1989 406

These were some of my questions,

How would you compare the Atari dash to the dig and ang? I love the Atari dash even though it has had it's issues. I also heard someone mention that they got bored with the Atari dash. My experience with it was maybe two years a long time ago.

I also feel that the 84-89's had a cockpit feeling to them which I like.

The diliemma I have is for some of the prices of the 84-89's you can get an LT1 with lower miles or even a 96 LT4 with some miles on them and I know they perform much better.

I would really like to hear from some of you guys who have made the switch and just your overall comparison between the different years.

Thank you.

socalman

If there's an LT4 out there for the same price as an 84-89, there's something wrong with both of them (pre 90 is overpriced or LT4 is a wreck)

If there's an 84-89 for same price as 92 up, there's a problem with the 92 up.

Seems avg price for 91 down is around $3k less than 92 up, apples to apples.

Cockpit feeling is there for all C4s.

A dash is no reason to buy a C4.

H P Bushrod

I owned a '85 before I got my '93. What a difference 8 model years make! I loved the '85's digital dash and the breadloaf on the passenger side (you'd be surprised how many people have no idea why it's there). But the '93 is much better car (very few squeaks and rattles). ALL C4's have the cockpit feel. I'd still buy one of the older C4's...especially if it's a convertible.

Larry/car

There is quite a bit of improvement from 1990 to 1995. The later car has no rattles, the 1990 the rattles came and went. The radio is real good in the 1995, on the 1990 I accomplished the antenna ground plane upgrade, helped some. More power LT1 has 50+ HP more than the L98, and you can feel it. Wheel and tire change, wider on the 1995. I liked the 1990, I really like the 1995. I did look at the 1989 and older cars prior to purchasing the 1990, the interior change/upgrade persuaded me. Last spring I traded the 1990 on the 1995, wanted a convertible.

socalman

Don't leave me in suspense- what's the Bread box for?

1989 406

Good stuff. Thanks for sharing.

RetiredSFC 97

I have no clue what it's for as I've never owned one with it.

ch@0s

I think the bread box is just a cushion.
I have owned a late 86 and a 91 .. The 91 is better built. The 86 head light motors, dash and windows were always giving me trouble. The seats in the 91 seam to be more comfortable as well.
The headlights and window motors were redesigned in 88 I believe.

Relic

The breadbox was to house an airbag. But the government didn't require the airbags until later, so the breadbox was born.

Frizlefrak

I owned an 84 for 12 years, sold it this year and bought a 95. Other than the shape of the body, they're not even the same car. The 84 felt like an old muscle car, the 95 is much more refined. Power wise they felt similar until about the 4000 rpm mark....then it felt like a parachute deployed on the 84, but the 95 just keeps pulling. The 84 rattled like a new years noisemaker....the 95 doesn't. The 84 handled better, but that was thanks to me rebuilding and tweaking the suspension and steering a bit. The 95 is much less prone to wandering on rutted highways.

Atari or digilogue gauges.....I really couldn't care less. Both are fine. I did like the earlier steering wheel better. I've never liked the oversized air bag hubs.

Both cars have the cockpit feel. The 84 is more visceral, the 95 more coddling.

I loved them both, they were just different animals. A lot changed in 11 years.

RollaMo-LT4

Makes me glad I started with a '96 then.

GKK

I had an 89 and now have a 91.

The 91's Interior and Exterior looks and feels more like a modern vehicle. I never liked the 89's Atari Dash with the slow Tachometer and the big Bread box.

The 91's Ana-Digi dash looks cool, is well laid out and has more of a cockpit feel than the 89.

Overall, I like the 91-96's smoother more refined body lines over the earlier C4's.

Wathen1955

SQUIRMIN VERMIN 84

I think the Bread Box was actually a Nader-FaceBumper thing, not an airbag thing. The '84 had it but airbags didn't come untill later models(1990 or so), when the steering wheels had those larger hubs to house the bag.

socalman

From the guy that killed the Corvair. Great idea, let's put a giant plastic protrusion there so you can get even smashiness on your entire face.

CRUZN C4

I like both dashes, however the 90-96 makes me feel more connected than the 84-89s.

azrocketman

You must be referring in error to Lee Iacocca. Ralph Nader probably extended the Corvair production.

Steve
Owner of two 1966 Monza 2dr. coupes

F22

We own both and believe it or not, I sit higher in the 87' than the 96'! Drive both often and I can see more of the hood and fenders in the Blue 87' than the Red One. I like both, but the 95' has some serious 'umph' to it when you press the Go Pedal! Though the 87' always likes to have fun as well.

PLRX

Hmm finally I wondered that in 1986. I know many of your had removed it. They look better without it. I dont think it was a passenger airbag thing. Did it have a purpose or was just there as a cosmetic part?

socalman

Nope. Nader. The Corvair will 'roll over easily and kill you' (paraphrasing).

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Unsafe_at_Any_Speed