Porsche 924s Vs. 944

[Kings911]

So I have had my heart set on a 944 for YEARS. I have always liked the 944 over the 911 [call me crazy now]

I have a been a big VW guy [water cooled only] and reading up a bit on the history of the 924 I think I am starting to "fall in love".

I am considering the S model.

I ask because I have an opportunity to buy either a 944 or 1 of 3 924s cheap.

Now should I go with whichever one is in better shape/better deal or should I go with the 944 even though it needs more work?

My goals for the car would be daily driver and occasional track car [labor and parts are not an issue]

Its sounds as though the 924 shares a lot of suspension components with air cooled vw?

Can these made to be handle really well for reasonable money?

How much tire can you fit under the front fender?

Thanks
Rob

[ideola]

My advice would be to purchase the best condition car. Ideally, if you can find a late 1988 924S, you will have quite a potent package, and it will be quicker than a 944 due to the lower weight.

By the time the 924S came out, there wasn't any VW suspension stuff left, as it had all been upgraded and improved through 10+ years of development from the early 1976 2.0L 924 through to the wider, heavier, faster 944. The 924S is a bit of an oddball in this regard as it retains the early steel A-arms up front but got the later-style aluminum rear trailing arms.

All 924s and 944s are beautiful handling cars in stock form, and can be made much more aggressive by adding a wide array of track-oriented improvements. How far you should go toward track orientation depends on your intended use. Upgrading stock rubber suspension bushings will improve the cars handling, as the 30+ year old original bushings will be more compliant due to age. Upgrading to polyurethane bushings is a good balance between street and track. Solid bushings should only be considered on a track-only car.

Replacing the upper strut mounts with monoball or adjustable camber plates, and then adding a strut bar will eliminate flex in the shock towers. Upgrading strut inserts and shocks with Bilstein HDs or Koni adjustables is a good option for street oriented cars. Adding modern high performance rubber and aggressive street brake pads will further sharpen handling.

On the narrow body 924S, you can fit 7Jx16ET52 wheels up front, and 8Jx16ET52 wheels out back. You might be able to go with 17 inch rims, but you have to watch clearance of the front strut springs and the rear brake lines when you go beyond 16" diameter and 7"/8" widths.

Best performance mod on a naturally aspirated 8v motors is the Rogue Tuning NATune+MAF conversion, scheduled to be released by Lindsey Racing "any day now".

Personally, I am preferential toward the narrow body cars because there are fewer of them to begin with, and even fewer still in tip top shape. I like the wider aggressive stance of the 944, but there is something pure and elegant about the genesis of the line that is fully realized in the 1988 924S.

[Swennydawg]

You have to go with the one that puts a smile on your face. I've owned two narrow bodies and I like the simple layout of the interior and less moving parts to fail in the 8V! The whole series is pretty sexey to me, 924,928,944,968.These are not fast cars, my personal choice for more speed would be the 951. Remember this series is getting older and will require more maintenance. I would also go with the vehicle that was maintained versus one that was not.

[Fast Freddy 944]

Go with the more modern 944, the engine on the 924 isn't a true Porsche motor, at some point you will end up at a car show, we all do, and some dude with a 944 will point out that your car isn't fully Porsche, if you are planning to hot-rod your Porsche, you will find more hop-up parts for your 944 than the 924!

[dgcantrell]

The later 924S's had true Porsche 944 engines in them. I think the 87-88 924S was a 944 in 924 sheet metal and interior.

[Fast Freddy 944]

Originally Posted by dgcantrell

The later 924S's had true Porsche 944 engines in them. I think the 87-88 924S was a 944 in 924 sheet metal and interior.

You are correct! I'll be dammed!

[John_AZ]

Find a low mileage (under 100K ) '88 924S. It has 10HP more than the '87. Very noticeable.

ideola explains it well.

The 924S has excellent aerodynamics.

J_AZ

[grendiers]

Buy this:




From me: 1988 Porsche 924S SE

[jeff968]

Or consider the rare FINAL evolution...

[Rasta Monsta]

Originally Posted by Fast Freddy 944

The engine on the 924 isn't a true Porsche motor

LOL.

Can I make fun of your fwd Audi gearbox now?

[sausagehacker]

924S will have the same interior as an early 944. Of course with a 944, the late interior is different/updated. For a daily, decide which one you like better...it's all preference. A lot of people strongly favor the late interior, some people like the early simplicity and retro look.

[thomasryan]

Lighter=faster.....so they say. Go for it.

Audi...Aisin...Ina....Brembo...there will always be subcontractors. It is more cost effective.

[Volhv]

The 944 has a nicer stance. It's wider, has flared fenders......it just looks more exotic.
And the side markers don't look like driveway markers!

[Tervuren]

If I had it to do over again, I'd shop by looking for the interior that is in the nicest condition.

[The Glademister]

If you can find an '88 924S, buy it. Low production numbers and extra HP make it a desirable car. By the way, the '88 NA 944 had the same engine and same HP but suffers from a weight penalty. I've owned two '88 924S and those are solid cars.

[dgcantrell]

I'd take an 87-88 924S in a heartbeat if I found a nice one and had the money. The 968 is still my ultimate Porsche 4-banger score..

[porsche tech]

Having driven literally hundreds of both, I am of the opinion that the 924S is a much more nimble, agile car...but the 944 looks so much better! If I went with the 944 it would be the 85.5 or later as others have said.--Dave

[curtisr]

I would +1 everything written earlier. Instead I'll offer this:

• you can get a nice wide-stance if you use a 36mm offset rim.
• people will think you're driving a Mazda RX7
• the 944 might remind you of the shoulder pad craze of 80s fashions.

[F488GTB]

I own many Porsche cars from 1951-2015. Of the 924/944 series I like the 924S the best. The styling and performance in my opinion are more symmetrical. The 944 looks faster than it is while the 924S has performance that better matches its presence.

Just my $1.25 worth of input.

[Fast Freddy 944]

Originally Posted by Rasta Monsta

LOL.

Can I make fun of your fwd Audi gearbox now?

No prob, I fixed my noisy gearbox issue for now, lol!