Props to the 944
04-05-2013, 10:07 AM
#1
Rennlist Member
Thread Starter
Props to the 944
I spent a very pleasant few hours today bombing around Dubai Autodrome in a mates very nicely restored 1988 911 Targa. This one was a 3.2 with a G50 transmission.
I haven't previously driven a 911 that old. It was a heap of fun sliding around, and the classic trailing throttle oversteer makes it so easy to steer the car with throttle and get the nose turned in for corners and you can drive the thing sideways under power very controllably. I always wondered how Walter Rohrl managed to keep the old Ruf C2 off the walls at Nurburgring with all the opposite lock action, but I can see now how controllable the thing is on the limit IF you are quick with your hands!
The thing that struck me most though was that this was Porsche's 911 in 1988 and while it was heaps of fun it just wasn't very sophisticated. Compared to the 944 S2 or Turbo of the same vintage it was like driving something from the 70's. I suppose the 'character' and fun factor of the 911 can't be beat, but no wonder Porsche was nervous about the 944 Turbo killing off the popularity of their beloved 911 as a performance car and didn't develop it any further.
Props to the 944. In it's day it was one of the best cars Porsche made.
I haven't previously driven a 911 that old. It was a heap of fun sliding around, and the classic trailing throttle oversteer makes it so easy to steer the car with throttle and get the nose turned in for corners and you can drive the thing sideways under power very controllably. I always wondered how Walter Rohrl managed to keep the old Ruf C2 off the walls at Nurburgring with all the opposite lock action, but I can see now how controllable the thing is on the limit IF you are quick with your hands!
The thing that struck me most though was that this was Porsche's 911 in 1988 and while it was heaps of fun it just wasn't very sophisticated. Compared to the 944 S2 or Turbo of the same vintage it was like driving something from the 70's. I suppose the 'character' and fun factor of the 911 can't be beat, but no wonder Porsche was nervous about the 944 Turbo killing off the popularity of their beloved 911 as a performance car and didn't develop it any further.
Props to the 944. In it's day it was one of the best cars Porsche made.
04-05-2013, 11:54 AM
#2
Burning Brakes
If I remeber Correctly the main reason they never ended up mass producing the 968 TurboS was beause it was faster around the track and less money then the 911 (964) Turbo.
Just like how today they will never make a Caymen GT3 or Turbo. It would blow the doors off of the flagship 911 Turbo and GT3.
Just like how today they will never make a Caymen GT3 or Turbo. It would blow the doors off of the flagship 911 Turbo and GT3.
04-08-2013, 01:53 AM
#3
A privately prepared Cayman finished fourth in the 2007 Nurburgring 24 Hr Race. Ahead of the factory GT3's. However, Porsche does not support Cayman teams - while supporting the 911 teams.
They took a long time to offer the LSD for the Cayman as an option - and still don't offer the 3.8 engine.
Still, once they come down in price, they'll certainly be an attractive option for the DIY tuner. A turbo cayman would be a lot of fun.
They took a long time to offer the LSD for the Cayman as an option - and still don't offer the 3.8 engine.
Still, once they come down in price, they'll certainly be an attractive option for the DIY tuner. A turbo cayman would be a lot of fun.