ian

Coming from the 951 would I be happy with a 944 S2?

I know of a clean 1989 944 S2 for sale, white with black interior (the seat centers were finished in white as well, looks good actually). All books and records, a touch over 100K, new timing belt, water pump, good ac, clean inside and out. What do you guys think it is worth.

And also coming from a 951 do you think I'll be disapointed? I know the handling is the same, and i have driven it and it felt good to get behind the wheel of a 944 again, but I don't know if 6 months down the road I'll still be happy with it.

Z-man

Ian:
First off, how much are they asking for the 944S2?

Second: what kinda driving will you be doing with it? (944S2's make terrific track cars!)

Third: will you like it? YES! With the 3.0 liter 16v engine, you'll have tons of torque compared to the turbos! Top speed isn't as high, and your 0-60 may be a little slower, but when you hit the loud pedal, you've got immediate power!

With 100k miles on it, it's probably due for the cam chain guide/tensioner replace.

Always happy to see another 944S2!!!
Just my $0.42.
-Zoltan.

Tom R.

I paid 11500 for an 89 s2 fall off '00 with 56k and no paint work ever from a dealer. paid 700 for clutch 1 week later.

i dont have records but confirmed orally with the servicing porsche dealer in philly that car was well maintained. i also spoke with po after i bought car to confirm what was done.

i like turns more than straight line acceleration and do a lot of local driving so the low end torque is a lot of fun. if you arent happy sell it!

was that front repaired? the lights dont look right and the gap between bumper and nose panel is a little large. maybe its the light?

Raceit

I'd take a guess on that front panel that who ever last changed the air filter didn't put the panel back in right. I'm just saying that because everything else looks aligned good.

I've got a '91 S2 and have been thoughly impressed with the low end tourque it'll put out. Although I've never even ridden in a Turbo I have no way to compare the two.
Also I've noticed too that once it get's beyond 4,000 rpm it'll pull. Almost like it does have a turbo! Obviously not, it's just the power curve of the engine.

Good luck!

ian

Edit: the numbers from above.

I just called the guy with the car (the dealer who sold me my 951 who is willing to give me a deal on the 944S2 because he feels bad) and he gave me the complete specs on the car.

1989 944 S2
White / Black Leather
Clean Car Fax
143K on the clock
@139K it got new cam tensioners and chain
@124K it had the timing belt, balance shaft belt, rollers, guides, water pump, spark plugs, and AC upgrade all done.
Complete books and records on the car.
New Tires (Kuhmo's)
New windshield
New floor mats
Original Paint

Z-man

[quote]Originally posted by ian:
<strong>Edit: the numbers from above.
1987 944 S2
</strong><hr></blockquote>

Nope: can't be! They made the S2 from 1989 through 1991.

If it is a 1987 (VIN will verify that), then it could possibly be a 944S with the 944S2 nose and rear valence grafted on. Which could explain the issue with the space between the driver's side front light and the nose piece.

-Z.

Tom R.

six month old cpivalueguide puts the 89 turbo in good condition at 11800, and the 89 S2 at 8950. what were you looking to spend on the turbo with 140K? also did they change the $300 upper tensioner or just replace the $25 (or $3) nylon ramp?

Z you reminded me of the time i was driving the S2 next to my wife driving the 230hp legend coupe. I was doing about 40, droped a gear and gave it some gas (didnt floor it) to about 70.

we get home she says it looked like i had a rocket attached to the car the way it just took off. she didnt even try to catch me.

ian

Sorry, that was a typo, it is a 1989 S2.

Z-man

[quote]Originally posted by Tom R.:
<strong>Z you reminded me of the time i was driving the S2 next to my wife driving the 230hp legend coupe. I was doing about 40, droped a gear and gave it some gas (didnt floor it) to about 70.

we get home she says it looked like i had a rocket attached to the car the way it just took off. she didnt even try to catch me.</strong><hr></blockquote>
That reminds ME of the time my wife was following me in your Subaru SVX (240hp AWD Grand tourer). There's a certain on ramp in Franklin Lakes, NJ (208 to 287) that I simply love! Hit the apex just right, and I was gone! When we arrived at our desitation, I told her it was my favorite ramp. She said, "Yeah, I could tell. I thought you don't drive fast on the streets!"

Great low end torque and excellent handling: mmmm yummy!

BTW: A well sorted 944S2 will absolutely OWN 944Turbos on tracks, especially short tracks with lots of turns.

Anyway: IAN: good, so it's a true S2. What's the price?
-Z.

rpm's S2

Ian,
The big question: how much? I paid $8500 for my S2 last year (from a private party in Apex) and it had 30k less mileage than the one Motorcar Investments is selling.
I was going to drive over and look at that car at lunch today, it looked good through the fence - though the driver's side headlight seems out of whack. I know a good mechanic in Raleigh for an inspection if you are looking - he did a very thorough job for me last year for around $125. Larry (at Motorcar Investments) is a good guy and seems to generally have decent cars. I met a guy last night at the local PCA dinner who bought his 91 S2 cabrio from Larry and is really happy with it.
Please buy the car and take it back to the Triad with you - right now I think I have the only S2 coupe in town and I want it to stay that way.

ian

It would be $7800 for the car.....

Josh B

Ian, I've never owned an S2 but I've test driven a couple and I definetly prefer the Turbo. I don't think there is any substitute for the feeling of the boost coming on. Plus for the price of an 89 or newer S2 you can buy an 86 or 87 turbo

rpm's S2

That's a great price if she gets through a thorough PPI.
By the way, I really like my S2. I never intended on getting a 16 valve - I was just looking for the best clean 944 in my price range and that is what I found. I love the torque. It is also cool that the cars are more rare. The cam tensioner thing is worth keeping track of, but I think too many people get all freaked out about it. Ultimately it is no different from timing belt worries and you only have to check and/or replace every 60-80k.
Good luck and let us know how it turns out.

Z-man

[quote]Originally posted by ian:
<strong>It would be $7800 for the car.....</strong><hr></blockquote>
I think that's a little high for an S2 with 143k on the clock. rpm paid $8.5k (don't know the mileage), and I paid $8k with 120 on the clock.

See if he can come down to around $7k, and then it does sound like a good deal.

[quote]
Ian, I've never owned an S2 but I've test driven a couple and I definetly prefer the Turbo. I don't think there is any substitute for the feeling of the boost coming on. Plus for the price of an 89 or newer S2 you can buy an 86 or 87 turbo <hr></blockquote>
I disagree with that logic. For one, turbos do cost more to maintain, generally speaking. Turbos also tend to be driven harder than S2's. Plus a 86 is three years older, and I if I am not mistaken, ABS was either an option or not availble: ABS is standard on all S2's!

-Zoltan.

JGriff

I haven't driven a 951, so I can only comment on what it is like owning and driving an S2.

Will you be happy? Oh yeah... I think so!! <img src="graemlins/jumper.gif" border="0" alt="[jumper]" />

With the torque from the 3.0 liter four, there is plenty of power, especially if you keep it at 4000 rpm and above. (That doesn't mean it's a dog below that... I'm just saying that the "rush" at 4000 rpm and up sure is awesome!!).

I've only owned my car since December, and haven't logged a lot of miles yet, but I can say that the car still impresses and amazes me every time I drive it. I just love the way it pulls so strongly (as mentioned... like a freight train!!), without any "lag".

Given what I am going to use the car for (i.e. daily driving and occasional DE and autox events), the car is perfect.

I also like the fact that these cars are rare. From what I've read, in 1990, there were only 449 of these sold/marketed in North America!!

So... for those that dare to be "different" and who want to feel "special", the S2 is a nice way to do so, Porsche-style!!

Jim