Eric_Oz_S2

Yeah - I've sat in a 328 - even less headroom than in a 944. I don't know how an average height person could possibly fit while wearing a helmet. Also, as the article describes, the pedals are way offset to the centre (at least in the RHD version) and driving position in the 944 is better in my opinion.

JDS968

Yeah some of their complaints, like the steering wheel and shifter position, don't make a lot of sense to me, I always thought the shifter is exactly where it's supposed to be.

minho78

One of my neighbors has a yellow 360. Maybe I should go ask him If I can take it for a ride.

toddk911

If you search you can find these posted a long time ago as well as many other cool articles that other members have scanned and uploaded into threads.

Dino944

Great article! Its always entertaining to read comparisons between my two favorite brands Porsche and Ferrari. I owned a 944 for almost 17 years. It was a great everyday driver. Years ago I drove a 944 Turbo and I also got to drive a 944 Turbo S and they were just tremendous fun! They were my dream cars for a potential daily driver years ago just because you could really use them everyday, transport things, and other people in comfort at speed. There was a great article in Automobile Magazine around 1989 comparing a 944 Turbo (which in 89 had the S specs) with a 911/930 Turbo and that was a great article to read also. In that article the 944 Turbo got great ratings and IIRC was the more practical and easier to drive, but if money and practicality were not at issue they would have given the nod the the 911 Turbo.

As an owner of a 328GTS, the cars are really too drastically different to compare. The 944 Turbo S can really be driven everyday, it has plenty of storage space, you can park it most places without worrying too much, and its not a work out to drive. The 328 is a great Sunday driver. In fact of the other 328 owners I know none of them use it for daily driving. Its fun to take on winding roads, with the windows down and enjoying that engine scream as you reach higher RPM ranges. Its nimble, and relatively quick for its age, but at low speeds steering is heavy, and its not really suited for long distance as there is no cruise control and the interior is rather "cozy." You do get used to the shifter and what they describe as a heavy clutch.

Overall, a Ferrari 328 seems more suited to a comparison with a 911 Carrera 3.2 or a 930 (although the Turbo is quicker particularly when the Turbo has spooled up) as each is the last of that type of car the 328 (last body on frame 308/328) and the 911 3.2 & 930 were the last what some consider the "original 911s as 964s and 993s got heavier, had power steering etc). The 911 3.2 & 930 both lack power steering, and do not have modern HVAC systems, and and give up some level of creature comforts for performance. Also the 328 and the 911 3.2 & 930 still have the feel of more hand workmanship than what you find in later Porsches of Ferraris, and production numbers were much lower than what you will find today for modern Ferraris or 997s.

As for driving a Ferrari 355 or 360 both are great but neither are a fair comparison to a Porsche or Ferrari of the 80s. The 355 & 360s feel far more modern, larger, and have more creature comforts and may lend themselves to be better daily drivers (at least compared to Fcars of the 80s). As for the guy who suggested driving a Testarossa or a 512, those are much larger cars that are more GT cars than a 328. They are much wider, much heavier, and lot less nimble. Just my 2 cents.

I have not given up on the idea of someday getting a 944 Turbo or Turbo S...just need more time, $ , and garage space! So hopefully someday.
Best regards,
Dino

DanaT

It really hard to compare modern supercars with 80s supercars. Yesterday my friend stopped by with his scuderia and we went out for a little spin. Really, there is no comparison between that car and 944T (either cost wise or in any other sense).

Keep in mind a 944T is great...for a 1980s semi-supercar.

-Dana

racerxrick

racerx (no, not me) did a great job of archiving this and more

http://members.rennlist.org/951_racerx/

Dino944

I only brought up the 355 and 360 because others suggested people they know have them and wanted to drive them as a comparison. I think its really impossible to fairly compare cars that are 15-20 years apart in production, just because technology and standards change so drastically over the years.

I agree, the 944 Turbo and Turbo S are great cars. The experience I had driving them was a fantastic. Thats why I'd like to own one at some point.
Best regards,
Dino

sebastian944

Thanks for your review! Amazing that a 328 owner has chimed in!! It's real nice to hear from real owners than from a car reviewer who only went for a test drive. I would love to see your car.. If only to record the engine sound and take a few videos and pictures.

sebastian944

Thanks!! bookmarked!!!

sebastian944

I like the 318tb too!

The 360 is nice too, but the appeal for me is the 80s and 90s designs.

The F40 is the ultimate car too...

JDS968

I think you misunderstood me, I wasn't suggesting the Testarossa or 512 as a direct comparison to the 944 Turbo S.

RolexNJ

Absolutely. But the F40 LM was da bomb. Also was the F50 GT1. I've seen this in action. Watch the video, and crank up the volume....



http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H0M73...eature=related

Dino944

My mistake. In my haste of reading a bunch of the posts I thought you were suggesting it as a comparison.

Dino944

Glad you enjoyed reading my thoughts on the cars. In my opinion, the 944 Turbo and 944 Turbo S are among the most underappreciated cars. For me they are still head turners and a perfect blend of useability and performance.

If you find youself in the New England area I'd be happy to meet you at a cars and coffee event and let you snap some photos or video. In your area the best way to see Fcars is to check ferrarichat.com regional sections. There are some Fcars in the Toronto area and there are often GTGs, cars and coffee etc. At least in my area cars and coffee events tend to get a nice mix of Ferraris, Porsches, Lotus and a few others. Most owners are happy to let people snap some photos or video their cars.

Best regards,
Dino