Round and round - 924S/944/951

[earlybay]

I seem to have been going round i circles recently in terms of getting an inexpensive fun road/track day car - lots of options but have decided it has to be a Porsche ...

started looking at 944 turbos but now ruled out on expense/complexity...

Also originally I was very anti-924 but now realised the 924S is a very attractive option ...

But I think after having looked around I will target either a 944S or standard 2.5 944 - target price of around £2,000 ...

Car will be used on the road regularly but also fun car to do a few track days and maybe sprint/hillclimb or two ...

Im very into the whole 'less is more' approach to performance - ie lightening, but I keep seeing cars that look too good to start stripping bits out !!!

any words of wisdom appreciated ...

 

[chrisg]

Hi there !

Would agree with your sentiments regarding a Turbo - lots to go wrong but lots of boooooost....

IMHO having owned and tracked 951 and previously an S2 the latter could serve you very well;

1. Good brake setup with 4pot brembos all round
2. Engine strong and reliable (provided you look after it AND have the cam chain and pads checked/sorted)
3. Lots of suspension, brake and engine (minor tweaks) available should you wish to tinker.
4. Yes, less power than either of the turbo versions - but you can still have a lot of fun and it you want to go faster quicker - strip lots of weight out via seats, interior trim etc

Bottom line, irrespective of purchase price you will be buying a car > 20yrs old and will need to maintain and pamper it if you want to be reliable and pass its MOT.

Chris

 

[Lowtimer]

Personally if wanting a good value low budget car I would go for a standard 2.5 Lux or a late 924S rather than a 944S. The extra complexity and fragility of the 944S are not really worth it as in practical terms they don't really accelerate any harder than the other 2.5 litre normally aspirated cars.

 

[earlybay]

ORIGINAL: Lowtimer

Personally if wanting a good value low budget car I would go for a standard 2.5 Lux or a late 924S rather than a 944S. The extra complexity and fragility of the 944S are not really worth it as in practical terms they don't really accelerate any harder than the other 2.5 litre normally aspirated cars.

yes I think thats the way Im heading - all for keeping it simple so no need for the 16v ...

Nice looking 1988 944 Lux at a dealer locally to me for £2995 ....

 

[DavidL]

There's quite a nice 924 turbo on ebay for 3250.
Might be the best of both worlds?

 

[Mike_Pollock]

Not sure 924 Turbo would suit, a bit complex and a lot more delicate than a 944 turbo (older tech. etc), I'd say a standard, lightened 8v or an S2 would be the best sort of compromise for the use and budget.
S is quite a lot more complex for the minimal performance gain.
Later 8v cars can have a Promax type chip too I believe.

 

[earlybay]

Thanks for the views -pretty decided now on a standard 8v or an S2 if I can get one in budget

Just need to find a good one now !

 

[Catamax944]

if on budget the 8v is the way to go. If you can afford the little bit higher costs of a s2 it is the better car to get. There are a couple of nice s2's going cheap on ebay right now

 

[Hairyarse]

There's a nice 8V here - http://pistonheads.co.uk/sales/3750670.htm []

 

[djone101]

...and a nce 2.7 Lux here...http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/3771730.htm []

 

[wemorgan]

ORIGINAL: earlybay

any words of wisdom appreciated ...

If your budget is £2k I presume you're also looking at fitting bucket seats/harness and maybe even adjustable suspension and a roll cage?
If so you might want to consider buying a car with these fitted already, but then be willing to increase you initial outlay.
This is what I've gone and done.

Good luck with the car search and hope to see you on track one day.

 

[earlybay]

Yes would def like to do track days - not sure how far I want to go in terms of Mods - if I get one thats quite nice I might not want to start stripping it out !!

ORIGINAL: wemorgan

ORIGINAL: earlybay

any words of wisdom appreciated ...

If your budget is £2k I presume you're also looking at fitting bucket seats/harness and maybe even adjustable suspension and a roll cage?
If so you might want to consider buying a car with these fitted already, but then be willing to increase you initial outlay.
This is what I've gone and done.

Good luck with the car search and hope to see you on track one day.