Buying a car from Europe

[GLTL]

I hope this is the correct place for this question.

I have been looking without success for an early-80s 924 (NA, 5-speed, VG condition). A number of turbos, lots of projects, but nothing in my frame.

Looking around the interwebz, I see a number of possibles in Europe, especially Germany and Italy. A little spendy, but available. However, I am leery about sending a stack of euros to some unknown party. Importing it to Canada seems straightforward (15-year rule), but I am concerned about putting it on the road here (Ontario) because of issues like rear seat belts and side reflectors.

Has anybody had any experience – good or bad – with outfits who source and inspect cars in Europe?

And, can anybody share experiences with passing provincial inspections, particularly Ontario?

I would be very grateful for any insights.

John

[DaytonaCoupe66]

I'm surprised that you cannot find a decent 924 in North America.

I assume you are Canadian. When you factor in the exchange on the Euro, shipping across the pond, then HST in Canada for that inflated bottom line in Canadian funds, you'll be looking at an investment that is well beyond the value of the car if you had to sell it here.

For a >25 year old car you'll have no trouble with Transport Canada, and will be duty exempt. Just make sure that it's clean so CBSA doesn't order a CFIA motivated deep underbody cleansing. $$$$

Your Provincial inspection in Ontario will be garden variety as per any car.

Your degree of risk aversion and predisposition to anxiety will govern the chance you are willing to take with wiring funds to a stranger. Then there'll likely be language challenges. Where you'll need help with shipping, I would recommend that you seek out a reputable dealer/facilitator in Europe. You'll likely miss out on the spontaneity of a great deal, but peace of mind = priceless.

For anything other than extraordinarily rare stuff you may like to continue to patiently look locally. Maybe post an ad?

[GLTL]

Thanks for the quick response.

Yes, I have run the numbers, and it certainly would make better financial sense to buy in Ottawa, or Ontario, or Canada, or the USA, than sourcing in Europe.

I have been looking for nearly two years now, and not yet found anything on this continent. I posted Wanted ads at the beginning, but the only response came from a scammer. The sensible thing would be to keep looking in Canada.

Backstory: In 1983, I was living in Washington DC, and decided that I wanted a 924. Went to a Porsche store in Vienna VA, and asked to see one. Salesman told me that it was superseded by the 944, and he had one. Would I like to test it? I did, and bought it, finally selling it years later to buy a practical wagon. That 924 itch has returned, and it wants to be scratched.

[NYNick]

Join your local PCA, talk to those guys and then start looking at For Sale ads in all local PCA club magazines that are published monthly all over the US. I'd pay particular attention to cars out west/no rust. Shouldn't be that hard.

[NYNick]

I found 2, 924S' on PCA.org in 20 seconds. One for $9500 and one for $25K.
You don't need to buy from Europe.

[911heaven]

I used to buy these complete sitting in Scrapyard's here for 200 each. I stopped because they just sat then. Japan might be a place to look for a deal, but I agree with others local is best and to see up front and save on logistics.

Last week in my friends Porsche repair shop I stopped in Kobe, but he was out and in Osaka at another Porsche shop someone I know well too. He was buying right front susp arm for a car in his shop. Could have been 944 or 964 but I didn't pay much attention.

[Otter74]

OP is looking for a 924 (with the Audi engine), not a 924S, but like the rest of you I just don’t believe that the car for him can’t be found in North America.

[Matt Monson]

Maybe he’s looking for a Martini or one of the other special editions.

[zztot]

NYNick’s idea is most logical……also several people who run shops and are regular posters
are always helpful to the “community “ here and 914world.
As Matt points out unless he’s looking for a unicorn 924 can’t imagine it being that hard to find……..although a good one may be.

[GLTL]

Thanks for all the responses. As I mentioned in my first post, I am looking for 1980 or newer non-turbo 924 in very good condition (everything works, zero rust, good interior). I expect that it is a bit of a unicorn.

I do understand that the Audi-engined 924 is not very speedy, but I have this 924 itch that I want to scratch.

And, yes, I would be better off buying in Ottawa, or in Ontario, or in Canada, or in the US. I was just struck by the number of nice-looking examples for sale in Europe.

[coldstart]

There is a 1979 924 listed for sale in Manitoba. 204-638-1035. Phone or text according to the ad. Needs some work but supposedly rust free and straight.

If you buy it, I expect a drive and a beer. I’m in Ontario too, eh.

[SalParadise]

You'll find it here in the USA.

One of my first Porsches was a '77 924 - early '76 build. Loved that car. Very reliable and great college car. I liked the car so much that I looked for another one (this was back in 1992). I bought a Turbo. It was the worst Porsche and worst car that I ever purchased. Even then, later normal Audi 100 engined 924s were hard to come by. What I mean is that the early "S" spec 924s in North America with the four-wheel discs and 5 speed were hard to find because I think people lost interest in the car by then (especially judging by production numbers), but it's an awesome car. I would look for the later car. I think you are completely in track in this journey. You'll find one here - I actually did after the Turbo debacle, in Nebraska of all places. it was a '82 I could have purchased for $1700 in 1993. I wish I did.

You have to realize that ANY 924 from 1982 or 1981 is actually quite rare. They made a little over 2,000 cars per year for those years. So it's around 4500 cars for 2 years and that was more than 40 years ago.

I wouldn't give up in North America. Hold out for the later car, and keep looking. it's out there.