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I am glad you explained the colour up front as I assumed my iPad had developed a screen fault.... PS having owned 4 944s and thought the S2 was the best, I more recently bought a Nissan 300ZX. The non-turbo one, unmolested. The T top is great and it feels more modern. I still miss the Porsches though.
I drove a 944 S2 for almost a decade until the gearbox broke and a kid on the way...I miss that car. When I pass one on the road now, fond memories flood in...
I've owned this car in Alpine white for 3 years now, and I love it for many of the reasons you stated. My electric top still works, so putting it up and down is a breeze. Also, I am able to accommodate rear seat passengers with the top down; the car you're driving seems to have some sort of aftermarket bit interfering with rear seat accommodations. The cabrio is my fair weather friend, while my daily is an E39 530i like you also recently reviewed and enjoyed.
4.0 or 4.3 TVR Griff is more than enough for road use in real world, & a great sounding car. Hopefully previous owners have sorted out the 'niggles', but you'll need to make sure the chassis is sorted now (but to be fair rust is an issue on any car from late 80s/early 90s). Bit more than your budget though. This still looks good for the money, especially if someone else has paid a lot of money to sort it! Modern colour suits it to.
Jay, you might like to pass on a suggestion for the owners of this car to fit Vibra Technics engine mounts, which totally cured a sticking down clutch pedal on my own car. These Porsches, being a very large capacity engine for a 4 cylinder, have a balancer {or 2 ?}, so won't shake nearly as badly as my old Pug at low RPM with stiff mounts.
My S2 had the same problem with the sticking clutch. No quick changes for a while. Had the master cylinder re-lined with stainless steel and problem was sorted.
Master & slave both replaced, reverse bled with new fluid and the under dash spring assembly adjusted in every way possible. Still gets a wee bit stuck, so the only thing left that could be the issue is the flexi line. Just need to replace that and reverse bleed again (fun with the starter taken off).
admittedly i don't know much about 944 specific quirks, but i was expecting it being the pressure plate giving up, i've had the sticking peddle thing as a warning a couple of times with that
I had a red 944 Cab a few years back, I did enjoy it but it being a bit needy and the scuttle shake took the edge off a little bit. Was always impressed how well it went though for the power output, got a 350Z Roadster which obviously felt much newer but it didn't feel that much quicker. Rust is the main problem with these, if you see any bubbles in the paint, its probably a lot, lot worse underneath, mine had seen lots of spending but I still had to spend much more time and money on it. Watch out for "projects" as they will bankrupt you, also watch out for shiny looking garage queens that look great but need loads of work. The engine also isnt quite as robust as the older 944 units, the cam sprockets can wear which is an expensive job. The old reputation of the 944 being tough, simple and easy to live with dates from the nineties, but they are now all knocking 30 years old as a minimum. Never had a car that had so many positive reactions.
Hi Jay, video made even more enjoyable by the fact I was just on that road yesterday. Rat-Run from Dundee to Glamis Castle in Angus. Great review by the way. Don’t think I could live with the colour tho!
I love my 944S2 Cab. Had it since 2006 & will never sell, even with the classic car hissy fits (even though its mostly due to not being used much) - its a great great car. As Jay states - not the quickest (I have my 2010 XKR for speed) but around the corners its just fantastic fun. I had the same clutch issue last year, turned out to be the master & slave cylinders were erm - very old. PS: Our dog fits perfectly on the rear sear ;-)
Let me join the club. Have mine since 1997. Should have been replaced by the 2013 F-Type V8 I got 3 years ago, but no, I could not give it away and will never sell. So now the S2 Cab is for the narrow Black Forest roads, and the FT for speed. Also same thing with the clutch. Replacing the slave cylinder fixed it.
944 S2 is a fantastic car and the coupe has a large removable sunroof that gets you 75% of the convertible experience. Highly recommended. A Honda S2000 is also a great car worth checking out from that period.
The 944 S2 Cabriolet was my everyday dream car back in the late 80's early 90's (triple black 4 me plz). I still have a soft spot for the 944s in general (S2) but that Cabriolet is amazing and even looks good top up with its small rounded top & its speedster looks. But why not go with a newer, fresher mid-rear mounted flat 6 cylinder like a Boxster or Cayman with hydraulic steering (986-987). Maybe an already modified Cayman
Love a 944 and what a coincidence you've actually gone and won one. My suggestion if you haven't driven one. Is a standard e30 325i cab, they sound awesome 👌
I like them, I almost bought a S1 944 Martini some years ago. I love those roads you were on, only about 5 miles from my home, perfect for test driving.
I own a 1990 S2 cabriolet….I bought it for myself (with the wife’s permission) in 2004 when I coincidentally turned 50 the same year I made Navy O6 (Captain). Incidentally, I live in New England, so I religiously put it in mothballs during the winter months. That said, I’ve kept up with the maintenance which has resulted in trouble-free ownership (mine is just at 68,000 miles or 109000+ kilometers). However, if you intend to drive yours year round, I’d opt for the coupe. I’ve seen 944s equipped with rooftop bicycle racks and parked at ski resorts with ski racks and snow tires…so they are much more versatile. Maintenance is the key to success….and the cost can be mitigated by turning the wrench yourself (the car is relatively easy to work on,)! I’ve also owned a MGB, a Datsun 240z, and a Mazda RX-7 …I loved all of them. Great video….though I was not crazy about that color, if you were to own it, it would indeed be unique! Good luck, sir, on your car search!
These are one the finest classics money can buy... Amazing handling, very rapid (for a classic), great looking, decent economy, cheap insurance, practicality, pop up headlights, incredible reliability if used daily...just not in green, any green
Jay, I would suggest you take a look at the Lotus Excel again. I remember how much you said you enjoyed it and regret selling it in your 29 cars, 30 years old video.
Hahaha. First second and I’m thinking „Hmm, balance shaft belt seems a bit too tight.“ Been driving 944s for too long 😅 Most people having issues with their 944s don’t drive them enough. They really get upset when standing.
Push the button and the roof goes up or down, 2 x twist catches done......(electrical operation was standard) Just done 1100 miles through Scotland in mine, actually prefer driving it over my coupe, even though my cab is slightly lowered..... I get full weeks shopping in there no problem. Ive had 4 adults (admittedly not the largest), roof down........ Yes, brilliant fun and performance is more than adequate, easy to access and really good over 4k........ I paid £7500 for mine 3 years ago....... My wife also has an S2 coupe as an only car
Agree all of that! Not driven a944 but would love to. Similar priced relativel “value” - my Smg cabrio M3. Half the price of a mint coupe. And as a toy, genuinely the smg is fun!
I'm an 80s kid and adore the styling of these, but I was so disappointed when I drove some with the intention to buy. Working the engine is a chore and while it drives well when up on its toes, you do get the sense it might kill you if you hit a damp patch.
I'm not sure I could put-up with buying a front-engined Porsche of this vintage, people seem to think that the 944 S2 is a classic 'sleeper', in reality Porsche were short of money when they produced it, and I'd rather spend a bit more money and opt for a 968, (not necessarily the fabled and expensive Club Sport), where Porsche had actually spent time and money upgrading the final iteration of this model.
I like the 944. I like the color. But I really don't like this color on this car. The 944 was a bit rare in the U.S. and the convertible even more so. The black 996 wheels are completely wrong as well. A set of BBS wheels would have been a much better choice. Thanks.
A decent TVR Chimaera 450 would likely just fit into your top budget, and while has 'less' power than the 500 (allegedly 270 bhp from the factory, but as we all know that is wishful thinking), is generally viewed (apart from the 430) as the best engine. Revs out, has reasonable poke but nothing eye watering and can easily be driven slowly/sedately without any issues. I just so happen to have one (mine is more of a project but drives and runs well, just needs paintwork doing)..
Colour looks lovely - if you're colour blind...Lovely car the S2, had one back in the day (1991). Decent amount of power, sweet chassis, even back seats for adults without legs. Loved it, but then swapped it for a 1991 928S4. A bit more power, well, actually, a lot more power and rear seats for very short people. Still love the 928 shape, so advanced for a car that came out in 1977. Must have looked like a spaceship back then. Still keeping the faith with a 1996 993 Carrera. Love the vids James, keep them coming. Cheers from a (rather chilly) Otford, Kent.
Buy a 968 as I did - guess the value will be stable or even go up… or go for a 944 with 163 horses (2.5l engine) with the newer dashboard. Had a lot of fun with that car. But most important is to find a decent one that has got some love over time 😉✌️🍀
My only experience with the "944 family" was a 924S I owned a few years ago. It was a well built '85 car but it was surprisingly thirsty for the performance and the handling felt a little odd in situations where you might test the rear tyres. I later moved to a succession of 3 door diesel BMWs (I have had 4) which at least have some torque and flexibility. Have you driven the 2nd gen Compact - loved mine.
That is exactly what I was going to suggest... Whenever I see a Saab 900 I find myself thinking "I really like that". Probably more now than when it was released.
had one for 3 years back in the day and loved it !! they look even better with the tonneau cover over the hood and weirdly i could take people in the back with roof down so not sure whats going on with that one there ??.... they also made a small amount of Turbo cabs.. they were rare back then ! one of a few cars that looks as good of not better as a Cab !
Having had a 944s2 coupe and a 986 Boxster, the Boxster is a far far better car. And for that sort of money, you can get a pretty good one, which will have far lower running costs and is equally unlikely to depreciate.
LOL the story of being traumatized by the top is hilarious. A buddy of mine in collage was given a 90 s2 cab just like that one and had several "fun" years of issues with it. Great car but that top gave him so much trouble he just left it down and never took it out when there was even a hint of rain
Constantly on the hunt for the next car. I am, but not within 1 day of driving my current car. Does that mean I bought the right car and just need to drive it more? It is a Porsche... To be fair I only sold my last car because it made financial sense to sell it and also to buy the porker when I did, another one of those is still top of the list for my next car. Peridot green does kind of work on that car but I have to look at it for about 10 seconds to get past the initial vomit thing.
James i love my ma70 supra its richt in your price range and its a time capsule of the 80s i would love to know what you think of them you can drive mine but im dutch thats a thing
I'm not sure I fancy the odd color as much as you. There were several bright historic colors but I don't remember this one in the US. Maybe the extra power in a 968 would be better without going to the turbo versions.
Non-standard colour, it's Peridot Green off a 2011/2012 Cayman R. Previous owner had it resprayed and it looks epic. Much better than the generic faded black, or faded red or faded white ;)
It's said OVER and over again, but I think there's no chance at all that the +2 seats are there for "insurance" reasons, which is why no one ever has a source for that claim. Even 30 years ago insurance companies were in the actuarial business. They made money by crunching numbers, and weren't about to be fooled by a few extra yards of leather. Those seats are there so that potential buyers can tell their spouses "Look, dear, it's a 𝙛𝙖𝙢𝙞𝙡𝙮 car." I own a '90 S2 Cab (in Velvet Red Metallic - the green was a very bad bet) and there's nothing in the shifter and linkage that can't be fixed pretty easily. I have never heard of common problems with electrics in a 944, though most of them aren't owned in UK weather. And there were only something like 6,000 Cabs ever built, so it will be quite a while before you see yourself coming or going. And, at the end of the day, a 944 S2 is a better driver than a roughly contemporary 911G, which I've also got. You're way down on revs when you say the car's not happy, and handling problems in any 944 are... not experienced by most drivers. If one is looking and liking an S2 Cab, for the money, one ought to be buying.
Had one of these for many years in Glacier Blue - which is still one of my all time favourite Porsche colours - and was fundamentally a good car. However, they have issues. The sills are like cheese and can cost a lot of money to replace. Lots of niggling issues that needed time and money - gearbox, heaters - the pipe coming loose from the water bottle can cost an hours labour due to the car being over engineered. I took out a Cayman S when they were new and it made the 944S2 feel like a piece of junk. Needless to say, it was replaced with the mid engined car as soon as I could afford it. I must say I cannot abide by breaking the golden rule of cars having non standard paintwork. If it wasn't an option at the time, then it shouldn't wear it. As for the black wheels....
...balanced cars always make good impression no matter their output is not high number.....every combo of chassis and gear box has its sweet spot of relevant horsepower.....BTW I wonder how Toyota Celica convertible drives....strongest engine they put in it was V6 with about 240PS....with 6speed stick it might be "Yeah".....
A lot of the problems you faced with this example are problems more specific with the one you are driving. These aren’t usually issues with other S2 Cabs.
@@jim_bocho the convertible problems I would say are uncommon. And the way the cars were converted was pretty extreme. Porsche even added a second floor. I wouldn’t say the job was rushed,
'Historic benefits'? , please tell me more. In the UK, cars over 40 years old, there is no yearly road tax (up to around £350) or MOT (£50 road test) to pay, & you can get cheaper classic insurance. What's the German system?
@@eze8970 if you get the historic status in Germany you pay a fixed amount of taxes per year (191€) and the insurance normally is way cheaper- but most importantly you are allowed to drive in the environmental zones many cities have now. Your car needs to be 30 years old- but to get the historic registration you need a certificate and you only get that if your car is in a good enough shape and historically accurate (so no new modifications, original color, original seats, original engine.....) you also still have to get the MOT (TÜV) every 2 years like everybody else.
@@olik136 Thanks for your reply. We have environmental zones to, & 'classics' are exempt. I'd think at least having better brakes would be a help on most classics!
It was virtually unsellable as too expensive and released in a recession ! As any Porsche Salesman of that era they ended up having them as their company cars !
How about a really low milage MK1 Mazda MX-5/Eunos roadster? One of the best modern classic cars you can get without the issues you'd get from other classics
Jay’s Cars Survival List (cars not included are cars that pictures weren’t included with registration plates) Peugeot 407: Exported in 2015 BMW 330Ci ClubSport: Still going, 193,000k miles! Porsche 911: Plate not registered (private plate put on since then) BMW 645Ci: Plate not registered (private plate out on since then) BMW Z4 M Coupe: Tax expired 2 months ago, has MOT. Only 43k miles! Peugeot 207 “Van”: Not registered with that plate BMW 325i E36: SORN, no MOT for 4 years, 170k miles BMW E46 M3: Exported in 2017, 136k miles on last MOT Lotus Evora: Still around of course Lotus Excel: MOT expired in 2019 Lotus Elise: Exported in 2020 BMW E34 530i: Valid MOT, tax due 30/09/21 Toyota Previa: SORN, last MOT in 2018 Alfa Romeo Brera: Taxed and MOT’d, 72k miles Subaru Impreza WRX Bugeye: Taxed and MOT’d, 116k miles Honda Civic EP2: Scrapped in 2019 with 131k miles BMW E92 M3: Re-registered (private plate changed to original or other) Porsche 911 996 C4S: Data looks odd on this one. It says MOT expired in 2008 with only 29k miles… Toyota Celica GT-Four ST205: Taxed and MOT’d, 128k miles Saab 9-3 TTID: SORN, MOT expired 26/02/21, 143k miles
It looks like you pretty much have your eye set on a 944 S2, then it has to be guards red with black interior and coupe, in a 4-star shape. I think 328 GTS in blue with cream interior would fit your taste but you have enough Ferraris. Only other car I can think of is E28 M5.
Unpopular opinion: I genuinely appreciate Porsche, father-in-law loves his, but for the life of me, I have never really enjoyed the noise they make (for the most part).
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Holy mother, Peridot Green (a modern colour) on an old transaxle Porsche. That's definitely eye-popping.
I am glad you explained the colour up front as I assumed my iPad had developed a screen fault....
PS having owned 4 944s and thought the S2 was the best, I more recently bought a Nissan 300ZX. The non-turbo one, unmolested. The T top is great and it feels more modern. I still miss the Porsches though.
the 300ZX is the unloved Z car, always liked the look of them!
I’m a big fan of the older 944 just for the gauges. Lol. I’m an 84 owner. I would love to get an s2 eventually
I drove a 944 S2 for almost a decade until the gearbox broke and a kid on the way...I miss that car. When I pass one on the road now, fond memories flood in...
I've owned this car in Alpine white for 3 years now, and I love it for many of the reasons you stated. My electric top still works, so putting it up and down is a breeze. Also, I am able to accommodate rear seat passengers with the top down; the car you're driving seems to have some sort of aftermarket bit interfering with rear seat accommodations. The cabrio is my fair weather friend, while my daily is an E39 530i like you also recently reviewed and enjoyed.
Watched my step dad build this very car from the ground up. Where I got my passion for cars to 😎
4.0 or 4.3 TVR Griff is more than enough for road use in real world, & a great sounding car. Hopefully previous owners have sorted out the 'niggles', but you'll need to make sure the chassis is sorted now (but to be fair rust is an issue on any car from late 80s/early 90s). Bit more than your budget though.
This still looks good for the money, especially if someone else has paid a lot of money to sort it! Modern colour suits it to.
Jay, you might like to pass on a suggestion for the owners of this car to fit Vibra Technics engine mounts, which totally cured a sticking down clutch pedal on my own car. These Porsches, being a very large capacity engine for a 4 cylinder, have a balancer {or 2 ?}, so won't shake nearly as badly as my old Pug at low RPM with stiff mounts.
The clutch sticking to the floor is a common symptom when the clutch system is low on fluid, has old fluid or else the master cylinder goes bad.
My S2 had the same problem with the sticking clutch. No quick changes for a while. Had the master cylinder re-lined with stainless steel and problem was sorted.
Couldnt it be the master cylinder mount giving up after many years?
Master & slave both replaced, reverse bled with new fluid and the under dash spring assembly adjusted in every way possible. Still gets a wee bit stuck, so the only thing left that could be the issue is the flexi line. Just need to replace that and reverse bleed again (fun with the starter taken off).
admittedly i don't know much about 944 specific quirks, but i was expecting it being the pressure plate giving up, i've had the sticking peddle thing as a warning a couple of times with that
I had a red 944 Cab a few years back, I did enjoy it but it being a bit needy and the scuttle shake took the edge off a little bit. Was always impressed how well it went though for the power output, got a 350Z Roadster which obviously felt much newer but it didn't feel that much quicker. Rust is the main problem with these, if you see any bubbles in the paint, its probably a lot, lot worse underneath, mine had seen lots of spending but I still had to spend much more time and money on it. Watch out for "projects" as they will bankrupt you, also watch out for shiny looking garage queens that look great but need loads of work. The engine also isnt quite as robust as the older 944 units, the cam sprockets can wear which is an expensive job. The old reputation of the 944 being tough, simple and easy to live with dates from the nineties, but they are now all knocking 30 years old as a minimum. Never had a car that had so many positive reactions.
Always liked the 944S2. They got the styling right, in and out.
Or a Viggen with some Abbott parts on it.
Hi Jay, video made even more enjoyable by the fact I was just on that road yesterday. Rat-Run from Dundee to Glamis Castle in Angus. Great review by the way. Don’t think I could live with the colour tho!
really cool to see you out in these classics, what do you make of the first gen rx-7's?
I love my 944S2 Cab. Had it since 2006 & will never sell, even with the classic car hissy fits (even though its mostly due to not being used much) - its a great great car. As Jay states - not the quickest (I have my 2010 XKR for speed) but around the corners its just fantastic fun. I had the same clutch issue last year, turned out to be the master & slave cylinders were erm - very old. PS: Our dog fits perfectly on the rear sear ;-)
Let me join the club. Have mine since 1997. Should have been replaced by the 2013 F-Type V8 I got 3 years ago, but no, I could not give it away and will never sell. So now the S2 Cab is for the narrow Black Forest roads, and the FT for speed.
Also same thing with the clutch. Replacing the slave cylinder fixed it.
If that had a nut and bolt restoration i'm the Pope
Bless you Father!
It might have had all the nuts and bolts replaced,but they seemed to have skipped the stuff the nuts and bolts hold on.😳
🤣🤣🤣
944 S2 is a fantastic car and the coupe has a large removable sunroof that gets you 75% of the convertible experience. Highly recommended. A Honda S2000 is also a great car worth checking out from that period.
I think he owns an S2000 if I’m not mistaken!
Great addition of the clips from previous vids, really reminds us which car you're actually on about 👍🏽
Saab 900 turbo with the understeer sorted. Practical, quirky, not too slow.
classic or ng?
James I'm not convinced you will stick to that budget.....look what happened to the budget for the daily 😁😉
968 CS would suit you 👌
The 944 S2 Cabriolet was my everyday dream car back in the late 80's early 90's (triple black 4 me plz). I still have a soft spot for the 944s in general (S2) but that Cabriolet is amazing and even looks good top up with its small rounded top & its speedster looks. But why not go with a newer, fresher mid-rear mounted flat 6 cylinder like a Boxster or Cayman with hydraulic steering (986-987). Maybe an already modified Cayman
you only have 169k subs ?? something is not right. I love your channel and you deserve much more.
Awesome car. That green is perfect for this car. Keep up the good work.
Love a 944 and what a coincidence you've actually gone and won one. My suggestion if you haven't driven one. Is a standard e30 325i cab, they sound awesome 👌
I like them, I almost bought a S1 944 Martini some years ago. I love those roads you were on, only about 5 miles from my home, perfect for test driving.
I own a 1990 S2 cabriolet….I bought it for myself (with the wife’s permission) in 2004 when I coincidentally turned 50 the same year I made Navy O6 (Captain). Incidentally, I live in New England, so I religiously put it in mothballs during the winter months. That said, I’ve kept up with the maintenance which has resulted in trouble-free ownership (mine is just at 68,000 miles or 109000+ kilometers). However, if you intend to drive yours year round, I’d opt for the coupe. I’ve seen 944s equipped with rooftop bicycle racks and parked at ski resorts with ski racks and snow tires…so they are much more versatile. Maintenance is the key to success….and the cost can be mitigated by turning the wrench yourself (the car is relatively easy to work on,)! I’ve also owned a MGB, a Datsun 240z, and a Mazda RX-7 …I loved all of them. Great video….though I was not crazy about that color, if you were to own it, it would indeed be unique! Good luck, sir, on your car search!
These are one the finest classics money can buy... Amazing handling, very rapid (for a classic), great looking, decent economy, cheap insurance, practicality, pop up headlights, incredible reliability if used daily...just not in green, any green
Another classic convertible I'd suggest would be a Peugeot 205 CTI. Cheap to run, gets looks, pokey engine, pure fun.
Just a suggestion try a Fiat x1/9, the later bertone version, you'll be surprised how much you'll enjoy it.
Not a patch on this
Jay, I would suggest you take a look at the Lotus Excel again. I remember how much you said you enjoyed it and regret selling it in your 29 cars, 30 years old video.
Hahaha. First second and I’m thinking „Hmm, balance shaft belt seems a bit too tight.“
Been driving 944s for too long 😅
Most people having issues with their 944s don’t drive them enough. They really get upset when standing.
The coupe of this car back in the day was voted the best handling car by road and track USA and that was comparing Lamborghini and Ferraris.
Just watched the Smoking Tire 992 GTS video and Matt is definitely rocking a very James Martin-esque shirt!
Push the button and the roof goes up or down, 2 x twist catches done......(electrical operation was standard)
Just done 1100 miles through Scotland in mine, actually prefer driving it over my coupe, even though my cab is slightly lowered.....
I get full weeks shopping in there no problem.
Ive had 4 adults (admittedly not the largest), roof down........
Yes, brilliant fun and performance is more than adequate, easy to access and really good over 4k........
I paid £7500 for mine 3 years ago.......
My wife also has an S2 coupe as an only car
Agree all of that! Not driven a944 but would love to. Similar priced relativel “value” - my Smg cabrio M3. Half the price of a mint coupe. And as a toy, genuinely the smg is fun!
I'm an 80s kid and adore the styling of these, but I was so disappointed when I drove some with the intention to buy. Working the engine is a chore and while it drives well when up on its toes, you do get the sense it might kill you if you hit a damp patch.
I have watch jason cammisa video on this particular porsche and thus know te anwser right away.
I'm not sure I could put-up with buying a front-engined Porsche of this vintage, people seem to think that the 944 S2 is a classic 'sleeper', in reality Porsche were short of money when they produced it, and I'd rather spend a bit more money and opt for a 968, (not necessarily the fabled and expensive Club Sport), where Porsche had actually spent time and money upgrading the final iteration of this model.
Bile green... hasten Jason, fetch the basin, I feel I'm going to... urk!
How about a 90's Saab turbo T16 (pre GM) the full fat model. Be good to see a review on one.
Aren't they super rare?
Amazing Colour. Love it.
12:04 I thought he said an "iPhone 4 is definitely on the radar."
I like the 944. I like the color. But I really don't like this color on this car. The 944 was a bit rare in the U.S. and the convertible even more so. The black 996 wheels are completely wrong as well. A set of BBS wheels would have been a much better choice. Thanks.
A decent TVR Chimaera 450 would likely just fit into your top budget, and while has 'less' power than the 500 (allegedly 270 bhp from the factory, but as we all know that is wishful thinking), is generally viewed (apart from the 430) as the best engine. Revs out, has reasonable poke but nothing eye watering and can easily be driven slowly/sedately without any issues. I just so happen to have one (mine is more of a project but drives and runs well, just needs paintwork doing)..
BLOOMIN' GORGEOUS CAR!
How much does an unsellable porsche 944 S2 cost and how much to repair clutch issue?
Colour looks lovely - if you're colour blind...Lovely car the S2, had one back in the day (1991). Decent amount of power, sweet chassis, even back seats for adults without legs. Loved it, but then swapped it for a 1991 928S4. A bit more power, well, actually, a lot more power and rear seats for very short people. Still love the 928 shape, so advanced for a car that came out in 1977. Must have looked like a spaceship back then. Still keeping the faith with a 1996 993 Carrera. Love the vids James, keep them coming. Cheers from a (rather chilly) Otford, Kent.
Mk II Clio Trophy like Harry Metcalfe had, perhaps? On those kind of roads it would be absolutely blissful.
Buy a 968 as I did - guess the value will be stable or even go up… or go for a 944 with 163 horses (2.5l engine) with the newer dashboard. Had a lot of fun with that car. But most important is to find a decent one that has got some love over time 😉✌️🍀
My only experience with the "944 family" was a 924S I owned a few years ago. It was a well built '85 car but it was surprisingly thirsty for the performance and the handling felt a little odd in situations where you might test the rear tyres. I later moved to a succession of 3 door diesel BMWs (I have had 4) which at least have some torque and flexibility. Have you driven the 2nd gen Compact - loved mine.
We need to see the top operation, really disappointed that you dont show that
A different classic would be a Saab 900 turbo, 9000 Aero or even a 99 Turbo
That is exactly what I was going to suggest... Whenever I see a Saab 900 I find myself thinking "I really like that". Probably more now than when it was released.
had one for 3 years back in the day and loved it !! they look even better with the tonneau cover over the hood and weirdly i could take people in the back with roof down so not sure whats going on with that one there ??.... they also made a small amount of Turbo cabs.. they were rare back then ! one of a few cars that looks as good of not better as a Cab !
Bit confused by the timing of this video Jay as you recently won a 944 Turbo. What happened to that car?
I never had any issues with my 944 S2 but the guy I sold it to went on to have many so that appears to be true.
I throught they only did the Yellow in thee Clubsport version of the Porsche 944 S2 .
I crashed a Lancia ypsilon, semi on purpose. Europcar didnt even notice haha.
Having had a 944s2 coupe and a 986 Boxster, the Boxster is a far far better car. And for that sort of money, you can get a pretty good one, which will have far lower running costs and is equally unlikely to depreciate.
To each his own but I think the boxer is also better looking. These 944s are becoming popular for LS swaps. Actually quite easy to do.
Wow, one of these with an E46 M3 six banger would be wicked if that fits the engine bay. Agree that it is a looker, alright!.
Jay, My bought new 89 944 Turbo S is available if you want a project (paintwork needs work). I've swapped to an Audi S3 Sportback for performance.
Love the colour! May I suggest a Marcos 3litre?
LOL the story of being traumatized by the top is hilarious. A buddy of mine in collage was given a 90 s2 cab just like that one and had several "fun" years of issues with it. Great car but that top gave him so much trouble he just left it down and never took it out when there was even a hint of rain
Yep it's a terrible piece of design
Just love that color on that car!
Constantly on the hunt for the next car. I am, but not within 1 day of driving my current car. Does that mean I bought the right car and just need to drive it more? It is a Porsche...
To be fair I only sold my last car because it made financial sense to sell it and also to buy the porker when I did, another one of those is still top of the list for my next car.
Peridot green does kind of work on that car but I have to look at it for about 10 seconds to get past the initial vomit thing.
I had a 968 once about 30 years ago. Hated it !
Six speed box (rare back then … ) but the solid ride made it unusable
Fantastic youngtimers those 944/968 transaxle models
James great content as always
You must try an Alfa GTV6 116 series
Consistently brilliant content.
James i love my ma70 supra its richt in your price range and its a time capsule of the 80s i would love to know what you think of them you can drive mine but im dutch thats a thing
Good lord that car is good looking.
I'm not sure I fancy the odd color as much as you. There were several bright historic colors but I don't remember this one in the US.
Maybe the extra power in a 968 would be better without going to the turbo versions.
Non-standard colour, it's Peridot Green off a 2011/2012 Cayman R. Previous owner had it resprayed and it looks epic. Much better than the generic faded black, or faded red or faded white ;)
Once I finish restoring it how about a Merlin Magic?
I've often see these and thought if they had a hard top, I would consider it very much.
It's said OVER and over again, but I think there's no chance at all that the +2 seats are there for "insurance" reasons, which is why no one ever has a source for that claim. Even 30 years ago insurance companies were in the actuarial business. They made money by crunching numbers, and weren't about to be fooled by a few extra yards of leather. Those seats are there so that potential buyers can tell their spouses "Look, dear, it's a 𝙛𝙖𝙢𝙞𝙡𝙮 car."
I own a '90 S2 Cab (in Velvet Red Metallic - the green was a very bad bet) and there's nothing in the shifter and linkage that can't be fixed pretty easily. I have never heard of common problems with electrics in a 944, though most of them aren't owned in UK weather. And there were only something like 6,000 Cabs ever built, so it will be quite a while before you see yourself coming or going. And, at the end of the day, a 944 S2 is a better driver than a roughly contemporary 911G, which I've also got. You're way down on revs when you say the car's not happy, and handling problems in any 944 are... not experienced by most drivers. If one is looking and liking an S2 Cab, for the money, one ought to be buying.
Would you could also consider an E36 Vert?
Jag XFR 5.0 V8 supercharged awesome car
Had one of these for many years in Glacier Blue - which is still one of my all time favourite Porsche colours - and was fundamentally a good car. However, they have issues. The sills are like cheese and can cost a lot of money to replace. Lots of niggling issues that needed time and money - gearbox, heaters - the pipe coming loose from the water bottle can cost an hours labour due to the car being over engineered. I took out a Cayman S when they were new and it made the 944S2 feel like a piece of junk. Needless to say, it was replaced with the mid engined car as soon as I could afford it. I must say I cannot abide by breaking the golden rule of cars having non standard paintwork. If it wasn't an option at the time, then it shouldn't wear it. As for the black wheels....
...balanced cars always make good impression no matter their output is not high number.....every combo of chassis and gear box has its sweet spot of relevant horsepower.....BTW I wonder how Toyota Celica convertible drives....strongest engine they put in it was V6 with about 240PS....with 6speed stick it might be "Yeah".....
A lot of the problems you faced with this example are problems more specific with the one you are driving. These aren’t usually issues with other S2 Cabs.
Play in the gearbox and a sticky clutch are fairly common with any 944, but (fairly) easy to mitigate.
@@jim_bocho the convertible problems I would say are uncommon. And the way the cars were converted was pretty extreme. Porsche even added a second floor. I wouldn’t say the job was rushed,
My fathers best car was his 944 2.7lux
Now he’s boring and has an eos….
Take me back 10 years
Panthers top, well done, chap!
Vince Trocheck jersey spotted. 👌
they seem to be worth more in Germany- but the color problem is even worse- since you need an original color to get the historic benefits
'Historic benefits'? , please tell me more. In the UK, cars over 40 years old, there is no yearly road tax (up to around £350) or MOT (£50 road test) to pay, & you can get cheaper classic insurance. What's the German system?
@@eze8970 if you get the historic status in Germany you pay a fixed amount of taxes per year (191€) and the insurance normally is way cheaper- but most importantly you are allowed to drive in the environmental zones many cities have now. Your car needs to be 30 years old- but to get the historic registration you need a certificate and you only get that if your car is in a good enough shape and historically accurate (so no new modifications, original color, original seats, original engine.....) you also still have to get the MOT (TÜV) every 2 years like everybody else.
@@olik136 Thanks for your reply. We have environmental zones to, & 'classics' are exempt.
I'd think at least having better brakes would be a help on most classics!
TVR 3000m/2500m or s3 I think you may like. I dont like the interior on the s1 and s2 though.
Does your action cam record in 4K or you upscale it?
Beautiful car great job
Charming classic cabriolet?
Austin-Healey 3000
Triumph TR6
BMW 325i
Find the right colour, of course, especially for the A-H 3000.
It was virtually unsellable as too expensive and released in a recession ! As any Porsche Salesman of that era they ended up having them as their company cars !
He wasn't talking about the 944 as a whole, he was talking about the green one he was driving. The guy that restored it couldn't sell it.
@@technicalscience My apologies . . . . . . For misunderstanding although my comments are still relevant about when new.
I'm loving the colour 👍
How about a really low milage MK1 Mazda MX-5/Eunos roadster? One of the best modern classic cars you can get without the issues you'd get from other classics
Boooring
Very nice, but I think you should get an old Lancia instead.
You should get an E34 M5, I think
I drove my friends Saab Viggen last week...kinda fun...how about one of those?
I would have the (if you can find a proper one with the rescue kit to prevent the bulkhead spliting)a convertible viggen or hot turbo.
Panda 4x4 twin air? Just bought one. Not at all fast but at least interesting.
Jay’s Cars Survival List (cars not included are cars that pictures weren’t included with registration plates)
Peugeot 407: Exported in 2015
BMW 330Ci ClubSport: Still going, 193,000k miles!
Porsche 911: Plate not registered (private plate put on since then)
BMW 645Ci: Plate not registered (private plate out on since then)
BMW Z4 M Coupe: Tax expired 2 months ago, has MOT. Only 43k miles!
Peugeot 207 “Van”: Not registered with that plate
BMW 325i E36: SORN, no MOT for 4 years, 170k miles
BMW E46 M3: Exported in 2017, 136k miles on last MOT
Lotus Evora: Still around of course
Lotus Excel: MOT expired in 2019
Lotus Elise: Exported in 2020
BMW E34 530i: Valid MOT, tax due 30/09/21
Toyota Previa: SORN, last MOT in 2018
Alfa Romeo Brera: Taxed and MOT’d, 72k miles
Subaru Impreza WRX Bugeye: Taxed and MOT’d, 116k miles
Honda Civic EP2: Scrapped in 2019 with 131k miles
BMW E92 M3: Re-registered (private plate changed to original or other)
Porsche 911 996 C4S: Data looks odd on this one. It says MOT expired in 2008 with only 29k miles…
Toyota Celica GT-Four ST205: Taxed and MOT’d, 128k miles
Saab 9-3 TTID: SORN, MOT expired 26/02/21, 143k miles
You only need this comment on one video. I appreciate the effort :)
@@JayEmmOnCars Sorry Jay. I spent a long time making this feel free to delete those I just wanted to make sure you saw it sorry jay thanks :)
This Porsche is cooler than a polar bears claws, now that ice cold ❄️ Porsche!
It looks like you pretty much have your eye set on a 944 S2, then it has to be guards red with black interior and coupe, in a 4-star shape. I think 328 GTS in blue with cream interior would fit your taste but you have enough Ferraris. Only other car I can think of is E28 M5.
Love 944’s and love the panthers jersey mate !
good colour...fun looking
A 968CS please James!
To be honest I think the 928 is the best of the Porsche GT cars. The engine is more then capable enough. They are pretty cheap as well.
I was thinking that too. There's something so attractive about a big v8 motor.
@@mattevans4377 V8's do that, so do V12's. I just like the idea of them.
Unpopular opinion: I genuinely appreciate Porsche, father-in-law loves his, but for the life of me, I have never really enjoyed the noise they make (for the most part).
Such a gorgeous looking car