pcarfan944

I've had a 86 944 n/a for seven years that is sorted and beautiful inside and out. I bought the late dash at the time because everything I read said it was better, but after racking up some miles, I feel like the late dash feels very ordinary and is like driving just another car; it just doesn't excite me much anymore. I seem to have a soft spot for the early dash... it's quirky, retro cool, and makes the car much more fun to drive IMO. I'd be willing to try a *nice* early car.. i'm just worried i'd sell my minty 944 and dislike the early dash once the novelty wears off. But, I always prefer vintage to modern when it comes to cars. It would be weekend driver in nice weather so i'm not worried HVAC or the like. Anyone else prefer the early dash? What are your opinions?

Fractured

I have one of each: the late-dash car for 15 years, the early for about 6 months. While I understand your soft spot for retro style, my opinion is the early dash is an ergonomic nightmare. Spend some time with one before you jump from a mint vehicle to an unknown (or potentially unknown) car.

For the record, I like the early car very much, but I love my '89. Good luck, whatever your decision.

rude944

Steel suspension, gawd awful climate control/ventilation...

V2Rocket

steel suspension is a blessing, WHEN things break, it is a 22 dollar fix either way, not a $500 per-side basis.

early car has a cooler interior by far, no idea about people talking about ergonomics, my early has been way more comfy than any of the late cars ive driven (NAs/951s/968s) and im 6'6 and a fit 240

AC could stand to be improved though, but that may be a function of the enormous glass area and the R134a being substandard compared to R12.

only upside i can think of with the late is the potentially better AC if it works and the fuse box is more accessible, in the engine bay rather than down in narnia

rgs944

I like the style of the early interior. I think it gives you a much more classic sports car feel. I drive an 83 and 87 and prefer the 83 for fun factor. I just love the race car feel of no power steering.

rgs944

I will add that although I like the early interior the steering wheel is my least favorite part. Looking for a replacement right now.

tifosiman

Stick with your late dash car.

I know some like the early dash cars (different opinions are OK) but for me the early dash cars have drawbacks. Climate control is marginal. I don't like the ergonomics at all. Steering wheel is too low. Interior styling is way too dated, even for when it came out.

If you car is well-sorted, do what I stated in the other thread you made about this. Put some money into it to make it a little more fun for you, like suspension goodies, yadda yadda.

Just my opinion. No offense intended to those who like the early dash cars.

xsboost90

just start autox'ing the car you have. Ive had a handfull of late cars and a 924s w/ the early interior. I did like the early interior but like Tifo said the steering wheel is too low- aftermarket wheel helps- and for me the center console always hurt my leg. Seat are also not quite as nice.

Van

The only reason for an early car is this interior:

M758

I have 88 Turbo S and used to have 84 944 in pristine condidtion.

Steel suspenison is fine. I use that on the front of my race car because it is so cheap. Rear is aluminum, but most other racers do fine with steel. It is non-issue.

Climate control is not great. I use to run my 84 in Arizona summer and it was not very good. The later system is alot better. The older interior is more retro and cool in a way. It feels like you driving a vintage car vs modern one.

My race car is an 84 and like that interior for a race car. Gauges can be moved and dash is lighter. However in a race car I don't have any climate control and ergonomics are based on track driving only. Given that need moving the tach to center of the cluster is giant plus. I can't do that in later car. Plus the lower steering wheel is nice when you put in race seat at lowest position. I sit very low in the car the steering wheel is in perfect position.

MN

I do like the separate individual instruments gauges (Speedometer, Tachometer, Combination Gauge, Clock, and Oil Pressure) of the earlier 944, compared to the integrated instrument cluster console of the later 944 (and subsequent Porsches).

Porsche largely moved to an integrated instrument cluster console because it is cheaper to manufacture. For the other differences, I think the late model 944 is clearly an advancement over the earlier 944.

MN

Todd951968

I vote for the early car. I like the early interior for its vintage feel vs the newer dash. Its cool like the old 240Zs and other sports cars of the 70's. I prefer the 3-spoke steering wheel as well. Dont' care for the later non-airbag wheels at all. The low position of the wheel is a personal tasts thing, I've driven an 83' and it was fine with me.

The early cars were lighter, too. That's a plus. I've noticed the values of the early cars have been creeping upwards in relation to the later cars.......

Does the 86' -88' 924S have the air condition updates? It still has the retro dash. If so, you could go REAL retro and pick up one of those narrow body cars with the 944 engine.

rickb20

...until I saw these pictures

http://s116.photobucket.com/albums/o...yinterior0.jpg
http://s116.photobucket.com/albums/o...yinterior1.jpg

M758

No. They use all the old stuff in the car.

Mike C.

I've never had any complaints about the heating system in the early car. The A/C worked decent in south Florida heat although not as good newer (non-Porsche) cars I've had/rented. The fact that it isn't integrated means you can only get A/C out of the front vents; it cannot be routed to degroster vents, which can be a problem in certain window fogging conditions.