944 S2 Cabriolet

gwl123 · 12-11-2004, 08:32 AM

I really like the 944 Cabriolet but have trouble driving a stick. I screwed up my friend's car and don't want to try it anymore. Afraid of what might happen in panic situations going at speed. Also the traffic is really bad where I live so its makes sense for the auto. Can the 944 S2 Cabriolet be fitted/swapped with an automatic? Does anyone here know of companies that have automatic kits for stick cars? Don't know if the engine of the S2 can manage to be driven on just one gear (3rd) most of the time. I've read the 911SC can be driven in 4th gear and go down to 20mph with no problems.

Dantilla · 12-11-2004, 09:08 AM

Everybody has trouble driving a stick for a while.

Once mastered, it is far more rewarding. Start in a vacant parking lot. Practice starting from a dead stop over and over. Start and stop. Start and stop. Over and over. Then comes slow speed residential streets with little traffic. Just first and second gears.

After time, it will become second nature. Then you're ready for more traffic. If you are in hilly country, make sure you practice starting uphill when no one else is near, so you have nothing to think about except what you are doing.

The S2 Cab is a great car. I want you to be able to thoroughly enjoy it.

scottmandue · 12-11-2004, 10:10 AM

My first knee jerk answer is... I think they (Porsche) made 944 cabs with autos. Yeah I know they didn't make a bunch of 944S2 cabs and trying to find one with an auto will even be harder... but maybe not impossible especially of you widen your search to the continental U.S. Shipping a car across country is a pain but probably less of a pain and less expensive than converting a stick to an auto.

I have driven stick for years, after awhile it becomes second nature, I don't even have to think about it... really!
But to each there own... if no one wanted an auto Porsche wouldn't have built cars with them.

scottmandue · 12-11-2004, 10:29 AM

After a quick search... maybe 944S2 Cab auto's were not made.

How do you feel about a 968 Cab auto?

http://www.autotrader.com/fyc/vdp.jsp?car_id=171462480&dealer_id=54858931&car_year=1993&search_type=used&make=POR&model=968&transmission=AUT&distance=any&address=90731&advanced=y&certified=n&max_mileage=&max_price=30000&min_price=3000&end_year=2005&start_year=1986&drive=&engine=&body_style=&advcd_on=y&doors=&fuel=&color=&cardist=4

http://www.autotrader.com/fyc/vdp.jsp?car_id=170640649&dealer_id=570371&car_year=1995&search_type=used&make=POR&model=968&transmission=AUT&distance=any&address=90731&advanced=y&certified=n&max_mileage=&max_price=30000&min_price=3000&end_year=2005&start_year=1986&drive=&engine=&body_style=&advcd_on=y&doors=&fuel=&color=&cardist=2236

http://www.autotrader.com/fyc/vdp.jsp?car_id=140689154&dealer_id=69623&car_year=1994&search_type=used&make=POR&model=968&transmission=AUT&distance=any&address=90731&advanced=y&certified=n&max_mileage=&max_price=30000&min_price=3000&end_year=2005&start_year=1986&drive=&engine=&body_style=&advcd_on=y&doors=&fuel=&color=&cardist=2358

gwl123 · 12-11-2004, 12:33 PM

The 944S2 kinda grew on me. I know the 968 is just a reskinned 944 but wondering why Porsche just didn't make automatic an option. Anyway if there are any auto conversion kits out there or if anyone has converted to an auto transmission on an S2 Cabriolet let me know.

Damian in NJ · 12-11-2004, 01:57 PM

Just a reskinned 944? Hardly. I've put on over a 100,000 miles on a 944 and two 968's, trust me.

adrian jaye · 12-11-2004, 02:25 PM

agree with damien, the 968 is not a reskinned 944,
whilst as a base it shares a "LOT" of comonality but its not reskinned.

as for auto's s2 and s2 cabs were never offered with an auto combination

Porsche + Autobox = not a good idea !

carsontc · 12-11-2004, 02:37 PM

I'd go for the 968 Cab with the Tiptronic.

Yeah, you might be able to get someone to put a 944 – 8 valve (late) 3 speed automatic into an S2...you would need a lot of parts from the donor car (auto transaxle, both axle half shafts, front rubber damper, rear flex plate coupling, shifter, radiator, ATF cooling tubes etc)...dunno if the front rubber damper mates to the S2 flywheel which is very different than the 8v flywheel.

would be expensive unless you already had the donor car and were going to do the work yourself. then getting the throttle linkage/kick down yadda, yadda...adjusted correctly would be a pain. I think the 16v throttle cable is a different length…ok I’ll stop now

scottmandue · 12-11-2004, 03:44 PM

Ha! I knew the 968 folks would come down on you for the "re-skined" line... don't be too offended they are just proud of their cars (for good reason).
Maybe consider a 944 cab tip?
Hey and take it easy on the guy wanting an auto, not my cup of tea but if that is what he wants no biggie.

seaboltman · 12-11-2004, 05:22 PM

well, I'll be doing an Auto to Manual swap here in the next few weeks, so if you want I'll gladly sell what i remove (Transmission, bell housing, Pedals, cables) Although it would probably be easier for you to just buy a new car.