didnt have to be changed because the head gasket was new.
the car has been great but for the oil in the coolant which was traced to a rolac grinder used near the oil passage on the head!
My point was once you open up one of these motors for something small like a head gasket, the job mushrooms to a valve job, full tune up, belts and a $450 water pump. nothing like a $60 distributor cap, and $200 wires.
And, once you go to the bottom of the motor for mounts, and decide to change the oil pan gasket because of age, it mushrooms to rod bearings, and rings.
#20
Get what you like Andy, if a 944S floats your boat fine, your the one who will live with it.
Don't look at my sig! "do as I say not as I do" <img border="0" alt="[blabla]" title="" src="graemlins/a_smil17.gif" />
I'm totally schizophrenic on what move to make... my '84 944 is sweet, simple, good looking, PAID FOR... 944S2 great looks 3.0L power... 951 great looks BOOST! 968 Newer (not better IMO) looks, 3.0L, variocam, 6 speed, most expensive...
and yeah I love the silver with phone dials look also.
<img border="0" alt="[cheers]" title="" src="graemlins/beerchug.gif" />
Don't look at my sig! "do as I say not as I do" <img border="0" alt="[blabla]" title="" src="graemlins/a_smil17.gif" />
I'm totally schizophrenic on what move to make... my '84 944 is sweet, simple, good looking, PAID FOR... 944S2 great looks 3.0L power... 951 great looks BOOST! 968 Newer (not better IMO) looks, 3.0L, variocam, 6 speed, most expensive...
and yeah I love the silver with phone dials look also.
<img border="0" alt="[cheers]" title="" src="graemlins/beerchug.gif" />
#21
Nerd Herder
Rennlist Member
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Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 16,526
Likes: 5
From: Central Illinois. Cornfields a plenty.
Andy- I agree- The PD's are a classic watercooler Porsche look. There is a 86 stone grey NA with 90K miles from Lousiana I looked at- Needs a LOT of electrical work in the cabin.. But It could be yours for a scant 1600$..
What a pretty color..
unless your afraid of a little work.. (the seller's remark..) My remarks- It could use a clutch and seats, but runs GREAT!
What a pretty color..
unless your afraid of a little work.. (the seller's remark..) My remarks- It could use a clutch and seats, but runs GREAT!
#22
</font><blockquote><font size="1" face="Verdana,Tahoma,Helvetica">quote:</font><hr /><font size="2" face="Verdana,Tahoma,Helvetica">Originally posted by P944forScott:
<strong>
and yeah I love the silver with phone dials look also.
<img border="0" alt="[cheers]" title="" src="graemlins/beerchug.gif" /> </strong></font><hr /></blockquote><font size="2" face="Verdana,Tahoma,Helvetica">Wish I could find a set of 16" PD's for my SILVER '84
Little Angel on right shoulder "why spend more money on this car if your going to sell it and buy a 944S2/951/968!!!"
Little devil on left "because you can!!!"
<img border="0" alt="[ouch]" title="" src="graemlins/c.gif" />
<strong>
and yeah I love the silver with phone dials look also.
<img border="0" alt="[cheers]" title="" src="graemlins/beerchug.gif" /> </strong></font><hr /></blockquote><font size="2" face="Verdana,Tahoma,Helvetica">Wish I could find a set of 16" PD's for my SILVER '84
Little Angel on right shoulder "why spend more money on this car if your going to sell it and buy a 944S2/951/968!!!"
Little devil on left "because you can!!!"
<img border="0" alt="[ouch]" title="" src="graemlins/c.gif" />
#23
Call me crazy, but I LIKE the smaller 15" phone dials...they somehow call less attention to themselves, and look more like 60's Kragers to me! I had 16" pd's on my '88 that I sold. They were bigger...not better looking.
That's why I like the S also. More common (read easy to replace) smaller PD's, and bumpers that actually absorb mild parking shocks. I have seen several Turbo's with chipped front bumper shells...
I may give that Chicago S guy a call. Who knows...if he says all the right work has been taken care of, it may be a car to see at that price?
That's why I like the S also. More common (read easy to replace) smaller PD's, and bumpers that actually absorb mild parking shocks. I have seen several Turbo's with chipped front bumper shells...
I may give that Chicago S guy a call. Who knows...if he says all the right work has been taken care of, it may be a car to see at that price?
#24
Just for something to look at, here's an S2 at the same price as that S.
<a href="http://www.auto-rv.com/default.asp?area=browsedetail&adname=CHI8080474D" target="_blank">http://www.auto-rv.com/default.asp?area=browsedetail&adname=CHI8080474D</a>
Don't know this person or the car, I just happen to come accross it while looking around.
<a href="http://www.auto-rv.com/default.asp?area=browsedetail&adname=CHI8080474D" target="_blank">http://www.auto-rv.com/default.asp?area=browsedetail&adname=CHI8080474D</a>
Don't know this person or the car, I just happen to come accross it while looking around.
#25
Doug--I usually find that an ad that doesn't mention milage is probably for a high-milage car. $6500 usually doesn't buy much of an S2.
Also, I don't like red. Seems like MOST of the 944's (including S2s) came in red. D'oh!
Also, I don't like red. Seems like MOST of the 944's (including S2s) came in red. D'oh!
#26
Got my 87 S about 4 months ago, and I absolutely love it... Now yes, it has had its share of problems (clutch mainly) but once you get beyond that, I absolutely love it... There is something about being the only one in your class at a PCA autox cause you are the only one with that car... I think its kinda cool... So, I would totally recomend it, plus all of the NA guys i have seen around always give me comments like "gee, I wish i could have found one of those when i got mine...."
#29
</font><blockquote><font size="1" face="Verdana,Tahoma,Helvetica">quote:</font><hr /><font size="2" face="Verdana,Tahoma,Helvetica">Originally posted by AndyK:
<strong>Doug--I usually find that an ad that doesn't mention milage is probably for a high-milage car. $6500 usually doesn't buy much of an S2.
Also, I don't like red. Seems like MOST of the 944's (including S2s) came in red. D'oh!</strong></font><hr /></blockquote><font size="2" face="Verdana,Tahoma,Helvetica">Agreed...on all counts! Why the proliferation of red cars in the 80s?!?!? (..and early 90s?!??!)
Just some food for thought...
<strong>Doug--I usually find that an ad that doesn't mention milage is probably for a high-milage car. $6500 usually doesn't buy much of an S2.
Also, I don't like red. Seems like MOST of the 944's (including S2s) came in red. D'oh!</strong></font><hr /></blockquote><font size="2" face="Verdana,Tahoma,Helvetica">Agreed...on all counts! Why the proliferation of red cars in the 80s?!?!? (..and early 90s?!??!)
Just some food for thought...
#30
Not that there's anything WRONG with a red Porsche. I just don't like the color, which makes my search even more of a pain!
Another point--why put TAN leather in a grey car??
Another point--why put TAN leather in a grey car??