[jo-l]

Hi there,

Just wanted to get some opinions from the experts about an opportunity i have for a ’81 924.

I’ve always loved and driven small sporty, manual transmission cars. But when my 3rd kid was born 4 years ago, I had to make the switch to the super boring but so damn practical minivan, full of car seats and strollers.. and driving (which i used to love), turned into simply transportation.

Well, the kids are a bit bigger and less needy now and finally, the time has come. I decided this summer, I wanted a small, cheap, manual transmission car to boot around in on the weekends and tinker around with (The car will purely be for fun/hobby). My eldest is now 11 and he’s super into cars, and curious.. so I figure now is a great time to learn together (or re-learn in my case).

At first i was thinking of looking for a 90's VW golf/GTI or E30/E36 BMW or a little japanese coupe (honda, toyota, mazda). Something cheap ($2-3K) and in decent shape to maintain,tinker with repair as necessary and boot around in during the summer months.

But now, I have an opportunity (from a family member) for an 81 porsche 924 (N/A). It's in fantastic shape from what i've seen, but it's been sitting in a garage covered for the last 8-10 years. It was running fine when the inline fuel pump went one fall, he winterized it and it’s been sleeping ever since. The car is far away from me (400km) so i can’t really go and see it, but if i decide to take it, it will be delivered to my driveway.

I've done a lot of work on cars in the past and i loved it, my dad was a mechanic and when i bought my first car in '95 (an 81 mazda glc for $300). We did a ton of work. the suspension, wheel bearings, clutch, timing belt, brakes, carb, etc. Although i always had my dad to troubleshoot problems and check over my work. Since he passed away (and i grew up and could afford newer vehicles) I've done little outside of routine maintenance (oil changes, brakes, plugs and smaller jobs.. alternator, belts, various sensors and exhaust stuff).

So what I’m asking is, if i decide to take the porsche, am i getting myself in over my head because it’s been stored for so long (albeit safely in a garage under a cover), am I potentially replacing a ton of stuff? or is it a matter replacing fluids, plugs, tires, a new pump and belts. Just trying to estimate (of course it’s impossible to know for sure) what I’m getting myself into vs. just buying a used car for $3K that’s in running order and making repairs as I go.

I have no experience with cars that have been stored for a long period of time, so I’m just trying to get an idea to help make my decision.