944 mongrel or 911 Carrera 3.2 ?

[ocallen]

Am in a bit of a quandry, I'm getting my 944 sorted as I intended to do and would eventually fit a S2 engine or do I go for the 911 that I've been given first option on ?

First my 944: 1986 oval dash 2.5 lux, graphite grey, linen leather with Sparco Evo driver's seat retrimmed in linen leather, sun roof, Momo Prototipo, Spax sports and lowered suspension, Alpine cd with ipod connection, genuine Fuchs 7 & 8 x 16 wheels and Toyo tyres, rear wiper and rear seat delete, new standard braking, belts etc done 2k miles ago, new alternator, present engine very sweet, drives perfectly, gone through by Bob Watson at the beginning of the year and any replacements needed dealt with, just MOTed, no rust, sills very good, body has a few small dents but I don't get too precious there as I don't want to get paranoid about parking as I use it most days, plans for the engine, GTS headlamps and badge panel.

The 911 is a 1988 coupe with Sports pack in dark blue met, black leather interior, sun roof, owned by present owner 8 years or so but not used regularly over the last year as he has other more expensive cars, bodywork ok but not concours but don't know whats underneath or in the panels as yet. I wouldn't leave as standard but initially probably do suspension, brakes and small power increase.

I'm just doing another house move and do not have the space for both cars. I know that the 911 is going to cost me about £8k to change over and who knows how much to put into the condition the 944 is in or will be if I persevere with my plans.

Which is going to be the better drive and which should I go for ? I know that saved money could go into a new kitchen or conservatory but I would feel a bit of a prat sitting in either of those in my Bell helmet.

 

[zcacogp]

They are two very different cars - will be different to drive and to own, and very different in costs.

What do you want from the car? What will you want to do with it? Daily driver/track toy/other?


Oli.

ETA: Not in the spirit of this forum, but whenever I choose between car and house as a place to spend money, I choose the house everytime. Any other choice never seems to make sense.

 

[ocallen]

Daily driver, occasional track toy, something to be constantly making my personal expression through my upgrading.

 

[craig2105]

This is a toughie. I really want to get back in a 911 again as soon as possible, but on the other hand I've grown to become quite fond of my 944. So it'd have to be both!

They're such different cars though. I use my 944 all the time, but got so precious about the 993 that I'd think carefully about going anywhere in it where it might be soiled in some way by the hoi polloi. Ridiculous really, but I couldn't help myself.

 

[ocallen]

I know that the two cars are going to be very different both to drive and own and costs will be very different BUT I'm just interested to hear if you guys out there say what I'm possibly thinking and that I should stay with the 944 despite the thought I've had for years that I would end up with a 911 again.

This one has been offered to me and I've known about it for a while and will I regret it if I let it go ? The colour is right for me, so is the spec, price and history, that's my quandry and I'm not sure what to do as I have to let the 911 owner know in the next couple of days.

 

[ocallen]

You're right Craig, I should have both but if I did the 911 would be in my garage more and then I couldn't justify having it.

 

[sawood12]

A very tough decision and along the lines of what i've been pondering for some time. I think it is fair to say that if you do decide to jump ship then don't expect the 911 to suddenly blow you out of the water. It will be different to the 944 and press different buttons. It would be nice if you could somehow keep both for a limited time to give them a good back-to-back try out before having to sell one.

 

[944 man]

911 without a doubt. I have a longer history with 944s than many, but a 3.2 Carrera would win every time for me.

 

[944 man]

Yes, and different rear lamps and reflector too. 915 boxes arent really that bad though: yes the hydraulic clutch is easier to use, but your left leg soon builds up with a 915....

 

[ocallen]

I thought that I would get somebody like Peter Morgan do a pro inspection and that would discover horrors before I find them in ownership and might prove a negotiating point. Being a family friend the present owner wouldn't want later embaressment and initially I wouldn't want to negotiate or try and chip the price believing everything to be sound.

 

[ocallen]

Thought I would use somebody like Peter Morgan do a pro inspection.

 

[Elliot]

I would keep both.

 

[ocallen]

Unfortunately I don't think I have that option. So far I'm being told that I should go for the 911 or keep both, is that the view of most ?

 

[sawood12]

O'Callen, I don't think we can answer this question for you, but just tell you what it is about the two cars that appeals to each of us. I confess I was one of those that bought a 944 as a stepping stone into Porsche 911 ownership, but have been completely bowled over by the 944. It is a much under-rated model. However, if you're after a soulfull car then the 911 will give you that in bucket-loads, as I personally don't think the 944 is particularly soul-full. Personally I am after performance, therefore the 944 will always win out over an early 911. If I were to jump ship i'd be looking to 993 or later as I think you need to go that late to get a 911 with the blend of performance attributes to match a 944 due to the introduction of double wishbone rear suspension with the 993 taming the 911's wayward handling. For me I think i'd find the handling of the earlier 911's a bit too exciting (in the wrong sense of the word) such that i'd be too afraid to explore the cars limits, but if you want that aircooled flat-six howl behind you sending the hairs on the back of your neck on end then you need to jump ship and give the 3.2 Carerra a go as no 944 will do that for you. They do sound gorgeous, but for me I am looking for something different than a soundtrack.

 

[usermjg]

The question your really asking is will i regret turning down a 911? From my own experience the 911 isnt as good as a 944 (i owned a 924S for 10 years), and when i purchased my 911, i must admit at first I hated it (never meet your heros). I can only sum it up like this: My 924S is like a gun, quite modern nice to drive but alittle remote, the 911 is like a sword, its not complicated, basic even but you have to look it in the eye and wrestle it to drive it, and once your comfortable with that there really isnt anything else even the 944. For me it took 2 years to settle in to 911 ownership, my advise get the 911 drive it love it, and if you have enough money left over keep the 944 as well, both cars are wonderful in very different ways. I know one day i will get a 924S/944 to join the 911 but the 911 will stay.

Marc

 

[ocallen]

Soul and character seem to be used regularly to describe the 911, maybe that is what they are about ?

 

[ocallen]

is anybody running a 911 of any sort and a 944/968 and how do they rate the experience ?

 

[usermjg]

ORIGINAL: ocallen

is anybody running a 911 of any sort and a 944/968 and how do they rate the experience ?

As i metioned above, up until recently i was the proud owner of both a 2.7, 911 and a 924S. Before i purchased the 911 i asked the same question and got a little annoyed when people only remarked with the answer "There both very different cars to own and drive". The problem is they are, its very difficult to really sum up into words the differences, however from moving from a 924S into a 911 was a little disapointment I thought the 911 would be so much more, and it just wasnt, dont get me wrong now i have got use to it, its the 924S I have sold, its a real love affair you like it for all the good points but you have to love it for all its faults. Its the smell, the sound and the drive, your made very aware of where the engine is and how it handles. One of the biggest highlights for me, is you feel special when driving it you know all eyes are on you. The 911 gets far more attension than my 924s ever did and i guess thats part of it too. I repeat what i said earlier if you have the chance to own a 911 do it. You might not like it at first but you wont regreat it, well unless the tin worm has got there first.