Observations/Impressions of my first 944
08-16-2003 | 06:07 AM
#1
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 913
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From: Santa Ana, CA
Observations/Impressions of my first 944
One day now with my 87 944 na. I have never driven any Porsche 944 before so this is new to me.
Observations:
First of all, the car feels very heavy . The size looks decieving but I bet this car is heavy. However, I like this heavy feeling. Feels very solid and vault-like.
This car handles Awesome! The steering is very crisp and the feedback is very tight..nice.
Engine is smooth considering its a 4 cyl. and 8 valver.
The whole ergonomics thing is just..let's just say "weird"/
Are the dash supposed to be that dim at night? I have the dimmer all the way up and its still pretty dim.
The throw of the stick is pretty long and the sifter feels loose and clunky.
No low end power, however, power comes strong after 4K RPM all the way to 6K.
The shift light is annoying. And so is the MPG meter. Both Useless.
The car is generally noisy (engine, wind noise, muffler).
Other than that, I love the car. This is what differentiates it from other cars that it has character. I cant wait to autocross this car.
My 1987:
http://www.p-caronline.com/directory/esanmiguel/
Observations:
First of all, the car feels very heavy . The size looks decieving but I bet this car is heavy. However, I like this heavy feeling. Feels very solid and vault-like.
This car handles Awesome! The steering is very crisp and the feedback is very tight..nice.
Engine is smooth considering its a 4 cyl. and 8 valver.
The whole ergonomics thing is just..let's just say "weird"/
Are the dash supposed to be that dim at night? I have the dimmer all the way up and its still pretty dim.
The throw of the stick is pretty long and the sifter feels loose and clunky.
No low end power, however, power comes strong after 4K RPM all the way to 6K.
The shift light is annoying. And so is the MPG meter. Both Useless.
The car is generally noisy (engine, wind noise, muffler).
Other than that, I love the car. This is what differentiates it from other cars that it has character. I cant wait to autocross this car.
My 1987:
http://www.p-caronline.com/directory/esanmiguel/
08-16-2003 | 09:51 AM
#2
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Joined: May 2001
Posts: 3,663
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From: Winston Salem, NC
The dash lights are due to the way Porsche made it. There are three plastic parts under the instrument panel that channel light to the instruments that are silvered on the exterior. The problem is that with age, the reflective stuff flakes off leading to dim panel lights. There is a thread on both Pelican and the Rennlist on how to fix it. It's not hard to do. One other thing to check that is critical is the condition of the waterpump, rollers and front seals. A break in there is a short trip to disaster.
Welcome to the Porsche world, you'll find these cars are quite addictive. Next step in the addiction is a 951. Imagine your car with 30%+ more hp.
Welcome to the Porsche world, you'll find these cars are quite addictive. Next step in the addiction is a 951. Imagine your car with 30%+ more hp.
08-16-2003 | 03:41 PM
#4
Race Director
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 13,634
Likes: 1
The shift light should tell you to upshift to get the best MPG or something like that. Yours must be busted, but it's not like it's a big deal.
Brian Perry (Perry951) makes an LED dash light upgrade that is supposed to be great.
Congratulations!
Brian Perry (Perry951) makes an LED dash light upgrade that is supposed to be great.
Congratulations!
08-16-2003 | 03:54 PM
#5
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Joined: Mar 2002
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From: Greater Boston
Re: Observations/Impressions of my first 944
Originally posted by esanmiguel
First of all, the car feels very heavy . The size looks decieving but I bet this car is heavy. However, I like this heavy feeling. Feels very solid and vault-like.
First of all, the car feels very heavy . The size looks decieving but I bet this car is heavy. However, I like this heavy feeling. Feels very solid and vault-like.
The car is generally noisy (engine, wind noise, muffler).
08-16-2003 | 05:26 PM
#6
Racer
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 480
Likes: 0
From: San Pedro, Calif.
Re: Observations/Impressions of my first 944
Originally posted by esanmiguel
One day now with my 87 944 na. I have never driven any Porsche 944 before so this is new to me.
The whole ergonomics thing is just..let's just say "weird"/
The throw of the stick is pretty long and the sifter feels loose and clunky.
The shift light is annoying. And so is the MPG meter. Both Useless.
The car is generally noisy (engine, wind noise, muffler).
One day now with my 87 944 na. I have never driven any Porsche 944 before so this is new to me.
The whole ergonomics thing is just..let's just say "weird"/
The throw of the stick is pretty long and the sifter feels loose and clunky.
The shift light is annoying. And so is the MPG meter. Both Useless.
The car is generally noisy (engine, wind noise, muffler).
You'll also get used to the shifer and learn to ignore the stupid shift light/MPG guage.
Welcome to the club!
08-16-2003 | 06:33 PM
#7
Instructor
Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 126
Likes: 0
From: Bradenton, FL
The shift light is annoying. And so is the MPG meter. Both Useless.
mine light tries to put me into 4th gear at 35mph. same thing for you?
Although I like the MPG meter..... gives you insight into the most fuel economical way to drive the car..
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08-16-2003 | 07:10 PM
#8
Drifting
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 3,089
Likes: 2
From: Syracuse, NY
Originally posted by Adam Roberts
The shift light is pretty useless in my opinion also...
mine light tries to put me into 4th gear at 35mph. same thing for you?
Although I like the MPG meter..... gives you insight into the most fuel economical way to drive the car..
The shift light is pretty useless in my opinion also...
mine light tries to put me into 4th gear at 35mph. same thing for you?
Although I like the MPG meter..... gives you insight into the most fuel economical way to drive the car..
The one in our truck is even more annoying. Basically trys to get me into 5th gear at anything above 20mph (no joke, 20mph in 4th gear and the light turns on). I've even had it turn on before when I'm stuck in traffic that is just below 1st gear idle speed. I'm bouncing off the idler and it still wants me to go into 2nd.
08-16-2003 | 07:28 PM
#9
Race Car
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 3,781
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From: Costa Mesa, California
Make a week end date and we will fix the shifter. A bit of grinding and a 3/8 hardened bolt, two jam nuts and a couple of washers.
I also have a set of instruments out of an automatic that you can look at to see what the dim dash lights are all about.
I also have a set of instruments out of an automatic that you can look at to see what the dim dash lights are all about.
08-16-2003 | 08:58 PM
#14
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From: St. Louis
Yup they are addictive kind of like being a musician. Once you play an instrument for a while, you develop a need to get a band together and you never lose that. Same with Porsches. I started with a 924 in 1990 and have owned at least 6 and still have 3 of them.... Helps to not be married, unless the wife gets to drive one too 
08-16-2003 | 09:13 PM
#15
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Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 12,208
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From: The Heart of it All
Originally posted by Adam Roberts
The shift light is pretty useless in my opinion also...
mine light tries to put me into 4th gear at 35mph. same thing for you?
Although I like the MPG meter..... gives you insight into the most fuel economical way to drive the car..
The shift light is pretty useless in my opinion also...
mine light tries to put me into 4th gear at 35mph. same thing for you?
Although I like the MPG meter..... gives you insight into the most fuel economical way to drive the car..
Tifo