Daily driver - vanilla 944 or Acura Integra?

[billwagnon]

My 93 Escort wagon is just about beat. I have to have a hatchback or wagon for carrying stuff around, and I don't want to spend more than $4 to $5k. I can do some of my own work on the car too. It's got to be dependable.

Is a 944 even in reach? Don't want a 951, just a plain-vanilla 944. Would a 2nd gen Acura Integra be a better choice?

[Panzer909]

Go for the Acura.


I use my 944 as a daily driver but the parts/upkeep over a cheap Japanese car are staggering. And I do most of my own work! I guarantee that they'll be a bundle of responses from guys here saying to "go for the 944!" But when looks aren't your priority, the Acura would be it, IMHO. Besides, you've got a nice "fun" car anyways, right?

[Blackfoot]

Integra, unless you want another money pit.

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Cars, but no Integra

[gtroth]

My plan was to sell my '96 Integra when I got my '88S, but I haven't actually done that yet. I daily-drive the S, and drive the Integra only in snow or when something's broken on the 944. The Integra is basically perfect and will run very predictably when ever I need it. But I hate it. I resent it every time I have to drive it. It no longer fells like a real car to me (feels too light I guess). Anyway, currently having both, there is no way I would give up the 'S' and keep the Integra despite the drawbacks. Not even close.

[Taz's Master]

If you don't need a car that you'll fall in love with, but rather a car that you can drive without it costing you much, get the Acura. The reasoning for buying a 944 is subjective, so if you need reliable cost-effective transportation first, and after that would like something cool, walk away from the 944. A Porsche isn't an apliance you need to use, it is something that you need to have. The bills that come with its usage are what it costs, not the purchase price.

[Zlatko]

Honda = More Aftermarket, Less Repairs, More Reliable, FWD, Torqueless
944 = Dead-end Aftermarket, More Problems/Repairs, Less Reliable, RWD

I usually HATE honda. But for your application, a Teg would be good.

[Brando]

GIT TEH INTGERA N DRP A 25 PSI TURBO IN IT. YOUL BE DOIN 10S IN NO TIME TATS WITOUT NE STICKRZ.

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Surely i jest. My opinion would be to get the '44 because for $4k you'll have one in decent daily driver shape. You own a 911 now so the expense of a 944 would seem marginal to what the 911 has cost you.

Comparison Shopping in my house:
Distributor, cap, rotor, plugs and wires for an '82 911: ~$300.

Distributor, cap, rotor, plugs and wires for an '83 944: ~$150 (paid $107 on my 924)

[89944TurboS]

Get a 91 + Nissan 240 SX, DOHC engine making 155 HP stock, drop dead reliable with NO timing belt issues or expenses...32 MPG on the hiway, RWD for much better handling then a acrua/honda and rates pretty well with the 944 when they were both selling them in terms of fun...
You can get ether a hatchback or a coupe version...
One of the best kept secrets, Nissan 240 SX!

I have one as my daily driver, a 93 with almost 170k miles and it runs like new, its the loaded SE version and EVERYTHING still works on it!

A trip to Miami over the winter got me 32 MPG doing 85-95 MPH pretty much the whole time...They have a 15.8 gallon tank and I was getting around 450 miles on a tank of gas...

[helowrench]

I have seen a couple of the old 240sx with a 280z inline 6 in them. Gobs of torque, silky smooth linear delivery. Very fun cars. But the best was the Datsun 510 with the 280z turbo motor, z brakes (it is all bolt in), yada yada.....that was insane.
Rob

[89944TurboS]

Yep, But I wish Nissan would have sent over the Silva's 1.8 Turbo version to the states, that 1.8 Silva motor produces like 300 HP and gets good gas mileage. light, reliable, great handling cars... I guess alot of guys do the swap...

[MrPants]

Friends dont let friends drive jap crap.
I kid I kid.
The question is what you are looking for. Something totally utilitarian, or something that makes the daily drive a bit less tedious?
If you could tolerate the acura as a daily driver it is probably the responsible choice. If you buy a good 944 it will be as reliable than some grocery getter. However, if the worst were to happen unexpectedly (timing belts do break unprovoked on occasion) the 944 will cost more for random repairs.
If i were in your shoes i would rather have an enjoyable daily driver, and get the 944.

Edited to add one more thing: the 944 is probably at or close to its lowest price in terms of up front cost. If you buy one now, and maintain it, it is feasable to sell it for what you paid.

[toolboy62]

If you're asking the question you probably *want* the 944... truth is around here the 944 is cheaper in purchase price than an Integra so it's about a wash. I chose the 944.

Of course, my other option that I was seriously considering for a DD was (don't laugh) my friend's '64 Studebaker. He sold it to another mutual friend in CA. The guy from CA drove it home from Indiana and replaced a U-joint. On the 944 I've replaced all belts, hoses, a water pump, thermostat, radiator, and motor mounts. Oh yeah and the f'ed up Autothority short shift kit. Guess who's kicking himself right now... (but the 944 *is* a stick, even if it's slower...)

nate

[Crippler]

My girl friend took her slightly moddifed 1994 integra to the autox school this past weekend and the instructor said it was one of the best handling cars he drove that day.

It's a very nice car to drive, just doesn't give me that same feeling the 944 does though

[emwporsche]

may I suggest something different
(I would go with the teg if I were you)
but I really really hate them. REALLY.


check out the Subaru svx
fast, reliable, luxurious, and roomy
(did I just write 'roomy' WTF?)

awd, nice stereo, semi exotic, cheap, etc

all I put into mine was an altenator
I only sold it because I wanted a money pit (944 turbo).

that thing killed everything on the street!

I did think it was weird that it is fwd until you lose traction then the rwd kicks in

I bought it from a dealer and sold it for MORE a year later.

[billwagnon]

But the SVX is weird looking!

944 prices seem low; I need something rather utilitarian, but I prefer "classic" to "sterile" (I was thinking maybe a VW Squareback, too)...thanks to all for the input.

[Blackfoot]

With 944's, and indeed many older Porsches, it's not the entry price that gets you, it's the cost of maintenence that really gets you fed up with the brand, no matter how nice they run when running properly.

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Cars

[URIN 2ND]

My girl friend took her slightly moddifed 1994 integra to the autox school this past weekend and the instructor said it was one of the best handling cars he drove that day.

Dude, he was just saying that to score with your girlfriend. Duh!

[Dougster]

ha ha, good one, I was wondering that myself.

[Joe Anstett]

Originally posted by emwporsche

check out the Subaru svx
fast, reliable, luxurious, and roomy
(did I just write 'roomy' WTF?)

awd, nice stereo, semi exotic, cheap, etc

I was thinking about getting one but my friend with a WRX steered me away from it because it sold in such low volume it's impossible to get parts for it.