I've currently got a 924, and I am thinking of replacing it for a 944.
Is it worth it? Whats the difference between them? I find the 924 a bit
basic, is the 944 better built?

Different engines. Also, the 944 has wider fenders and rear panels which
gives it a meaner look. The 944 also puts out more horsepower.

Depending on which 924, it can be a lot easier to work on yourself. The 4
cylinder 924 engine also doesn't have interference design which the 944
does. This means that if the timing belt on the 924 breaks it doesn't cause
the valves and the pistons to collide and possibly ruin the engine.
Replacing and setting the timing belt on the 944 is more of a challenge.

--
DANIEL MEDINA
<bja (AT) uk2 (DOT) net> wrote

'85.5 model year and later also had an updated interior (dash, door
pannels, center console, etc) that makes it feel like a more modern
car.

Like Funkie wrote, the engine difference is the most important (don't
forget that the 924S has the 944 engine).

'87 and later 944s also have the more recent wheel offsets, which give
you many more wheel choices (I see a lot of boxster wheels on 944s).
There are also peppier models -- the 944S with the 16 valve engine, the
944S2 with the 3 liter engine and the turbo model.

Good luck!

Funkie wrote:

It depends on the year, the 944's chassis was very similar to the
924's, but nearly everything else was either changed or upgraded and
continual changes were made throughout the 944's lifetime.

In the original 1982 model, the 2.0 litre Audi-sourced 4-clylinder that
had powered the 924 was replaced with a Porsche designed 2.5 litre
unit, the standard 4 speed gearbox was replaced with a newer 5 speed
box, braking components were upgraded, the suspension was re-tooled,
the interior was changed and the bodywork was different.

1985 model year 944's recieved a higher output alternator, the interior
and a/c system were improved, the radio antenna was moved into the
windsheild, the lubrication system was re-worked, aluminum control and
semi-trailing arms became standard, a larger fuel tank was added, the
starter was improved, optional heated, powered seats became available
and revisions in the transaxle mount were made to reduce noise and
vibration. 1985 also saw the introduction of the first 944 Turbo (951).

In 1987 the standard model was evolved into the 944S, which received an
updated version of the 2.5 litre engine with 4 valves per cylinder,
dual airbags and optional ABS brakes.

In 1988 the Turbo S became available as well (although the standard
Turbo stayed in production) with more horsepower and torque, adjustable
Koni shocks with uprated springs, larger rear torsion bar, harder
bushings, larger front and rear sway bars, larger wheels with better
tires, hardened gears, an external oil cooler, a limited slip
differential and an upgraded braking system essentially borrowed from
the 928.

For 1989 the Turbo "S" package was dropped and all 951s came standard
with the S pack, it was also the last year for 951 sales in the United
States. That same year the 944S became standard with a new 2.7 litre
engine, but it only lasted for the one model year.

For 1990 the 944S was replaced by the 944 S2 with a new 3.0 litre
engine and the bodywork and braking system from the 951. The 944 was
replaced entirely by the 968 for the 1992 model year.

Of the group, the 1988 Turbo S, 1989 Turbo and 1990-1992 S2 are the
most desireable. They featured all the evolutionary changes, the best
build quality and performance and were the best looking. Prior to the
S2, all 944s had what I've always thought were awkward looking bumpers,
they weren't as swevlt as the 924 had been, but the Turbo and S2
variants had much sleeker, more modern bodywork.