944 Market
- Thread starter ChasR
- Start date
MartinRS2K
Active member
I looked for a 968 Turbo S car but couldn't find one for sale anywhere, rarer than rocking horse poo [
]George Elliott
New member
I'd agree parts get cheaper to produce, that's engineering progress and manufacturing efficiency where engineering integrity and standards are maintained. No problem with any of that. 991 GT3 engines perhaps illustrate my disappointment George 944t
Rtwoodstock
New member
So, the upshot is that good 944s are gradually drifting up in value and the rubbish ones are slowly dropping out of the market. And buy the one that you can afford that has had the most money spent on it in relatively recent times. But, you probably shouldn't buy on the basis of the market moving up. You should buy to enjoy and its helpful that at least (providing you're not being daft about it) that if you do have to spend money on it that you're not throwing it into a car that will only ever be £2k. I'm not mechanical at all (at all) but am now on my 4th 944 (but my first S2) and probably because I'm not capable of doing much (if any real) work myself I've always bought well looked after cars with best history I can afford. From speaking to people (and of course there is always the element of just bad luck that you can't legislate for) it seems that many of the horror money pit stories come from not following the basic rules about buying any car. In addition, it seems that a lot of these cars have been bought often by people who can afford to buy them but perhaps not afford to maintain them which then go back onto the market and don't help the 944 reputation. The S2 I currently have - I bought for 4,250 in April - And although hadn't been used much in recent years had been serviced once a year with JMG. Was a one owner car with a total of 103,000 on it. As it was due for a belt change it went straight in to Pro-9 who did the belts and swapped out any obvious perished bits of rubber that they could see and had a full service (again with bits and pieces replaced including back box of the exhaust. In total about 1,200 and will need an MOT/service shortly to round out the year where there will be couple of other bits (linkage; steering column wear) to sort. But, in the meantime, that car has done 10,000 miles including two 3,500 miles jaunts round Europe. And has not missed a beat whilst at the same returning on average 30.04 mpg. So, in short it is hard to argue that providing you stick to the basic rules of buying any car a solid 944 represents some of the best bang for your buck available. But, you have to be able and prepared to invest say roughly 2k a year on keeping it that way and thats if all goes well. But these cars even assuming they don't increase in value are well depreciated out the overall cost of ownership is reasonable for what you're getting. And lastly, having owned the common variants I would always now plump for the S2.
Suffolk944
Moderator
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MartinRS2K
Active member
Well worded Rtwoodstock []
]
simkin911
New member
Lots of good points made above. I guess it's also worth mentioning that low mile 'expensive' cars may still require the same annual outlay and that you shouldn't under estimate the cost of proper body repairs & paint though it may not necessarily be reason to not buy an otherwise good car.
Rtwoodstock
New member
That is so true. Again, with the caveat of my lack of mechanical skills/knowledge and just from my own experience apart from the stuff that you know you have to do dependant on mileage much of the bits and pieces I have additional bills for at services and occasionally in-between often relate directly/indirectly to some rubber 'something' having perished - and that of course is simply time dependent.
Suffolk944
Moderator
Well no one can get everything right [ORIGINAL: zcacogp Quite agree with Mr Woodstock (or Mr Tobin, to be accurate.) Especially on this point:
]Steve, I think you are right. Currently I am deliriously happy with my S2 and have no intention of changing, but if something terrible was to happen to it then I'd seriously consider a 968 as a replacement. I'm not sold on the looks (the 944 is a prettier car) but they are meant to be as good to drive as an S2 and slightly newer. Jon - I disagree; Mr Woodstock seems to have a remarkably sound grasp on reality, and I applaud him for it! [] Oli.
] Oli.
Rtwoodstock
New member
Yes, very much particular to me and the sort of journeys my car largely does - mostly long European hauls. For me at least I find the S2 has more useable real world power through the range. If I had a weekend car for occasional blasts then a Turbo is, of course, very hard to resist.
Shark
New member
968 has more torque and is geared differently, and has 6 speed and the cabins took a hit in finish (many are cloth, no leather sports seats etc). Aside that, when inside it, you could be in your old S2. Does drive differently though. Drives better and it's quicker. I just want my car for use in the odd dry nice day for a blast. I have always loved turbo charged cars since my first escort rs 20years ago. Hence the 951. A 968 would be more practical and easier to drive more often. Another analogy - The wife could drive an S2 or a 968 but she'd struggle with a Turbo
Rtwoodstock
New member
Would be very interested in 968 for the sort of journeys I do - and have looked at a couple over time but never quite found the right car at the right combination of condition;history; spec and cost at the time I've been looking. And, of course, in reality to get a 968 of similar condition; spec; history etc etc would likely cost more like 12 or 13k rather than the 4 I paid for this S2. Definitely for consideration though. Though have to say do prefer the look of the 944 but maybe just because am so used to it. And I am perhaps irrationally attached to my 944.
Tried a 968 after having a few 944's, maybe nicer mechanically but nowhere near as pretty as a 944, I think the 968 models are harder to sell as they are a bit forgotten, backed up by conversations I've had with a few dealers, they have to be very cheap. I found they suffered terribly from stone chipping and the build/finish was nowhere near 944 quality. I'd have a 968CS but it would have to be a non sunroof with no rear seat, in a solid colour to help hide stone chips [] Cheers, Paul
] Cheers, Paul
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