[black_falcon]

Nope.. you're perfectly sane.

A well sorted 944 makes for a comfortable and reliable daily driver that will return pretty good fuel economy as well. I used my 86 n/a daily for around 2-3 years, and plan to do so again this summer. Maintenance costs can be astronomical so if you can do the work yourself you're already ahead of the game.

Early or Late dash?

This is the biggest factor for most. Personally, the HVAC in my late dash is one of the best of any car I've owned. Heat warm enough to melt you after just a few blocks. AC is above average for a car of its vintage. After driving my 944 back to back with a 00 Boxster several weeks ago.. you'd never guess the 944 came from two decades previous.

With that said, the early dash oozes retro charm in spades. It completely transforms the car and IMO they are two entirely different driving experiences. The 83-85 cars have a vintage feel about them, the HVAC system is anemic by comparison, but on fun factor alone I'd take a crisp 83 over my 86 all day long. I love the early tach!! It all comes down to what you're looking for and how you intend to use it.

NA or Turbo?

The turbo is beast compared to the 8v NA cars. Not even in the same ball park. Mind you, it also brings a lot of complexity to the table. More things to break and more labor involved when they do. Most consider the S2 a nice compromise; turbo-like power with NA reliability.

Conclusion

Go for it. It's a highly underrated 80's icon. It will put a smile on your face, and those around you. Do your research and know what you're getting into; they have a long list of "gotchas", but if you buy a car that's been well loved with those issues sorted out, you shouldn't have much trouble.