Ok, there are two main differences in the non-turbo 944. Pre 1985.5 and post 1985.5 .Pre 1985.5's have, in my opinion, a very ugly dash whereas the newer cars have a more modern dash.
Any 944 is rock solid reliable as long as timing and balance belts are replaced on schedule and the cooling system is kept up to par. The recommended belt change is 50k miles and will go that far as long as there are no oil leaks at the front of the engine.
The NA 944 is an utter pig if automatic with only 143hp @8.3 sec 0-60 but the 5 speed is bearable. The braking and handling of the NA will be better than most anything you have ever driven though.
If it is an NA and cheap(under 4k or so), check records on the belts and have a PPI done.
The 944 Turbo which began in the US in 86 is a totally different beast from front to rear. In stock form, it produces 217hp and 243ft.lbs. of torque. 0-60 is 5.7 and top speed is 153mph. This is extremely limited by the the stock computer(KLR) which only allows 10lbs of boost below 3500rpm which is lowered to 7.5lbs of boost above 3500rpm by the cyclic valve that acts on the wastegate. With the use of a cheap manual boost controller or a $250 electronic boost controller with Autothority Stage II chips in the DME and KLR can yield 14-16lbs of boost and 250-265hp and a top speed of 172mph. This will bring 0-60 down to 5.2-5.3sec which is the same as the later model 944 Turbo S.
944 Turbo handling is remarkable! Porsche did'nt just throw a turbo on it. Everything in the suspension and drivetrain is bigger and beefier! The stock brakes are Brembo 4 piston calipers front and rear. Not to mention the front bumper and rear valance that look great but were designed in a wind tunnel to greatly reduce drag. Unlike most turbo cars, the 944 Turbo comes stock with a bypass valve that blows of boost pressure between shifts and has an auxilliary electric water pump that continues to circulate water through the turbo once the engine is turned off thus negating the need for a "turbo timer".
The 944 Turbo (951) is, bar none, the best bang for the buck. Especially if you can do alot of the work yourself. Keep in mind though, one that appears to be cheap and has no records or fails miserably in a PPI will be EXTREMELY expensive to repair and maintain when paying a competent shop to do the work. For example, timing and balance belt replacement will be an easy grand and a clutch replacement will be an easy $1400.
A 944, though considered to be a "poor man's" Porsche can be as expensive to repair as any 911 or 928.
The general rule of thumb on Porsche's is to buy the best one you can afford. A Porsche that appears to be a really good deal or a steal, is NOT unless, like myself, you can do most of the work yourself.
Below is an ad that shows the difference in components that seperates a lowly 944 and a 944 Turbo.
I dont know about the Northeast but any nice 944 should be around $4500-$7500, 944 Turbo $7500-$12500 and a 944 S2 $5500-$9000.
Go and find a 944S2 or 944 Turbo and test drive it. You will be amazed!
I have run with Corvette C5's on twisty roads and have either been right on their butts or passed them.
[ 05-09-2004: Message edited by: TR7/8 TPI ]
[ 05-09-2004: Message edited by: TR7/8 TPI ]</p>
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