Do I or don't I?

[Guest]

Hi all!

I am looking at either an s2 or turbo as my first proper car (ie not a hatchback with silly gold wheels []). So S2 or turbo, what are the differences to own/drive, I've never been that bothered about quarter mile/0-60 times and am more interested in b-roads but at the same time don't want to be gutted compared to my mate's rx7.

I commute on my bike so would only probs do 8000 miles a year and am pretty mechanically minded (own an engine crane) so just want to get a feel for running costs, the budget should be about 5 to 6k, is this enough? Also do you run the 944 as a main car or second?

Sorry for all the questions but am getting excited at the prospect of leaving all those french rattles behind! Cheers all,

John

 

[Diver944]

5 to 6k should get you a reasonable S2 or a ropey Turbo, good Turbos seem to be getting thin on the ground and 'can' be a money pit, luckily you are mechanically minded and these cars are not that difficult to work on. Its still best to buy a good car rather than fix up a ropey one, these are still Porsche parts you need to buy after all.

I'm currently doing 10,000 miles a year in my S2 and mechanical costs work out at £800 a year over the past 5 years. The Turbo does 15,000 miles a year and that works out at £1500 a year over the past two years. The Turbo also does track days so brakes a and tyres tend to wear out quicker []

For back road fun I would say the S2 is the better bet. It has a more compliant ride and the normally aspirated engine is a joy and very responsive. For out and out power the Turbo can't be beat and is very easily tuned for even more. The engine can be laggy and needs to be kept in its power band.

 

[Fen]

Turbo to modify, S2 to leave standard basically. As Paul says though your budget isn't strong for a Turbo. I think late ones are going up from around £8k (and still some people are ripping them apart [8|]) but 220's from '86 and '87 can be decent cars and still around £6k.

I use my S2 cab daily and have used an S2 coupe and my Turbo as daily drivers for 1,000 miles a week. They aren't as cheap to run as a hatch with gold wheels but they needn't break the bank either. Search on here and there is a comparison of S2 vs Turbo, 220 vs 250 Turbo and some ideas about what can go wrong to look out for.

 

[NorthernBloke]

I also use my S2 as a daily driver, in fact I bought it specifically to use instead of going down the usual Euro/Jap box route.

I average about 500 miles a week and can't fault the car, it doesn't even use any oil! It is superb for relaxed motorway driving and even better when you get onto some good A or B roads []

As an unexpected bonus, it also averages between 30 and 35 mpg on a run.

Get yourself one bought []

 

[steve 944t]

As others have said, the important thing is to get a good example of either. I think it would be uneconomical to buy a cheap "project" car to do up, as it is depressingly easy to fritter away money on bits and pieces. I run a Turbo as my everyday (only) car and am very happy with it. On a b-road blast you do need to keep it on boost and also need to be aware that this is an old-style turbo car, where the power comes in with a hairy chested rush, not progressively like the softer nambypamby S2 []. But in all seriousness, there is not much difference performance-wise between a standard turbo (particularly the 220 bhp version) and an S2, they just demand a different approach to driving. So you need to decide which appeals more, bearing in mind that 300 BHP is relatively easy and cheap (ish) to achieve on the turbo, whereas the S2 is pretty much limited to its standard output.
Other than that you just need to find the best car you can. I would be wary of cars which have done very few miles in recent years. There are a number around which have been second or third cars and these cars do need driving. Mine has needed new steering rack and clutch master cylinder, due I believe to lack of use by the previous owner.
A recently replaced clutch would be a good thing. Mine has done 93k on the original clutch so I am expecting to have to shell out best part of £1000 in the not too distant future.
Oh and as for rattles, my car certainly doesnt suffer from any French ones, but did have a few German ones, mainly from the hatch which is pretty common, but also some of the trim. But this is easily fixed with a screwdriver and a can of lubricant. Once rid of rattles the cockpit is a very pleasant place to be.
Best of luck in your search!

Steve

 

[John Sims]

As noted above, the main choice between a Turbo and S2 is if you wna't to modify it or not.

If you wan't to leave the car exactly as is (or you want to stop yourself spending money on modifying the car) then get an S2. The car does everything it says on the box and can be left well alone aside maintenance and wear and tear replacements.

If you have a real passion for developing a car that (for under £10K ultimate spend? -plus the initial cost of the car) could decimate just about every other car on the road then get a Turbo.

 

[Fen]

Air-con is the only other thing - it was an option on the S2 but standard on the Turbo. Leather and LSD are easier to find on a Turbo than an S2 as well, but if it's a car to drive then I'd choose based on the "do I want to modify or not?" question.

 

[Guest]

Both cars are great, I have a Turbo and had extensive use of an S2 so I know they are both superb. I'd agree that the S2 is probably the intelligent choice for your needs but don't forget the "regret factor" if you decide against the Turbo. You should be able to find a 220 Turbo for your budget (I did) and spend around £500 making it seriously fast after that it's diminishing returns on the tuning front but there's massive scope for improvement.

Try to drive both (where abouts are you?) and NEVER make an impulse purchase (easier said than done

This months 911 & Porsche world magazine has an exellent buyers guide to the S2 (W H Smiths)

HTH, Tim.

 

[ScottishSpyder]

What do you spend the £500 on.

 

[Kevin Welch]

What do you spend the £500 on.

Shell Optimax!!![]

 

[Guest]

http://www.promaxmotorsport.co.uk/

Look at the 1a kit for the 951 also a Bailey Dump Valve and Vacuum kit.

Total spent so far on performance upgrades is just over £400.00 which is very cheap for what you get.

I'll be fitting a new wastegate and having a custom remap in the future and then that's it (honest

Tim.

 

[Guest]

Cheers for the (mature) response guys. Try posting 182 vs 172 cup on a clio site and you will see what I mean[&:]. So its probs the s2 in cobalt blue with black leather no sunroof then. I am definetly someone who always regrets not spending the extra but if I tried to raise more funds I don't think I'd have much spare for things to go wrong. Anyway I think you have given me the confidence that it should start when I need it to as that was my main worry. £900 for a clutch is also another worry but eurocarparts list the s2 clutch for £297 so guess its worth a couple of dull weekends. Does anyone have workshop manuals etc?

Its a couple of months of looking, saving and waiting for another years ncb (touchwood) before I'll be buying but thought I'd get in early with research. I am based in nottingham and would really appreciate a passenger ride to see if it is what I want. I know its pretty cheeky []but any volunteers?

 

[Guest]

Insurance is cheaper than you might expect, for all circumstances.

I'm in Hull, If you want a ride in a Turbo I'm sure we can work something out.
I'll be going to the PCGB meet tomorrow night south of Lincoln if you can make it?

Don't know exactly where it is yet as I've not been before check out the R4 forum for details.

Cheers, Tim.

 

[Guest]

Cheers for the offer rigpig but I am a little late now! I might keep my eye open for future meets a bit closer to me. I bought the magazine with the 944 s2 buying guide which was pretty useful. However I am not sure the s2 would be a big enough leap from the clio in terms of pace (similar power to weight). So I might put the plan back towards the end of the summer and see if I can sort out the money for a turbo. I'll keep an eye open here for info but not ask annoying questions till nearer the time. Insurance isn't too bad, £950 for the s2, £1100 for the turbo, 24, 3yrs ncb for a quick quote on tesco. Cheers all,

John[]

 

[John Sims]

£1100 for the turbo, 24, 3yrs ncb for a quick quote on tesco

Carefull with the Turbo if you start modding it. I'm 40+ with shed loads of NCB, but after doing the Guru chip, reliaboost, FPR and wastegate mods there were many companies who wouldn't give me cover at all. My original insurer would not continue cover, after I had carried out the modifications, and we had to get alternative cover within 30 days of informing them.

 

[richthomas]

£950 for the s2, £1100 for the turbo, 24, 3yrs ncb for a quick quote on tesco. Cheers all

Give Lancaster a try, I paid about £700 ish on my S2 last year and I was 24. Carole Nash have been my best this year at under £500, but I think they only insure over 25's which I am now only just[] I'm not too sure of their stance on heavily modifeid cars, I read over on another thread they wouldn't insure someones modified 911 turbo.

I found a lot of the so call specailists that advertise in the back of PP and 911 World to be a load of rubbish. Some just say I'm too young and wouldn't even offer me a quote (need to be over 30!! AON and RH), others were sky high, so much for cheaper insurance through the club[]

A liitle ringing round though and you should be able to better that Tesco quote, and if you don't do many miles either you will be able to get a limited milage classic policy. The main advantage with that is you will be able to get agreed value, where as Tesco and most of the other big companies will only value it at what ever they want to give you[:-]

 

[Guest]

I've just done everything I shouldn't have; fell for and paid £5k for an 86 Turbo - 77k miles, didn't have expensive check up - read all the books on what to check, just drove it (and trusted a Porsche Club member selling it). The grin is still all over my face (will it last? Do I care?)
Go for it![]

 

[944Turbo]

Hi,
welcome to the forum - long may the grin last [][][]
Tony

 

[John Sims]

welcome to the forum - long may the grin last

Ditto

Turbot ownership is a true roller-coaster of emotions, with stratospheric highs and subterainian lows - not unlike other enjoyable things in life [] Here's hoping the highs out weigh the lows.

 

[Guest]

ORIGINAL: John Sims

welcome to the forum - long may the grin last

Ditto

Turbot ownership is a true roller-coaster of emotions, with stratospheric highs and subterainian lows - not unlike other enjoyable things in life [] Here's hoping the highs out weigh the lows.

Aint that the truth John...