1989 Porsche 944 S2 from UK and Ireland - Comments

I've had the car for three weeks and the fuel pressure regulator went (£43 inc VAT from Porsche). Could happen to anyone I'spose. Other than that no problems as yet (Touch wood!).

This car looks the dogs! Superb build quality and very responsive engine. Like most 16v's it's peeky at the top end. Handling is excellent and you feel at one with the car. Lots of grip and good balance means no nasty surprises either. Take it easy in the wet though as it's still a RWD. Good brakes too and ABS is reassuring.

Interior good and solid with no squeaks or rattles which is good for a 10 year old car. Handbrake gets in the way when getting in/out of the car and it difficult to get in if you have got long legs. Steering wheel not adjustable either. Speakers a bit naff and have no midrange, even on good head unit (this car has the 'luxury sound system' option too).

0-60 time is good, but it really comes into it's own when out on the motorway. Watch your speedo though or you'll find yourself doing 120mph!!

Overall I love it. You know you have the right car when you gasp every time you come out in the morning and see it!

I also own a 1990 S2. I have to say that like the other guys I have fallen for this car. I have driven lots of cars and I would say this baby has the safest and most balanced handling of the lot. You can push the limits at just about any speed and on any road surface. Some of the others comments are a little strange though. I would say the lack of throttle response is the worst thing about this car, followed by the tire noise (road roar).

The engine has loads of torque and pulls strongly from any engine speed. Very impressive for a normally aspirated motor.

Handling in the wet is very dependent on having the suspension properly setup and the correct, same make/pattern tires front and rear. When all this is done the car is as brilliant in the rain as the dry.

The best thing about this car is the brakes. They are just unbelievably good.

Stand on the pedal at 120 MPH on a bad road and the car just pulls up like/better a normal car does from 50 mph. The seats are also incredibly comfortable, probably the best amongst German cars and light years ahead of the awful things the Japanese put in most of their cars.

How good is the handling? Well 2 weeks ago a guy in a Lotus Elise couldn't match me through corners I previously struggled to just about make at 8-10 mph slower in Subaru Impreza turbo.

This is a real sports car! Don't believe the hype and boy racer rubbish put out by people that have never even driven a Porsche.

I would like to disagree with the previous 2 comments about the S2... but I can't! I own a 1989 S2 and every time I drive it I get out with a smile on my face. The car inspires confidence all the time, especially when pushing it through a series of bends, it sticks to the road like glue. It never ceases to amaze me each time I press the loud pedal to exit the corner, it sticks, sticks and then sticks some more!

The interior is well laid out, and extremely comfortable whilst still keeping you in place when you're having a bit of fun. It feels as though someone has made a car just for me. With regard to the ICE, I have a top of the range Sony unit with the luxury pack speakers and it sounds superb and is easily loud enough and distortion free even at high speed.

With the exception of oil, which it tends use at an alarming rate, although still within the manufacturers tolerance, I find the running costs very reasonable. It is serviced twice a year and this cost around 200 pounds each time, tyres are Pirelli and cost around 120 pounds and last me for 10000 miles. Even the petrol consumption is not excessive, returning around 20mpg on average, (it drops to around 8 when on the track!).

I would recommend the S2 to anyone.

I too have an '89 S2, and again, mine uses oil at an alarming rate, but still within the manufacturers tolerances. About 1.5 liters per 1000km. However, you must drive it very hard as I get an average of more like 30-35 mpg!! According to the manual you should be able to get 40+ mpg at a constant speed of 56 mph.

I own late 1991 S2 and my experiences with the car are much the same as the previous comments. I can only add that I have had no repair bills as of yet and despite the terrible weather we are having at the moment it continues to perform brilliantly. My only slight problem was with a sticking tailgate which I fixed by cleaning the locks.

The car uses almost no oil although I probably don't use it as hard as the previous people who have commented. I would agree that road roar from the tyres is a little tiresome on the motorway, but I'm usually having too much fun to notice it.

The car is a classic and these days they are extremely cheap to own. Running costs can be contained using a friendly specialist although the OPC can be reasonable for some jobs.

To close can I just say that if you have between £5000- £8000 to spend on a sports car then there is no better car to buy. An imprezza Turbo may be quicker overall, but it's a tinny Jap saloon!! If you have soul buy a car with soul. S2.

Oil Consumption.

I owned a 944 for 5 years and noticed the following on oil consumption.

When using synthetic oil, consumption increased alarmingly to about 1.5l/1000miles and the engine (which had only done 50k) smoked on acceleration. Could not see it inside the car, but friends following me took great delight in informing me of the problem.

Changed to semi-synthetic (available from any Audi dealer for £10 a can) and changed oil and filter every 5k. Result, no more smoke and consumption reduced to 1l/5000 miles.

Engine was still strong and reliable 40k/5 years later when the car was written off due to a minor shunt. Beware, front end panels are outrageously expensive to replace.

Just bought a 944 S2 cab 91 model, FSH with 94000 on the clock.

What a fantastic car. I love it; the looks you get with the top down, the speed and thrill of driving it, just brilliant.

For a 16 year old car, it knocks spots any other cab on the market, and even my wife loves it now after saying 'why waste all that money when I can have a new kitchen!'...

Well, I can live without the kitchen, but not the S2 (and not the wife, soppy I know).

Steve.

Well I've owned my baby for about 12 years now, and despite going through a few rough times with her, it's safe to say I'll probably own her forever!! (or until one of my sons is responsible enough to own it). Luckily, for the time being the oldest is only 9, so I have many more years with her to myself.

I purchased the car back in 95' with only 24k on her. She's a 91', rare because it was the last year built and they only shipped 511 of them to the U.S. So I figure there's probably only about 200-250 left tooling around.

Will it ever be worth a lot... probably not, but the rarity is definitely there as any club event would show. You just don't see yourself coming and going in this car, and that's a great feeling!

My baby is the least rare color (Guards Red) but she has an unusual beautiful grey interior. Never saw another one exactly like her.

As far as performance, this car, without being the fastest car on the road, has a presence that can only be described as a soul, and it's most noticeable when being driven. It's all been said before that it sticks and handles well, and that it's right as rain, but again the true essence is how it makes you feel... one with the car... one with the road.

I've thought about buying other cars, there's even a Ferrari (90') 348ts within' my range now (I've loved Ferraris since a boy) but I don't think I can do without her as I'm so connected to this car... like some great love story!!! Am I crazy or do I strive for something more?

Anyway, forget what some might say and remember the badge in the front says Porsche, and that's exactly what it is... built to the same high standards as the mothership (911). If Porsche wanted to, it could have developed this car to overtake the 911, but the vast population wanted the 911 to live on. Don't get me wrong, I love the 911. I was shopping for one when I found my S2!! If you find one that was well taken care of, they are more than reasonable and you'll have a love forever... I promise you that.

Hello everyone! I have owned my 944S2 Cab for 5 years now. It is white with a blue rag-top. This 5 year experience has been literally - incredible. Everywhere I go, people look and comment (positive) on the look of the vehicle, some ask what it is some thought it was a Ferrari (it has no badge on the rear). One guy even followed us to the garden centre in his Mercedes - just to ask about it. We also own a 318Si BMW and a 325i BMW - neither are comparable. The vehicle had a complete respray about 2 years ago - £5000! Both wings had to be replaced and one of the sills was rusty. The car has been re-chipped and De-catted with different plugs too. The rolling Road gave us 0 60 mph at 5.8 seconds> When we tested it ourselves (stopwatch) we got

just over 5 seconds!! incredible. The engine averages about 25mpg on a run its better at 30mpg. It dosent use any oil and is serviced (20,000 miles) once a year at Autostrasse/UK.

I have owned many vehicles, but nothing, except perhaps, an old Triumph Stag has given us so much pleasure.

Previously I had a 944 Lux (83) it was like a different car. I would recommend the 944S2 Cabriolet to anyone - unreservedly.

Thank God for Porsche 944 S2 Cabby. Best wishes Adam.

Aloha from Hawaii. I like what I've been reading from all the previous owners as I have been on the hunt for a 944 S2 Cabrio for over 10 years. I finally found one that is in immaculate shape with 54k miles and will be purchasing her next week. Ever since drove one in the 1990, I loved it, but never could get my hands on a Cabrio... and the ones that I've seen up till now have been poorly taken car of... not this one. I look forward to picking her up and letting everyone know what she's like.