Newbie requires help please

[djcla]

hi, new to the 944 world but have always wanted a porsche and have started looking at the options and the 944 seems to be in a good price range. I wanted one as a second car but have a few questions as part of my research, this is not something i do not want to rush into as i have no mechanical knowledge. I am a little confused over models and performance specs etc. Am i right in that the following models exist

944 lux
944 s
944 turbo
944 s2 Turbo
944 s2

Every website i read seems to give slightly different performace specs is there a site which is regarded as the most accurate, or can anyone advise on the 0 - 60 and top speeds of each model?

Insurance , does anyone know if when insuring a second car your current no claims discount carrys accross both vehicals you own and insure? i.e. if i had 6 years no claims on my current car does that count towards a second motor?

thanks for any help.....

 

[pauljmcnulty]

Apart from the S2 turbo, yes you're correct. If you trawl through the last year's posts on this forum then there is masses of info on the good and bad points of each model. You might need a while, but it's worth it! []

My 944 is on a classic policy that doesn't accrue NCD, but they do make an allowance for my full NCD on my other vehicles. Of course, being insurers, they will load the premium if I have an accident! []

 

[djcla]

thanks for the info, who is your classic car insurance with?

 

[Robbo149]

I've just insured my new S2 as a second car & couldn't use my 9 years NCB. But as Paul says, on a classic car policy this doesn't matter anyway.

Mine is on a classic policy with Adrian Flux - £299 FC with a £150 excess & 5000 miles pa limit.

HTH,
Robbo

 

[poprock]

944 lux
The base model. Two main variants: Square dash and oval dash. The older, square dash models are cheaper to buy. The newer, oval dash models are a bit less retro and have a lot of little design refinements like right-hand drive windscreen wipers and totally different battery placement.

944 s
Not so common, and seen as a slightly awkward inbetween model. A more complex (and thus less reliable) engine without much performance gain.

944 turbo
The most powerful model. Often seen as the "˜top' version of the 944. Two main variants again: The early model was 220BHP and the late model was 250. The later model had a bunch of small refinements.

944 s2
No better or worse than the Turbo, but definitely different. Instead of a turbocharger, it has a three litre engine. This results in almost as much power, delivered in a different way. The s2 is very smooth, whereas the Turbo's power comes in bursts. The Turbo will always have the edge, but many people find the s2 more manageable.

944 Cabriolet
Almost all cabriolets are actually s2 based.

944 Turbo Cabriolet
Around 100 of these were made in right-hand drive. Bloody expensive.

 

[Suffolk944]

Just to add to what Poprock if you are thinking of going down the modding route for more power then the turbo is the one to go for. Have never driven a S2 but as I understand it many consider them nicer drives than an un-modded turbo so depends on what your plans, and budget, are as to what you might find to your tastes. Luxs shouldnt be discounted either.

 

[djcla]

i have not discounted the lux but concerned maybe a little slow compared with the s2 or turbo but i guess i need to drive one first one of my main concerns is actually being able to drive the thing up my driveway which is fairly steep and I am not sure what the clearence at the front is like on the 944 compated with other cars.

 

[poprock]

A Lux is always a lot cheaper to insure. Worth considering if you're on a budget.

 

[Suffolk944]

I would suggest this site as a good starting point for performance figures etc

http://www.titanic.co.uk/944/paulsmith/history.htm

 

[pauljmcnulty]

i have not discounted the lux but concerned maybe a little slow compared with the s2 or turbo but i guess i need to drive one first one of my main concerns is actually being able to drive the thing up my driveway which is fairly steep and I am not sure what the clearence at the front is like on the 944 compated with other cars.

Where are you based, David? I'm sure someone would come round and park on your drive, any excuse to take the car for a spin....[8|]

A car on standard suspension shouldn't be any worse than a normal sports car, but if you have a lowered Turbo with a silly splitter on the front you'll need John Sims' patented "how to negotiate anything over 25mm high" lessons! []

 

[djcla]

Got some insurance qutotes on a few models including the turbo which were about £350 so thats not to bad, my other half is picking up an MX5 on the weekend so i will see how that negoitates the driveway. I might take a picture later so you can see what im up against

 

[djcla]

might be a stupid question but do the 944's generally take unleaded fuel or LRP (if it is still called that) what do i need to look out for?

 

[RC18B 911 turbo]

Unleaded and my 944 S2 seems alright over the steep entrance to our drive way and the speed bump in the middle of it (don't ask)