944 or 951 as a daily driver and weekend road racer

[needcash]

any opinions?

How about reliability?

[toolboy62]

My 944 was my DD for over a year, no issues other than belt maintenance, a plugged radiator, and one CV joint going bad. Lots of little stuff stopped working and was fixed, but nothing mission critical.

nate

[needcash]

how about MPGs

and how comfortable is it for a daily driver?

and good sites for mods?

[toolboy62]

I got usually about 24 MPG in mixed driving, but I think it's running rich because it has an Autothority chip in it. Very comfortable so long as you do not mind being cramped and the stiff ride (sounds like I'm complaining but I'm really not; there's enough space for me, but if you're claustrophobic this is not a car for you.) As for mods... well I haven't really done any major ones...

nate

[livewirevoodoo]

Have been using mine as a DD since purchase in July '04.

July thru September of last year was a little hairy as the problems which prevented driving were dealt with (cracked radiator, camshaft cover) but everything since has been maintenance issues.

My daily driving totals about 12 miles tho, so I'm not putting alot of miles or wear and tear on the car.

[McFly944]

I use mine as a daily driver. My commutr is about 50 miles a day. Gas milage is not bad about 25mpg(if I keep my foot out of it) No big issues as of yet, but in time I'm sure some will come along.

I have seen this question asked a few time on a few boards.. most answers say a NA is a better daily driver, but that all depends on who you talk to.

[Brando]

Mine's a daily driver with new topend/belts/pump/radiator/the works...

I get about 30-35 mpg. 35 on the freeway, 30ish in town.

[Tervuren]

My 944 is my only car, so i guess the term "daily driver" might apply. I work from within walking/bicycle distance from home though, so I only put about 4,000 miles on last year, that rate is rising quite a bit though now. But not a huge amount.

Fairly good car, but tough to tell as I've only been a 944 "owner" since junge of last year. I say "owner", as when I paid for my car, I had not yet gotten my driver's liscence, so I had it registered to my parents until I decided it was time to gor the driver's liscence. (Which I did in December spen about 320 miles in my car that day from going to all the relevant offices to get insurance, driver's liscence, registration, property taxes, plus my own stops.)

[Tapage]

OK .. my 951 is my DD from a 4 moth aprox, but I thought the DD concept depends if your car is your tool of work .. visiting customers or wathever on the road ..

In my case I drive 4 milles throught heavy traffic to my office, and use again to go out at lunch time, back and my office and star again at my leave hour ..

Some minor turns on the city ... and tha's all .. for me is fantastic, though I'm single no childs and 29 years.

[roadierfl]

I drive over 90 miles every day. Been using the 944 as my daily driver since September. No major issues to report, gas consumption with a chip is around 30 MPG as long as I stay off of it. If I stomp down in 4th around 2k RPM it gets a little thirsty, but as long as I stay around 3000 RPM (80 MPH) I get great gas mileage.

I've just had minor BS issues which I inherited when I bought the car and most have been sorted out. Just one more to go for now, lol!

[Z-man]

Define road racer...

Getting my 'you-better-not-even-THINK-about-street-racing' soapbox out...
-Z-man.

[Dougster]

I use my 86 na as a DD and this summer/fall I put a TON of miles on her...This one gets better MPG vs my old 86 na...Only dif. is a test pipe on my old one and still cat on my current one...I was suprised I was getting 31 MPG hwy doing speeds above 85...

Its been VERY reliable and a blast to drive on open roads, every once in awhile I get stuck in traffic and thats not much fun...
Now I am thinking TURBO...TURBO....

[needcash]

road racer = scca type of stuff, not street racing

[Zero10]

The N/A definately makes a better DD car. The low-end torque is much better on it, so I find it a lot more comfortable, and easier to manipulate in heavy traffic. I find with the 951 I'm either the slowest, or the fastest from every light, there isn't a lot of middle ground. That said, it makes an excellent weekend racer, and I wouldn't give it up for the world. However, I am building a spare 9.6:1 CR turbo motor for it... best of both worlds

[Z-man]

Originally posted by needcash
road racer = scca type of stuff, not street racing

Cool - we speak the same language!

The 944/951 is an excellent platform to use as a dual-purpose street & track car, IMHO. The 951 isn't the best for Solo 2 competition due to the turbo lag, but for big track use, the possibilities are limitless.

Given the number of 944's sold vs. the number of 911's, you would be surprised at the 944 to 911 ratio at many PCA DE (Driver's Ed, as in NASA's HPDE program) events.

With a little suspension work (full coil over setup), and some modifications to the computer, wastegate, intake , exhaust, the 951 can run with the big boys very easily. It doesn't cost much to put down a reliable 300hp to the rear wheels with that car.

For the 944 non-turbo, in terms of suspension - it's the same - you can do the full coil overs can have a car that handles like a dream. However, there isn't much to do in terms of power - you can probably get close to 200hp at the crank on the 2.5l 8-valvers, but that's about it.

I drive my 944S2 on the street and the track. Bone stock suspension. (Ok, I have upgraded sway bars). It is a pleasure to drive on the street and the track, and with the stock suspension, I have been forced to learn to drive better!

Bottom line: you can always start with a bone stock 944 - whatever iteration you desire, and go from there. Keep in mind, however, that these cars are getting a bit long in the teeth, and as such, may need some extra maintenance and upkeep. Focus on that first - and don't worry about the go-fast goodies and suggestions!

Good luck!
-Z-man.