944 S2 - my first Porsche?
- Thread starter duncan_956
- Start date
xenon
New member
I'll post some pictures this afternoon. All S2s have climate-control, but not necessarily A/C, as mine doesn't. I know you're thinking "what's he on about, how can you have climate without A/C?" but in the Porsche world you can. The cabin temperature is electronically controlled, like a modern car, with an internal temperature sensor. This will then regulate using motorised blender flaps to the temperature you set. Of course, with no A/C chiller it cannot cool to lower than ambient. A/C is rare on UK supplied S2s, but there are some.
Mine does have the electrical, removeable sun-roof complete with the bag. It also has the Porsche toolkit and the original Porsche tyre compressor. The collapsible spare tyre and wheel are new. These items often go missing (eBay usually sells sunroof bags and compressors for about £50 each) but my car has both.
I'm going to pitch at £4500.
Mine does have the electrical, removeable sun-roof complete with the bag. It also has the Porsche toolkit and the original Porsche tyre compressor. The collapsible spare tyre and wheel are new. These items often go missing (eBay usually sells sunroof bags and compressors for about £50 each) but my car has both.
I'm going to pitch at £4500.
You will have to forgive me as i have no idea of the standrd spec on these, do they all come with electric seats/ ararm imobiliser / remote locking etc.? Also when were the Cam Belts last changed as i have a feeling they need replacing every 60,000 miles but might have that wrong?
xenon
New member
I mentioned in the first post that the belts, tensioners and the re-tensioning have been done recently - and I wouldn't advise letting them go for 60000 before replacement. All S2s have half-electric seats (height and pitch electric, all else manual) with full-electric being an option. Remote locking was a dream in 1990 but it does have central locking and mine is fitted with a Toad immobiliser with spare fob and Thatcham Certificate.
Diver944
Active member
The rust on the wing is very, very visible in the photo and photos normally hide a multitude of sins so I would guess that is in very bad condition. A whole new wing from Porsche is circa £400, a copy wing is circa £150. There are craftsmen who have the ability to cut out the rot and fabricate a new lower wing (like Morris944S2John on this forum) but if you were paying a bodyshop I doubt you'd see much change from £300
BTW my S2 is on it's original clutch at 179k miles and it's felt heavy for the last 90k miles that we've put on it. I have a new clutch on the Turbo and it feels as light as a feather [
]morris944s2john
New member
[][] Paul, I'm flattered by being called a "craftsman". I did do the work myself and am pleased to report the repair is now undetectable after painting the whole wing.
I learnt these skills by going on a vehicle restoration night school (at Oakwood Park, Mid Kent college). I had a lot of advice from the tutor on the course who I really would call craftsman. I consider myself a mere 'apprentice" with a lot still to learn. I'm sure any of you guys could do the same if you went on a simmilar course.
179K is amazing for the original clutch. I think I destroyed mine in the first two years of ownership by too many drag starts and 6000rpm gear changes. The 2nd clutch has lasted 70,000miles, and is starting to judder now- stop start driving on the way to work.
][] Paul, I'm flattered by being called a "craftsman". I did do the work myself and am pleased to report the repair is now undetectable after painting the whole wing.I learnt these skills by going on a vehicle restoration night school (at Oakwood Park, Mid Kent college). I had a lot of advice from the tutor on the course who I really would call craftsman. I consider myself a mere 'apprentice" with a lot still to learn. I'm sure any of you guys could do the same if you went on a simmilar course.
179K is amazing for the original clutch. I think I destroyed mine in the first two years of ownership by too many drag starts and 6000rpm gear changes. The 2nd clutch has lasted 70,000miles, and is starting to judder now- stop start driving on the way to work.
pauljmcnulty
Active member
Hi David,
Yes - you have got that wrong! [&:]
Belts are officially 4 years/48k, but recommended 3 years/36k for the peace of mind.
If you look back over the last year of posts on this forum you'll learn every possible detail about the 944, what to look for and just how rewarding they are. It's worth taking the time to absorb as much as possible before you buy, as there are a huge range of cars out there from money-pits to minters, and they often look the same in the adverts!
duncan_956
New member
Paul, will give you a call over the weekend to find out about coming events and to get some more information. Have to say that this is a really good forum, and I've been impressed so far....the best that i've been on and really great for advice.
Found out that George's car has been sold.......ho hum, it looked a nice car and one I would have liked to seen. But gives me a bit more time to swat up!
Sawood12, thanks for the detailed post about fuel and brake lines, and interesting that it's cost no more than your Golf (I've got one of these), which i'll be keeping and (maybe) using the Porsche as a weekend/fun car.
So, to wet my appetite a bit, what are the good points about these cars, and what do you enjoy about ownership?
Found out that George's car has been sold.......ho hum, it looked a nice car and one I would have liked to seen. But gives me a bit more time to swat up!
Sawood12, thanks for the detailed post about fuel and brake lines, and interesting that it's cost no more than your Golf (I've got one of these), which i'll be keeping and (maybe) using the Porsche as a weekend/fun car.
So, to wet my appetite a bit, what are the good points about these cars, and what do you enjoy about ownership?
![[FONT=verdana,geneva"]](/forum/styles/default/pcgb/space.gif ". [FONT=verdana,geneva\"]")
So, to wet my appetite a bit, what are the good points about these cars, and what do you enjoy about ownership? 
morris944s2john
New member
For me, a very important point about a car is how it feels to drive. Before deciding on 944, I tried all the Japanese sports cars that were available for around the same money as I had to spend, but they all didn't do it for me. As soon as I got behind the wheel of a 944 (I can still clearly remember my first drive!) the car felt right, like a proper performance car compared to the japs. Solid, a serious car.
Driving position is spot on for me, just what I like, the 944 feels firm yet not harsh. All the controls give you feedback (missing in some of the Jap sports cars), the steering has a lot of feel for a powered rack. You can sense the grip in a 944 and when the car is about to let go on the limit (skid pan/ track only please!)
performance is great for the turbo and S2 models, 0-60 in 6 secs or less and 150mph are good figures even today. And unlike some "hot hatches", the acceleration does not let up at 60mph, my S2 can accelerate hard right up to 120mph+. (Autobahn obviously ;-) )
The practicality is a bonus, fold the rear seats down and you have a very usable loading area, with rear seats up there is enough for luggage space or the weekly grocery shop.
Economy, I was pleased to discover that the 944 S2 can easily return 30mpg+ on a run. With a little care, 32-33mpg, and if you stick to 70mph, 36mpg is possible.
Yes, round town/ commuting the economy drops into the mid 20's mpg. Still much better economy than some newer performance cars (Impreza WRX or Mazda RX8 for example).
They are also relatively simple cars compared to modern vehicles, so DIY repairs and servicing is within the capabillity of the competent home mechanic. Parts last a long time too- although they can be expensive when you need new bits. I even manage to get between 30-40k miles out of a set of tyres. My car is still on its original exhaust and suspension (although after 166K miles they are showing signs of wear).
Of course the cars look great too, especially the turbo/ S2 shape.
Went to see and drive my first 944 (s2 model) yesterday in a garage and have to say pictures do not do these cars justice they look stunning, IMO anyway. Car seemed to be in VGC, with a good history unfortunatley they were lower than i realised My drive way is a steep concrete mess at the moment with dips and troffs where it has sunk etc. I think the 944 will have to wait until i get a quote to rip up and re do my dirve creating some parking nearer the bottom, as i dont think i am going to get the car to the top with out grounding it ... As for the driving experience i had little chance to open her up to due to traffic conditions but she seemed very pokey and a nice drive the clutch was quite heavy (is this normal) and hand brake in an anoying place. Also had trouble getting her into 1st gear for a bit but they may have just been me not used to it.
My drive way is a steep concrete mess at the moment with dips and troffs where it has sunk etc. I think the 944 will have to wait until i get a quote to rip up and re do my dirve creating some parking nearer the bottom, as i dont think i am going to get the car to the top with out grounding it ... As for the driving experience i had little chance to open her up to due to traffic conditions but she seemed very pokey and a nice drive the clutch was quite heavy (is this normal) and hand brake in an anoying place. Also had trouble getting her into 1st gear for a bit but they may have just been me not used to it.They are more meaty to drive than a modern euro-bimble-box. Steering, brakes, clutch and gearshift will all be more firm to use. What are you used to driving?
HOWEVER, if the clutch was abnormally heavy and you struggled to get 1st, it could be a sign of a clutch about to give up the ghost. Maybe something to look into in a little more detail.
Hand Brake is actually in a far more logical place, and it's easier to use there. Picture the scenario of pulling off up a hill. You need to put your foot on the clutch, left hand on the gearlever to select 1st, and release the handbrake, all at the same time. If the handbrake is on the left hand side, you can't do this as your left hand is on the gearlever. If the handbrake is on the right hand side, it is much easier.
Sorry to hear about the driveway tho'. Maybe a Cayenne is a better choice?
ETA: Do you have a link to the one you drove? It's useful information for anyone else on here who may go to look at it.
Oli.
HOWEVER, if the clutch was abnormally heavy and you struggled to get 1st, it could be a sign of a clutch about to give up the ghost. Maybe something to look into in a little more detail.
Hand Brake is actually in a far more logical place, and it's easier to use there. Picture the scenario of pulling off up a hill. You need to put your foot on the clutch, left hand on the gearlever to select 1st, and release the handbrake, all at the same time. If the handbrake is on the left hand side, you can't do this as your left hand is on the gearlever. If the handbrake is on the right hand side, it is much easier.
Sorry to hear about the driveway tho'. Maybe a Cayenne is a better choice?
ETA: Do you have a link to the one you drove? It's useful information for anyone else on here who may go to look at it.
Oli.
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