First youngtimer - Porsche 924 vs MGB GT
Discussion
I would like to buy my first youngtimer and I am thinking about Porsche 924 vs MGB GT. Both cars are from 1981, similar price 10k$, similar mileage (120k) and both are LHD (more unique for MGB, since its British car).
Which one of these two would you recommend more and why? :-)
For me its is about 50/50 - MGB has nicer look, Porsche is more powerfull and well, its Porsche :-) - the quality and reliability is higher (even if it has "Audi" engine).
Which one of these two would you recommend more and why? :-)
For me its is about 50/50 - MGB has nicer look, Porsche is more powerfull and well, its Porsche :-) - the quality and reliability is higher (even if it has "Audi" engine).
The MGB GT I used to drive had a single braking system with no backup, whereas I assume the Porsche has a dual braking system so there is a backup if one loop fails.
When one of the seals went in the MG, I lost all brakes apart from the somewhat ineffective hand brake
I explained to the recovery driver that the car had no brakes, but he decided to drive it up onto the back of his truck anyway - which was quite steep... and promptly rolled backwards off it again when he stopped.
When one of the seals went in the MG, I lost all brakes apart from the somewhat ineffective hand brake
I explained to the recovery driver that the car had no brakes, but he decided to drive it up onto the back of his truck anyway - which was quite steep... and promptly rolled backwards off it again when he stopped.
Whataguy said:
The MGB GT I used to drive had a single braking system with no backup, whereas I assume the Porsche has a dual braking system so there is a backup if one loop fails.
When one of the seals went in the MG, I lost all brakes apart from the somewhat ineffective hand brake
I explained to the recovery driver that the car had no brakes, but he decided to drive it up onto the back of his truck anyway - which was quite steep... and promptly rolled backwards off it again when he stopped.
Some have dual-circuit brakes, not hard to have them fitted in either case.When one of the seals went in the MG, I lost all brakes apart from the somewhat ineffective hand brake
I explained to the recovery driver that the car had no brakes, but he decided to drive it up onto the back of his truck anyway - which was quite steep... and promptly rolled backwards off it again when he stopped.
I quite like MGB's but its a fifties design and the 924 is a seventies car, there is quite a big difference in the technology and build, fuel injection vs a carb for a start.
Super cheap 924's have dissapeared but should still be able to get something serviceable and presentable for 2 to 3 grand, lot of very optimistic sellers with daft prices.
At the cheaper end of the MGB market you are into the off roader stance plastic bumper ones, pretty looking chrome bumper ones with a few mods will be expensive. Any old car is likely to be a pain in the arse but the Porsche is a better bet as a potential daily I would say. Weirdly the 924 seems to have fared better int he rot stakes than the 944, mine was getting a bit crusty, neighbors dad had a 230k 924 and it was well used but so solid, ten years older and twice the mileage, both better than MGB's which rot for fun, all over the place.
But, its down to what you like most, oh and drive them both, MGB isnt bad but the 924 does drive better, its got a third more power as standard as well, not fast, just less slow but the MGB engine doesnt actually feel that feeble, quite a nice gruff old thing with a reasonable amount of torque, by the standard of the day anyway.
Super cheap 924's have dissapeared but should still be able to get something serviceable and presentable for 2 to 3 grand, lot of very optimistic sellers with daft prices.
At the cheaper end of the MGB market you are into the off roader stance plastic bumper ones, pretty looking chrome bumper ones with a few mods will be expensive. Any old car is likely to be a pain in the arse but the Porsche is a better bet as a potential daily I would say. Weirdly the 924 seems to have fared better int he rot stakes than the 944, mine was getting a bit crusty, neighbors dad had a 230k 924 and it was well used but so solid, ten years older and twice the mileage, both better than MGB's which rot for fun, all over the place.
But, its down to what you like most, oh and drive them both, MGB isnt bad but the 924 does drive better, its got a third more power as standard as well, not fast, just less slow but the MGB engine doesnt actually feel that feeble, quite a nice gruff old thing with a reasonable amount of torque, by the standard of the day anyway.
Having owned and raced numerous examples of both, in the dim and distant past, it's the Porsche every time for me. It's on a completely different level of performance, handling balance, durability, etc etc. Lovely as they are MGB's are recycled 1950's tat, lousy B-series engines, awful suspension, rubbish brakes, dreadful lights, and rust everywhere. Remember the Porsche is partly galvanized and a whole heap more up to date.
IMHO
IMHO
bigmowley said:
Having owned and raced numerous examples of both, in the dim and distant past, it's the Porsche every time for me. It's on a completely different level of performance, handling balance, durability, etc etc. Lovely as they are MGB's are recycled 1950's tat, lousy B-series engines, awful suspension, rubbish brakes, dreadful lights, and rust everywhere. Remember the Porsche is partly galvanized and a whole heap more up to date.
IMHO
The wisest reply. I'm ashamed to be British having witnessed the embarrassing shameful products many of our car factories turned out in the 1960's/'70's. IMHO
Very odd comparison.
If you want a vintage feel, more raw, MGB.
If you want a car that basically drives like a modern, 924.
Personally a 924 is close to zero appeal, I would go for a 944, at least you get a very torquey engine and purposeful looks.
As for reliability - an MGB is very crude, very simple, very simple and cheap to fix. Parts available inexpensively and a huge aftermarket for mods etc.
The 924 is not, even though it is not very complex, when some simple stuff needs replacing it can cost quite a bit to fix, anything you will need to obtain off Porsche you will pay the P-tax on.
I would go for the MGB but an earlier chrome bumper model. Only thing to really look out for, rust.
Ex multiple MGB and Porsche 944 owner. But preferring an MX-5 over either.
If you want a vintage feel, more raw, MGB.
If you want a car that basically drives like a modern, 924.
Personally a 924 is close to zero appeal, I would go for a 944, at least you get a very torquey engine and purposeful looks.
As for reliability - an MGB is very crude, very simple, very simple and cheap to fix. Parts available inexpensively and a huge aftermarket for mods etc.
The 924 is not, even though it is not very complex, when some simple stuff needs replacing it can cost quite a bit to fix, anything you will need to obtain off Porsche you will pay the P-tax on.
I would go for the MGB but an earlier chrome bumper model. Only thing to really look out for, rust.
Ex multiple MGB and Porsche 944 owner. But preferring an MX-5 over either.
996TT02 said:
Very odd comparison.
If you want a vintage feel, more raw, MGB.
If you want a car that basically drives like a modern, 924.
Personally a 924 is close to zero appeal, I would go for a 944, at least you get a very torquey engine and purposeful looks.
As for reliability - an MGB is very crude, very simple, very simple and cheap to fix. Parts available inexpensively and a huge aftermarket for mods etc.
The 924 is not, even though it is not very complex, when some simple stuff needs replacing it can cost quite a bit to fix, anything you will need to obtain off Porsche you will pay the P-tax on.
I would go for the MGB but an earlier chrome bumper model. Only thing to really look out for, rust.
Ex multiple MGB and Porsche 944 owner. But preferring an MX-5 over either.
Good summary and I'd also go for the MGB for similar reasons. Not the MX-5 though If you want a vintage feel, more raw, MGB.
If you want a car that basically drives like a modern, 924.
Personally a 924 is close to zero appeal, I would go for a 944, at least you get a very torquey engine and purposeful looks.
As for reliability - an MGB is very crude, very simple, very simple and cheap to fix. Parts available inexpensively and a huge aftermarket for mods etc.
The 924 is not, even though it is not very complex, when some simple stuff needs replacing it can cost quite a bit to fix, anything you will need to obtain off Porsche you will pay the P-tax on.
I would go for the MGB but an earlier chrome bumper model. Only thing to really look out for, rust.
Ex multiple MGB and Porsche 944 owner. But preferring an MX-5 over either.
The MG also has the support of a very pro-active club and is possibly the more "social" car.
996TT02 said:
Very odd comparison.
If you want a vintage feel, more raw, MGB.
If you want a car that basically drives like a modern, 924.
Personally a 924 is close to zero appeal, I would go for a 944, at least you get a very torquey engine and purposeful looks.
As for reliability - an MGB is very crude, very simple, very simple and cheap to fix. Parts available inexpensively and a huge aftermarket for mods etc.
The 924 is not, even though it is not very complex, when some simple stuff needs replacing it can cost quite a bit to fix, anything you will need to obtain off Porsche you will pay the P-tax on.
I would go for the MGB but an earlier chrome bumper model. Only thing to really look out for, rust.
Ex multiple MGB and Porsche 944 owner. But preferring an MX-5 over either.
I agree, very odd - really a jackel and hide choice between two VERY different cars.If you want a vintage feel, more raw, MGB.
If you want a car that basically drives like a modern, 924.
Personally a 924 is close to zero appeal, I would go for a 944, at least you get a very torquey engine and purposeful looks.
As for reliability - an MGB is very crude, very simple, very simple and cheap to fix. Parts available inexpensively and a huge aftermarket for mods etc.
The 924 is not, even though it is not very complex, when some simple stuff needs replacing it can cost quite a bit to fix, anything you will need to obtain off Porsche you will pay the P-tax on.
I would go for the MGB but an earlier chrome bumper model. Only thing to really look out for, rust.
Ex multiple MGB and Porsche 944 owner. But preferring an MX-5 over either.
To me The Porsche is still a modern car, but I agree if going down that route a 944 would be the much better option.
Every MGB I ever drove was truly awful, and that's when they were less than 3 years old..!!
But, yes, if you want a more raw 'old car feel' then the MGB is the one to have, it will certainly give you that
Now, if a modded classic is up your street, then I can see the attraction of the MGB, throw away the antiquated suspension, Rover V8, Sebring bodykit etc.,etc
And what is a youngtimer
aeropilot said:
And what is a youngtimer
European term, I believe, which we haven't really adopted.Cars maybe 20-40 years old that have enthusiast appeal.
TBH, I wouldn't describe an MGB as a youngtimer, I'd say it's old enough now to be a 'proper' classic.
924 is in the heart of 'youngtimer' territory, I'd say.
SpeckledJim said:
European term, I believe, which we haven't really adopted.
Cars maybe 20-40 years old that have enthusiast appeal.
TBH, I wouldn't describe an MGB as a youngtimer, I'd say it's old enough now to be a 'proper' classic.
924 is in the heart of 'youngtimer' territory, I'd say.
That's my interpretation too. I'd have certainly put the MG in 'classic' rather than 'young timer'. Cars maybe 20-40 years old that have enthusiast appeal.
TBH, I wouldn't describe an MGB as a youngtimer, I'd say it's old enough now to be a 'proper' classic.
924 is in the heart of 'youngtimer' territory, I'd say.
I've nearly bought a 944 on a couple of occasions, just didn't really gel with the things though. But if I were buying now I think I'd go for a 924S – torquey and smooth 944 engine, purity of the 924 body.
But I'm planning on an Eclat or Excel next, now.
Fantastic thread here OP, but if you read it you’ll end up with a 924. 10G though, really?
https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?t=10...
https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?t=10...
Agree with everything that's been said. Owned a B and a 944 in the past.
Are you planning on doing own mechanics? If so how experienced are you?
MGB are more simple, especially the engine. Particularly as they have push rods rather than OHC. This makes removing the head, for example, much easier.
MGB also less reliable, which can be difficult for inexperienced mechanic as jobs take longer / more likely to go wrong / don't have right tools and only realise when car is partially dismantled / manual said "sharp tap" and I've been beating it with a lump hammer for 10 minutes and nothing's happened etc
Though both will be old by now and. as a former owner of several "reliable" and "high quality" '80s German cars, including the Porsche above, a VW and several BMWs, once cars get old they can be difficult, no matter the quality they started out with.
Are you planning on doing own mechanics? If so how experienced are you?
MGB are more simple, especially the engine. Particularly as they have push rods rather than OHC. This makes removing the head, for example, much easier.
MGB also less reliable, which can be difficult for inexperienced mechanic as jobs take longer / more likely to go wrong / don't have right tools and only realise when car is partially dismantled / manual said "sharp tap" and I've been beating it with a lump hammer for 10 minutes and nothing's happened etc
Though both will be old by now and. as a former owner of several "reliable" and "high quality" '80s German cars, including the Porsche above, a VW and several BMWs, once cars get old they can be difficult, no matter the quality they started out with.
I don't think an MGB needs to be unreliable. Find a good one and look after it and they're very simple to keep on the road.
A local chap I know has owned his MGB for many years. He uses it every year for long European tours, an annual trip to Ireland with the club and local running around in between.
It's the only classic he's ever owned and he's not mechanically minded. All it's needed has been routine maintenance. Oh and he's eighty years old.
They're not fast or exciting to drive but, as others have said, they can be uprated if that's the way you want to go in future.
A 924 is a much more modern and competent car but that's not necessarily what I look for in a classic and it wouldn't be my choice. You've also got the "it's not a real Porsche" brigade to contend with.
A local chap I know has owned his MGB for many years. He uses it every year for long European tours, an annual trip to Ireland with the club and local running around in between.
It's the only classic he's ever owned and he's not mechanically minded. All it's needed has been routine maintenance. Oh and he's eighty years old.
They're not fast or exciting to drive but, as others have said, they can be uprated if that's the way you want to go in future.
A 924 is a much more modern and competent car but that's not necessarily what I look for in a classic and it wouldn't be my choice. You've also got the "it's not a real Porsche" brigade to contend with.
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