Are Early 944's Cheaper to Fix?

[Mike_Pollock]

Cant say I've ever measured mpg either - I've only ever done a few bits of mental approximations!

Mine are very different to drive too.

They run on similar sized tyres, the later one is power steering the early one isn't, but I've driven early power steering cars too, so know its not the PAS.

What I haven't driven is an early oval dash car, one that can take cookies, as I believe they have the same basic dimensions (balljoint, steering knuckle, top strut mount, hub centre etc) as the square dash cars, but are different on the later cars, (ones that can have ABS), that would confirm my theory or not!

 

[poprock]

I've owned an early square-dash car, a late '87 oval-dash and now an '89 Turbo.

I'm of the opinion that they're all excellent (so long as you've found a decent car!) but each suits a different kind of driver/driving.

Yes, the early car feels more chuckable through the corners. But it also feels too agricultural for my taste. I didn't like the battery being in the bonnet and getting wet all the time, I didn't like the wipers being on the wrong side, I didn't like the steering wheel bashing on my knees, and so on. Personal taste, but I loved the overall 944 experience and wanted to get out of the early car and into a later one as soon as possible!

Generally, I feel that the later oval-dash cars are more civilised. To me, it's the right balance between the classic handling and drivability and some modern creature comforts. Not everybody cares about the luxurious bits and bobs, but I enjoyed them.

The Turbo is a different kettle of fish entirely. I get a bigger smile from the smooth, controlled way my Turbo flows easily around the B-road corners under boosted acceleration than I did from the point-and-shoot feel of the lighter early car. Personal preference, that's all. The way my car's specced and set up make it a million miles away from the old square-dash car. Chalk and cheese, but with the same magic balance to the car. There's something about the weight distribution and driving position of all 944s that allows them to feel like the whole car is pivoting around your hips when you're throwing it into a sharp turn.

 

[Northern924]

I came to the 944 oval dash by evolution really, 924 n/a x2, 924S 160bhp, so I went for a later car so that it felt different on the inside rather than just like sitting in another 924 with yellow dials lol.

If you're looking at a daily drive, then a later one is as its been said more civilised for daily use, as for being outpaced by a modern BMW diesel, you'll struggle against a newer Mondeo diesel, simpy because it 22+ year old engineering, without any ill meaning thats daft comparison to make!

As for MPG expect 28-30 in the real world, unless you are going to sit on a motorway at 60 all day.

early cars do have a lot more parts in common with VAG and the 924/924S so are cheaper to maintain, but its personal choice in the end []

 

[pauljmcnulty]

as for being outpaced by a modern BMW diesel, you'll struggle against a newer Mondeo diesel, simpy because it 22+ year old engineering, without any ill meaning thats daft comparison to make!

I agree, why do people have to think of every drive as a race against other road users? I used to feel it was important to be first away from the lights when I was seventeen, but everything had to be done in a terrible rush then. [8|]

If you want the fastest car out there, then get a modded Impreza or Evo and nothing will beat you in a road race. Alternatively, just relax and enjoy the drive in a proper car.

 

[MGBV8]

ORIGINAL: poprock
<snip>
I didn't like the steering wheel bashing on my knees, and so on...
<snip>

Now, I've heard this mentioned before. However, I totally disagree that there is a problem. To be blunt, I'm not a small person. Actually, to be competely transparent I would probably conceed that I'm a bit of a "fat bastard" I fit in a 944 perfectly well.
Anyway... here's the trick... PUSH THE SEAT BACK A BIT!!!

I see so many people driving around in 944's with their noses up against the windscreen just like the "window lickers" you see pootling around in their corsa's etc. They obviously havent twigged that they've stepped out of a dreary econo-box and bought something decent.
It's supposed to be a sports car! Rake the seat back a bit and make sure your left leg is fully extended when the clutch pedal is at full travel. No bashed knees, then.

It's much more comfy when you decide to give it large in the car this way.

 

[MGBV8]

ORIGINAL: pauljmcnulty

as for being outpaced by a modern BMW diesel, you'll struggle against a newer Mondeo diesel, simpy because it 22+ year old engineering, without any ill meaning thats daft comparison to make!

I agree, why do people have to think of every drive as a race against other road users? I used to feel it was important to be first away from the lights when I was seventeen, but everything had to be done in a terrible rush then. [8|]

If you want the fastest car out there, then get a modded Impreza or Evo and nothing will beat you in a road race. Alternatively, just relax and enjoy the drive in a proper car.

Depends on the car and the mood your in doesn't it?
I can't say i've ever felt the need to thrash the nuts of my Jaguar XJ6 - it's for cruising and absorbing the miles in total comfort. However, when I'm out in my MGB GT V8, if I'm not trying to get the front wheel off the deck at each set of lights i'd be bored to death!

The nice thing about a 944 is that you can use it for both. OK it'll never be as smooth down the motorway as a bentley and it'll never be as crisp and direct on a B road as an MG midget but they are certainly a reasonable compromise.

 

[pauljmcnulty]

Depends on the car and the mood your in doesn't it?

To a degree, yes. I used to have sooooo much fun in my old 740 Turbo, flooring it on the motorway past some git in a kiddy-car who thought his 8-inch diamete exhaust would help him beat the bloke in the Barbour next to him. []

What I'm saying is that we always get the accusation that a Lux won't beat a modern diesel car in a straight drag race, therefore it's a load of rubbish. Of course, you can buy a new car that will thrash the 944 in every way if it's only Top Trumps you're playing, but we drive on real roads near me with schools, old people in Rovers, speed cameras, blind corners, zebra crossings etc.

To me, it's all about having the most fun without being reckless or foolish. With that in mind, an early Lux is more fun to own than a GT3RS in the real world of the South East UK. That's why I'd probably replace my S2 with a Lux if I had to change, the S2 is just too competant at sensible speeds on minor roads even if it is a very relaxed drive at legal, or realistic, UK motorway speeds.

 

[poprock]

ORIGINAL: MGBV8
Anyway... here's the trick... PUSH THE SEAT BACK A BIT!!!

Haha "¦ trust me, I sit in a very relaxed driving position. I'm not the "˜nose against the windscreen' type, or a big chap either.

In my early-dash car, I had to sit legs akimbo to drive - which was fine, but uncomfortable on long motorway journeys. In later oval-dash cars it's not an issue because of the higher steering wheel position.

 

[pixie*porsche]

I don't have any problems with the steering wheel hitting my knees either.

But, I'm only ickle... []