Comparison with 944

[Turbowned]

I work for a Porsche/Audi dealer and even now with parts and labor discounts I'm still wary about a 944. My friend who builds and maintains Porsche race cars says that the 944 can be a big headache repair-wise, and I wouldn't waste my time with anything other than a 951 Turbo S, which are tough to come by. I've gotta talk to him about the Cayman and see what he thinks about that, because a used '07 Cayman goes in the low $30k range these days; almost on par with a BRZ Limited.

[Matador]

Always loved the 944. Been jonesing to buy one from an ex's dad... so many good cars, so little time.. aaaarrrrrrrggghhh

[taosracer]

So here's the little I know about 944s. I raced one in NASA spec944 class for a few seasons and race prepped a couple others for "customers". You can pick them up in ready to "strip, cage and race" condition for under $1500 all day long, and a total investment of $7-8K can build a competitive car. If you want a well presented street-able one, plan on spending similar money, just in different areas. Porsche imported these by the crapload for a few years ('83-88) and they are easy to score in any shape you can afford, sky's the limit there. Plan on spending a lot more on the turbo version.

That being said, I would never own one again for a DD. Just drawing comparison to the engineering concept, PW ratio, F-R balance, stature and overall "fun to drive" aspects. Thank god the BRZ doesn't have a torsion tube rear suspension

[tranzformer]

You guys remember this advertisement?




I would personally love a clean black 944 in mint condition.

[zoomzoomers]

Originally Posted by tranzformer

You guys remember this advertisement?




I would personally love a clean black 944 in mint condition.

Those are both Turbos.

[tranzformer]

Originally Posted by zoomzoomers

Those are both Turbos.

I never said I wouldn't take a turbo version.

[Sully]

Originally Posted by tranzformer

I had also been looking at a used 944 but repair costs would be a killer for me.

Yeah, same. A big reason I'm looking at an FRS is because I don't have a garage to work in anymore. If I did, I'd be looking at different cars...like a 944 w/ a modern(read: low maintenance) engine swap, FD RX7, MR2-T or something else, and a beater.

[Dazza]

A friend of mine took my 86 for a spirited drive in the hills last week and was staggered at the similarlity between the way it drove compared to his 944 turbo which he has had and raced for many years (tells me its actually his favourite road car and he has a few including an e36 M3 and a Ferrari 308 GT4.....yes he prefers older cars )

By the end of the drive he was mightily impressed and I think seriously considering whether an 86 or BRZ might fit in the garage as a modern interpretation of his favourite 944

[DJCarbine]

Just got a friends 944 up and running again, he races in NASA spec944


A great clean example that has been maintained is a fun car.
A "fixer upper" can be a total nightmare.

Clutch replacement/oil pressure relief valve/cracked oil pickup tube... these are just some of the "common" nightmares that I would rather light my face on fire than deal with again lol

They are tons of fun though, we took it out after getting it started on the new engine for some fresh gas.... no hood, 5 point harnesses, smoke from all the oil burning off the manifold trailing behind us.... because racecar. Feels very similar to the FRS in some aspects

[regal]

Its a good comparison, I think the twins have may have a little more in common with the Porsche 924. The 924 was sort of a collaboration with VW and built in a VW plant. Similar how this is Toyota built by Subaru. Also the 924 featured a fairly bland engine due to emmisions/fuel economy, same as the Twin's FA20 lacking displacement so Toyota can meet 2015 CO emmisions.

On the other hand in comparison to '80s sports cars the twins feel to have more GT car character than people give credit, they really surprise me how well they handle the interstate. They remind me more of the '84 BMW 633csi I owned than my friend's '88 325is. I never got the chance to drive a 928 but I wouldn't be surprised if the Toyobaru felt more like a 928 than a 944.

Toyota touts design influence from the AE86 and the 300GT but I think the Toyobaru has more influence from '80's Germany.

[speedy racer]

I owned a 1984 944 its was similar to BRZ in balance weight distribution but was short on power, only150hp. It was a money pit, cost 500 to change the water pump bc of timing belt was in front of it.

[Gen]

Originally Posted by tranzformer

I never said I wouldn't take a turbo version.

Those turbos are quick. My coworker's stock 944 turbo is faster than my FBM turbo'd FRS--granted I don't believe it's running quite right.

[ATL BRZ]

My first car when I was 16, 1987 Porsche 944S, 190hp 2.5L 16v. Drove it through High School, loved it! Bought for $4500 with 87k miles and sold 4 years later for $7500 with just over 100k miles.







Second one after college, 1989 944 Turbo, Lindsey Stage 2 MAF feeding a K27/6 turbo. 55lb injectors, 3 bar FPR, hard intercooler pipes, dual port wastegate, Evolution diverter valve, stainless fuel lines, camber plates, lindsey 4" catless exhaust







They are fun, well balanced sports cars. They will bite your wallet hard if you are lazy about preventative maintenance like the water pump, timing belt, and cam chain tensioner on the 16 valve cars. My old 951 was crazy fast at 18psi making about 300whp on pump gas. It was not reliable, however. I had to replace reference sensors before realizing that the rings were likely going bad. Right now it's sitting in my Dads garage awaiting repair/sale as I can't afford to keep it running nor can I afford two car payments right now. It needs a compression check. Last I ran it there was so much positive crankcase pressure when just barely building boost the AOS top blew off and oil went everywhere under the intake. I will miss it but I will not miss maintaining or working on it.

My BRZ reminds me of my first 944S in many ways. Loves to be revved out, makes up for a lack of power in handling and braking performance, and has great looks! The BRZ is WAAAAAY easier to work on, though. Hans and Frans designed nearly everything on the 944's to be a pain in the ass.

[WolfpackS2k]

Beautiful cars man!