New lad

[swb landy]

Hi everyone,
new to the forum and hopping to get a bit of info on 944,s.
I have a mk1 mx5 that i have spent way too much money on, but its stood in my yard for the ladt 3 years since i bought a 1972 land rover pick up.
I intended to get the mazda out next year, but i,m gonna have to spend more money getting it back on the road. I have an itch to scratch in the form of a 944 me thinks, but i,m not to sure what to go for, after the mazda i dont want to be dissapointed, i no they are a different sort of car, the mazda is verry chuckaboutable, but you have to scream its nuts of to get anywhere( redline is at 7,200 ).
I,m a touch fussy, i dont like teledial wheels (but a fan of the so called cookie cutters ), or the garish fabrick interiors the 80,s gave us. I,m thinking of going for the 2.7 at least, bit more grunt !.
I wont have a fortune to spend, i also work in a garage as a mot tester/fitter so i,m looking to do the servicing myself, so i,m asking for any help and info you can give me to guide me in the right direction. . . ,
cheers,
Dave

 

[pauljmcnulty]

Welcome. [] The 2.7s aren't any better. One in perfect engine condition is better than a 2.5 in poor condition, of course, but that works the other way around as well. If it's cheap and chuckable you want, then an early lux is probably best. Or, for a real bargain, the 924S, with the same running gear as the 944 but in a lighter, more nimble shell.

 

[944 man]

A 944 cant match an MX-5 in that respect, unfortunately.

 

[swb landy]

ORIGINAL: pauljmcnulty Welcome. [] The 2.7s aren't any better. One in perfect engine condition is better than a 2.5 in poor condition, of course, but that works the other way around as well. If it's cheap and chuckable you want, then an early lux is probably best. Or, for a real bargain, the 924S, with the same running gear as the 944 but in a lighter, more nimble shell.

I suppose thats the case in all cars, is the 3.0 woth a look, as fo the 924, hmmm not my thing really, i,m kinda taken by the look of a 944, thanx for the reply, dave

 

[swb landy]

Hi, i no it wont, but i think i could be after a bit o a change aswell, iv had the mazda for 11 years and it could be time to move on. I have a fortune in it, lightened flywheel, 6 speed box, torsen lsd, bigger d/shafts, bigger hubs ready to take bigger brakes, the list goes on, its great fun but a bit tiresome on long drive thats why i was thinking about a 944, more of a gt car. . . . Dave

ORIGINAL: 944 man A 944 cant match an MX-5 in that respect, unfortunately.

 

[pauljmcnulty]

is the 3.0 woth a look

The S2 is more a tourer IMO. At the time of launch it was described as "over-tyred", and it's not as much fun to blast around in as a nice Lux. I'd say the same about turbos, they're much more "grown-up" cars, and definitely not the same sort of thing as a small, 2-seater roadster.

 

[swb landy]

Interesting. . . .i like the look of the early cars, like i said in my post, i like the " cookie cutter " wheel,s with the larger profile tyres, so i take it you think an early car would suit me better, Dave

ORIGINAL: pauljmcnulty

is the 3.0 woth a look

The S2 is more a tourer IMO. At the time of launch it was described as "over-tyred", and it's not as much fun to blast around in as a nice Lux. I'd say the same about turbos, they're much more "grown-up" cars, and definitely not the same sort of thing as a small, 2-seater roadster.

 

[Mike_Pollock]

Hi and welcome I love cookies and dont like teles too! I've had an early 2.5 with cookies (3 years) and have had a 2.7 for 3 years, keeping both for several months. The early cars are the most chuckable, but I would think not as much as a MX5, certainly more GT than them. The later cars which have very different front suspension geo are more GT again. I would take issue with Paul, re the 2.5/2.7 discussion as the 2.7 is certainly more torquey and pulls far better than the 2.5 (my 2.5 was dyno'd with good numbers) Having said all that - they are all great cars and I'd love an S2 or S3(968) - buy on condition / recent history .

 

[pauljmcnulty]

I would take issue with Paul, re the 2.5/2.7 discussion as the 2.7 is certainly more torquey and pulls far better than the 2.5 (my 2.5 was dyno'd with good numbers)

You know, I've never actually read the figures between the two? What is the torque improvement on the 2.7? I'd still stick to my own personal view though. You first have to make a decision whether the "big-brother" S2 or turbo are important. If not, you're in to the three Lux models. From there, late or early-dash is a pretty important choice, but anything else is down to condition. I'd not put restrictions on colour or interior, just bodywork and mechanicals. Always look for the less-loved versions as well, as there are often some real bargains to be found. The 924S lacks only the wide arches, and some very nice ones are undervalued compared to the early-dash 944s. The 944S is another possible "secret" bargain. It's somewhat unloved because it has the early Lux-type bodywork, and is a bit of a "Marmite" car with the peaky power delivery, but modern cars are all moving away from large, lazy lumps, so it's becoming a more relevant version now if you can find a good one. The trouble is that we see a Lux as a £2K car in nice conditon, perhaps £3K for an exceptional one. That's the price of a proper suspension overhaul, new tyres and a decent set-up: something they will all be needing by now. Worrying about whether a 2.7 is slightly more torquey than a 2.5 might be missing the point a bit if it's driving pleasure you want from the car. [8|]

 

[swb landy]

Thanx for the reply, i no a 944 is never going to be a mx5, i,m just looking for something a bit more err " comfortable " if you no what i mean, i love the mazda, but it can get a bit tiresome, jiggling about at every bump in the road, the more i read the more i fancy an early car, the less toys the better ( less to go wrong ! ). So it looks like i shall be looking for an early 2.5, fingers crossed eh. . . , Dave

 

[swb landy]

ORIGINAL: pauljmcnulty

I would take issue with Paul, re the 2.5/2.7 discussion as the 2.7 is certainly more torquey and pulls far better than the 2.5 (my 2.5 was dyno'd with good numbers)

You know, I've never actually read the figures between the two? What is the torque improvement on the 2.7? I'd still stick to my own personal view though. You first have to make a decision whether the "big-brother" S2 or turbo are important. If not, you're in to the three Lux models. From there, late or early-dash is a pretty important choice, but anything else is down to condition. I'd not put restrictions on colour or interior, just bodywork and mechanicals. Always look for the less-loved versions as well, as there are often some real bargains to be found. The 924S lacks only the wide arches, and some very nice ones are undervalued compared to the early-dash 944s. The 944S is another possible "secret" bargain. It's somewhat unloved because it has the early Lux-type bodywork, and is a bit of a "Marmite" car with the peaky power delivery, but modern cars are all moving away from large, lazy lumps, so it's becoming a more relevant version now if you can find a good one. The trouble is that we see a Lux as a £2K car in nice conditon, perhaps £3K for an exceptional one. That's the price of a proper suspension overhaul, new tyres and a decent set-up: something they will all be needing by now. Worrying about whether a 2.7 is slightly more torquey than a 2.5 might be missing the point a bit if it's driving pleasure you want from the car. [8|]

Again, thanx for taking the time to reply, s2 was a maybee, turbo would be nice but i wont have the money for a nice one, and i think MOST turbo,s will have had a good kicking at sometime in there life,s. I was asking about the bigger engine as i dont want to get in a 2.5 and feel like its slower than the mazda, i no it wont be a ball of fire but i want to feel like i have gone forwards rather than backwards. The early cars with the wheels i like just look better in my eye,s, i think they look like they were built for those wheels, i no wheels arnt the be-all and end-all, but i still want to look at it and smile. . . . . i,m a bloke after all, cheers again, Dave

 

[Hallsy]

I'd echo what has been said above. I have moved from a very nice, rigid and well setup mk1 MX5 to an S2000 and 944S - and neither handle as well, or give the confidence that the MX5 did. Part of that is knowing the car (I had the MX5 for 3-4 years, the other two a matter of months), the S2000 easilly has as much grip, if not more than the MX5, but has slightly different handling traits and doesn't have the same amount of feel. I feel that a well setup 944 would be a good match for a well setup MX5, but with the added weight and heavier controls, they will never feel as nimble. My 944S, although more than roadworthy, really does need a few quid spent on the tired old suspension to get the best out of it, and as Jim says, that will cost a few quid which route you choose. But to sum up, I'd had my time with the MX5, always wanted a 944 - so I'm glad I've owned both. I see the 944 as a keeper anyway, although there are times I wished I had stretched a Turbo, but bottom line is, I had a budget to stick to!!

 

[924nutter]

I think the key word here is different not better, and it is all down to perceptions. Slighty differnet I know but whilst coming home from work in my bog 924T keeping up woth a hot hatch peugeot 306, I saw the pug go very sideways and onto three wheels on a corner that the turbo didn't even break a sweat on. In the wet I was obviously more confident in that than most of the late night idiots you have to drive round, through or past in their hot (luke warm) Fiestas when making way at around 10:30. The trick is to ignore them but just ocasionally I cant resist demonstarting how good the 924t is, all done in the best possible tase. May be the 944 feels over tyred as has been mentioned, but when I lost the back-end at Castle Combe (pre chicane but I think it was the bend before Bobby's) a quick 20 degrees of oppo and we recovered. I am inclined to think that at an indicated 85 on the speedo ( that was the best I could scrub it down to because of brake fade) the MX-3 would have rotaed before I could catch it. My perception based on old prejudice, about the Japanese' inability to make a sports car. Though I give a nod of concession to the latest generation because now they have got their act together In a similar vain if you grabbed hold of a 928 properly you could chuck that too; I wouldn't exactly say nimble but on rails. Just to be controversial. Bottom line try a 944 you should be thrilled with it. Ulimate whizz-944T Untilmate I cant be bothered to chage gear-S2 Ultimate rev the nuts of it- 944S Ultimate badge prestige Porshce Ultimate light bulb manufacturer Mazda (with apologies to Osram)

 

[dunc]

I've had a mx1 (mk1) and now have a 944. I think the largest contributer to the mx5 being tiring on long drives is the gear ratios, the 944 has very long ratios (a bit too long imo) and that's what makes it more GT like and better at cruising. For me the 944 is a much easier car to drive at and beyond the limit than the mx5 which was a bit fidgety at 10/10ths (mine was anyway), the 944's a pussy cat once you've over stepped the mark Dunc.

 

[thewildblue]

I went from an RX8 231, to a MK2 MX5 RS ( with spax coilovers, LSD, lightened flywheel, half cage, 7.5k redline etc) to a 944 S2. RX8 and 944 S2 very similar, both have bags of grip and handle fantastic. 944 is quicker in gear, but overall not much in it as that 9.5k limiter on the RX was good fun and when you thrashed it, it flew. Fuel economy was in a different league with the rotary... MX5 handled really good but was ultimately lacking grip specially once over 60mph and would get rather lively. But for fun round town and playing on wet roundabouts the only thing that has come close to the MX5 was a GT86 I test drove. I averaged 17-19mpg in the RX8...29-31 in the MX5 and 26-28 in the 944. On a nice "making progress blast" across country I would choose either the 944 or the RX8 for ultimate speed and grip and point to point... I'm keeping at eye out for a nice cheap MX5 to get as a third car as I miss playing in the in wet and having the roof down on cold clear winter nights. Plus they cost FA to run....

 

[JagdHamster]

Have you tried a MK3 MX-5 that's been lowered? Wheels-in-Motion kit on our old Mk3 made for the most-fun car ever. Mk3 has much better interior and gearing and they're getting cheap now. Russ

 

[944 man]

I will qualify my 'no comparison' comment: an NA or NB model MX-5 is far more "chuckaboutable" as the OP puts it, but the 944 is a safer bet and the faster you go, the truer this becomes. NBs have a better driving position, too.

 

[Hallsy]

I personally feel my 944S is over tired at the moment (255 rear) which will be a contributing factor, and part of the reason I fancy switching back to some skinnier 16's - so I have no experience of how it feels once it breaks traction, yet. My eunos always felt very planted, go-kart like, but the couple of times it did go on me it does feel like you are literally about to spin, which for me meant a ham fisted correction!! But yes, tiring on a long journey, mine felt fine in terms of keeping up with motorway traffic, etc - but with stiff coilovers, bucket seats and short ratio (1.6 NA) I used to get out of the car feeling nackered! The 944 is plenty comfortable on a long drive, if a little heavy in traffic.

 

[vitesse]

Well my son & heir -who you all know well-has gone from 964C4-to 944 Turbo (with everything ) to MX5 1800cc & now eunos 1600 with stiffener plates etc. 1st trackday--Oulton Park 12th Nov. Don't quite know why but possibly down to budgets & not wanting to lock away big money in a little used motor-he does say that this latest MX5 look- alike is a hoot.

 

[Ex Skyline]

Hi Dave and welcome to the forum. I would just like to say that a good friend of mine lapped the Nordschliefe (Nurburgring), in slightly over eight minutes in his track prepared, Mk1 MX5!! He just p155ed past every Porsche, Ferrari and R8 he encountered!![8D]!! The moral of this little tale? In certain situations ie trackdays, It's all down to the driver and NOT the car. However, if it's a 944 you are really hankering after then, make sure it's a Turbo, coz S2's and Lux's are Pony []!! Touch paper now nicely light...I think I shall stand back for a while [][]!! Regards. Pete'.