944 vs Volkswagen GTI VR6 for Daily commute

I'm looking for something to drive everyday. I found a very nice 1986 944 Turbo in my local paper, silver with burgendy interior for $9,800. I believe it has 57,000 miles.
I'm also looking at the 1995-1998 VW GTI VR6. I can get one for around the same price.

I'm looking for a car that's very safe, and I know the VW is. I'm also looking for a car that's reliable and the VW is reliable, but I also want a car that has quick acceleration, and is very fun to drive. I plan on test driving both cars and looking at which I like more, but there's also questions I can't answer from test-runs.
How reliable is a 944? I know maintnace is expensive, but is it worth it? Is this a car I don't have to worry about leaving me stranded? What should I look for in a used 944? If you could buy one again, would you, and what would you do differently? I know I'll end up with answers to these questions after I buy the car, but I want them to be answers I like.

[stray15]

I'll be the first to say that you should always get a PPI done before buying any Porsche. If the person has records showing things have been replaced and the PPI comes up clean then the car can be very reliable. Its just a game of chance really. That can go for any car. My brother has like an '98 Golf and that thing has been to the garage more than any of the cars I have owned. You just have to take a close look at the car, specially when it comes to Porsches, but you should already know that.

If I were to do it all over again, heck yeah I would. Only thing I would do different is get a PPI done first. I've been regreting that the past 2 years, but I enjoy working on my car.

Wow a 98? I hear VW GTI are hard to work on because of wires/computer in the engine bay, or something I don't remember. How easy is a 944 to work on? 1969 911 seems very simple, but then again, there wasn't much technology then. What about 944's throwing rods? I hear this happens often.

[stray15]

Originally posted by Porsche911T
Wow a 98? I hear VW GTI are hard to work on because of wires/computer in the engine bay, or something I don't remember. How easy is a 944 to work on? 1969 911 seems very simple, but then again, there wasn't much technology then. What about 944's throwing rods? I hear this happens often.

I think it was a 98, either way it was pretty new. I'm just saying you can get a lemon with any car. You never know. It isn't real hard working my 944 at all. I really do enjoy it. About throwing rods, just be sure the timing belt was replaced and adjusted properly and to get it re-adjusted.

[todwic]

Go to Bill Underwoods site: http://www.944world.com/ Read about how he windsailed in his 944 and he walked away. He also has a FAQ that includes what you should watch out for in a used 944.

[Nabeel]

Go ahead and get the GTI.....just make sure you don't drive the 944T first

Go ahead and get the GTI.....just make sure you don't drive the 944T first

i dont understand this

[Blackfoot]

it's like saying go ahead and buy the pentium 3 computer, just make sure you don't try the pentium 4 first.

[Nabeel]

Yeah, sorry for the confusion. What I meant was that if you drive the 944 turbo first, the GTI might feel slightly dissapointing. The GTI is a great car in its own right, though.

[wolfrpi]

The 951 (944 Turbo) is about 2-3x the car a GTI is. The new GTIs are heavy and slow in comparison. Reliability would definitely go to the VW although the women certainly won't...lol

[overkill]

Dude, you know you WANT the 951! Just get it! Just get it inspected first!

[turtle944]

Well,
I can say that I have the similar dilemma everyday. I have a '00 GTI 1.8T, and the 944. Every morning (when its nice) I have to look a the key rack and decide which one to take. The GTI has tight steering, but not like the 944. The GTI gives the speed feeling of a sports car, but then you take a turn, and you need to slow down quick, since it doesn't handle like a sports car (leans, less stable at high speed turns). Anyway, the GTI is a good car, and makes a good driver, but it really dosn't compare to a 944.

BTW, if its not raining, I almost always chose the 944. (So the GTI is mostly driven in the rain,snow,etc).

Well, I have decided to go GTI VR6

BTW, if its not raining, I almost always chose the 944. (So the GTI is mostly driven in the rain,snow,etc).

This is why. I've already got a sports car, and a fun one to drive but I need something to abuse, and drive everyday, while having a little sport which I like.

The GTI gives the speed feeling of a sports car

What do you mean by this? Sports cars feel different, my sisters car is a small four cylender and you don't feel intense acceleration untill you go up in rpm. I hear the GTI VR6 has lots of torque, and I realy like how the new 2002 BMW 330 has torque, power and puts you into your seat. I checkout out torque and the gti vr6 is very close if you consider it is much lighter (1995 VR6). I already know what I want to do with a VR6. I'm probably going to get rims, tires, intake, exhuast, and a stabalizer bar after a year of ownership and it gets dull. Then maybe in a year or two I'll get a turbo for it once I get sick of that. I don't think you can get sick of a turbo . Keep in mind I'm 16 and soon to be 17. A stock VR6 is plenty power for me.

Everytime I see a 944 on the road, I just want it. But I'll be realistic and go VW, should last longer because it's younger.
I'm sure if I sell the 911 I can get a 944, but would I want to lose a car like that?

[Nabeel]

Dude, you're 16. What could be more awesome than telling people that you have 2 Porsches?

Anyway, good luck with the GTI, its a great little car.