What does it take to realise the pleasure of driving a 944?

Axl Rose · Oct 8, 2007

Bought a '91 Celica GT 2.0 Twincam just less than 2 weeks ago(it's on ebay now)..everything is the wrong way around on this car..indicator stalk handbrake..it's a front wheel drive and should have 170bhp..that's 7bhp more than a standard 2.5 8V Lux..where is it? It can't be felt when driving the car..i drove it for a week and now it's just waiting for a new owner..damn..it felt really good to get back into my 944..especially after nearly everything's sorted again - all there is to it now - new g/box mounts(will do it this week)..and up for sale she goes as i'm getting back to basics(the dented and faded Alpine White will get a "new" top end in a few weeks time)..

RC18B 911 turbo · Oct 8, 2007

I know what you mean by getting back into the 944 after a long while (or what seems to be) after not driving the 944 for 2 weeks and just driving when I'm at work all the BMWs and so on, just getting back into it made it seem all the more special I really can't work out why

sawood12 · Oct 8, 2007

I think the phrase goes something like: "You don't know what your missing till you've lost it".

wibble · Oct 8, 2007

I had one of those moments yesterday (Sunday), whilst driving down to the Goodwood breakfast meet. Empty A roads in W.Sussex and a crisp dry early sunny morning. I've had my 944 for only 9 months and I am still appreciating its potential.

I bought the car as a 'stepping stone' into 911 ownership and do you know what I am happy with car I have and owning a 911 may never happen.

sawood12 · Oct 8, 2007

I'm like you Tony, I've always hankered after a 911. I think i'll still take the plunge at some stage but i'm likely to keep hold of my 944 and keep the 911 for a year or two to scratch the itch then get rid of the 911.

charles.y · Oct 11, 2007

Spot on right. Its my daily car now and does about 200 miles a week and as enjoyable as reliable as ever. How many other marques can give you that enjoyment as a daily car which is nearly 20 years old?

BTW, my S2 yesterday did me very proud and passed its MOT with flying colours (not even a single advice is needed) as the senior mechanic proudly informed me and handed me back the key. He took the S2 for the usual road test but with an unusual longer time needed though.[

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Guest · Oct 11, 2007

ORIGINAL: Axl Rose

Bought a '91 Celica GT 2.0 Twincam just less than 2 weeks ago(it's on ebay now)..everything is the wrong way around on this car..indicator stalk handbrake..it's a front wheel drive and should have 170bhp..that's 7bhp more than a standard 2.5 8V Lux..where is it? It can't be felt when driving the car..

As usual with "Japanese Junk" they are all hype.... A friend has a Subaru WRX which is "chipped" to a supposed 320bhp... My 944 is a lot sharper and a superior drive. That WRX has not got 320bhp... No Chance....! The WRX is not in the same league as the 944 ... I have my 944 over 7 years now and I always get out smiling....... I dont get that with any other car....![

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wblackw9 · Oct 11, 2007

Even tho i now own a 911 i have to admit that i miss my 944 greatly. I always wanted a 911 and the 944 seemed a good step onto Porsche ownership. The car drove great for an 84 2.5 and i was very supprised how smooth and modern it felt yet still retained the true drivers feel to it. Modern cars dont have that feel. I would recommend a 944 over any jap car. And they get great looks to.

zcacogp · Oct 11, 2007

ORIGINAL: charles.y
BTW, my S2 yesterday did me very proud and passed its MOT with flying colours (not even a single advice is needed) as the senior mechanic proudly informed me and handed me back the key. He took the S2 for the usual road test but with an unusual longer time needed though.[]

My MOT Tester is an ex-944 owner. Usually surly as hell, but when I showed up in my S2 he turned into quite the epitome of charm, offering me a cup of tea and calling me 'my friend'. (I've been going to this place for the last 9 years, so I can assure you this is not normal!)

I offered him a test drive (one he had fold me it passed), but he declined - after a look at the long list of other cars to be tested before the end of the day ... !

Oli.

RC18B 911 turbo · Oct 11, 2007

My car's going in for an MOT today/tomorrowish but before hand, it has to get the bits fixed that needs doing for it to pass hopefully I haven't missed anything that needs doing.

biggbn · Oct 11, 2007

i really like the 944..i owned one, very briefly...(about 2 hours, but thats another story..)....bought for 600 quid, and it drove superbly, punchy, great grip, nice driving position....lovley wee car....good thing is, if people keep dissing them, it keeps em cheap(ish) and we can all enjoy em...

Neil Haughey · Oct 11, 2007

ORIGINAL: wibble

I had one of those moments yesterday (Sunday), whilst driving down to the Goodwood breakfast meet. Empty A roads in W.Sussex and a crisp dry early sunny morning. I've had my 944 for only 9 months and I am still appreciating its potential.

I bought the car as a 'stepping stone' into 911 ownership and do you know what I am happy with car I have and owning a 911 may never happen.

Its a passing temptation trust me. I was tempted 3 or 4 years back, to be honest I probably should have sold up and moved on then because the car has cost me a shed load since. TBH I just couldn't find anything preferable in either the Porsche stable or outside. I found the basics such as cabin, driving position engine sound at idle etc. in cars such as the 964 so good awful etc. etc the myth was trully blown apart for me so sorry. Eventually you also start to wonder if you live on the same planet as Porsche enthusiasts of the 911 ilk, look at the tosh on the 'other thread'. Apparently the bloated expensive rubbish handling leaky engine 964 is the best thing ever, and probably the best pound for pound sports car in modern times known as the boxster s is only driven by gays!

Having said all that if I had 50K going spare I would love a GT3, that thread on pistonheads is just hilarious.

Axl Rose · Oct 11, 2007

ORIGINAL: wblackw9

I would recommend a 944 over any jap car.

I would not consider a jap car to own by any chance..just needed something to get to work and back for a few weeks..but i couldn't even take it that long..after 5 days of driving it i just "abandoned" it in my back yard and driving the Sapphire Metallic for now again(last effort tomorrow to fit new g/box mounts and up for sale on Pistonheads this weekend)..and the time has come to put more attention to the Alpine White and get her back on road..[

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Hilux · Oct 12, 2007

I would not consider a jap car to own by any chance

I understand the sentiment, bland BUT reliable.

I ran Toyota Hilux`s for nearly 20 years without failure or issue clocking up some 600,000 miles and now commute to the station and run around our Hertfordshire Lanes in a faithful old Landcruiser having also used DAF/Land Rover/Mercedes vehilcles which all failed drastically from time to time.

Toyota engineering is superb and bullet proof when looked at.

Guest · Oct 12, 2007

Toyota engineering is superb and bullet proof when looked at.

Yes, but so is Porsche's. They are, after all, engineering consultants to other manufacturers.

Guest · Oct 12, 2007

I bought the car as a 'stepping stone' into 911 ownership and do you know what I am happy with car I have and owning a 911 may never happen.

I stepped 'down' from a 3.2 Carrera to a 944T because I'd rather have the hatch and the dynamic controllability. I don't regret it one bit.

Think about it: 170mph and 0-60 in 5.5 for around £20 per week (insurance, tax, MoT and servicing)

MarkK · Oct 12, 2007

I sold my Turbo first time round,moved to other cars including rear engined variety and i always missed something about the 944 experience,driving position suits me,the way the power comes in with the surge,the tunability,the freindly and fun handling,practical boot,looks... and when i went back to one years later it was still as good as i remembered, so i guess losing/selling mine, then getting another again was what it took to realise how good a drive they are.I love my favourite Porsche model and some people "get it" some don't .[

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cococola · Oct 12, 2007

I dont drive my 944 every day and after over a week of not using it I found it a dream to use again today coming up to a long stretch of road I opened her up and yes it gave me a smile.[

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I dont think I would get the same satisfaction out of the 944 if I used it every day but when I do I get alot of pleasure driving it.

sawood12 · Oct 12, 2007

Well I picked up my car tonight after a major service. She got a clean bill of health. I had a good long chat with the guy about Porsches and he was commenting on how well my car drove on the KW suspension. I mentioned that I fancied a 911 and considered getting one on one or two occasions, especially a 993 and he said that every now and again when a 944 comes along it hits him about just how good a car they are and it's easy to forget that the turbo's a blooming fast cars. To say my car was bloomin fast when the other two cars he had been working on that day was a 997C2S and a 997 turbo is a compliment. Having said that to put it into context described the 997C2S as being F*****g fast and he couldn't really find the words to articulate just how fast the 997 tubo is - he merely smiled, shrugged his shoulders and used hand gestures and eventually said that it knocks your block off!! I really want to have a go!

I think my 911 itch will have to wait some time yet before it is scratched.