944 compared to 968

[Neil Haughey]

ORIGINAL: 944 man

Even the floor is different Neil - where it covers the transaxle (and the redundant bellhousing in the five speed cars).

Good point, I have a seam there that goes straight across the shell and needs a little treating for a touch of corrosion on the edge of the seam. Not sure but I don't remember seeing this seam on the 44 shell.

A point about weight, something I have talked to Kev Eacock about is the construction differences, the 68 looks and feels much more solid around the bulkheads, areas where the suspension mounts but conversely it definitely seems more susceptible to bent floor syndrome because the floor is no stronger then in the S2, perhaps weaker. I don't know for sure but I suspect the 68 shell is heavier despite having less steel at each end.

968 race cars are faster then S2 race cars despite the 968 having to run 225 wide tyres as opposed to the S2's 245 wide tyres (PCGB Championship specs), and much more weight. No matter how you cut it the 968 is a faster car.

 

[robwils]

Hi guys, seems I opened up an old debate, sorry.
Interesting reading this and yet more knowledge for me to pick up on.
I didn't know what a 968 was tbh until I saw one for sale localish to me.

It seems a good price (8K) and I can just stretch to it. Went to see it last night and to me seemed bigger / heavier etc. but I have only driven the LUX and sat as passenger in turbo.
Again passenger this time, but its quick enough for me. I don't have anything really fixed in terms of what I want (turbo etc) (apart from a good car at a good price), buts that what we all want. Would like things like aircon and the car in red or silver, but wouldn't let this be a deal breaker for right car.

Just a debate for myself whether its worth the extra money over a 944 to me (as always there's other things to spend the cash on in our household [&:])

Read a few comments like there maintenance is a bit higher in various places though which is a slight concern as I'm no mechanic.
Thanks again for all comments.

 

[sawood12]

ORIGINAL: poprock

The 968 is an S2 that was developed further, it's naturally a slightly better car.

Not sure I agree with that. In reality it is not any better or worse in terms of performance. It carries over the same suspension and brakes so no development there, and though the engine is a bit more powerfull it sounds like that extra power has not really translated itself into significantly noticeable improvement in performance. It boils down at the end of the day to subjective things like looks.

Personally if my budget stretched to a 968 i'd buy a decent 944 turbo and bolt on KW suspension and a Vitesse stage 3 kit!!

 

[Suffolk944]

ORIGINAL: robwils


It seems a good price (8K) and I can just stretch to it. 

Only thing I would say to that is that with any 944/968 new purchase you should always budget for £1k and maybe a bit more for the first year of ownership to put various things right (even if the car you buy is a good example). So if you are stretching to £8K it might well be worth looking to get a an excellent S2 or a very good Turbo for a couple of grand less and keep the rest as the contingency fund. Just my opinion of course. []

 

[jasonp]

hiya all, totally agree with jon [suffolk944], make sure to keep a few quid back especially if like me? you dont do your own "spannering", good luck with your search as for the 944vs968, i personally like the shape of the 944 more then the 968 but that would not put me off buying one in the future,maybe! regards jason p

 

[MarkK]

I had a 968 CS for a year or so back in 2000 (after owning a 944 turbo) with M030 diff and suspension,Big reds,i ran it on track days on Full slicks,the thing i loved was the speed you could enter the bends at,the thing that drove me mad was the lack of grunt.This is why i went "backwards" to the 944 turbo.
As a road car but especially as a race car/track car so far i am really impressed with what such an old design is capable of,it really is suprisingly fast against cars that people would take for granted as being quicker.It is a underated dark horse,i love that.....

 

[Copperman05]

There's no doubt the 968 is the more modern looking car, although I find the more curvy lines of the 968 have muted the aggresive stance the 944 is famous for. Generally speaking the 968 also seems to have been slightly less abused over the years, helped by the fact that is it the younger car and its higher resale value has probably priced out many penny pinching owners, and it shows.

If you like the looks and can afford it the 968 is probably the better car overall, but for value for money the 944 just cant be beat.

Edd

 

[TTM]

I would love the 968 if the 944 hadn't existed. Very nice shape that somewhat ages better than the 944... but that's it.
In terms of driving there is little to no gain, gearbox ratios were made impossibly short to compensate for a lack of grunt that wasn't - if any - improved when the 3L lump received Variocam.

I can imagine myself owning a 968 cab later in my life for the odd B-road sunny ballad - on French roads it would be a disgrace, wouldn't it Oli - but not a coupe (at least not one without a turbo).

 

[robwils]

Cheers guys, I'm going to keep an open mind and hoping to arrange a few viewings of each over the coming week / weekend.[]
and hopefully find a good one.
My budget could stretch a lot if I found a really good car and I could sell the mini first.

 

[Fat Albert]

A friend of mine had a 968 and it was a lovely car, I think 911 & Porsche World summed it up nicely:

968 was 10% better than an S2 for around double the price

 

[rcsalmons]

Stating the obvious but if you want power/tunability 944 turbo every time.

S2 / 968 very similar in every way though I would say the ride on the 968 is slightly better (standard suspension on both), I like the 6 speed box though often find myself forgeting to use 6th but ultimately I think it is down to which you like the look of.

I would say running costs are similar between an S2 and 968 though I dont think the sill rust issues are there on a 968 due better drainage and the rear part of the sill not being there on a 968.

Rich

 

[robwils]

ORIGINAL: rcsalmons

Stating the obvious but if you want power/tunability 944 turbo every time.

S2 / 968 very similar in every way though I would say the ride on the 968 is slightly better (standard suspension on both), I like the 6 speed box though often find myself forgeting to use 6th but ultimately I think it is down to which you like the look of.

I would say running costs are similar between an S2 and 968 though I dont think the sill rust issues are there on a 968 due better drainage and the rear part of the sill not being there on a 968.

'Less Rust' bit sounds good.[]
Like the look of both to be honest, 944 more aggresive I think with better 'pop up lights style'.[8D]
Got my eye on a few of each now and arranging some more viewings over the next week.
The search continues, must admit speaking to a few people who have said it took months - even a year doesn't fill me with joy[&:]



Rich