Helen Goff
No.1 Poster
for fun and track days,
what 944 should i get
- Thread starter Helen Goff
- Start date
It depends on 2 things IMO.
1. How much do you want to spend?
I'm going to assume your buget stretches to any 944 (if not, get a nice Lux) in which case:
2. Do you want to modify it?
If you do, get a Turbo, if you don't get an S2.
I would recommend avoiding a cab for track days because they are heavier and have a bit of chassis flex, and since you have a Boxster already you don't need one.
1. How much do you want to spend?
I'm going to assume your buget stretches to any 944 (if not, get a nice Lux) in which case:
2. Do you want to modify it?
If you do, get a Turbo, if you don't get an S2.
I would recommend avoiding a cab for track days because they are heavier and have a bit of chassis flex, and since you have a Boxster already you don't need one.
I agree with what Fen says.
If your budget is limited I would say go for a nice Lux (851/2-) rather than a rough S2 or turbo,
It'll serve your wallet better in the long run, and still be as much fun[
].
I personally think that a turbo has far too much temptation to modify, and also more to go wrong unless you get a very nice well maintaied one.
An S2 on the otherhand isn't particulary tuneable, but has bags of tourque, and a very flexible engine. It makes it eaiser to just run and enjoy I find, also because even the latest one is going to be about 12 years old there will always be something the car will need, so you will need to budget for that too.
People say 944's are cheap to run, but they can be just as expensive as a similar age 911 if you're not careful. Mine hasn't been cheap so far!![] Parts aren't really any cheaper, and labour rates certainly aren't. So my advice is get one in the best condition you can find, but remeber there will still be things it will need.
Rich
If your budget is limited I would say go for a nice Lux (851/2-) rather than a rough S2 or turbo,
It'll serve your wallet better in the long run, and still be as much fun[
]. I personally think that a turbo has far too much temptation to modify, and also more to go wrong unless you get a very nice well maintaied one.
An S2 on the otherhand isn't particulary tuneable, but has bags of tourque, and a very flexible engine. It makes it eaiser to just run and enjoy I find, also because even the latest one is going to be about 12 years old there will always be something the car will need, so you will need to budget for that too.
People say 944's are cheap to run, but they can be just as expensive as a similar age 911 if you're not careful. Mine hasn't been cheap so far!![
] Parts aren't really any cheaper, and labour rates certainly aren't. So my advice is get one in the best condition you can find, but remeber there will still be things it will need. Rich
Guest
New member
I was in a similar situation a few months ago and looked at S2's and turbos for use as a daily driver, but track day car at the weekends. I was replacing a 968 CS.
After looking at a number of S2's and turbos I stumbled across a 2.5 lux and decided to have a look. What surprised me was the amount of grunt the thing had comared to the others. I was expecting it to feel sluggish in comparison, but it was far from that. Granted it does have a bigger bore straight through exhaust, throttle cam and uprated air filter, so is not completely standard, but its so much fun, and I dont fell "precious" about it like I did my previous 968 CS.
I would highly recomend the 2.5 lux. Potentially a lot less bother that an S2 or turbo?
After looking at a number of S2's and turbos I stumbled across a 2.5 lux and decided to have a look. What surprised me was the amount of grunt the thing had comared to the others. I was expecting it to feel sluggish in comparison, but it was far from that. Granted it does have a bigger bore straight through exhaust, throttle cam and uprated air filter, so is not completely standard, but its so much fun, and I dont fell "precious" about it like I did my previous 968 CS.
I would highly recomend the 2.5 lux. Potentially a lot less bother that an S2 or turbo?
Good point,
the 8 valve Lux's do have good low range power, they just run out a bit at high revs. Keep it in the right gear tho and you can motor along with out even having to push the engine.[]
the 8 valve Lux's do have good low range power, they just run out a bit at high revs. Keep it in the right gear tho and you can motor along with out even having to push the engine.[
]
A black one!! [][][]
It depends how much you want to spend, how long you want to keeep it etc.
A lux would be cheapest to maintain and run as they are the least complicated and easiest to work on. Also with some mild tuning and weight reduction can be almost as quick as the others, it does have the smallest brakes though.
An S2 has similar power to an early (standard) Turbo but has smoother delivery as it has the big 3 litre rather than a turbo which requires more gear changing to get the best from it. (also worth budgeting for cam / cam chain tensioner replacement unless it has been done approx£1000)
An early Turbo can be picked up quite cheaply these days but would benefit from some overhaul and tuning work. Also most owners that do tracksdays want to uprate the brakes to later spec.
The late Turbos (88on) are the most tuneable as they already have big brakes and stronger gearboxes, but again unlikely to be at its best without some work. A good late Turbo (around 8- 10K) could be evolved to reliably develop over 400BHP with uprated suspension and brakes for around 5-10K This could be done over a period of time as things broke wore out - or as track experience increases.
This would be a very quick car.
If I had the cash and wanted a car for trackdays / fun I would be very tempted by an ex-racecar. It is likely to have overhauled suspension and a good engine / gearbox, probably a roll cage extinguisher system etc. It is likely to be a bit tatty around the edges but that creates less stress should you visit a gravel trap. There seems to be a few around in the 10 - 14K price range.
You can even have race graphics in your chosen style.
Tony
P.S. Interesting choice Cayenne + 944 or GT3
I am biased but I think you might be right! [][]
][][]It depends how much you want to spend, how long you want to keeep it etc.
A lux would be cheapest to maintain and run as they are the least complicated and easiest to work on. Also with some mild tuning and weight reduction can be almost as quick as the others, it does have the smallest brakes though.
An S2 has similar power to an early (standard) Turbo but has smoother delivery as it has the big 3 litre rather than a turbo which requires more gear changing to get the best from it. (also worth budgeting for cam / cam chain tensioner replacement unless it has been done approx£1000)
An early Turbo can be picked up quite cheaply these days but would benefit from some overhaul and tuning work. Also most owners that do tracksdays want to uprate the brakes to later spec.
The late Turbos (88on) are the most tuneable as they already have big brakes and stronger gearboxes, but again unlikely to be at its best without some work. A good late Turbo (around 8- 10K) could be evolved to reliably develop over 400BHP with uprated suspension and brakes for around 5-10K This could be done over a period of time as things broke wore out - or as track experience increases.
This would be a very quick car.
If I had the cash and wanted a car for trackdays / fun I would be very tempted by an ex-racecar. It is likely to have overhauled suspension and a good engine / gearbox, probably a roll cage extinguisher system etc. It is likely to be a bit tatty around the edges but that creates less stress should you visit a gravel trap. There seems to be a few around in the 10 - 14K price range.
You can even have race graphics in your chosen style.
Tony
P.S. Interesting choice Cayenne + 944 or GT3
I am biased but I think you might be right! [
][]ORIGINAL: 944Turbo
Interesting choice Cayenne + 944 or GT3
I am biased but I think you might be right! [
I've got to say that the only cars on the current price list 'down the OPC' that I would consider are the Cayenne (probably in Turbo guise tho - we are talking hypothetically and in practical terms my bank balance is so far from £45k I may as well virtually spend £70k) and the GT3. Probably the two extremes of the range. Isn't it weird how the same person would consider the two extremes but (in my case anyway) wouldn't consider a regular 996 or Boxster in any flavour.
Helen,
If you are getting a pure track car why not get one of the 924s that are for sale - that have been built for the 924 championship?
I would buy one myself, but I would need a tow-car and that isn't what I had in mind! (I need to be able to drive to Spa, Nurburgring, Donnington etc, so a stripped - out 944 would be ok, but not a track car). I don't want a tow car. No room for one, no desire for one.
You however, have the support vehicle on order, so as long as you ordered the trick tow-hitch you can just tow your £1000 quid race-prepared 924 to the circuit.
Maybe worth considering?
If you are getting a pure track car why not get one of the 924s that are for sale - that have been built for the 924 championship?
I would buy one myself, but I would need a tow-car and that isn't what I had in mind! (I need to be able to drive to Spa, Nurburgring, Donnington etc, so a stripped - out 944 would be ok, but not a track car). I don't want a tow car. No room for one, no desire for one.
You however, have the support vehicle on order, so as long as you ordered the trick tow-hitch you can just tow your £1000 quid race-prepared 924 to the circuit.
Maybe worth considering?
Diver944
Active member
Good choice Helen, simply give us your chequebook and we'll deliver you a track monster (painted black of course). As with all things it depends on your budget and how serious a trackfiend you want to be [8D]
At the top end of the scale you could buy a good condition 250bhp Turbo for under £10k, then sink £5k into engine and suspension modifications, get Larry to strip the interior and bolt on some fibreglass wings and you'll have a 350-400bhp monster weighing under 1200 kilos. This will be comparable in performance to your cancelled GT3. You may be lucky and find a scruffy but good 250bhp Turbo for around £5k and then your total cost would be £10k
At the bottom end of the scale you could find a scruffy but good Lux for around £1500. Get Larry busy stripping again [] and you'll have a 160bhp car weighing under 1100 kilos. Chuck a spare set of wheels with full race slicks in the boot and on dry days you'll be embarressing Boxster S and 996 owners [:-]
If you buy an ex racecar dont forget the trailer to go on the back of your new truck []
At the top end of the scale you could buy a good condition 250bhp Turbo for under £10k, then sink £5k into engine and suspension modifications, get Larry to strip the interior and bolt on some fibreglass wings and you'll have a 350-400bhp monster weighing under 1200 kilos. This will be comparable in performance to your cancelled GT3. You may be lucky and find a scruffy but good 250bhp Turbo for around £5k and then your total cost would be £10k
At the bottom end of the scale you could find a scruffy but good Lux for around £1500. Get Larry busy stripping again [
] and you'll have a 160bhp car weighing under 1100 kilos. Chuck a spare set of wheels with full race slicks in the boot and on dry days you'll be embarressing Boxster S and 996 owners [:-]If you buy an ex racecar dont forget the trailer to go on the back of your new truck [
]
It got up to $35K (reserve met):
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&rd=1&category=6434&item=2461220246&sspagename=STRK%3AMEBWA%3AIT
Someone on Titanic said it didn't sell though, as the $35K bid was in error (perhaps meant to be $25K???).
Not that I was watching. Honest.
Jim.
plhorner
Moderator
A lady with expensive tastes hey, Helen......... I'd of thought a Boxster and Cayenne would have been enough for anybody. If your still wanting more I'd go for a 3.2 Carrera, a propper hairy chested Porsche. I could do you a cracking deal on a nice Guards Red Carrera Sport !!! [
][]
wedgepilot
New member
Don't overlook the 16v 'S' - it has the same low range power, but really comes into it's own above 4000rpm, which is just where you want to have it on a track [
] plus it's got shorter gearing, uprated roll-bars, etc and all for the same money as a Lux.A 924 S would be good too - the 944 engine with the lighter 924 body.
Get a nice cheap Lux and strip it down to the bare essentials. Don't get too attached to the car and that way you can have fun without worrying about it unduely.
The lighter the car, the less stress is put on the brakes, suspension and transmission and the less likely it is to bite back.
Turbots are awesome, but the Lux is a great car and would be great as a track toy. They sound better than a Turbo when you put an induction kit on them as well.
As I said on a previous thread... "Any twit can make a Turbo go fast..." but it lakes much more skill - and provides more satisfaction - to go quick in a Lux.
On the road the Turbot as a complete Terminator, I get no truck with silly Max Power boys, where as with the Lux I was a bit more of a target and was thus left wanting the extra power. On the track you are after ballance, which is where the Lux scores so highly.
Get a Lux!
wedgepilot
New member
Here's something that might interest you Helen....
Race-prepped 924
Race-prepped 924
911sse
New member
Try and find a 2.7 Lux, the best of both worlds!!!!
It took me over a year to find the one I had, never regretted the choice when
I saw the bills my mates in S2's and Turbo's were getting.
The brakes were far simpler and the 2.7 is far more drivable than then 2.5's.
Only made in 89 MY for one year only, so getting thin on the ground now.........
It took me over a year to find the one I had, never regretted the choice when
I saw the bills my mates in S2's and Turbo's were getting.
The brakes were far simpler and the 2.7 is far more drivable than then 2.5's.
Only made in 89 MY for one year only, so getting thin on the ground now.........
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