Any other 924 owners on here?

[Chris71]

As per the title really... Who else owns a 924?

I bought mine a few months back aiming to use it as a daily driver. It was a garage queen for many years and I've still not found the time to sort out a few teething troubles, so I've held on to my previous runaround for the time being, but the plan is to use the 924 as my main transport as of the spring.

Having owned and driven various other front engined Porsches I can see there is quite a big gap in straightline performance down to the 924, but in all other respects I'm mistified as to why they're not more popular. It's got such a great combination of retro charm, driver appeal and day-to-day usability. Over the past couple of months I've gone from being something of a cynic to a bit of a Porschephile.

[hartech]

Chris, they are great cars. I have had a 924 Carerra GT for 17 years and despite also having a 997 3.8, 3 litre 944 turbo etc - it is still my favourite - and due to be back on the road after a rebuild next year.

Baz

[Tam Lin]

Yep, I use my 924S every day. These things are really good in the snow with the LSD option. Mine has this in a 944Turbo gearbox, which means I get 33-34 Miles to the Gallon on the M4. Not shabby at all for the runt of the Porsche litter...

[scm924s]

Lots of friendly 924 owners here - www.porsche924.co.uk

[36270k]

In January 2011 I got a 1983 924 that had been in storage for many years, it is now on the road and running.
Had a lovely summer driving around the local twisty B roads, handling is superb.
There must be very few cars that are 28 years old and have no rust.
The 2.0 engine is very reliable if looked after and can happily run for well over 200,000 miles.
Electrical foibles have been due to old age and easily fixed.
Most common parts are readily available from GSF and Europarts.
OPC Colchester have been very good at ordering parts for me.

Paul

[Chris71]

hartech said:

Chris, they are great cars. I have had a 924 Carerra GT for 17 years and despite also having a 997 3.8, 3 litre 944 turbo etc - it is still my favourite - and due to be back on the road after a rebuild next year.

Yep. I think they're hugely underrated cars.

I know some people would find this a bit ironic given the origins of the 924 project, but I also think they're very 'Porsche'. They're all just so well thought out. Even the most hardcore models (and I'm obviously not talking about my 924 here!) do the boring, sensible stuff really well and it's this attention to detail that I reckon characterises the brand.

Clearly the dynamics and the performance are leagues apart, but I really do think I can sense a shared philosophy linking the meekest 924 to the brawniest caged-up GT3. You'd happily jump in either and drive down to the shops on a dark, wet night when a lot of specialist sports cars would be relegated to a trickle charger in the garage.

[heebeegeetee]

Chris71 said:

Yep. I think they're hugely underrated cars.

I know some people would find this a bit ironic given the origins of the 924 project, but I also think they're very 'Porsche'. They're all just so well thought out.

It's a Porsche design through and through, isn't it?

[Chris71]

heebeegeetee said:

Chris71 said:

Yep. I think they're hugely underrated cars.

I know some people would find this a bit ironic given the origins of the 924 project, but I also think they're very 'Porsche'. They're all just so well thought out.

It's a Porsche design through and through, isn't it?

The design, yes. But as I understand it Porsche started the project as a consultancy job for Audi. It was never intended to have a Porsche badge and the story goes that the firm only took it back because a financial dispute arose with Audi part way through. That's one of the black marks against the car as far as some people are concerned (along with a modest power output, affordable price tag and the fact it has the engine in the wrong right place).

The other jibe of course is that it's a van engine, but while the same basic design was indeed used in the LT (along with a whole load of VAG passenger cars) I always think it feels quite the opposite. It's revvier and more responsive than the Porsche-designed engine in my old 924S and it produces its power further up the rev range. I actually find it a fiestier car to punt along even though it's notably slower.