RE: SOTW: Porsche 924

[GC8]

Hugo a Gogo said:

I've posted this before, but please supply a list of the VW parts that fit

it's a short list, shouldn't take you long to type out

VW K70 brake pads.
VW Golf door handle seal.
VW LT crank seal.
VW Golf window winder.
VW Beetle rear brake shoes.
VW Golf repeater.
VW Golf steering lock.
VW Gold column hand controls.

[shoestring7]

Chris71 said:

I love the fact that people slate the 924 for being littered with bits from common or garden VWs and then state you'll be hit with massive Porsche-specific parts bills.

Haven't found mine too bad so far.

No, it's not quick, but why buy a 30 year old car for less than the cost of a decent holiday if you want to go quickly?

The advantage of this one is you can thrash it responsibly and even relatively legally in a way you simply can't in something with road-roller tyres and 400bhp/ton. Plus, the 2-litre VW-derived engine actually seems more up for that sort of treatment than the less revvy 2.5 engine that Porsche did in-house for the 944 and 924S.

You do have to be realistic about what it is, and the S is a much more credible performer for not a lot more money, admittedly, but I love the way even the basic 924 combines classic fun with something approaching modern car usability and practicality. If I needed to nip to the station on a dark, damp night I’d take my 30 year old 924 over my comparatively recent Chimaera any day.

The 2l engine was NSU/Audi derived. But I can't agree with you about the comparative nature of it vs the 2.5l. The later, Porsche, engine was much happier to rev, gave more power and didn't use a less fuel.

SS7

[marshall100]

Chris71 said:

No, it's not quick, but why buy a 30 year old car for less than the cost of a decent holiday if you want to go quickly?

The advantage of this one is you can thrash it responsibly and even relatively legally in a way you simply can't in something with road-roller tyres and 400bhp/ton. Plus, the 2-litre VW-derived engine actually seems more up for that sort of treatment than the less revvy 2.5 engine that Porsche did in-house for the 944 and 924S.

You do have to be realistic about what it is, and the S is a much more credible performer for not a lot more money, admittedly, but I love the way even the basic 924 combines classic fun with something approaching modern car usability and practicality. If I needed to nip to the station on a dark, damp night I’d take my 30 year old 924 over my comparatively recent Chimaera any day.

Hooning about at speeds that are not going to upset plod. Always a bonus.

[shoestring7]

GC8 said:

The 2.7 was the current 911 model then, making nothing like 200bhp, and neither did the 3.0l SC which replaced it, until it was facelifted years later.

In 1975-7 your choice of 911 was a 911S with 165bhp, a Carrera 3.0 with 200bhp or a 911turbo with 260bhp.

SS6

[Twincam16]

Strawman said:

mr2j said:

Really good shed this week, although in that ballpark I'd rather have a Starion or a MkIII Supra. That's proper retro-cool to me (EACH TO HIS OWN). I suspect a Starion in decent condition is a lot more expensive now...

The Starion is fugly not retro-cool though, also comparing like with like examples the turbo Starion costs about the same and produces 2 BHP less than the 924 turbo.

I found the Starion much lighter on its feet though, and much easier to throw about given its lighter steering. You can fit real people in the back of a Starion too, which is always a bonus. It may not look as good, but the Starion is a much better car.

Only drawback is it didn't have the Porsche's galvanised bodyshell. Most Starions are rotten these days.

[SuperHangOn]

I really like this a lot.

Fun to drive without guzzling (what is the MPG?), cheap and simple to fix... these sort of cars make a lot of sense

[Twincam16]

SuperHangOn said:

I really like this a lot.

Fun to drive without guzzling (what is the MPG?), cheap and simple to fix... these sort of cars make a lot of sense

I got about 30 out of mine. Given that it sat way above most carburetted four-cylinder rivals in terms of performance, yet turned in a good few more mpg, it makes a lot of sense even today.

Just wish mine hadn't had so many problems!

[Johnboy Mac]

SuperHangOn said:

I really like this a lot.

Fun to drive without guzzling (what is the MPG?), cheap and simple to fix... these sort of cars make a lot of sense

Well they're light, about 1100kg or so. I'd wouldn't imagine getting 30-32mpg would be a problem.

[Munich]

ewenm said:

Can you buy it and drive it over? Are there nasty charges for permanently importing a classic car?

No. It will have to pass the TÜV (which is a bit stricter than the MoT because it has to last 2 years) and including registration will cost around 200€. The only negative will be the RHD.

[Tiger Tim]

richb77 said:

delays said:

Carrera RSR said:

The 924 is going to be another 912 or 914, derided for years for not being up to true Porsche performance but now you can't buy a good one for much less than £15,000-20,000!!

Therefore I have invested heavily in my 924 turbo and it has been able to hold its own versus 944's, 968's, Boxsters and 911's of all flavours on track days. It will be a future classic, just wait and see!!



Read more here http://www.porsche924.co.uk/forum/viewtopic.php?f=...

The 924 is also celebrating its 35th year in the UK as of now and we have a breakfast club for all 924's at Porsche Experience Centre, Silverstone, on Sunday 15th April. Booking your car in is a must as requested by Porsche and passes will be provided. Deadline for booking is next Friday. We have well over 50 cars booked already so is going to be quite some 924 fest!! http://porsche924.co.uk/35years/ Your welcome to join us even not a 924OC member.

Now go out and buy yourselves some 924's and enjoy!!

That, sir, is a fine automobile.

+1. One of the nicest 924's i've seen and i am a fan of these.

Great shed.

Just read that 924 build while I was meant to be working (thanks for that). I'm in love. I never thought I'd say that about 924's.
Went for a half hearted attempt on my old Corrado with a sort of clubsport effect but never really got there.

Stunning though.. love the Fuch wheels as well. Perfect.

[GC8]

shoestring7 said:

GC8 said:

The 2.7 was the current 911 model then, making nothing like 200bhp, and neither did the 3.0l SC which replaced it, until it was facelifted years later.

In 1975-7 your choice of 911 was a 911S with 165bhp, a Carrera 3.0 with 200bhp or a 911turbo with 260bhp.

SS6

Im familiar with the 1970s models. Im sure that you realise, as I do, that Carerra 3.0ls and Turbos were extremely rare, leaving the 2.7l...

[5lab]

if you want some road tests from the 70s\80s, this is an excellent resource

http://www.flickr.com/photos/triggerscarstuff/

one example..


Porsche 924 Carrera GT Turbo Road Test 1981 (2) by Trigger's Retro Road Tests!, on Flickr

[GC8]

Theres a world of difference bwteen a 924 and a 937!

[Mr2Mike]

The Crack Fox said:

Great shed, but what a STUPID advert ! Nonsense like "Remember, they don't make these anymore"

Agreed, it's an utterly ridiculous statement. You could say the same thing if you were selling a Hyundai Accent or a Blower Bentley. I'd guess the majority of cars on the road are out of production; the average vehicle age is about 7 years IIRC.

[Woody]

Great looking shed!
Always fancied a 924 or 944.
Might have to look into one now as I could squeeze the kids in the back seats!!

What sort of tuning options (if any) exist for the 2.0 924?

Chris

[5lab]

GC8 said:

Theres a world of difference bwteen a 924 and a 937!

that was just an example. Search the photostream for 924 - there's at least 5 or 6 full reviews

[5lab]

Woody said:

Great looking shed!
Always fancied a 924 or 944.
Might have to look into one now as I could squeeze the kids in the back seats!!

What sort of tuning options (if any) exist for the 2.0 924?

Chris

there's some, but you're much better off to just buy a 944

[GC8]

I believe that Ive had that as a favourite for three or four years.

[blade7]

Compare the price of a RS Escort or E30 Sport from the same period and a 924/44 is a bargain, probably because Porsche build quality means a lot more have survived. Tin worm is catching up with unloved frontrunners though and I doubt you'll be buying decent ones for peanuts in 5 years time.

Edited by blade7 on Friday 30th March 16:10

[Carrera RSR]

carreraplanes said:

Slightly misleading statement in the article:

'And although the 924 has a fairly solid reputation for reliability, if anything does go wrong you'll be potentially faced with some nasty Porsche-priced parts bills.'

Nothing could be further from the truth. Consumeables (pads, alternators, gaskets, etc. etc) are available from GSF car spares, Porsche only stuff tends to be heavy items like cylinder heads, or switches and guages which are easily sourced 2nd hand on ebay or such like. You can run these things for mk 2 Golf money which is about right as most of the bits originate from VW. Make no mistake these things are cheap as chips to run.....

Wrong! Your local Official Porsche Centre for parts is often very well priced versus motor factors and other 'Porsche' specialists. Some parts are no longer available through OPC, some obscure parts are a little spendy, but on the whole the OPC in my experience has been spot on. But then I'd prefer to use VW/Audi/Porsche OEM quality Sachs, Bosch, Beru, etc. branded parts versus usual motor factor cheap and nasty Chinese copies in most cases. These cars can be extremely cheap to run if you wish. They can also be very spendy. But then can't all cars!!