Chris,
As has been said, 944's and 968's are very similar animals. Some swear the 968 is light years ahead of the 944, some say there is little difference. I'd drive some good examples of all three (944 turbo, 944 S2 and 968) and see which you prefer. I'd wager that the 968 and the 944 S2 will feel most similar. The S2 vs Turbo debate will rage on for evermore, but they are very different cars and you need to choose the one you prefer.
Jonny, interesting. I understood that the Neckasulm plant produced better workmanship than the Porsche factory in Stuttgart (a point that is still relevant today - Stuttgart-built Boxsters are inferior in build quality to those made by Velmet.) The corrosion protection issue is more a matter of age and quality of steel; older 944's rust less than newer ones, and rust is becoming an issue with 968's as well as they get older. The 968 engine is a derivation of the 944 S2 lump, but the variable valve timing mechanism rarely works as it should and they very rarely deliver all the horses they did from the factory. That, coupled with the greater weight, makes them slower than the S2 (some say this was the case even when tehy were new.) In terms of residuals, 'prospects' needs to be caveated; if a 968 costs twice as much to buy as a 944, it can lose up to twice as much of it's value in monetary terms and still show a lower %age depreciation. However this argument is a bit academic as I don't get the impression that the OP is strapped for cash!
In terms of european touring, here is my S2 a couple of days ago. (Some may recognise the location as being Cabaret Rouge cemetery in Northern France.)
Oli.
As has been said, 944's and 968's are very similar animals. Some swear the 968 is light years ahead of the 944, some say there is little difference. I'd drive some good examples of all three (944 turbo, 944 S2 and 968) and see which you prefer. I'd wager that the 968 and the 944 S2 will feel most similar. The S2 vs Turbo debate will rage on for evermore, but they are very different cars and you need to choose the one you prefer.
Jonny, interesting. I understood that the Neckasulm plant produced better workmanship than the Porsche factory in Stuttgart (a point that is still relevant today - Stuttgart-built Boxsters are inferior in build quality to those made by Velmet.) The corrosion protection issue is more a matter of age and quality of steel; older 944's rust less than newer ones, and rust is becoming an issue with 968's as well as they get older. The 968 engine is a derivation of the 944 S2 lump, but the variable valve timing mechanism rarely works as it should and they very rarely deliver all the horses they did from the factory. That, coupled with the greater weight, makes them slower than the S2 (some say this was the case even when tehy were new.) In terms of residuals, 'prospects' needs to be caveated; if a 968 costs twice as much to buy as a 944, it can lose up to twice as much of it's value in monetary terms and still show a lower %age depreciation. However this argument is a bit academic as I don't get the impression that the OP is strapped for cash!
In terms of european touring, here is my S2 a couple of days ago. (Some may recognise the location as being Cabaret Rouge cemetery in Northern France.)
Oli.
]
