924 for daily use?

61sktnbug · 06-28-2005, 01:10 PM

i need some quick answers, i found a great deal a 924 , withthe 5 bolt, wheels and 4 whl discs, but i need a everyday car since my jetta and van are probably sold, could a 924 be used as a daily year round car with good success? it gets mighty cold here , how well will it start up in -40?

AaronM · 06-28-2005, 02:07 PM

A non-S 924 will run just about like any VW with which it shares its engine. It's a good and reliable little car that handles well, but it's going to accelerate about like the Vanagon. IIRC, the original 924 is also not galvanized, so it's a sitting duck for salt to eat it away. It's not terrible in the winter (though the Jetta and Beetle will be worlds better in snow) but you're risking serious rusting if you drive it in salt frequently.

J1NX3D · J1NX3D's Garage

924's are galvanised but not completely until 1980. usual places to check are the battery tray, the badge panel by the headlights and at at the back of the front guards

61sktnbug · 06-28-2005, 03:21 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by AaronM
A non-S 924 will run just about like any VW with which it shares its engine. It's a good and reliable little car that handles well, but it's going to accelerate about like the Vanagon. IIRC, the original 924 is also not galvanized, so it's a sitting duck for salt to eat it away. It's not terrible in the winter (though the Jetta and Beetle will be worlds better in snow) but you're risking serious rusting if you drive it in salt frequently.

rust is no biggie the car is cheap , and has rust already , not looking for a show queen , just a fun little commuter car , i had many many vw's so i think it would probably be like owning a better rabbit!

gorfllub · 06-30-2005, 02:01 PM

Oh Cool. Maybe yours is a car I can beat with my Fiat!

UconnTim97 · UconnTim97's Garage

Shouldn't be a problem...I use my 944 as a daily driver

61sktnbug · 06-30-2005, 04:55 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by gorfllub
Oh Cool. Maybe yours is a car I can beat with my Fiat!

i have had fiats not likely ,

livewirevoodoo · livewirevoodoo's Garage

I used my 944 as a daily driver this past winter. Never had a problem with it. On freezing days I'd have some groaning from the PS pump on start up, and the tranny would be very sluggish until the car was fully warm, but it was a solid commute. Having said that, I didn't find it a fun car to drive in the snow, but YMMV.

ttwitc9516 · 07-01-2005, 08:43 AM

I uses on efor several years as a daily driver and actually liked some parts of it better than the my 944. Get the biggest battery that will fit in the hole and it will start fine.

nickd · 07-01-2005, 04:33 PM

Sounds like your main concern is the cold. With a tuned up CIS and some snow tires, you'll be just as comfy as in any early '80's VW. The 2.0L is much more rev friendly and torquier than the VW's too. I would only suggest that you rebuild the wiring harness that runs to the starter and alternator, add some extra battery grounds, and a new starter will almost certainly spin faster than an original.

Enjoy!
nick

svandamme · svandamme's Garage

i've got a 924 i bought a year and a half ago
and it's a fun car, although i had my share of headaches with the electrical system... mine had been unused outside for a year or 2.

and if the elctrics go , then your cis ain't working fine either
at least it did in my case... all in all , fun car, but CIS can be a PITA.

sasquatch · 07-05-2005, 01:39 PM

Many tens of thousands of miles in my 924. Even delivered pizza in the girl before trading for a 944. For a daily driver they are great. Pretty darn reliable and good in snow with snow tires.

Sold my car to a friend 5 years ago and it now has over 500k miles on it. We rebuilt it at 300k. Runs great.