Thinking about a 924.

[Batunas]

Hello everybody.
I am thinking about buying a 924, iīve always wanted a Porsche and since i allready have a fast bike and a family car, i think itīs time to start enjoying driving the wright way, in a Porsche .
Near me there is a dealer that has 2 924, or it seems, as they are sitting behind the other cars and i really canīt spot the difference.
Q: What should i look for?
What year is best and what type of engine should i look for?
Is there any plates in the engine bay and how can i read them correctly?

I will be going to the dealer this Friday to look at the car and find out more.
The reason that i am looking at the 924īs is because all other models are expensive as hell here in Portugal .
Thanks for your time.
Batunas.

[SoCal Driver]

Try www.924.org. Lots of info. Think the 924 was sold in Europe until the middle 80's. Porsche stopped selling them here in the States in 1982.

[FLA944]

The biggest distinction on the outside is a 944 has wide flared fenders and rectangular side marker lights. The 924 does not have the flares and the side markers are round.

[924turbo]

All of the 2 liter 924s in Europe were 125hp. I believe the 5-speed became standard in 1980 and was optional in 1979 in Europe. If you do a lot of highway driving, I suggest getting a 5-speed model. There were various improvements to the 924 over the years, so you're probably best off getting the newest one that you can afford. Best of luck!

[ds475]

why in the f*** would anyone want a 924 over a 944 other than the fact that the 924 is lighter?

[MrPants]

they are cheaper, no interference engine to worry about, no oil cooler seals to worry about ...

[Tishabet]

Yeah, the 924S my cousin drives is a totally hot car. It has the 2.5liter 944 engine in it, and I'd say she could toast me in my 2.7liter 944NA. I don't like the body as much, but whatever floats your boat.

[CJFusco]

Batunas,
If I were you, I would look for a 163 hp 924S model. It is mechanically identical to an early (pre 85.5) 944, but with the 924's more slippery body.

[jts924s]

Read a 944 buyer's guide before you look at a 924S. It's like marrying a high-maintenance supermodel. No matter how nice they look and run, you'll eventually be shaking your head at something they did.

[SoCal Driver]

The guys in Portugal!

Not much choice I would think.

Still I would also advise looking for a 944 or 924S.

[Minus000]

A 924S will have very similar maintence and mechanical problems to the 944 so I don't know if its ignorance or stupidity that are spawning some of the replies here.

I have an origonal 924. Other then rebuilding the cis fuel injection the car has been great. The top end is in good shape and hasn't needed any internals worked on. If any car is well maintained it will last for years. Many people even prefer the lines of the 924 to the 944.

[CJFusco]

i have nothing against the 924, I think they are great cars...

however, I sometimes feel like my 944NA is somewhat lacking in the power department, and I can only imagine that the feeling would be much more if I were driving a 924.

That being said, the 924S is more modern, more powerful, faster, and more refined than the 924... and not much more expensive.

[Smile]

If you want a fun and fast car (Faster then a 944); go for a 924 Turbo. + room for performance improvement!
Although, It seems that the 924 Turbo, sold in the states has less hp then the European ones. If so, try to find an mported one!
I LOVE the feeling from the boost pressure.

[CJFusco]

the US 944 is quicker than a US 924Turbo, and less, um, problematic

[nickd]

Once again, what makes the 924 turbo "more problematic" than a 944? And how come my question to this always seems to be the last one in a thread? Could it be noone has an answer?

Anyway,
2.0 liter 924 = cheap & pretty bulletproof. Power to weight for the RoW models is comparable to the 944's.
2.5 liter anything = expensive, unavoidable, periodic maintenance.
924 turbo = somewhere between the two. Add $50 to your purchase for a boost controller and you've got 180 realiable hp with lots more available. Maybe this is what makes the 944 folks complain so much?

I'll agree that the 2.5L's are easier/smoother to drive everyday and they usually suit people who don't do their own work better than the 2.0L's. All things to consider.

-nick

[SoCal Driver]

One of these days I'll have this great big huge garage with one of each color. Yes each color for each year. Special editions will be in another garge.

[CJFusco]

nickd,
we all obviously have loyalty to our own models, but most of the buyers' guides i've seen seem to cite the 931 as having the most mechanical problems of any 944 series car (except maybe the 16V 944S). I am just reciting what seems to be canon.

If you have had particularly good experinces with 924 Turbos, then that's wonderful I have not really had any engine issues with my 944NA, so therefore I wouldn't hesitate to recommend it

[nickd]

Didn't mean to sound overly snobbish! :-)

I just see a lot of 931 maintenance bashing, but I've never heard of anyone give a reason why they're more expensive other than "that's what someone told me".

All Porsche motors are pretty solid. But noone can deny that 2.5L is somewhat maintanence intensive (d@mn timing belt!). Heck, I wouldn't turn any of them down!

Best,
-nick

[ds475]

the 924 is hideous! liking the 924, is kind of like being the guy who's into fat chicks...

[Minus000]

The 924 body has much cleaner lines then the 944. The 944 just adds fender flares and a new valence. Its the same situation as the 912 and the 930. Same basic look, just a new valence and fenders.