mikey_audiogeek

The most reliable car will be... the one you know the best

Cheers,
Mike

m73m95

We don't allow sensible answers, and the use of logic on RL!

racer

Assuming both cars are equally sorted (iirc, you've just spent a bunch of $$ sorting your 944), you would likely do better keeping the car you know than to look for another "money pit" in the name of looking to "save money".

On the other hand, I can't believe just how much abuse a 911 can take and still keep running. I was the 3rd owner of a well tracked 911SC and owned it for about 5 years. Besides the noted need for valve adjustments (and oil changes) the only other consumable (track car) was brake pads/fluids. It NEVER broke.

To balance it out, my "street" 944, other than oil changes for the last 2 years, it has cost me nothing .

As I've heard mentioned over the years and certainly don't mind repeating:

1) All 944s are $10K cars
2) All 911s (SC/Carerra) are $20K cars

pettybird

if you get either car in well-sorted condition it's about equal. have to dig either out of a deferred maintenance hole and you'll need a bigger shovel for the 911.

I'd rather own a 911 than a 944. I'd rather take a 911 to a PCA event or car show.

I'd rather drive a 944 every day than a 911. I'd rather maintain the 944. I have years of back work to do to my 951, as well as to my mom's SC. I'm not looking forward to tearing into the 911. Both need top end rebuilds and more.

I'd keep my 951 over both at this point, but it's new to me and I'm not done having fun with it yet.

Todd951968

I'd say that realiability wise, the 944na and 911SC are similar. Of my 3 Porsches, the 968 has caused me the most grief by far. The 951 has been very easy with no unscheduled problems. The 911 was purchased knowing it needed a lot of restoration to the suspension but it had a rebuilt engine. Its run very nice now for almost 2 years.

Driving the 911 is more of an "event" and seems different and maybe a little more special. Never thought I'd think that, until after I spent time behind the wheel. That said, it is too much work to drive all the time. Semi- DD maybe. 944s are more comfortable and ergonomic...better for commutes or long trips, etc.

racer

Because I was raised on Aircooled Porsches.. to me, the 944 is just another "car".. A really nice "car".. (just like the Boxster is a really nice car) but to me, in my heart, the 911 is a "porsche".. heck, even a 914 is a "porsche" to me. See.. twisted i know.

From my experiences of years of DE events, the 944s have presented more "terminal" issues at the hands of track use than 911s. Biased? maybe.. but just my observation.

As a street car, when sorted, both are remarkably reliable.. just have to choose.. spend money on a 944 (WP, Belts) or a 911 (valve adjustments).

In the DC area, the benefits of a working AC may be very important to you (944 wins this one).

Ergonomically, I find the 911 a bit better because I can sit more upright and not hit the roof. The 944 isn't "bad", btw, just a little less accomodating to me.

dontnow

I had an 83 911SC and it was a great car. Drove it for ~30k; replaced ignition switch, starter, alternator, updated to hydraulic tensioners, hood supports etc. in addition to regular maintenance. Was I afraid of major repairs? Yes. It was hard to find people in L.A. area to work on CIS for under $300-400 starting quote, (10 years ago) so it was never perfect. Sold it when we had our first child. Would I buy another? Yes. Am I excited about driving my 944 when done w/repairs, Yes. I do feel more condident about the 944 not giving expensive issues. Like stated above 10k car or 20k car.

odurandina

this is completely, comprehensively, consummately, entirely true.

a former gf had a 964 that i got to drive often for about 2 years due to her being rather not so good driver after a few glasses of wine. her father was an extremely wealthy 911 guy, William H. McCabe, (co-founder of New England development, a large, shopping mall developer) who passed away last year, and helped me locate and purchase my first Porsche, an '87 944S... the C4 was a great hand-me-down car, and if it were to be located, it probably still is. but i'd much rather drive a 944T or 968 for the daily grind, or long distance travel.



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