What to look for in a 924

1bad914 · 07-11-2002, 09:32 AM

I'm going to look at a 1978 924 tonight. In a nutshell what do I need to look for as far as rust and mechanicals. I can pick it up pretty cheap but I need to know what is a definat do not buy. As in bad longitudinals in a 914.
Thanks,
Randy

lambic2000 · lambic2000's Garage

If you like the 924, save some more money and buy the 924S. I like the older 924's but would never buy one. If your looking at a steal (and by that I mean less than $1000) make sure you take it to a qualified mechanic. It will have rust more than likely. If it doesn't have rust, the owner took good care of it and would be asking quite a bit more than $1000. There is a 1977 924 in cherry condition in my area for sale. Owner is asking $4,500. Owner will never get $4,500.

drew1 · 07-11-2002, 06:10 PM

Check the clutch for wear through on the bell housing. Run it till it warms up, cut if off for about 20 min & make sure it cranks again. With car in neutral, rev it up to about 3000 & listen for torque tube roar or rattle.

drew1

khris · 07-11-2002, 06:44 PM

You should notice this quicly, but the doors like to fall off....ok, not really, but they like to sag. The door hinge is not nearly as good as the 944.
About all I can add to the list.
Khris

Paul Stewart · 07-11-2002, 07:08 PM

Check the parking brake.

Check the rear hatch, make sure the struts work and that the glass has not separated from the frame.

Check the coolant recovery tank and ask how often the PO had to add coolant.

Check to see if the first gear sycnros still work.

J1NX3D · J1NX3D's Garage

Take it thru a car wash this should find any leaks, especially in the hatch and sunroof.

1bad914 · 07-16-2002, 11:17 AM

If anyone is intersted, the 924 I looked at was not bad for a Michigan car. The battery tray was solid and the fenders and pan looked good. The part that scared me was the bondo that was chipping off aroung the gas cap area. Obviously it had been hit. The car was complete besides that. The motor did not run, but the owner swears it was running when he put it away last fall. He was asking 700.00, but I know he would have taken a lot less. He needed to move the car. If anyone is interested, post back and I'll give you the number. The car is located in Marsahll, MI.

Randy

bogomili · 07-16-2002, 04:05 PM

Well, offer him $500 and have fun w/ it. I'd put a ceiling on how much you put into after the purchase (like maybe $700) and see what kind of driver you can get for that. Does it run?

After owning 5 914's (because they were "inexpensive" Porsches) I bought my first watercooled P car, a 1987 924S for $1000 that had a bad fuel pressure regulator and 2 miswired spark plug wires, otherwise it was as strait as an arrow, mech sound and unmolested. I drove it 400 miles that way too before I figured it out. It is the ONLY 924 I would ever buy, but I understand falling in love with certain cars just because. 924S's are out there and are cheap to get into (less than $2000) and are a much better car underneith than first gen. 924's. If you like the 924, it's really wise to look for the S version - you WILL be happier.

If you're buying it 'cause the price is right, just dont have much expectation and dont dump $ into it. The resale value is nothing on a 924 so unless it is the car you've always dreamed of owning, dont start a money pit out of a 924. At least it's not a turbo, which is a plus in terms of $ it costs to make run.

The Southern California countyside is littered with sad examples of 924's in jepordy of being impounded (I see them in my town frequently). I think about it once in a while when I see one, but wisdom gets the better of me - running 944's are so cheap and you will be $ ahead getting a good runner 944.

Matt

1bad914 · 07-17-2002, 05:49 AM

I have no intention of buying it. I'm looking for a 911. I've found a good one four hours from here but I haven't had time to go and look at it. My current 914 project is taking all of my time. It will soon be in primer, then the block sanding starts...yeah!!

Eturbo924 · 07-17-2002, 05:59 AM

Hey 924s are great cars. The most important thing is to get a solid chassis and body. The mechanincals can be replaced easily and at little cost. The parts are much cheaper than the 924S and 944 parts... engine and such.

Just for reference most of what people said to look for above are good points.

Hatch leaks, sun roof leaks, battery box rusted, bad water pumps, doors that can sag, motor mounts, transmission mounts, Rear brakes that can seize.

Most of the issues are inherant to 924S and 944 also. Things that you need to take into account with 924S and 944 and not the 924.

The power steering leaks, clutch salve and master cylinder leaks, timing belts... fail on normal 924 and you just re-time the car and replace the belt. Fails on 924S and 944.... ooops new head at least. Also no ballance shaft belts on normal 924 to worry about.

Anyway the normal 924 from 1980-1982 is a very fine car. I would not pay the big money that some are asking for them at this time. Have seen many in the $4500-$5500 range. I agree this is 924S 944 teritory.. not 924. The 924 from 80-82 should be $2000-$3000 for a good example.

These cars are meant to be great for the twisties and not in a drag race. Get that straight right off the bat and you will be more than happy with any of them. Want a fast car get a Turbo or S2

Eric
www.geocities.com/eturbo924