911 or 944 which is supperior?

[wisdom]

I would like to know from all the 911 and 944 guys what is the diffrence betwean the two. I would like to buy one in the near future. I have almost compeleted my 68 ghia and would like to start another project but would like to have more info on the diffrence betwean the 911 and 944 I want to buy a car that will nead just cosmetic work and would like to do all the mechanical work my self what would all of you suggest i buy. I would lika 1980 and below car as i live in california and i have to deal with these emission problems we have here, so any vehicle i won't have to smog would be great.
p.s what year would be the best for a 911 or 944

[Bruce]

[jackq]

Like anything else....to each his own. I own two old 911s...a 70 911Ewith a/c, carbs and a 2.2 5 speed. The other is a 75S, F/I, sunroof...no a/c2.7 5 speed. Have worked on quite a few 944 types but never bought one. The 944 have the engine up front while the 911 is in the rear. I jump out of my wifes 78 bug vert and then drive one of the 911s...well...not quite the same but at least the engine is in the correct location. No Porsche is cheap and easy to maintain so while you think maintaining a Ghia is expensive, wait till you start buying parts for a Porsche. Kinda like last week when I needed a few small parts for a 66 Chevy Belair I was finishing up to sell..pennies compared to a couple small parts I needed to price for a 90 Corvette I was buying. You gulp and pay the price. Good luck.

[75 VW Beetle]

IMHO, the 911 is far superior to the 944 as far as performance, handling, all around sportyness..You could compare the 944 to the current porsche boxter, not nearly as capable or fast as the 911 but a fraction of the price. But thier pretty neat cars and you can buy one reasonably priced. However, parts are VERY expensive. I called a dealer while looking at a 76 924 and they quoted me $1200 for a new clutch.

There are no 944's that are model years 1980 or lower.

Porsche built the front engine watercooled 924 to replace the mid engine air cooled 914. In 76 it was introduced with a 2L water pumper that produced about a 100 hp. They made a turbo version in 78 bit they are quite rare. The interior is a lot more classic feeling then the 944 and the gauges remind me of the 914.

Then in 83 they made a few changes and rebaged it the 944. They now put a 2.5l waterpumper in it that moved the hp rating into the mid 100's. If I remember corrrectly the 83-84 944's still retained the classic serperated gauges. In 85 they went to a flat pannel cluster. Then in 87-88 they also had a turbo model that is pretty pricey..

They continued the 944 style run into 1991..

The purpose of the 924/944 was a lower pirced sports car with a little less power and agilitly for someone who didn't need the race car performance and price tag.

Hope this helps, I looked into a 924 before buying my bug.
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'75 T1 Std Sedan
'10 Golf 2.5 Coupe

[Rescue912]

Find a 912

Looks of a 911, powerplant of a 356 so you can actually work on it. J/K, given the choices, go with a 911.
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Beauty is in the eye of the key holder ...

[wisdom]

thanks people the info was great i think i will save my pennys before i bu a 911. the ghia i have is just fine i will probably buy a bug after the ghia is painted and complete. thanks once again.

[sushinav]

For Cali, you'll need 1975 or earlier cars, not 1980.

I've owned both 911s and 944s. They are both superb but different. Different price, different driving experience, different handling, different comfort, different to work on, etc. Best advice is drive several examples of both, see which one you like. Then buy the nicest one you can find within your budget. If your budget is under 10k, stay away from 911s as you will probably get one with expensive maintenance needs. You can, however, get a nice 944 for under 10k that will be in great condition and be a great car to drive.
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Aircooled for Life. Sick with gearheadia.
71 SuperBeetle
70 Square Chop

[Airsick]

If you are going to compare air and water it should be between the 928 and 911. Two different cars with lots of preformance to offer.