Sep
Not sure which is better for me. The 944 seems like more of a genuine Porsche seeing the 924 is really an Audi/VW.
Performance?
Any advice?
Looking to by models from around 1986-88.
THANKS!
Answer:
Paul S covers a lot, but I'm going to write my intelligence of the 924, 944, and 928.
First of all, I own a 924. I enjoy it very much. It is definitely not the fastest car on the planet, but where it lacks it makes up for. Its handling is exceptional and some say it is the best handling of all Porsches. Many parts are Audi and VW, but the top half of the engine (the head) is Porsche and the torsion bars in the back are porsche also. If you’re going to purchase a 924 that’s a 86 to 88, then you'd get the 924 S, Which has the original 944 engine in it. They’re wonderful automobiles that are faster than the early 944s.
The 944 was built by Audi also, making the 944 just as much an Audi/VW but it contains a totally Porsche engine. It handles much like the 924, except it is heavier. They changed the interior in 85, which was a step up from the old 924 based interior. Faster than a 924 though.
Now the 928 is a GT compared to the 924 and 944 which are sports automobiles. The 928 was made by Porsche, which makes it the most “genuine” porsche (they're all Porsches though). It also has Porsches first and powerful V-8. The ones produced around 86-88 were producing 300 to 330 hp. Interior was nice also.
The 928 is the ideal, but pricewise you can get a very nice porsche 924 with power sunroof, power mirrors, and other power options at a bargain of a price.
Answer:
First the history… in the mid 1970s, Porsche engineered a sportscar for Audi, based around many standard Audi parts. However, as the project neared completion, changes in management at Audi meant they were no longer interested in producing the automobile. So, Porsche had an entry level 4 cylinder vehicle designed and ready to go, while they were also in need of a replacement for the 914. Thus, the Porsche 924 was born.
The vehicle wold well, but was less than a hit with many enthusiasts due to it being very much outside the expectations (front engined, water cooled, low power Audi engine, ect). The roadmap for this series of car would change dramatically when Porsche engineered and built the 924 Carrera GTS… not too many were built for the street, but the automobile was a successful racecar and offered some great levels of performance (and suffered no accusations of “not a Porsche”).
Taking many of the styling hints from the Carrera GTS, and using all Porsche parts and engine, 1983 saw the introduction of the 944. And a while later, the 924S was introduced as a new, lower entry model, using the older 924 body, but with a Porsche engine.
So, the cars of the mid-late eighties, would be a variety of 944 models, and the 924S. The 944 is an all around nicer automobile, but the 924S has far more in common with the 944 than it does with the 924 (other than the body, it is essentially an early 944). All of these cars are capable performers, but they are not outright “fast.” That is, in the hands of a capable driver that’s able to make use of their strengths (handling, balance, and brakes), they’ll achieve good lap times. They’ll not outpace Mustangs or such when pulling away from stoplights (except perhaps a 951 aka 944 Turbo).
The 928 was introduced around the same time as the 924, and was originally conceived as a replacement to the 911 series… something that never really took hold. The 928 would continue to evolve for a number of years as one of the better GT cars on the market. Not as nimble as the 944/951/968 models, but offering more luxury and more power.
The 944S2 likely represents the ideal of the normally asperated 944 series (the 944 Turbo S being the ideal of the 951 offerings). The 944S2 is extremely close in all specs to the later 968, though without the few body changes that came with the new model designations (and also without the extra weight that the 968 also came with).
These are good reliable cars… but they are not vehicles that’ll offer blinding speed. If you search through the Porsche questions, there’s always someone with an entry level Porsche wanting to know how to make it go in a straight line like a 930 or similar model. While anything is possible given enough money, it is simply cheaper to get a different vehicle if this is your goal. The other drawback with these cars is that parts and maintenance costs will be reflective of the fact these were pricey automobiles when new. They are very cheap to aquire nowadays, and if properly maintained they be very reliable… but when something does need work, parts and knowledgable labor won’t be inexpensive and these are not automobiles that should be taken if they are at the limits of your budget.
That said, the mid 80s 944 models are fun automobiles to drive. They are more modern than similar age 911s, and still work great at the track or an autocross. There are many specific issues to watch out for depending on the specific year you’re considering (and any Porsche should have a pre-purchase inspection done by a good Porsche mechanic before you buy anyway), but overall, newer is better, and look at the most current model you can afford (though an older model in superior condition will be more desirable than a newer one in lesser condition).
Answer:
The 944 is the newer, faster, more powerful, wider version of the 924.
They handle superior than the Muscle car Porsche 928.
Answer:
928s4
Answer:
928>944>924 Book Mark it-> del.icio.us | Reddit | Slashdot | Digg | Facebook | Technorati | Google | StumbleUpon | Window Live | Tailrank | Furl | Netscape | Yahoo | BlinkList