If this is considered off topic, sorry I figured it was pretty on the topic myself.
I might have mentioned on here before about someone I know with a 911S, it isn't hardly ever driven, he drives a 2001 jeep, it's a 1973. Everyone is always like 'you two should race'. He is scared for some reason, I can sense it. If my memory serves me correct the 1973 911S runs 6.7 stock 0-60. I could take'em on the twisties though eh?

 

If he has a 911S and rarely drives it I can strongly recommend that he not try to push it in the twisties. The 911 will bite back, HARD if he does something wrong.

 

I don't care which can outrun the other but I would prefer to own the '73 911 over your 944.

Your 944 is a more modern car, certainly, but the 911 is the very definition of class and elegance. Especially '73 and earlier.

No true classic/antique 911 owner who loves his car would ever be caught drag racing.

 

I owned a 72 911S. 0-60 in 6.1 sec 200hp SAE 190 DIN engine redline 7300 rpm, and weighs in a bit UNDER 2500 lbs!. Today I own a 93 968 6sp which is 2 tenths slower 0-60 than my old 72 "S". I also feel the 911S felt much lighter on its feet than my 968. I still have a HUGE amount of respect for these early 911's. And I sure do miss the "sound" of that flat six turning 7 grand.
But, that said, after an 85.5 944 and the 968, I don't feel I could ever go back to a 911. Doug

 

The 911 is the very definition of suddenly facing the wrong direction when you least expect it.

 

His 911 redlines at the same spot mine does ... =D

 

OK, I owned a 911 also, before 2 944s. If I could afford a 993 Twin Turbo (my brother has one - it is AWESOME) I would go for that. But pound for pound, and $ for $, the 944 series, if you are spending less than 10K, gets you more car, IMHO.

 

You know, I ususally don't jump to the defense of the 911 on this board but it really gets my goat when people have such strong opinions about a car they have never owned. (If you have then say so in your post, it will add validity to your claims)

Driving Daddy's or a friend's 911 on the weekend doesn't count either. Yes, the 911 is "more challenging" to drive at speed than a 944. However, I feel that the 911 is more rewarding to drive at speed and feels more sure footed at really high speed. It requires more driver skill to push a 911 than it does a 944. Does that make the 944 a better car? No, just different. These discussions are right along the lines of "my dad can beat up your dad".

The only reason I sold my 911 (1989 25th Anniversary edition, Black Satin Metallic with Linen leather interior, 1 of 60 Coupes of the 300 built that was black rather than silver)was because I cared about it too much to have it sit outside (used to live in Florida with a nice garage, now live in Maryland in a condo, sans garage).

I like all of Porsches' cars but I will always be a 911 guy at heart. To me the 87-89 Carrera represents the very best of the original 911 concept. After that the only 911 I would want is the 993, Just personal preference.

What Black said is true, I would never have drag raced my Carrera. Guys used to pull up to me and rev their engines and I thought it was stupid. It was no more designed to drag race than a 944 is. Turbo or no turbo, it still isn't what Porsche designed them for. It is just the perverted use of a fine sports car by dim-witted Americans that would be better suited driving a Mustang or a Firebird. Yes, you can drive a screw with a hammer but that wasn't what it was designed for. Sorry for the rant, but it's just my opinion. We all know the story about those...

Regards,
Max (wishing he didn't sell his 911)

 

Having never owned a 911, but instructing a student with one, I can say that comments of "can you say snap spin" are based on personal driver limitations not the car's.

ALL CARS WILL SNAP SPIN if you drive them incorrectly. IMO, whoever made the paddle shifters permanently affixed at 9 and 3 (Ferarri?) was damned smart. Anyone remember the "friction circle" diagram?

I am not all caught up in the "classic definition of sports car" or whatever, which says it has to be a soft top or it has to have the engine in the rear or whatever. What I can say is that driven "CORRECTLY" a 911 is a tremendous car. I do suggest that anyone who owns one, do some HPDE's and the like and become familiar with getting on the throttle in a panic and always straight line braking.

I too would never drag race either car as they seemingly are not remotely set up for this. I would however gladly own a 911 (provided I had someone to do the maintenance) as I think they are some of the sexiest cars on the road.

Just my .02 but I should mention that I did stay at a Holiday Inn.

 

My 911 comment was meant as a joke, not to be taken at face value. I am sorry if I offended anybody.

 

Do you do your own maintainance on your 944S? I someday plan to buy a 1987-89 911, but I think I will get a 928GT first. I am not longer afraid of maintaining any car.

 

Hey MadMax, you and I have a lot in common when it comes to cars. I just joined this forum after selling my 1988 911 Club Sport--I used to hang out at PelicanParts for all the 911 know-how. I recently purchased a 1989 944S2 Cabriolet. My first experience with the 944 line was a 1987 944 Turbo that I purchased way back in 1992, but I got rid of it after some very expensive repairs. Alas, I was only 24 at the time.<P>
Having experienced both the 911 and 944s, I can say that the 911 was a more rewarding car to drive at the limits. The Club Sport was a very special model (only 1 of 29 brought to North America)--no options, no sound-proofing, no undercoating, a higher redline, special valves, and a whole lot of punch up right up to the revs limit. It was fast, raw, and provided amazing feedback to the driver.<P>
The 944 is so well balanced, yet the feedback is slightly "numbed" in my opinion. That, however, is offset by the sheer predictability of the car's handling. I love the fact that there's no turbo lag, as I grew very used to the feel of a naturally aspirated car in the 911. As for maintenance, it doesn't get any easier than an '87-'89 911. It's just oil changes and valve adjustments--that's pretty much it most of the time.

 

The 911S and 911SC always give me a good run for my money at DE events. They enter corners a little slower than I but they rocket out like, well, a rocket. Some of them are absolutely incredibly fast, albeit slightly modified.

Whenever I pass a 911S or SC at a DE event I consider it a personal triumph – although mine has more HP than the S and some of the early SC’s. They do tend to spin more often than the 944’s, but when driven properly they are a sight to behold. I love it when the rear squats and the inside front tire leaves the ground as they get on WOT after hitting the apex….

 

Just enough to respect myself mañana. I don't have the faith in myslef to know if I am looking at a potential issue or have the experience to say "hmmmm this ain't right" considering what I use the car for. Now on the other hand I can swap out some pads and rotors on the double quick.

I did replace the coolant hoses and have flushed that sucker more times than I'd care to remember. I have replaced/repaired a few minor items but as far as tranny and motor, not for me. As for my comment, when I looked at the repair cost to replace a clutch on a 911 I started looking at other cars.