blade7

For me, the real Turbo S was the original fully optioned, Silver Rose painted car. 15 years ago you could pick up a Silver Rose for around the same money as a well optioned 89-91 turbo. A few years ago dealers started hyping up the S, when aside from the occasional garage queen, most of the original S suspension/brakes/interior/wheels etc was worn out anyway.

SeaCay

While correct in a marketing/sales designation, the '89 turbo is identical to the '88 turbo S technically. I call my '89 a turbo S because it's a different beast than the earlier turbo.

EVOMMM

But it’s not labeled that way even from the factory and there are a few differences

SeaCay

The performance differences are?

UK952

Just stopping by as I had to update an old email address, I have a 1990 'Bridge spoiler' turbo (in my eyes more special than a turbo S as they have most of the good bits plus a sunroof, a more modern look produced in lower numbers - it missed out on Konis and forged wheels from the factory but that doesn't really matter as it currently its on cup 2 17's (also I have cup 1 17s, some other 996 17s cup tyres, a set of 18s and a set of forged S wheels) Currently on ledas with a set of KWs to go on that is the fourth suspension change in the time I have owned it (80k to 200k miles). At that mileage I don't expect a big return anyway! It has been off the road for a few years as the engine needs love. It will be back though!

My Turbo Cab is standard however doesn't get used enough really, around 70k on the clock and only doing around 50-1000 miles a year

Tony

Oddjob

outdated plaid interior?

I remember it being common in the US to refer to the 89 Turbos as "Turbo S" cars at the time (around the time of introduction, at least up thru the 90's), because of the upgrades over previous non-S turbos. Especially for the air-cooled crowd that needed an excuse for getting passed by a front engine car...

SeaCay

Bingo. Appreciate the Silver Rose cars, but would never own one with those design choices.

Seattle 993

1988 turbo S, 1989 turbos are nearly identical I believe. The 1990 turbo is very cool and, yes, very few numbers with a couple cosmetic changes. The only thing that I’ve heard is that some 1989/1990 turbos do not have forged rods (Porsche reportedly used some cast rods as production neared the end) and you would only know if you looked…😳

Having said all that, I think it comes back to how the car was used and maintained…and that’s why we hang out here with a community that believes in maintaining these fine cars, yes?

Nevadarain72

It's funny; when I first started looking for a 944 to buy, I was all about the leather interior. But having since bought one with a burgundy interior, the Silver Rose plaid has grown on me. If a pair of seats came up at a decent price I'd seriously consider swapping them in.

Oddjob

Yeah, that was just intended as a joking cheap shot. The plaid didn't age well initially, but now it's vintage correct for the unique cars.

Penguinracer

The 1990 & '91 cars had some transition parts e.g. my '90 has 968 main studs - with a 12 x 1.75mm thread pitch rather than the usual 12 x 1.50mm pitch.

Tim

Millermatic

Awww... I _like_ the plaid interior.

But then I like Duran Duran, too.