A New Member in the FortyFour fraternity

ChasR · Jun 10, 2009

After reading a few articles and doing my research as best as I could, I finally got a 944 in the end, in an S2 flavour in Baltic Blue (I think) with some Turbo Cup bits on it.

I'll put a few pics up soon, but I thought I would say that the site looks like a great source of info, and that I hope I don't inundate you with too many queries to be honest.

Oh and hi to all the PCGB members. I will put some better pics up when the weather picks up. Oh, and some picturesque scenery would not go amiss:

http://s9.photobucket.com/albums/a68/randhawac/P%20FortyFour/?action=view&current=DSC_0172.jpg

rav · Jun 10, 2009

Greetings Chas,

Nice car. How does it compare with the MG?

Rav

ChasR · Jun 10, 2009

I thought that I recognised that name... . How are you Rav?

As for how does it compare, similar, yet different. Similar in its proportions and its communicative handling (but I'm still taking it quite easy!) and the layout of things inside, a different league in other respects. It pulls sweetly, and is more of a relaxing drive (17s maybe a little hard, but then I've come from 50-55 profiled tyred cars and it's nowhere near as crashy as a mate's Evo VI). So all in all, I'm a very happy bunny so far

.

Just getting some cash together to do the cambelt on it and then enjoy driving it (Cambelt was done in 2005 and it has done around 15,000 miles in that period).

TheFiend · Jun 10, 2009

Are you a former KA owner by any chance? I had a 2003 SportKA for 5 years prior to getting my 944..... Used a different moniker on the Ka forums.

zcacogp · Jun 10, 2009

Hi. Welcome. Glad you are enjoying the car.

Just remember, the Turbo boys make up for their lesser cars with extra quantities of hot air. S2's are quicker, nicer to drive and their owners are better looking than those of Turbo models. You clearly chose well .... [

]

Put up some good photos when you get some. Baltic's a great colour.

Oli.

Suffolk944 · Jun 10, 2009

Hi and welcome - nice car really hope you enjoy your '44 ownership experience as much as the rest of us. Of course as always Oli is completely right in his S2 assessment (except the bits where he is completely wrong) [

]

Copperman05 · Jun 10, 2009

Hello and welcome,
Bought myself an S2 last year and its been great so far. Servicing and repair work can be expensive (but you knew that didnt you) but its very much worth it in my eyes. I'm driving my S2 to Scotland in August and hope to tour some of Europe next year so should be getting some use out of it!

Lots of help available on here, usually you just need to ask..

Have fun

Edd

jasonp · Jun 10, 2009

a very warm welcome and you picked a lovely colour,just be mindful red s2s are quicker cos there red! all the best and get your belts done asap...

zcacogp · Jun 10, 2009

ORIGINAL: Suffolk944
(except the bits where he is completely wrong) [][/size]

And which bits are those then, Jon? Go on, point them out. Yes, now. Point them out now.

I'm waiting. [

]

Still waiting. [8|]

RIGHT! That settles it. As you can't point out where I am wrong (and you have to admit I have you a VERY generous amount of time to do so), I am clearly right! [

]

Good, that's that one settled. (Again).

Oli.

P.S. ChasR, you may notice that there is occasionally a bit of banter on here. You'll get to know the ropes soon, I promise. [&:]

zcacogp · Jun 10, 2009

ORIGINAL: Copperman05
I'm driving my S2 to Scotland in August and hope to tour some of Europe next year

I took mine (with the wife) 'round Scotland about 18 months ago, and it was the most fun I have ever had in a car.

There was a thread about it 'round here somewhere, but here's my favourite photo

I can recommend a route (if you're interested), and heartily recommend the trip ...

Oli.

Suffolk944 · Jun 10, 2009

RIGHT! That settles it. As you can't point out where I am wrong (and you have to admit I have you a VERY generous amount of time to do so), I am clearly right! []

Good, that's that one settled. (Again).

Gosh darn it, beaten by your superior debating skills once again [

]

What route did you take round Scotland Oli ?

zcacogp · Jun 10, 2009

Jon,

Digging back to some posts I made after the holiday, the route was thus:

London - Derbyshire (night with old friends)
- Newcastle upon Tyne (Christening service for another old friend)
- Berwick on Tweed (saw a long-lost cousin)
- Edinburgh (3 nights in a posh-ish hotel, saw the city)
- Pitlochry (overnight in a very good pub)
- Alness (Dalmore Distillery - excellent in every way)
- Shieldaig (West Coast)
- Applecross (night in the Applecross Inn - you MUST do this. Only regret is that we travelled to the inn at night, therefore drove the approach half of the applecross loop in the dark which means we didn't enjoy it. Superb walking around Applecross BTW)
- Kyle of Lochalsh
- Loch Lochy
- Fort William
- Inverary (stayed overnight in a B&B. Saw Inverawe salmon smokery and bought a LOT of their products - all excellent.)
- Loch Lomond (scenic as ever)
- Glasgow then home down the M6 via the Lake District (family own an estate, so visited but didn't stay) and Shropshire (in the in-laws house, but they weren't at home).

Comments added from memory.

Photos can be seen here:

http://picasaweb.google.com/mrorinocowomble/Scotla...

1600 miles in 8 days, and my S2 suffered only from a duff indicator bulb, went like a train, returned 32mpg average for the trip (clearly I wasn't trying) and was an utter blast on scottish roads. The reminder that there are still places in the UK where you can drive at a (GPS-indicated) 80mph for 30 miles on good, twisty road without seeing either another car or a speed trap was very welcome ... driving standards were much much better than in England and both the food and beer were excellent. Hardest day was the last full one - Inverary to Shropshire, which was long enough to be slightly unpleasant, but the rest of it was very, very enjoyable.

Should you be considering a driving holiday, I'd highly recommend it ... we'll do Europe next year, I suspect.

Oli.

ChasR · Jun 15, 2009

Well, thanks for the warm reception, and I see there is already the rivalry starting :lol:. Some better pics will come, but I've only just come back from LeMans! I see zcacogp clearly has a good taste in Whiskies (I was in Islay not too long ago

) where I was hoping that I had the Porker (but I didn't purchase it then).

ORIGINAL: TheFiend

Are you a former KA owner by any chance? I had a 2003 SportKA for 5 years prior to getting my 944..... Used a different moniker on the Ka forums.

Hi TF, I was indeed (am still registered mind you) Chas on both MyKa and the KaKlub when I owned a Red Ford Ka Sun Collection with Ford Racing goodies on it (not all, but still quite a few). I'm trying to think who you are/were on there, as I only remember a few Cumbrian members off there.

Copperman05 · Jun 15, 2009

ORIGINAL: zcacogp

Jon,

Digging back to some posts I made after the holiday, the route was thus:

London - Derbyshire (night with old friends)
- Newcastle upon Tyne (Christening service for another old friend)
- Berwick on Tweed (saw a long-lost cousin)
- Edinburgh (3 nights in a posh-ish hotel, saw the city)
- Pitlochry (overnight in a very good pub)
- Alness (Dalmore Distillery - excellent in every way)
- Shieldaig (West Coast)
- Applecross (night in the Applecross Inn - you MUST do this. Only regret is that we travelled to the inn at night, therefore drove the approach half of the applecross loop in the dark which means we didn't enjoy it. Superb walking around Applecross BTW)
- Kyle of Lochalsh
- Loch Lochy
- Fort William
- Inverary (stayed overnight in a B&B. Saw Inverawe salmon smokery and bought a LOT of their products - all excellent.)
- Loch Lomond (scenic as ever)
- Glasgow then home down the M6 via the Lake District (family own an estate, so visited but didn't stay) and Shropshire (in the in-laws house, but they weren't at home).

Comments added from memory.

Photos can be seen here:

http://picasaweb.google.com/mrorinocowomble/Scotla...

1600 miles in 8 days, and my S2 suffered only from a duff indicator bulb, went like a train, returned 32mpg average for the trip (clearly I wasn't trying) and was an utter blast on scottish roads. The reminder that there are still places in the UK where you can drive at a (GPS-indicated) 80mph for 30 miles on good, twisty road without seeing either another car or a speed trap was very welcome ... driving standards were much much better than in England and both the food and beer were excellent. Hardest day was the last full one - Inverary to Shropshire, which was long enough to be slightly unpleasant, but the rest of it was very, very enjoyable.

Should you be considering a driving holiday, I'd highly recommend it ... we'll do Europe next year, I suspect.

Oli.

Thanks fot the info Oli, we are driving to Granton On Spey (Lochindorb) where will we be staying for the week, usually I fly but though we would take the 944 this time. Been told to avoid the A9 as its too busy and boring, going to do slight variation via the A93 and A939 through the Grampian Mountains.

Cant wait...

Edd

TheFiend · Jun 15, 2009

ORIGINAL: ChasR

ORIGINAL: TheFiend

Are you a former KA owner by any chance? I had a 2003 SportKA for 5 years prior to getting my 944..... Used a different moniker on the Ka forums.

Click to expand...

Hi TF, I was indeed (am still registered mind you) Chas on both MyKa and the KaKlub when I owned a Red Ford Ka Sun Collection with Ford Racing goodies on it (not all, but still quite a few). I'm trying to think who you are/were on there, as I only remember a few Cumbrian members off there.

Wasn't a regular poster, but if you search for Porsche on MyKa you might find out...... Sold my SportKA earlier this year and replaced it with a 944 and having much more fun driving the 944 as a daily driver - suprisingly the running costs are about the same as the SportKA

Me old 944 hasn't let me down yet and fires up first time, every time... something that me Sport didn't do so well....

ChasR · Jun 16, 2009

Well, I've just taken a look and sure enough you were right. Were your initials SSK on there? SportKa MPG does not surprise me one little bit. Hell, my old 1.6 Focus (could do 35MPG mixed and enjoyed over a few parts) and recently owned Peugeot 306 GTi-6 (could get 26MPG if I drove it with my pants on fire (rare occurance) or 33-37MPG was the norm (normally 34MPG. I've had people saying I was crazy for suggesting a SportKa couldn't better 30MPG if driven normally (i.e not like a saint), but when I drove one for a while and people who I knew that came from Kas found it a massive shock!

Anyway enough of that moaning! Pics will be here tomorrow if the weather is nice on me tomorrow (and assuming the roads are not flooded etc.).

Suffolk944 · Jun 16, 2009

Jon,

Digging back to some posts I made after the holiday, the route was thus:

That does look a good route, thanks Oli - Have been to a few of those places on the list and the idea of a tour certainly appeals might not managed it this year...maybe something to plan for next. [

]

zcacogp · Jun 16, 2009

Edd,

OK. Can't comment about the A9 in comparison to other routes, but it wasn't the most interesting road in the world! Getting off it was a great improvement.

The one bit of the trip I would really recommend is the Applecross Loop. It's on the west coast, due west of where you will be. If you have a couple of days free, it is well worth going over there, driving half of it, spending the night in the Applecross Inn and finishing off the second half on the second day. You won't regret it. (And the food at the Applecross Inn is very good, as is their beer!)

Jon,

'Twas a route we made up as we went along - we were travelling with a copy of The Good Pub Guide and a mobile 'phone, not much more. Sat-Nav proved disappointingly rubbish on the Scottish roads.

All the best with a possible trip next year. Perhaps it's something that a group of chaps from here might like to do together - I understand it has been done before.

Oli.

TheFiend · Jun 16, 2009

ORIGINAL: ChasR
Well, I've just taken a look and sure enough you were right. Were your initials SSK on there? SportKa MPG does not surprise me one little bit.

Yep..... that's me......

I had no intention of selling the SportKA, but one day my brother asked me if I could go help get a 944 he had just bought..... And he let me drive it back.....

After working out the economics of 944 ownership the SportKA days were soon numbered....... And I am enjoying using and abusing my 944 daily.....

Copperman05 · Jun 16, 2009

ORIGINAL: zcacogp

All the best with a possible trip next year. Perhaps it's something that a group of chaps from here might like to do together - I understand it has been done before.

Oli.

Sounds good to me, especially as we seem to be all planning a trip anyway, seems only natural to explore some possiblitities together.

Edd