2002 vs early 911 interior space

[Sahara]

I was at a car show yesterday and got up close and personal with a ‘68 911T. I had always assumed the 911 and 2002 were about comparable in the space allotted to the driver (I know the 2002, being a 3 box coupe has more room for passengers and luggage) but the driving position in the 911 seemed impossibly tight. I’m wondering if it was just the way the owner had the seat adjusted, etc. 

 

I’m sure we have many members that have driven both, how do they compare?

[Mike A]

With the seat all the way aft , as a 6 footer I cannot depress the clutch pedal to the floor .... plenty of room.  Assuming stock comfort seats are installed in both cars, you are bit lower and getting  in and out of a 911 is marginally more difficult for older folk. The 02 being a sporty sedan Is significantly more convenient ergonomically. Visibility in the 02 is unmatched by any car I have ever driven Two different cars

Edited June 14, 2020 by Mike A

[NYNick]

I was amazed at the virtually spacious passenger compartment in my 68 912, back in the day. As Mike said, you could slide the seat all the way back and barely touch the pedals. Those rear seats were never very useful in the 911/912/356's anyway.

 

They installed center consoles later on, not sure exactly when, much like they did in the 02's. I hate them.They close you in, separate you from your passenger and just generally complicate the car. I removed the console from my current 911 and, standby for the blasphemy, removed it from my 02 as well. I like the open space and could care less about A/C.

 

[Sahara]

Thanks guys. 
 

I think you’ll like the car in question. Pretty much one owner (first had it for a few months). Had a quick chat with the owner, he had a ‘68 2002 that started to rust up on him and he was so angered he swore off BMW and traded it in toward this 911. 98,000 miles later, he still has it. 

 

 

[jgerock]

Had my 77 targa for 3 years. I satisfied P car ownership: crossed it off the list

 

hard to get in and out 

pedal position weird due to wheel well hump

targa top leaked even with new seals

Must put seat belts on before closing door 

useless jump seats

abysmal A/C

It did go like stink with the SC engine!

Flat six with new exhaust sounded glorious- especially in underpasses.
 

I’ll stick with the 02’s.  

 

[Lanny Clark]

I have both . I feel like I am wearing the 911 and also feel very close to the ground,especially when getting out. I love driving both.

[NYNick]

15 hours ago, Sahara said:

Thanks guys. 
 

I think you’ll like the car in question. Pretty much one owner (first had it for a few months). Had a quick chat with the owner, he had a ‘68 2002 that started to rust up on him and he was so angered he swore off BMW and traded it in toward this 911. 98,000 miles later, he still has it. 

 

 

What a color!

[AustrianVespaGuy]

My Porsche experience is with a '76 911S that went from CIS ? to IDAs ? to Megasquirt ?.  As far as driver spaces goes, I think the two cars are pretty comparable, but the 02 is a much more 'upright' position while the 911 was bit more 'low slung.'  And while the 911 was the clear winner in terms of performance, the 2002 is SOO much more well-rounded in pretty much every way, that makes it the better long-term car for me.  I feel owning an old 911 is like dating a stripper.  Really exciting, but with a good bit of baggage that's kinda awkward to have around the family.  The 2002 on the other hand is, as we all know from David Davis Jr.'s article, the pretty girl to marry!

 

16 hours ago, NYNick said:

I like the open space and could care less about A/C.

And I'm with you Nick, A/C just doesn't really 'fit' in '70s European cars; I like 'em better pure and unencumbered by it!

Edited June 15, 2020 by AustrianVespaGuy
A/C

[jgerock]

16 minutes ago, AustrianVespaGuy said:

My Porsche experience is with a '76 911S that went from CIS ? to IDAs ? to Megasquirt ?.  As far as driver spaces goes, I think the two cars are pretty comparable, but the 02 is a much more 'upright' position while the 911 was bit more 'low slung.'  And while the 911 was the clear winner in terms of performance, the 2002 is SOO much more well-rounded in pretty much every way, that makes it the better long-term car for me.  I feel owning an old 911 is like dating a stripper.  Really exciting, but with a good bit of baggage that's kinda awkward to have around the family.  The 2002 on the other hand is, as we all know from David Davis Jr.'s article, the pretty girl to marry!

 

And I'm with you Nick, A/C just doesn't really 'fit' in '70s European cars; I like 'em better pure and unencumbered by it!

My 77 Targa was actually made July 1976.

[TobyB]

A very early 911 seems to have the most room- dunno if the seats were lighter, moved farther back, whatever,

but the cabin's not cramped.

 

I agree- the 911 goes forward.  That's what it does.  A 2002, it'll go any which way!

 

t

also likes the console- less approach.

[AustrianVespaGuy]

5 minutes ago, TobyB said:

I agree- the 911 goes forward backwards.  That's what it does wants to do.

^There you go, fixed that for you Toby!

[NYNick]

42 minutes ago, TobyB said:

I agree- the 911 goes SIDEWAYS. THAT'S what they do.

 

 

 

Fixed that for both of you.

Edited June 15, 2020 by NYNick

[Lorin]

3 hours ago, TobyB said:

 

I agree- the 911 goes round and around.  That's what it does. 

 

 

Fixed that for all three of you.

 

At least mine does occasionally. It also does go forward exceptionally well as toby mentioned.

[DesertDuck]

I owned an '84 Carrera for 19 years, and agree with Vespa's comments about the baggage with the 911.   Loved it when I was 30, not so much in my late 40s.  Both cars seem roomy enough for the driver, but that's where the similarities end.   The 2002 has all that glass, is easy to get in and out of, has a useful backseat, and a big trunk.   I ended up putting most of the groceries on the folded down back seats of the 911- the trunk is too shallow for most things.   I sold the 911 ten years ago for a quarter of what its's worth now, but I'd outgrown it by then, and was only using it for the occasional spirited drive-  that flat 6 sounds amazing above 4500 rpm!     Still have the 540i sport in the pic- best car I've ever owned!

Edited June 16, 2020 by DesertDuck
pic

[Mike Self]

16 hours ago, Lanny Clark said:

I feel like I am wearing the 911 and also feel very close to the ground,especially when getting out.

If you think a 911 feels close to the ground, try a Bugeye Sprite...your posterior is about 8 inches off the ground, and you look up at aircooled Beetles...

 

mike