944 vs 308
Thread Starter
Rennlist Member
Joined: Jun 2001
Posts: 283
Likes: 1
From: Davidson, NC
944 vs 308
I've always been a fan of the Ferrari 308/328 ever since I first saw it on the cover of Sports Car Graphic magazine. Since today is cold and gray here in ATL, I was reading some old books and realized that the 944 S2 and the 944 Turbo stack up very nicely to the Ferrari. Let's compare:
Ferrari 308 944 S2 944 Turbo
engine V8 I4 I4 turbo
displacement (cc) 2927 2990 2479
horsepower 240 208 249
0-60 6.4 sec 6.4 sec 5.5 sec
top speed (mph) 150 150 165
weight (lbs) 3200 2888 2932
Granted, the 944 will never be a Ferrari, but then again, I can't buy one of the 308s for under $25k. Really good examples of either 944 are available for under $10k. Seeing the raw numbers just made me appreciate all the more what a value the 944 is.
Ferrari 308 944 S2 944 Turbo
engine V8 I4 I4 turbo
displacement (cc) 2927 2990 2479
horsepower 240 208 249
0-60 6.4 sec 6.4 sec 5.5 sec
top speed (mph) 150 150 165
weight (lbs) 3200 2888 2932
Granted, the 944 will never be a Ferrari, but then again, I can't buy one of the 308s for under $25k. Really good examples of either 944 are available for under $10k. Seeing the raw numbers just made me appreciate all the more what a value the 944 is.
Team Owner
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 28,707
Likes: 221
From: one thousand, five hundred miles north of Ft. Lauderdale for the summer.
just curious guys, wasn't the fastest 944 Turbo ever, the car that was featured in the famous R & T "World's Fastest Cars" special edition from late summer '88. it had a long write up of all the world's fastest production cars, almost no ads whatsoever and an extensive writeup of the 9-5-9....
the '88 944 S @ 160 mph made the list w/ the Ferrari 328 coming in just a bit faster.
the '88 944 S @ 160 mph made the list w/ the Ferrari 328 coming in just a bit faster.
Pro
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 522
Likes: 0
From: Redmond, Oregon
I am not a huge Ferrari fan TBH. More for Lamborghini. But everyone has their own tastes. I'd rather own a 944 Turbo over a 308, mostly because I understand my 944 and enjoy it, and would like a turbo as a step up. Sure the 308 looks cool and all but just... not my bag.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 868
Likes: 47
Interesting comparison...Having owned/driven 944s/308s/328s and still owning a 944 and a 328, I can say that I have never compared really compared them as each car has a purpose in my car hobby. But now that you have mentioned it, I do like the safe handling of a 944 in wheel to wheel racing but I like the sound, looks and overall driving feel of a 308/328. Also, disliking turbo lag, I would rather go for a quicker revving, more responsive engine. Lastly, since I prefer my cars to have more oversteering tendencies, I prefer the inherent handling characteristics of the 328 (comparing stock setups only). I hope I don't appear to knock 944s. After all, I still own one. It is one of the best bangs for the buck sportscars out there.
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Drifting
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 3,334
Likes: 8
From: Nebraska
I would hate to spend $30,000 for a car that can get beat at the track by a $6500 951 or 968. Then as you are limping home with your tail between your legs you need to stop twice for gas. $30,000 worth of sports car dollars would be much better spent on a ZO6 or D Stealth.
Team Owner
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 28,707
Likes: 221
From: one thousand, five hundred miles north of Ft. Lauderdale for the summer.
awesome to hear about someone who has driven both... about the understeer, one of the guys (who knows), suggested running a wider front tire a couple of years ago.... i changed to 255 front/275 rear.
with the heavy gts rotors the car feels "planted."
with the heavy gts rotors the car feels "planted."
Advanced
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 76
Likes: 0
From: Lakeland, Florida
While I own a 951, I really like the 308/328 Ferrari's, particularly the later 328GTS. I love high-revving Italian cars in general and the excitement they offer, even at slower speeds. The turbo can almost seem docile until it's on the boost However, where the 951 shines for me is in total usability. Knowing myself, I wouldn't enjoy dinners out or a trip to the supermarket or mall knowing that my Ferrari was parked out there. The 951, while a peer of the Ferrari in terms of performance, flies more under the radar and has much less money tied-up in it. And speaking of money, it seems that Ferrari values plummet with any kind of mileage on the odometer. The market doesn't seem to like Ferrari's with much more than 30,000 miles on them. To me, all this limits the Ferrari owner to enjoying his car like an expensive wine or a really rich dessert...once in a great while, under just the right circumstance or on special occasions. I'd love to have a Ferrari as long as I could still have the 951 for the other 90% of the time.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 1,229
Likes: 1
From: cleveland ohio
I would also agree that, in short bursts and as a total fun car, the 308 is to the 951 what Lady Gaga is to Susan Boyle. It didn't help that the last one I drove was a factory Speed Yellow car, either. The noise, the lightness of the controls...all awesome. The fact that its last major service cost more than my car, and that a new engine is 20 grand tempered that a bit. Then don't get started on the switchgear or its placement!
If I were rich enough to have a 30 car collection a 308 would be in it. They're cool and most certainly one of the best looking of all time.