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RS vs early S

jamescharnley

jamescharnley

Active member
A couple of questions for all you RS owners. I am interested to see if an RS would give me the same driving pleasure as my 1973 2.4S on the road. You will hopefully know that the early cars are enormous fun to drive and my 2.4S is very quick too [:)] . I have always desired a 964 RS though.

Would an RS be suitable as a weekend toy if I spend all my timing driving B roads and rough / narrow country roads or is it too harsh / uncompliant

Would an RS give me the same driving pleasure as my 2.4S ?

Or is an RS really a trackday car ?

Thanks

 
It's probably an unfair comparison.

Properly maintained and set up, the nicest early 911s actually make very enjoyable road cars and can be great fun within (or not too far beyond) the legal limits. I run a 2.7RS Sport and it is absolutely fantastic on country B roads, with lovely steering, progressive handling and a reasonably compliant ride. However, put it on a track and, compared with modern machinery its age would start to show - mainly through the slower gearbox and unservoed brakes.

I've only driven a 964RS on the road, but it definitely felt track compromised. IMO to own a 964RS and not use it regularly on track would seem a waste. On the road it felt fast but required a lot of commitment and concentration and drove best on the smoothest asphalt. In fact I found it quite tiring. Exhilerating sometimes, frustrating at others.

Why not consider a 911 Club Sport? - IMO one of the nicest 911s, which would sit neatly between the 2.7RS and the 964RS.
 
ORIGINAL: jamescharnley
A couple of questions for all you RS owners. I am interested to see if an RS would give me the same driving pleasure as my 1973 2.4S on the road. You will hopefully know that the early cars are enormous fun to drive and my 2.4S is very quick too [:)] . I have always desired a 964 RS though.

Would an RS be suitable as a weekend toy if I spend all my timing driving B roads and rough / narrow country roads or is it too harsh / uncompliant

Would an RS give me the same driving pleasure as my 2.4S ?

Or is an RS really a trackday car ?

Thanks
Click to expand...

It's horses for courses. I owned both models (a blood orange 2.4S and two 3.6RSs). In my view, the 2.4S and the 3.6RSs are both compromised road cars. The 2.4S engine (compared, say, to a 2.4E, or even a T) has to be revved just too hard to be truly enjoyed on the road. The 3.6RS is stiffly sprung on the road with the original suspensions. Fit a double-spring RSR kit and it transforms road manners (both of my RSs had this fitted). The soft helper spring absorbs high frequency undulations and the strong main spring is excellent for track use.

I sold my 2.4S and never regretted it. But then, I also sold the 964RSs for an RSR...
 
I would say that if you want a car for UK b-roads then the 964 RS shouldn't be top of your list. It is great to drive but really comes in to its own on good continental roads or on the track. For weekend blasts, it is exciting and tiring in equal measure but I think there are better cars out there for this. If you enjoy track days, I think there is little else to touch it for the money.

Haven't done a lot of miles in the early cars but do find them great fun. Why would you want to change the 2.4S?

Regards
 
Your replies are kind of what I thought.

I suppose the perfect situation would be the early 'S' and a 964RS [:D]

( I don't want to get rid of the 2.4S, I love its peaky engine and exciting handling etc... [:D] )
 
Horses for courses. I haven't tried any other older Porsches but I would say the 964RS is about as good a counry lane blaster you could want. It might not be as civilised as other Porsches, but compared with other B road blasters it is neither too firm or too unruly. Getting the RS out still fills me will excitement and I use it for medium to long journies as well. In addition, my staff love it and if we have a medium to long distance journey to make on business I am always being asked to take the Porsche rather than the BMW. But then again, they must be mad to work for me....................
 
your 3 questions are best answered by investing £30k or so in a 964 RS and forming your own conclusion. If you are lucky it will not cost you to find out , as RS prices are not falling . I use mine on trackdays, which is probably the sweet spot for the handling and power response characteristics . You will know that one man's meat is another man's poison , so do not rely on what other people think , but if you fancy a 964RS , go get one , you will not lose out / regret it [;)]
 
Drive it fast on our hidious b roads and you'll soon be hedge cutting...

Having not long been back from Le Mans in the RS it has made me realise why the RS had so much critisism by the UK motoring press, however drive the car fast (as we did) in France and the car has to becomes one the all time greatest cars in my book. You no longer find yourself looking at the road surface frantically trying to aviod pot holes and recessed drain covers.........Truely awesome.

lee

 
on track as yoda says bang for buck unbeatable

on road....as has been said...it requires a lot of commitment and concentration to dirve fast and stay on the black stuff. I went on a winter run with the Midlands guys and myself and Jaytay (GT3 Forum) had a great time in the snow and ice out up round trip to lake vernwy....on the road we were very well matched on all but the dual carriageways. At the break about 2 hrs in he was fresh as a daisy and it was all I could do to get home! QED On that basis you've got to ask yourself who had the most FUN?

All that said IMHO every Porscheophile should own one as they are what the 911 is all about

 
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