928 Vs 944

[Paul Glasson]

Hi guys,
I hang around on the 924/944/968 forum as I drive an 84 944 NA, but I do wish to ask a few questions from people on the 928 forum as regards the car.
Frequently raised topics on the 944 relate to increasing the output of the 944 by doing various mods & dropping in V8 engines. I am a bit of a purist when it comes to my car and would not like to fit anything non Porsche on it. It does make sense to me to alter the suspension to improve roadholding even more on an already well balanced car. But changing motors and hotting up the car to me seems an expensive option when there are many good 928's out there to be bought if more grunt is required.
I have heard on the 944 forum and from speaking to guys in our local club that the 928 does not handle anywhere as well as the 944, so that is why many people opt for mods on the 944. Are there many of you out there who have owned or driven both cars and can comment on the roadholding differences?
The 944 supposedly does 0-100 kph (60mph) in approximately 8.4 sec. What does the 928 do?
The other frequently mentioned difference is the cost of repairs and initial cost of the car. Here an equivalent year and condition 928 would probably cost 1 1/2 times the 944. I have read that the 928 is a lot more expensive to repair and maintain. Is that the case?
It would be interesting to hear opinions from guys on the 928 board, as we on the 944 board could be a bit biased towards the 944, they being our pet loves next to the wife and kids.
thanks
Paul

[Iggy]

I can't comment on the comparisons between the two models since I haven't driven a 944, but I can tell you that my 928 has cost a lot less to maintain than I was led to believe. In the 2.5 years I've had it, I've spent less than $1000 on it, including new shocks, timing belt, water pump, etc. If you are willing to do your own work, it makes things a lot cheaper. Parts may be more expensive than for a 944, but you should just scan through a catalog like Performance Products or Vertex to see how things compare.

As for 0-60 times, my '85 is a hair below 6 seconds. Prior to '85 all US model 928s had considerably less HP (230 or less). 928 GTS models make to 60 in a little over 5 seconds.

I'd recommend against swapping a 928 motor into a 944. You'll have issues with getting the wiring and electronics correct and you'll screw up the weight distribution. Both 944s and 928s have nearly perfect 50/50 distribution. I can't imagine replacing a 4cyl with a 8cyl engine is going to do anything but increase front-end weight.

[sfierle]

I, too, am in the process of comparing a 928 and a 944. I am planning on replacing my 911 with one or the other. Just want to try something different, but I am a little afraid of potentially higher repair costs.

[Flormat]

I own both and I enjoy the 928 more overall. They are completely different cars built for different purposes. The 928 has all that power and torque and the weight gives a nice ride. The 944 does not ride quite as nice because it is lighter and nimbler and there are many times when I feel like driving the 944 because it feels that way. I would say the 928 is more expensive to own. I do all the work myself so the only expense is parts. If cost is a factor stick with the 944, aside from maintenance and parts the 928 is thirstier too. And don't listen to the Porsche claim of 8.4 from 0-60- Porsche is alway conservative on performance quotes. I have an old Car and Driver articel where they got the 8 valve n/a 944 to 60 in 7.5.

[Paul Glasson]

Thanks for the feedback. Flormat, as you own both and say the 944 is nimbler, what is the big handling difference on tight curves as in autocrossing-does the 928 oversteer/understeer or back tend to swing out. I would imagine the car would want to continue in a straight line a lot more under hard breaking on a corner due to the heavier front end.
Probably for autocross it would be better to stay with a 944, but open highway the 928 would be a nicer drive. When you look at afordability one would probably need to add in the extra expense of speeding fines. What is the purchase price comparison like there for the 928 vs 944 (not neccessarily S models)?

[..P]

I have em both, including a nice '84 944. They are similar cars, but quite different. The '83 928 cost more in 1983 than a new Vette costs off the showroom floor today, cost was of little concern to them back then. The 928 uses exotic manufacturing techniques too, such as aluminum body panels, expensive cast suspension parts, the Weissach rear axle, etc.

Try to change the rear shocks on a 944 and you can almost do it with your bare hands. Not so with the 928, as the rear suspension is rather complicated (and very very effective on the road).

Since the two cars handle differntly due to the 350-pounds of weight difference and several notable suspension differences, some people may think the 928 doesn't handle well, and boy are they mistaken. It is a heavier car and I'm absolutely sure it won't go through the 600' slalom as fast as a 944, however, on the open road in the real world, the 928 has the power and handling to eat many a 944. Don't get me wrong, I love my '84, it's a great car and it has gobbs of torque once you get the rpm band up a bit. The 928 just happens to be a much more expensive flagship car that was intended to dominate the Autobahns of the hinterland. It's a bruiser, especially a 5-speed.

If I were racing a 944 across the countryside, I figure the 944 would have a small advantage in some of the tighter turns. I would maintain a close distance however, because there is no significant difference that would allow a 944 to run from a 928. Once the road opened up a bit, or if I had a chance to unleash the gobbs of V8 torque, it would be all over as I'd just put it in 3rd gear and keep my foot to the floor until I blasted on by. Chalk one up for the 928.

I think everyone should have a 944 and a 928, they share a lot of technology, and in reality, you can dump as much money into a 944 as you can the bigger car, almost ! :-)

P

[TSNAPCRACKLEPOP]

i like the 944 better, and the brakes were bad on the 928. it was an automatic, and seemed to drive more like a volvo, cushy. i think a newer engine and a 5 speed is prob a little more impressive

[Ebs]

I have both and must say they are not easily comparable cars. the 944 is smaller, weighs less and as you would expect will out handle the 928. But the 928 feels more solid, still handles well, and provides effortless performance, where my 951 will go quicker - but its a screamer.

[bigyagi]

i drive a 1984 944, and its a good handling car. i have driven my friends 928, an earlier model, and i would have to say, that i feel that the 928 sticks to the road so much better. in part, due to being heavier. yes, the 944 is nimble, and has reasonable power, but its no match for the later 928.
i think probably as far as maintenance costs go, and parts, the 928 will be more expensive, but not by much.
i only wish more 928 models would become available in my area, as i think it would be a major step-up for me, to own one.

[Dougster]

I have been interested in owning a 928 since after I had my first 2 944's...I found what I thought was a cheap 79 928...It was a auto trans, and it had been abused...The car was in pretty bad shape in & out!
However...It was suprising to see such a car that ran as well as it did...

It shifted very well and ran VERY strong...It almost made me want to save it from becoming just dumped, but it needed so much to get it looking half way decent I didn't pull the trigger on it...

I agree with P, the 944 is low weight, but the V8 power will simply blow by the 4cy when ever the road is clear to pass...Both very good cars though, drive them and see what best fit your driving tastes.

[..P]

I want to add, however, that my '83 928S 5-speed will not blow by an S2 944 on the straightaways. I've done the time trials between my '83 (which was the fastest car sold in the US that year) and the '90 S2, and that little 4-cylinder will haul the mail like a banshee. It's not as quick to 60, but at the end of the quarter mile it's just a fender or so ahead of the 928. Of course, the newer versions of the 928 kept getting faster and faster.

Regards, P

[bookman]

Horsepower on the 928's varied widely by year. I would stick with 87+ models to get the most bang for buck at around 315+Hp and 315+ lb/ft torque. Top speed around 165.

my 2 cents: 944 [0r 951] is lighter and more nimble. 928 [later models] much faster and planted feeling. 928 prices aren't that high but they do require more $$ to keep up to snuff. 928 is also more rare, don't see many coming and going.

In the ned it's what your driving style and budget will bear that makes the decision.

[..P]

I've driven both in the last few days. The 944 S2 is one heck of a road rocket on the interstate. I run both with a V1, and it will gobble just about anything with a touch of the loud pedal.

The 928 is also one heck of a tour-de-force, being heavier with loads of torque, that SOHC aluminum engine in my '83 is a real beauty, and quite detuned too. Should last forever.

Performance of both cars is very similar in ultimate terms, however, they are with different character, kind of like the difference between a Cabernet and a Pinot. Everyone should have one of each.

P

[epbrown]

Lots of good comparison information in the thread. As another multi-Porsche owner, I'll add my two cents:

I think the 944 is the better all-rounder. If you're planning to use the car as a daily driver, the 944 combines the nimbleness of a 911 with the comfort, improved handling, and cargo capacity of a 928 with the benefit of improved mileage. People alway say I must spend an hour deciding which Porsche to take, but I don't. I love them all, but the 944 is the default choice when I commute or run errands. If it's really nice out, I take the top off the 911 and take that to work, but I like it more for weekends when I've got no "particular place to go." If I'm going on a long trip or on a date, the 928 is taken. (If you're single, I've discovered that the 928 is the female passenger's favorite Porsche overall, combining power and comfort; it's not as "raw" as either the 911 or 944.)

Emanuel

[Blackfoot]

I have an '88 S4 and an '87 951. The cars are very different. The 951 feels much more nimble, has better acceleration. The 951 steering is MUCH more precise and has better feedback. A bit easier to work on the 951. Definitely less to maintain(still expensive though). About the only pros for the S4 would be ride and better stereo.

________________________
Cars

[Touque]

like most have said, they are entirely different cars made for much different purposes. The 928 is a luxury GT cruiser designed to travel at triple-digit speeds on the autobahn all day... the 944 is much more of a 'city' or autocross car in that it's more nimble, and with a turbo (951), extremely quick. My 928 was around $60k when it was new late in 1986 and has full leather and a ton of goodies including ABS and limited-slip diff. I think the top speed is around 155+mph which should be more than enough.

Also mentioned, there is a big difference in older vs newer 928's. Starting in mid-year 1986 (known as 86.5 models), they were upgraded with a beefier suspension and LARGE 928 S4 brakes. Before the 1985, they had a less-powerful 16 valve engine (not including the Euro models...). The sound of the big V-8 is intoxicating!

The brakes on my 86.5 are unbelievable! The car has a tremendous amount of torque and with wide tires, it sticks to the road like 'glue'. In traffic at slow speeds, it can tend to feel 'heavy', especially with the large, wide tires. It's around 70+mph that my car really livens up and shows me she wants to go! The 944 is much more nimble for city driving, BUT a 928 with an automatic 4-speed transmission (again in the later cars) is very comfortable to drive in the city.

Just like a 911 or any other Porsche, yes the 928 can be expensive to maintain - it all depends on what the previous owner has or has not done... If you do much of the work yourself, there is not much difference.

Troy

[Iggy]

You guys realize he first posted his question 5 months ago? He may have made a decision by now....

[Touque]

well, if not him, then maybe someone else will find it useful!

[bigyagi]

i did find all the posts interesting. pretty much what i thought, and what i have found, when driving my friends 928. i'm hooked, so i'm looking at buying a 928 early next year.
good initial post! thanks guys.
bob.

[Paul Glasson]

It has been interesting to read all the pros and cons as regards 944 vs 928 over a period of time. Every time I read on the 944 forum comments about squeezing a few hp extra out of the 944, I still wonder why people just don't sell their 944 and buy a 928 or better still buy a 944 S2 or 951. It is a matter of personal taste, and I still prefer the looks of the 944 and enjoy its roadholding, and would go for a 944 S2 should I upgrade, not wanting the hassles turbos can give. Still the 928 would be a great car to own and experience Porsche V8 brute power. Thanks for all the feedback