Anyone have any 944S2 experience?

[markymark_1968]

Having just done my first track day in the C3, and become totally addicted, I have decided that I want a car specifically for the track (the thought of punting the carrera into the wall at Sandown was too much) and as such, I am considering 944's as a cheap, fast alternative. Does anyone here have any experience with 944's? Pitfalls etc. I am all ears (just like Prince Charles)

[911jack]

aPorschaPart have a bit to do with 944 racing, its one of the sponsor links above. They may have a wealth of information.

[Fishcop]

As Uwe suggests, there are a plethora of 944 race cars available - already built and shaken down and ideal for trackdays.

Beware the slippery slope...

[T-DUB]

http://my105.com/ListingDetails/tabid/65/p/5/k/porsche/id/10705/Default.aspx

No affiliation

[1st]

968cs

...check your email Marky....

I'm biased- get yourself a well priced 968 Clubbie; CS's have the 6 speed box and Variocam engine......it might even turn out to be an astute investment in a few years......

A cheap manual 968 coupe a option, too

944S2 deliveries 1989-91 = 128 cars

968CS deliveries 1993-95 = 60 cars

968 Coupe deliveries 1992-94 = 68 cars incl Tiptronics; unknown split

Cheers

SK

[markymark_1968]

Thanks all... I am trying to steer away from out-and-out racecars at this stage, as most of the 944 cup cars that seem to come up are totally unusable on the road. I have had a few chats in the past to Dennis @ aporschapart about them, and have driven some road cars in the past - they certainly seem to be an under-appreciated machine!

...and thanks for your email Stewart, as always sage advice...not sure if my budget will stretch to a 968CS, though! Will keep you posted...

[e72phil]

Hi Mark,

I have had 3 x 944's.

An '89 944 S2, an 89 Turbo and an 88 944 (garden variety).

the S2 was a daily driver and and was a great car. I drove it at Sandown, Winton and Calder on club days (Maserati club - vale Jim Reark). They have plenty of torque being a 3.0 Litre and the suspension and brakes were more than the car needed.

I actually added the turbo brakes to the car after I bought it (off another 89 944 Turbo) and these were enormous and vastly improved the stopping power. the original brakes weren't bad either, but these were awesome. My brother and I used it as our recce car for rally Tasmania one year. it was great fun to drive on tassie roads.

I have seen some cheap S2's around and provided they have been serviced well (cam belts in particular), they are great cars for the money.

I agree with Stewart in that a 968 ClubSport would be a better car if you can afford it, but there arent many around.

If you can find a good 944 turbo (the 250 HP model), these are a very quick car and handle and stop very well. Very neutral handling with the front engine and rear gearbox. I think its almost perfect 50/50 weight distribution. A lot different to driving an early 911. The turbo isnt really a daily, but the S2 definitely is.

Some pics of a couple of my old cars.

[markymark_1968]

Thanks Phil. I have had a couple of good leads in the last 24 hours for cars off the sales radar , so will be following through tomorrow. I appreciate the thoughts on the 968cs, but I will probably be stretching myself a little too far to get into one of these, investment value notwithstanding, my intent is to get a 944 and drive the crap out of it on the track, so the investment value may be lost! Also, I am aware that the 968 would put me into a different club class to a 944 if I decide to race in the pcv series down the track, so I have that to consider as well.

[TYP 901]

Hi Mark,
I had a S2 convertable a few years ago and Rod looked after it for me -

http://www.rodsmithracing.com

Not much he doesn't know about 944's and racing them.
Cheers, Luke