F451

Good input guys, thanks!

Les, I won't be making it to Sharktoctoberfest , but thanks for the offer to take your wheels for a spin, that is very generous of you.

And ah, automatics? Who's asking about automaticis?

Randy V

I've owned a '79 and a '94.

Both autos, so no opinion...

F451

Now you guys are just playing with me. Ok, the gloves are off...

Shane

Ed I've got two 5sp '86.5s and will be down there soon enough that you can give 'em a try.

I really do prefer them to the S4 and they make hp at the same level as the GT's.

shmark

So no short-shift, eh?

There are times when an auto is nice, but there's something about well-executed heel-toe that I just love. The Mini is awesome in that respect, the 928 is pretty good and my old track 914 was just telepathic.

Greg Z

I have a 87 S4 Auto and a 86.5 S 5sp
Heres a couple of pics first.
This one is the only one I could find with both the cars and no other. Was tearing down cabinets in the Garage I just bought and too lazy to move cars!


On the other side, but you can make them out


Re-arranged in a attempt to fit more cars, fairly good shot of the Sharks.


Driving impressions, Well I like the power of the S4 but I LOVE the 5sp in the S. I get more pleasure from driving the S than I do any other car I own, even the NSX!
I just got done telling Cajun(a member here) not more than 5 minutes ago what I really want is a 5sp S4!!!!! So take that for what it is worth.

linderpat

^^^^ You are my freaking hero! What a stable of horses you have!
BTW, I agree with Rog on the A/T thing. Maybe it is an old geezer thing...

Lizard928

I wouldnt get anything older than an 85, just due to the fact that they used the VW style fuses before that, and I cannot stand those fuses.

soontobered84

I've got both. The OB's are more nimble feeling than the S4. Just my $.02 YMMV

F451

Thanks Shane. I'm a big fan of the 86.5's even though I've never driven one.

I loved my '85, even though it was an automatic. And I love my S4, but I do prefer the pre-S4 body style. So, that kind of gets me to the 86.5.

But there aren't many of them around, and very few with sunroof delete.

And its mighty generous of you to offer to let me take one for a ride. I may just take you up on that one of these days. -Ed

rhys

I definitely fall into the old geezer category (just over 70) and since I do a fair amount of in-city driving, I appreciate the automatic. However, on the open (hopefully twisty) road, I thought I would miss the old heel-and-toe bit... not so, it turns out. There was a thread on Greg's Tips http://www.nichols.nu/tip199.htm about handling the A/T through the gears which opened up an entirely new world of driving an A/T on those hopefully twisty open roads.

The_Remora

I had a US '83 5-speed for 10 years and drove it daily for about 6 or 7 years until I water-locked the motor and it went downhill from there, but anyway I loved that car and would have kept it if it if I had the space for a major project. That car did feel a bit more nimble than the S4 I have now. The S4 brakes are stronger but the older brakes were good too, just had to take a bit more care not to lock them up but I still think they were strong. The '87 shifts like butter compared to the '84, which I put a lot of money into trying to get right, but never had the tranny out and apart for a rebuild so maybe its not a fair comparison. Very impressed w/ the '87 shifting so far. Power wise, I still havent gotten my '87 all sorted out but it is stronger all around. The '83 felt a bit more raw and revvier, and did pull strong once well into the higher revs but was not as torquey low down (even though my '87 has a low rpm stumble that needs to be tuned out). It was powerful enough to be entertaining (for me) and suprised a lot of 'faster' cars in street racing. Both of them are great cars and either one would put a smile on my face. Now with all the mods/upgrade options available for OB's there are tons of power options available to keep them up to speed. I do recommend getting one and someday I will own another one.

Podguy

Are you sure this is correct? I thought Smog II eliminated the rolling exclusion and froze smog checks to pre-1975 cars. Sicne I have a 78, it would be great not to have to get it inspected.

Dan the Pod Guy

Podguy

There is a big difference in the pre-S4 cars. The 85-86 S US versions are monsters above 3000 RPMs but there is no place to drive them. Around own with the high gearing and at lower RPMS they are a pain. The 80-82 US cars have a deficient injection and are pretty much under powered. The 83-84 US models are a bit better - smooth and well balance, but no where compariable to the early CIS cars.

The 78-79 US / Euro cars are light, low geared and a blast to drive. The CIS system is far more responsive than any of the later cars. A friend wrecked his auto S4 and I helped him replace it with a 79. Every year he calls me in thanks for helping find the car. It has run trouble free now for the past five years.

An even better choice is an 80-83 Euro S car. The extra horse power with the CIS response coupled with the lower gearing is what Porsche was intending to make from the start. The only disadvantage of the CIS is poor - really poor gas mileage. Think single digits around town and 14-16 max on the highway. Once you start driving a well set up CIS car you will never want to go back to the S4. The seats are more confortable too. Get manual seats for more head room.

One other point - there are fewer things to go wrong.

Dan the Pod Guy

Bill Coleman

I have a very early '87 and would love to add a very late '86. Then I'd have one of the last of the old body and one of the first of the new.