924Board.org

[Chris71]

Hi,

I'm new to the board, so first of all, hello

I used to own a late 924S and I'm looking to get something similar again, the question is do I go for a 924S or a 944?

I was always under the impression the 924S was lighter than the basic 8 valve 944 and therefore quicker, but all the figures I've seen recently (such as http://www.connactivity.com/~kgross/FAQ/944faq02.html) say this is not in fact, the case.

My 924 was a little 'tired' and I don't know how many of it's flaws were due to that and how many (if any) were inherant to the design.

Anyway, I'm looking for a car that'll be fun to drive, reasonably quick and also capable of covering fairly large distances every day in all weathers! Assuming I can't afford an S2/turbo that leaves the Porsche options as.....

924S, early 2.5 944, later 2.5 944, 944S, 2.7 944

Which one offers the best combination of performance and everyday reliability/practicality?

Chris.
_________________
(ex) 1988 924S

[Chris71]

PS Keep seeing adverts for 3.0 944's which aren't advertised as S2's? Anyone know if they made a lux (or similar) spec 3.0 in europe?
_________________
(ex) 1988 924S

[gohim]

From an engine prospective, all the 2.5L and larger engines are about the same.

When properly maintained, they should all have about the same reliability.

Maintenance schedules are about the same with the exception of the added expense of maintaining the chain tensioner on the 16V cars.

The performance specs for the engine are not that different either (except for Turbos and 16V).

[edh]

Chris

Any 3.0's will be S2's - and will be significantly quicker.

You didn't say what your budget was - that's important. ~2K gets you a decent 924S or 2.5 944. there's even a couple of S2's on pistonheads.com for under 3k. 3K gets you a good late model 2.5 or S. This 2.7 looks very nice and has A/C - quite rare for UK cars. (Even rarer to find it working and a real benefit if you're going to do lots of miles this summer.) http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/160541.htm

My top tips:

I don't think there's much difference between any of those cars - better to buy on condition.

Buy a car that's used regularly, not a low miler that only does 500 miles a year.

Buy a car from an enthusiast who knows the model & is likely to have kept on top of the maintenance

Look out for rust - plenty of UK cars are now rusting badly in the sills. (don't buy one that has lived by the sea )

I prefer the look of the 924 body, but the oval dash 944 is a nicer interior IMHO. As a daily driver, my 924S was more pleasant than my current 944 turbo.

944 16V models (S and S2) have some fairly serious camshaft / sprocket / chain / tensioner issues - avoid one that hasn't been thoroughly checked, or had new cams recently. As well as tensioner issues, case hardening on the cam sprockets is now failing & teeth are breaking off. (there are plenty for sale with recent cams). Avoid anyone who doesn't know about this issue unless you pay someone to take off the cam cover & check.
_________________
current - '90 944S2, '00 986S,
ex - '90 944 turbo '86 924S, '88 924S

[dgz924s]

944 faster than a 924S ....BS! same engine specs and the 924S is lighter by a little but more streamline which gives it the edge. Also a different 5th gear which is not on the 944 until late. It is the desired gear too.

3.0L is only on the 968 which is the 944 body with a different front facia/fenders.

2.7L 944na is rare in 8V but common in 16V and pricey as Gohim stated and a PITA at that....imho.

951 are different animals same engine different CR..lower.

CR's....vary from early to late...9.5:1 up to 10.2:1....some early are 10.6:1 euro and the 10.9:1 for an 89 engine@2681cc...all others are 2479cc
_________________
Dal Glassinger

[edh]

Dal - don't forget we may have got different specs in the UK

I've never had them back to back, but on the road I bet there's not much difference between 24S and 44 - probably more important is the general health of the car after 20 years.

Interestingly my '86 24S was lower geared than my '88 - no idea why. Given the choice I'd go for the '88 with the higher compression engine (and inertia reel rear belts).

AFAIK, 944S is a 2.516V, They didn't make a 2.7 16V, but went to the 3.0 instead with the turbo body.

I didn't realise that the 3.0 944S2 didn't make it to the US though...
_________________
current - '90 944S2, '00 986S,
ex - '90 944 turbo '86 924S, '88 924S

[dgz924s]

edh...Good point! I rarely pay attention to locations. My specs are USA. Thanks for the headsup!
_________________
Dal Glassinger

[edh]

No worries Dal

As this is 924.org, the correct answer is

buy a 924S
_________________
current - '90 944S2, '00 986S,
ex - '90 944 turbo '86 924S, '88 924S

[dgz924s]

I also thought the S was 2.5 and in 2.7 not 3.0. I must have seen a 944S bored out then, owner stated 2.7 so I assumed it was available in 2.7L.
_________________
Dal Glassinger

[9xx]

If you can find a well maintained 16V 944 S with a service history and checked / changed cam chain tensioner, then go for it rather than 8V model. Do not listen to what some people might tell you, 16V cars are not more troublesome than the 8V models.

I've owned both and I think the S model has much more fun engine.
It even sounds better!
_________________
Mikko

All gone: 931 '82 Alpine White, original option "220" G31 with LSD + 3 x 944

[Nobbi]

Hello,

simply buy a 968 and you get the strongest 3 liter power with 240 PS off all times.Also it looks nearly like a 924, but modern style...
It needs good service and isnt cheap, but on the road it beats every 911 and off course the finnladia-build boxters........

Nobbi

[StienbargerR]

I agree with Nobbi. The 968 is a really great car. They are really rare though. I would imagine the 968 would be the best since it is pretty much the newest model, and it probably has alot of 944 problems sorted out of it.

Ryan
_________________
1978 924 NA
-250lb lowering springs, Euro Pistons

[Chris71]

....I agree with him too, but sadly 968's are about three times what I can afford. Not sure (from what I've heard) they justify the premium over a good S2 either.

My budget is a little variable to be honest. After selling my current car I should have about £2.5k in my pocket, but that may go on other things or be put towards a costlier car, like an S2.

Thanks for the tips edh. I strongly agree that a well used (and looked after car) is better than a low miler thats been gathering dust. My last one came from a middle aged woman and I doubt she drove it quite the same way I did and so probably didn't notice many of the problems - just wish I'd had the chance to give it a more thurough test drive (not 30mph round suburban roads) Also wonder how many '60,000' mile cars are missing a 1 or even a 2 from the begining of that.

Maybe they changed the gear ratios when they went to the high compression engine on the 24S? What I didn't realise until I saw the figures was that the earlier 944 had the low compression engine too (where those figures were published atleast) so a late 924S would not only be lighter, but have 10hp more than an earlier 44.

The upside of the 8V 944's is to have something different this time round and also they now seem to be priced comparably to a good 24S, where as 18 months ago when I had my mine, the 944's seemed to be rather more expensive. I've also heard people argue the handling is better on the 944 because of the wider track and they're somewhat better built.

Have heard mixed reviews of the 944 S. Some say it's great. Others that it has the maintenance costs of the S2 and the performance of the 8v. I'm told the 16v is very critical on timing adjustment, so maybe there are just more poor examples out there.

Whatever I get it has to be used in all weathers for quite long distances.

PS Can anyone give me an idea of MPG and fuel tank range most people get? I think mine struggled to do more than about 180miles between fills, which was a pain on long trips, but may have been due to it's condition?

PPS Was I a bit quick to dismiss the 931? - sounds like quite a lot more complication (and turbo lag!) for 7hp more.
_________________
(ex) 1988 924S