Somebody

I've got a 944 turbo that's taking up room in the garage. I have thought about gutting it and turning it into an awesome track car, but I've come across the s2000. The thing about the turbo is the top end, I love it in this car, I end up driving from u turn to u turn on the high way just eating up the road. The handling is also pretty good, but not too nimble. It does have 50/50 weight distribution too, but weighs in stock at about 3200 lbs. I don't think I'll be able to test drive a s2000 until the day I get one, so from anyone who may know the difference, in terms of handling and power, which car has a great combination of both?

and yes, I know if I ask this question at a porsche forum, they'd be bias towards the 944, but most of them have their nose too high in the air to admit anything is better than their car.

Warren J. Dew

And yet there are some Porshefiles that consider the 944 an Audi!

I strongly recommend finding a dealership that will let you test drive a used S2000. While it doesn't have a turbo, the power is very peaky because of how the valve timing changes at the top end. "Used" because you're not supposed to drive "in VTEC" - where the valve timing changes - for the first few thousand miles.

You'll have to decide for yourself whether, when you aren't driving all out, the smoothness of the S2000 drive train and the accuracy of the handling is enough to compensate for the lack of mid range torque for you. It's definitely nimble, though.

Honda could sell so many more of these cars if dealers had enough to keep a demo around.

Somebody

It's actually a vw engine vw also did the 550 spyder engine

Cayenne_S2000

I'm a big fan or Porsches. They make great sports cars (and SUVs ). We've had a 996 for 4 1/2 years now and it's been awesome. I've driven the 996 turbo, 993 C2, Boxster, Boxster S, and 1986 944. Never driven the 944 turbo.

Handling
Stock for stock, the S2000 should handle better than the 944 turbo. Skidpad might be close, slalom easily goes to the S2000.
The S2000 is definitely more nimble than our 996. It is also more nimble than the Boxsters I've driven even though they have similar weights.

Acceleration
The S2000 is faster unless your 944 is running modified with higher boost, downpipes, etc. Throttle response is also better but is comparable to other Porsche NA cars. However, the 944 turbo will feel faster because of torque and turbo boost. The S2000 is just as slow as a 4-cyclinder Accord if you keep the RPMs below 6000rpm.

Steering
Lighter feel, but similar to 996 and Boxster.

Shifter
S2000 throws are much shorter but accuracy is comparable to 996 and Boxster S. These are the best around. I don't remember what the shifter was like on the 944.

I hope this helps. You have to drive one!

Penforhire

Given how little your 944 is worth, but how much you know about your own specimen, I'd suggest keeping it as a project car instead of selling it. Grassroots Motorsports had an issue on them maybe a year ago. I always liked the turbo and S2 (or was it S4?) models.

Officer_down

The only ones who knock on S2000's are the ones who've never driven one. The only suggestion I have for you is go test-drive an S2000. If you don't love it, don't buy it. Only you know what is suited you best. But yes, S2000 is an awesome driving machine.

Saki GT

I have an S and an 86.5 944 T. The simple comparison is that to drive the two back to back, the 944 actually feels bulky. The shifts are longer and slower, and the clutch is heavier, as are most things about the Porsche. Right now you are thinking "but my Porsche is so sweet to drive", and it is, but the S is just lighter an tighter in an ephemeral sense when you compare the two. Its just a different experience, but they are both good.

Look at what it costs you to own the Porsche and decide if you can have two cars or if you need to sell the Porsche. Mine costs me about $2k a year in maint and insurance and I don't drive it much.

And only the early 924's had VW-derived engines , later 924's and 944's are Porsche engines.

crs2000

I completely agree with the above post that Saki GT made. I have had an 87 N/A 944 for the past 4 years and just recently purchased my S2000. The S is just so much more refined. And of couse my S is now much faster than my N/A, so it was a pretty easy choice for me. But the little things about the S make it so much more pleasurable to drive, including the shorter throw of the shifter and the "snappy" handling, and I love the sound of the engine. It is just so much tighter. The 944 now feels so heavy and bulky. However, I have chosen to keep my 944 because it is still a lot of fun. Still handles very well (konis and coilovers). Like everyone said, test drive the S and see what you think. I think you should keep both

Chris

ElTianti

At my last track day at Summit Point, some guy had a 944 t in my group. He had lots of honk down the front straight but he was definitely holding me up through turns 5- 9.

Your mileage may vary.

s2kbrian

keep the s2k