peanut

I am constantly amazed at the quantity of pre 1986 944 Lux's that are still around and being avidly purchased.

My first Porsche was an oval dash model and I remember the pain and anquish of searching for 9 months before I managed to buy one back in 1996. They were all snapped up by dealers within hours of being advertised by private sellers. The dealers were clearly making a good profit on them.

Even back then I was very clear that I wanted an oval dashed model which had a better interior and in my opinion more modern looking dash and console.

I am curious to know why so many early 944 are still bought in preference to the later oval dash models ?

Mark944na86

Judging from some of the questions you get in this forum, my suspicion is that a lot of people buying their first 944 don't even realise there was a significant model change mid 85, and what exactly that entailed, until after purchasing the car.

And, of course, the early models are generally cheaper.

So I'm a little sceptical the early models are being bought "in preference" to the later models.

Mike C.

I would guess most people find the oval dash more esthetically pleasing. As for functionality, the oval dash has a more integrated HVAC system which reportedly works better than on the early dash.

peanut

Yes that is what is happening in the UK .
Lots of youngsters are buying the early Lux models as their first or second car because they are available for shirt buttons .

Trouble is they are buying a bucket of rust so they spend nothing on repairs and maintenance and just thrash the nuts off the engine with traffic light racing until the rubber donuts on the clutch break up or the CV's go then they break them on ebay

V2Rocket

because the early setup is simpler and has less things to go wrong and if you put a leather cover on it it looks sweeettttt

early cars were lighter by a bit too

KuHL 951

The issue many people have with the early style is the steering wheel position is cramped (too low and hits your legs) for taller people and the vent ducting is very poor compared to the later style. I do prefer the earlier window switches though. I think it comes down to what rocks your boat; I prefer the look and ergonomics of the later style.

WizPorsche944

I still believe that the early dash looks more like a sports car gauge layout. The oval one belongs in a 928.

Marcquito

Are you comparing the looks to the 928? They look nothing alike. The gauges, maybe... but that's about it.

MM951

I had 2 early cars and would not trade my current oval dash for anything

The wiring/relays/etc are also WAY better to deal with on the later car.

WizPorsche944

Yeah just gauge layout. If you look at both they are similar.

WizPorsche944

I think the early dash was a VW design wasnt it ?

Erzengal

I originally was looking for an '87 as they are much more common in my area.

I was looking for about a year with no luck. When I saw my current '84 Advertised I then looked into the Early Cars. It had Low Miles, very well cared for, records, and good pictures. I spent the same as if I purchased a Late Model, and quite happy to do so for a quality car.

I wasn't sure about the Yellow Gauges. However they do not translate at all in pictures. In person an Early Dash looks quite nice. The Three Tunnel Design for the Gauges makes it more sports car like.

I also like having fewer electronics. No ABS and No Airbag is ok with me.


Main issue is very few aftermarket companies work with the Early Models. There may not seem to be many differences, however you find them out when you want to do anything to the car. Chips are almost non-existant. Suspension options are fewer, Interior Trim is extremely limited, Gauge Faces haven't been around in quite a while. Performance Options are also more oriented toward Late Cars, although mainly Turbo's.

Marcquito

It looks like a VW Scirocco interior! Audi designed the 'oval' style for the later cars.

Mark944na86

I wouldn't be without my ABS. Makes an S2 stop on dime when required. Just amazing control.

I feel each revision of the 944 was a distinct improvement, right up until the 944S2 was replaced by the 968, which I think was one step forward (engine) and one step back (styling). But then they relesed the 968CS, and were back on track -- great way to see the series out, on a high note!

2.0 litre 924 -> 968CS... what a journey. It may have started out an Audi, but by the end, the DNA was pure Porsche.

I'm surprised by the claim that Audi had anything to do with the 85.5 interior styling though... what's the source of that? Never hoid of it... by 85, Porsche were leasing an Audi production line at Neckarsulm to assemble the 944, but I don't believe any of the design work was still being done by Audi at that stage.

Don 944 LA

+1 for better window switches on the early 944.
I think they are quicker off the line as well.
& I've had early and late 944NA's
I do prefer my 83 with the manual rack for handling, although parallel parking is a pain in the butt.