Less modified 944 turbos
- Thread starter sgl1966
- Start date
Neil Haughey
New member
I have always felt that the basic stage 2 or so mods seem to be the sweet spot and whilst making the cars much faster don't really detract much at all from originality. Its the stuff like different wheels and interior changes that will harm values.
Frenchy
New member
Mine is where i want it, if i took a couple of bits and bobs off the engine, you would never know, CS seats (Porsche) i no longer have the originals, in fact my car was originally black pinstripe and is now solid black, Cup 1 wheels but i have the CS Forged items in the garage..........................staying as it is [
]
Might get £10 and a snake belt should i decide to part with it []
Sutters just a non ABS 220......................Lovely Things, i have had one !
]Might get £10 and a snake belt should i decide to part with it [
]Sutters just a non ABS 220......................Lovely Things, i have had one !
craiginuk
Member
Nothing's changing for me. Generally with cars I have always tried to keep them as standard as possible. I have changed a few things on mine since I got it, all reverting to standard. With modifications in my experience comes higher performance combined with less reliability. It's always a trade off.
My turbo will continue to be a std 220 but not because values are rising, just because I think original is nice. I also love the fact that when my daily driver BMW failed to start this morning for my 280 mile round trip to the office I was able to jump into the 944 knowing she would get me there. These are great cars and it is about time the "not a proper" Porsche or "not a 911" stigma is dropped.
It's nice that values are increasing. It means that a few more will be saved from the scrap yard too..
My turbo will continue to be a std 220 but not because values are rising, just because I think original is nice. I also love the fact that when my daily driver BMW failed to start this morning for my 280 mile round trip to the office I was able to jump into the 944 knowing she would get me there
. These are great cars and it is about time the "not a proper" Porsche or "not a 911" stigma is dropped.It's nice that values are increasing. It means that a few more will be saved from the scrap yard too..
Frenchy
New member
Craig, i disagree with the notion that modified cars for increased performance affect reliability, my car is 300 + BHP and of course modified, it starts on the button and would take me anywhere i desired, if modifications are done using quality engineered items and installation is not "lashed up" they are as reliable as a standard car.
craiginuk
Member
Fair point Frenchy. I think I have been burnt with earlier cars and bikes where I possibly went a little too far. I agree that there is plenty of headroom for reliable modification with these cars. Problem for me is it could turn into a slippery slope
Oops and forgot to mention mine might have a boost enhancer hidden under the bonnet
Oops and forgot to mention mine might have a boost enhancer hidden under the bonnet
Well I am glad to see there is still a hard core of owners willing to modify their cars, but is this because they purchased them while the prices were still low and any future turbo owner, due to the price increase, will not be willing to modify them so much ?
As for my car, I believe that only the dashboard and main car loom remain standard, although it did start life as a 91 S2 and has ended up as 3 litre turbo, non sunroof, lsd track based car with all four corners and rear panel replaced, just like 'Triggers old broom' !
As for my car, I believe that only the dashboard and main car loom remain standard, although it did start life as a 91 S2 and has ended up as 3 litre turbo, non sunroof, lsd track based car with all four corners and rear panel replaced, just like 'Triggers old broom' !
TTM
Well-known member
I think it's physically logical that an engine making more power than a standard one will necessarily have a shorter lifespan, however if we consider that a standard engine if properly maintained would probably run for 400+k miles, does it really matter if a chipped engine will make "only", say, 200k miles?
Does anyone thinking of buying such a car as a classic seriously consider driving it even just 50k miles over their ownership?
There is chance that some (forum/club/meet) education from the people in the know should lighten up some people who aren't yet in the know, that some minor reversible mods make the cars an awful lot nicer to drive without harming in a measurable extent the reliability of an already sound standard engine, which most of us know was seriously restricted by a deliberate poor tune.
Buying a turbo and leaving it standard is in my opinion like going to a steak house and order a salad - may probably make for a better long term investment for oneself but is somehow missing the point.
Does anyone thinking of buying such a car as a classic seriously consider driving it even just 50k miles over their ownership?
There is chance that some (forum/club/meet) education from the people in the know should lighten up some people who aren't yet in the know, that some minor reversible mods make the cars an awful lot nicer to drive without harming in a measurable extent the reliability of an already sound standard engine, which most of us know was seriously restricted by a deliberate poor tune.
Buying a turbo and leaving it standard is in my opinion like going to a steak house and order a salad - may probably make for a better long term investment for oneself but is somehow missing the point.
Suffolk944
Moderator
Brilliantly put ![
]Turbos do benefit hugely from even some light mods to mitigate some of the factory spec weaknesses (or hobbling if you believe the conspiracy theories ! [
]) I personally believe that decent under the bonnet tweaks will not overly adversely affect values unless someone is looking for a low mileage garage queen car in which case that's a totally different sub market. These cars should be driven and enjoyed (modified or not) and not sat under a dust cover as an "investment"
Frenchy
New member
Rumour goes the engine power output was reeled in so as not to outperform the "Flagship" model, early 86 turbos came with forged internals and a thick wall block, from what i have read our Yankee cousins get 500 + BHP on a standard short engine with no issues, i believe that no other manufacturer has been able get any where near the strength of the forged Porsche items.
As said a steak house and order a salad ? a mild well executed tune on a turbo will not do any harm whatsoever and will see the owner grinning like a loony !
Most of the mods are hidden from view.
A lot of "Classic" cars are fitted with improvement mods to enhance the ownership experience, i can honestly say that my 944 Turbo would certainly keep with and if not pass 0-100 my 3.8 Carrera 2S when on Booooooooost []
As said a steak house and order a salad ? a mild well executed tune on a turbo will not do any harm whatsoever and will see the owner grinning like a loony !
Most of the mods are hidden from view.
A lot of "Classic" cars are fitted with improvement mods to enhance the ownership experience, i can honestly say that my 944 Turbo would certainly keep with and if not pass 0-100 my 3.8 Carrera 2S when on Booooooooost [
]
One thing to throw into the debate is whether the 'right' modifications adversely affect values at all. An example is Porsche 964's where modifications are almost standard (if you get what I mean). The number of RS reps running around is huge and people who modify a car of this type typically look after the cars well too. So, it is almost expected that a car will have non-standard wheels, mirrors, suspension and often seats. Brake ducts instead of the mess of plastic and glass making up the indicator / fog assembly and often the RS rear bumper. Look through the small ads and you'll notice little or no difference in value of these 964's and a standard one (I never said you'd recoup the investment mind you!). Often there is noting changed that couldn't be bolted back on (if you keep the parts!) which MAY be why it is accepted on these cars. IF you modify a 993 however... value drops.
So, maybe it depends on the car, the type of people it attracts and the basic functionality these people are after. So, if 944 turbo owners often fall into a category of wanting improved handling, more power with a view to occasional track use... most modified cars will have perfectly acceptable resale values. If most owners want the 'showroom' experience modifications will be frowned upon and will affect values.
So, now for the debate - what is the typical 944 turbo owner....
Cheers
Mick
So, maybe it depends on the car, the type of people it attracts and the basic functionality these people are after. So, if 944 turbo owners often fall into a category of wanting improved handling, more power with a view to occasional track use... most modified cars will have perfectly acceptable resale values. If most owners want the 'showroom' experience modifications will be frowned upon and will affect values.
So, now for the debate - what is the typical 944 turbo owner....
Cheers
Mick
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