andrew911

I always loved the shape of the original 944- preferably a 1985 1/2 with the updated suspension/interior. I wouldn't want one in place of my 911, but if I had the space I'd love a clean unmolested one- especially given the relatively low price. Last year someone locally was selling a low mileage (20-30K miles) 1987 or so and I thought about it, but I'm out of space. As it is now, I've got 3 cars in a 2 car garage (one on a lift) since the VW is up from the beach "visting", and 2 cars in the driveway since I'm baby sitting a car while my parents are in Florida for the winter and my daily driver is out there...these cars are like kids...ha!

doug751

Yes they look cool. I miss mine. If it were Silver or Blue I would have kept it forever as a daily driver. The hatch back was great. It was smooth and stable on the freeway at high speeds. The AC worked awsome, almost too good. The down sides were the cheap interior, the rattles and squeaks and the poor ride and drivetrain lash at low speeds. As you picked up speed, those issues went away. As a result, I always found myself driving way too fast with the windows down!

I do like my 964 much better though, and did not have room for 2 toys, so I sold the 968.

TR6

+1 I have a soft spot for the 944 since it was the first Porsche that I seriously lusted after as an adult (I had a poster of the first generation red 944 handing in my cubicle at work in the early 80's). I wanted one so bad I couldn't stand it, but the price tag was wayyyyyy out of reach for a poor young twenty something working his way through college. Later in the mid 90's, I looked at some used ones, but it wasn't practical at the time with young children, etc. I still think about getting one sometimes just for grins. I know it would be disappointing performance compared to my 964, but it would probably be more civil for daily use, I think. I think I'd want an S2 rather than a turbo. While I agree that the 968 is the ultimate technical evolution of the 944, I still don't know that I prefer its revised body design over the classic 944 styling. Just personal preference.

cobalt

Unbelievable, I was told it would definitely be in this issue.

Well I sold the car anyhow.

The S2 was the best NA 944 made. It had the classic turbo lines and a nice 3.0 l 16v engine. Power is down from the 968 at 208 vs 24x of the 968. The 944S2/968 and 944S2 all weigh about the same +/- 50 pounds each but the 964 is a faster car with more torque and a larger 3.6 l flat 6 vs a 3.0l inline 4. There is little that can be done with the 944 S2 and 968 to improve power. Chips and other performance aids may bump power by 5-12 hp but it is too costly to bring it up beyond that. Unlike the 964 which can be improved upon much easier.

I have a friend that has built a 968 turbo using factory components. Very nice car and quite fast, would definitely own one if it was economical . You could also purchase a modified 964 turbo, 993TT or 997TT for what he has into it.

I really liked my S2, fun car and for the money you can't go wrong. Although the 968's were better built cars they still suffered from many of the same shortcomings the 944's did and if you have the money to step up to the 964 I would not think twice. Although if I were buying a cab I would have a hard time since I think the 968 makes a better cab than a 964 and the lines of the 968 cab with the roof down are quite special. But I have little need for a cab so i don't have to make that decision.

Chris M.

He liked it enough to use some of it's cues on the 993. Look at a 993 and 968 from the front and they're pretty similar.
There is a 968 owner in our local PCA region and a big plus over the 964 is that he can fit his track wheels inside the car, impossible in the 964 (unless you want zero visibility and nothing else in the car), I tried.

ltc

Even before the 993, Harm liked the look enough to put it on the factory slantnose 964 Turbo:
http://www.flachbau.com/1994s.html

IMHO, the most beautiful 911 EVER produced.

Also FWIW, IIRC, rennlist members Jack Olsen (911) and Dave Swenson (968) carry 4 tires on roof racks attached to the rain gutters. There have been pictures posted on rennlist.

cobalt

I don't know about that Chris. I just tried fitting 4 wheels and tires in the 944. With the roll bar it was all that would fit and it did obstruct side and rear view visibility. I guess without the bar it would be much easier.

There is a guy at our autocross events that comes in a 993TT and he fits his wheels inside the 993 and it uses larger wheels so they should fit in a 964. Although I would not attempt it myself.

TR6

I know this is blasphemy on Rennlist and is certainly off topic, but if I were spending what a nice low mileage 968 or 944 turbo costs, I might be looking hard at a BMW M Coupe as an alternative. You can get a 99 or 00 model for high teens to low 20's. Again, just personal preference. They are a blast to drive. Little hot rods with gobs of tire scorching low end torque from a 3.2 straight six. Zero to 60 in 5.2 seconds. Or, if you are into ragtops, get the roadster version which can be found for probably even less money (roadsters are more common). Of course, I would still take my RS America over the BMW any day.

cobalt

Your right is is BLASPHEMY!!!

Just kidding. Actually the M coupe is sweet little toy and can do some serious damage at autocross events.

JJJMCD

I read the article and the only thing that came as a surprise was the assertion that they're in the somehow in the same price bracket. Maybe I'm off, but I think you need at least $22k to get a nice, normal mileage 964 coupe, while you need no more than $15k to buy a 968 coupe in comparable condition with comparable mileage. I also think that, consistent with other non-911 Porsches, the 968 will continue to depreciate to zero while 964 prices will continue to hold firm or even appreciate.

cobalt

I agree with you on the first part but as far as 968 depreciating to zero is way wrong. There is a fair amount of interest in these models and only a small quantity produced. I think you will find both the 968 and the 964 have hit their low in the market and if anything the 968 will increase in value while only the better kept 964's will stay about where they are or inch up slightly.