jr10cross

So I found this awesome article -

http://porsche.thesportscarguys.com/...s-porsche-944/

The article states that the 911 SC had a 0-50 time of 5.8 and the 944 5.9. The 0-50 times were used because the US lowered speed limits across the nation. 0-60 times were much different with the 911 - 7.0 and the 944 at 8.3 (7.4 without the Catalytic Converter)

The article states the 944 is so much slower because of gearing. You have to pull 3rd gear to get to 60 in the 944, while the 911 allows you to hang in 2nd (4-speed vs 5 speed). Is that accurate though? I think I've pulled 60 at the very end of 2nd gear, I mean very end.

Just wondering if anyone can back me up, or if this is wishful thinking. lol Still to be .4 off without the cat is crazy.

Van

Only the 930 (911 turbo) of the 80s was a 4-speed. All the regular 911s were 5-speeds.

Despite the top speed, acceleration and horsepower of the 944 being less than it's 911 contemporary, the 944 was, without a doubt, the better car. It had heat, AC and a defroster that worked, it was a lot cheaper, and it had more predictable (and safer) handling due to it's 50/50 weight distribution and large polar moment. In short, to paraphrase Jeremy Clarkson, the 944 *wasn't* just an overgrown beetle.

Looks are subjective, of course, so it's hard to say one was more beautiful than the other...

But, we do know that now the 911s are *much* more valuable... So I guess they would have been the better investment.

V2Rocket

longer gears FTW
944NA needs 3rd gear to hit 60...unless you have really large diameter tires (effectively gearing up, but added weight of larger tire makes for slower acceleration)

951 gearbox will do over 70 in 2nd gear

jr10cross

Thanks for the correction about the 911 tranny. I viewed some reviews on the 930.

I just want to know what happened to the perception of the 944. Did the 924 damage the reputation that much? Or, was it that people respected it less because of it's attainability? You know the Audi A4 syndrome, buy a car that costs $100+ for an oil change > blow the engine because you don't change the oil > car is a piece of junk because you didn't maintain it?

I mean I bought my 944 for $850 and I make a 72 mile round trip commute to Ann Arbor when I want to (2-3 times a week). Mine was not well maintained. When people asked me in the past about my project car, I would say I have a "Porsche, just a 944." I really need to drop the "just" part. It seems like the smarter decision has always been the 944, but the safe bet was the 911. I don't think I ever want a 911. I can afford to buy and maintain one now, but it just doesn't seem like the intellectual decision if you're buying within similar years. What's the fun in the safe decision that everyone else goes for. I really wish Porsche made another 944!

Noahs944

With rev limit bumped to 7000 my '88 n/a would kiss 60mph.

jr10cross

Well there you go. I have 16" S2 rims on mine. Maybe that is helping me see 60 in 2nd. I'm going to remove the cat and try some 0-60 runs to see how much loss is experienced with the larger tires.

odonnell

A lot of people have made comments to me (almost all of them middle aged men) along the lines of, "oh those are the ones with the VW engines." Ok what Porsche do YOU have?

>whenever people who spent $30k+ on their sports car tell me "those aren't real Porsches"



Similar here. I usually say "it's a 4 cyl hatchback from the 80s" or if they hear the Porsche, I say "it's not one of the collectible ones right now."

jr10cross

LOL hilarious!

Per vers

"it's a 4 cyl hatchback from the 80s" I just love that.

I call mine "the VW"

But to **** the 911 guys off, you just have to mention that the 944 is:

Lower
Wider
Shorter
Longer wheel base
Bigger booth
Better heating
Better comfort
Same power
Same weight
Much better price

dmjames

Also, can you do this with a 911?


Upright bass, amp, extra speaker cabinet, assorted music gear, and room for more!

jr10cross

All good points. It was like the 2nd chance to replace the 911. The 928 didn't take off right away so they tried the 944 (technically it was the replacement for the 914, but they were trying to get buyers into the concept of the front engine). Buyers just didn't get the point and decided to keep buying the less capable vehicle. So Porsche had to keep designing around the flaws of the 911. They gave the people what they wanted, but it seemed not the direction of the company who was smart enough to make the cars they loved in the first place. They didn't trust Porsche.

Now we have these cars (rear and mid-engine) that are tremendously difficult to maintain, with extreme repair costs (IMS). The 944 is really easy to work on compared to a 911. Could we imagine where Porsche would be if customer loyalty and sales for the 944 reflected it true value?

jr10cross

I couldn't fit my daughter's BMW i8 power-wheel in my volvo s60R, but it actually fits in the back of my 944. I thought about doing it for a moment but 1 my wife would kill me for put our 3 year old in the back seat of the "the death trap" as she calls it and 2 it would look rather ridiculous pulling up to the playground. LOL

Flammulator

Shhh, they might hear us, realize their folly, and start jacking up the prices...

Kidding aside, I'd be lying if I said I didn't want an SC, or any aircooled 911 really. But, considering the advantages the 944 has in practicality, efficiency (not that I can say I ever really strive for max mpgs driving the 944), insurance rates, handling, etc, and the fact you can buy a solid example for considerably less than any new car, it's hard for me to see justifying buying a 911. (I could just get like 5 944s and have plenty of cash left...)

That said, to me the appeal of the aircooled cars isn't really about performance. Just sitting in an SC feels completely different to a 944. The 944s gear selection feels pretty modern and direct. Not as clicky as most 6 speeds currently being built, but completely different to the feeling of rowing through the 915 mounted on the floor. Then you have the clutch and brake pedals hinged from above on the 944, like every other car I've driven. There are countless bits of design on the 911 (placement of the ignition, the oil filter being exposed in the engine bay) that I appreciate just for them being a bit out of the ordinary. It just makes it clear they were thinking about why they should put things in certain places. I think of it as a similar appeal to a mechanical watch. Seeing the gears move is interesting, though in terms of accuracy, you're better off with a quartz mechanism.

Per vers

When I bought my 944. I was actually looking for a 911.

I spend a lot of time surfing on the internet. looking for 911'ns
And one thing kept coming up.
911 owners kept saying " I had a 944/924 once. Great car, still miss it"

jr10cross

I agree with your points Flammulator. I'm convinced we have a nice secret with this model. Don't get me wrong, I still like a lot of aspect of the 911, I just think that the praise is a little too high against other models.

Agreed,I keep thinking if I replacement the 944, I'll regret it @Per vers