I'm looking to buy a 944, and I see a fair amount of '83s out there. However, I know the 83's didnt come with power steering. So my question is:

I've always driven cars w power steering. I'm sorta nervous to even look at cars without it. Are the cars still easy to handle and maneuver w/o power steering? Also, I'm used to driving w only 1 hand, is it easy enough to turn and all w just 1 hand?

ps- throw in any other input for or against 83's vs other years.

 

The cars without power steering are so much nicer to drive, a heavy very well balanced feel to what's going on. Once you get used to it you will never look back.

 

yeah mine doesnt have power and at first I hated it but now i really like it. I still want to get my power back but my arms are getting bigger at least.

 

Although I haven't driven a 944 with a manual steering rack, I have driven other cars with manual steering. The main difference that I have found is that manual steering requires that the steering wheel be turned farther while in tight parking lots. You might notice that the steering wheel requires a slightly greater pressure while turning it, but it is definitely manageable. In fact, I wish that my 944 had a manual rack, as it provides better feedback.

 

Second all that about better feedback, but IMHO the BEST part about manual steering is that it requires me to use both hands on the wheel at all times. It's very comfortable to rest at 10 and 2 in these cars, and I shudder when I see people in SUVs tailgating someone at 70 miles an hour with one hand on the wheel talking on the cellphone...In short, you have a lot more control and it's just safer to have both hands on the wheel as much as possible.

 

I wouldnt worry about it. I drove over 3-months with no powersteering on my powersteering equipped car. Though pulling into a parking spot takes a little more effort, its really not that bad. Also manual steering racks are setup differently making them easier to use compared to the experience i had with no assist.

 

When youre moving over 20MPH, you dont need both to control it. Even over 10. In parking lots, you notice the manual, but the greatly improved road feel more than makes up for it IMHO.

 

having 3 cars with manual steering - one converted - i'll say its just fine. as long as you're rolling you can do it with one hand, its a bit of a handful if you're parking with one hand, but it really isn't bad at all.

i too prefer cars with manual steering - don't discount them!

p.s. the early cars are MUCH better!

 

Alright thanks for the input everyone. I just know that I hate (and never do) drive with 2 hands on the wheel. It's just not comfortable for me, and personally I find that I actually have better control with just one. I think ill go take some older 944's w/o the power steering out for a ride and see how I like it. Maybe I wont count out the 83's after all.