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924 question from a long time lurker.

dcollins

Hi Guys,

I'm a long time lurker on Classic Cars very keen to buy a 924 and have some quick questions if any of you can help me out that would be great.

I'm just looking for a weekend bit of fun, not a daily driver or a Rally motor, and I'm old enough to get classic insurance on a second car :-)

If you find the hot start issue in your 924 is the under dash button injector solution the best thing to do?
I see an automatic for sale, learned on an auto back in Canada but wonder will this be much slower accelerating because you can't stay in lower gear to find the higher power output nearer the red? For regular road use would it still pull nicely?
Do you know of any for sale?

I did search in the for sale area but asking proactively in case there is someone with one or more and have been considering selling one!!
I don't want a major fixer upper rusty ol' project car. Just a bit of fun, I'm looking for a 2.0 rather than an 'S', or an 82/83 944.

I've searched the forum for answers :cool:, and have brought a mechanic with me to look at the last one I ended up not buying(bad bubbling, fuel lines and tank not in great shape at all, all the way up north.). I know some people don't think its a real Porsche etc. and that classic cars require maintenance and I still want one. Have insurance quote & space!
Thanks for you time guys, great forum! I recently rebuilt a small scooter engine and am hoping to get handy with a bigger motor maintenance with the help of a mechanic friend. Some of you seem to be so knowledgeable so I'm trying to see it as big metal Lego and see how far that gets me.

Cheers,
Dan

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superfly35

Dades wrote: »

He's done loads of work on that black one, but I'm a bit dubious about that momo steering wheel, and very dubious about the hairy dashboard!

Conor, you don't like the hairy dashboard.

If you happen to go for that car and want a less crack dash I have one.

superfly35

dcollins wrote: »

Cheers Superfly, thanks for that link. the black one is good looking and I'll get over to see it if I can in the coming fortnight. My next question is a bit of a tangent.

If i get a very good deal on a 944 is it going to be much nicer a ride but a whole lot more expensive to maintain?
After having a google around there seems to be the consensus that the belt/water pump needs to be replaced at high cost as well as some pretty pricy suspension. Anyone any experience with a 944 care to share their experience/opinion?

Well you you will enter in a different price range for maintenance that is for sure.
The early 944 have the engine 2.5 as a 924S, the 944 does have a tendancy to suffer from sill rust.
As you said the Water Pump and Timing need to be change as the engine is an interference engine so if it does break it will do some serious engine damaged.
The water pump and kit belt are expensive about €600 as fair as I remember, I seems to reckon the water is €350 just the part.

After everything in parts will be more expensive.

The 944 is basically a 924 with a fat arse. I have a mate whom had owned at the same time a 924 N/A, 924 Turbo, 924 S, the verdict for him the 924 Turbo is a lot more fun than a 924 S (and so the same as the 944, same engine with bigger arches).

The 924 S is more linear than a 924 Turbo. So that is why the Turbo was is favorite. I can compare only what I tried 924 N/A and Turbo. Well the turbo is the more fun car, however I love driving my N/A.

I am sure it would be a good bit of fun to drive a 924S or 944, however as a starter I believe a N/A would be easier to get around. The mechanic is easy, any decent mechanic will sort you out for cheap if anything need doing.

Basically it is a matter of budget and how much you are able to put in your car.

Does the potential 944 is NCT and in Ireland and all ?

Dades

He's done loads of work on that black one, but I'm a bit dubious about that momo steering wheel, and very dubious about the hairy dashboard!

Kenny Logins

dcollins wrote: »

Cheers Superfly, thanks for that link. the black one is good looking and I'll get over to see it if I can in the coming fortnight. My next question is a bit of a tangent.

If i get a very good deal on a 944 is it going to be much nicer a ride but a whole lot more expensive to maintain?
After having a google around there seems to be the consensus that the belt/water pump needs to be replaced at high cost as well as some pretty pricy suspension. Anyone any experience with a 944 care to share their experience/opinion?

VW parts prices Vs Porsche part prices.

Clutch kits for example - http://www.frazerpart.com/acatalog/924_New_3.Transmission.html

dcollins

Cheers Superfly, thanks for that link. the black one is good looking and I'll get over to see it if I can in the coming fortnight. My next question is a bit of a tangent.

If i get a very good deal on a 944 is it going to be much nicer a ride but a whole lot more expensive to maintain?
After having a google around there seems to be the consensus that the belt/water pump needs to be replaced at high cost as well as some pretty pricy suspension. Anyone any experience with a 944 care to share their experience/opinion?

superfly35

Hi Daniel,

Here is the thread for the second car from the 924 club.

http://porsche924.co.uk/forum/viewtopic.php?f=7&t=15103

dcollins

Yeah, I've giving a miss to the one in the north that's white, I went to see the other northern one with a mechanic 4 weeks ago, leaky tank and many other potential issues.

That second one is the best I've looked at to date and had 20 emails back and forth with the guy, has mot, is a porsche924.co.uk member. was prepared to go collect it sunday as long as a mechanic checked and gave me the nod this week but the mechanic in plymouth and the owner weren't free at the same time. so ill hopefully buy when he's home from his trip. its the best one on paper I'v seen. just unlucky timing really. i have a graduation friday and it would have made my weekend to end up going over to get it. id be happy to wait for that one.

Cheers guys, the search goes on.

Kenny Logins

Dades wrote: »

I think that one in the North has the potential to be a money pit. Does it even have an MOT?

You just wouldn't know what lies beneath until someone got it up on a ramp with a torch and a screwdriver - because that is exactly what the NCT people will do.

It's hard to wait for sure - but you'll regret jumping in for the sake of it.

Did you look at this one?
http://www.carandclassic.co.uk/car/C409061

Or in the UK - best colour :
http://www.carandclassic.co.uk/car/C409596
(Nice road trip!)

Second one looks good.

I'd ignore cars that have a fresh paint job but are advertised at a fraction of the cost of a decent paint job.

Dades

I think that one in the North has the potential to be a money pit. Does it even have an MOT?

You just wouldn't know what lies beneath until someone got it up on a ramp with a torch and a screwdriver - because that is exactly what the NCT people will do.

It's hard to wait for sure - but you'll regret jumping in for the sake of it.

Did you look at this one?
http://www.carandclassic.co.uk/car/C409061

Or in the UK - best colour

:
http://www.carandclassic.co.uk/car/C409596
(Nice road trip!)

superfly35

Hi Daniel,

I would leave that car where it is, as there is a bit too much work required if you want up to scratch.
If it was a long term investment it will could make sense, but as you need something working for 1 year you might not have time to fix the whole and to enjoy the car.

I know there are few cars, on sale in the 924 Owner club, I bought all my car from the club.
For the same reason as you I could not find good ones here, and I always manage to organise the collection or picking it up myself.
I did see some good ones poping up in Ireland, you need patience as it is this end of the summer, you may find people selling.

I shall fixing one of mine and selling it to you

dcollins

unkel wrote: »

Why would you go for a car that needs structural work or major engine work?

Plenty of fish in the sea, why do it the hard way?

@unkel I would much rather buy one with no work needed but there are bugger all good ones on the go in ireland at the minute :-(
Because of work I cant really nip over to england, and the cost of a trip if i dont end up buying would be a fair percentage of what these cars cost- a mechanic + petrol to look at one in belfast 3 weeks ago was 174. I'm probably being impatient but I'v wanted to own for for a long time. I'm not desperate mind, i have walked away from two so far.

Cheers for all the replies and if you know of a good one going - let me know!
-Daniel

Agricola

Seweryn wrote: »

I can't fully agree here, as the 924 had fully galvanised body on models from 1980 onwards. That would be higher on the list of priorities for me than NCT exemption.

I have a car registered in May of 79 and it has the fully galvanised shell.

Seweryn

salysol wrote: »

you would be far better looking for a pre 80 924 that is nct exempt.

I can't fully agree here, as the 924 had fully galvanised body on models from 1980 onwards. That would be higher on the list of priorities for me than NCT exemption.

unkel

dcollins wrote: »

rust on a sill

dcollins wrote: »

top end rebuild

Why would you go for a car that needs structural work or major engine work?

Plenty of fish in the sea, why do it the hard way?

dcollins

Hi Guys,

I asked for some more photos and was sent these- anything thats obvious in there that means i should give it a miss??
Gallery: http://imgur.com/a/xAGGW

Cheers,
Daniel

superfly35

Ok based on the fact you want a car for fun, and you might have a very limited amount of time as in roughly 1 year.
I would not bother with a rolling project car, and so on.

A 1980 onwards, the car are fully galvanised, prior that only the floor pan is.
There was also some changes/improvement made over the years, to improve hot start for example.

The one in Finglas, I have not seen in on a ad, I am in near Dublin myself I might be able to come with you if you wish.
It does look pricey, I would except everything to be done and just jump in and drive.

I think if I was in your case, I would probably look at import one from the UK mainland, factor that in the purchase and work your buying price in this then.
Get a car in used, with MOT or NCT (they do come up sometimes in Ireland).

Hope it helps the quest.

dcollins

Hi, Thanks for the replies-
@superfly:
my budget depends on the motor. I have an amount in mind being the total cost of purchasing, fixing, and nct. so if it has a current nct and is 80-83 id pay more, but if its like the one above needing flat vrt and nct, and work a lot less. but obviously id like to do the best i can.
@salysol:
I know people recommend the pre 80 ones but i have the service manual for each year and it looks like they made adjustments as they went along and galvanized better from 80 on so those together mean id rather the latest i could get- an 83' ideally. it that not the ticket?
@kennyloggins:
I only have phone description to go on- I'll ask for a photo of the sill and engine bay, to save me jaunting up over three hours to londonderry if i can rule it out first.

There is one in finglas listed on donedeal, but for all the times i drove past it it never moved, and has no plates or nct nor hood ornament. and he wants 3250. From looking online I think i should expect better for that. Also, I just want something tidy for fun now soon. as my work might take me to north america permanently middle of next year.... :-P so its hard to wait for a minter to come along...

Thanks for all the advice and if i get a photo of the sill- ill post and ye can tell me if its one that obviously needs to be avoided maybe?

superfly35

Another question what is your budget ?

Kenny Logins

How bad is the rust? Can't imagine it being a major problem on a glavinised shell... Mine had some stone chip damage leading to small areas of surface rust, but nothing serious.

superfly35

Hmmm, it is a tricky one.
The shock rear replacement would not be a problem, They are about €80 for a pair.
A head rebuild, is costly so if I would go for a good second hand head instead after why this would be required would be my question.
I am not a fan of welding. I am not good at it. So I am try to find rust free car, which is usually with a 924. So if there is rust I would leave it to be honest.

The price on welding have come down a lot, as a lot more people are looking for work, when 5 years ago the story was different.

If you buy this car it would be £900 so €1100 + 200 to clear it €1300.

To evaluate the work required and the cost.
Ask the seller when the MOT was completed the last time, and what advisories are on it ?

Also ask when the brake have been done last time ? The tyres ? Cold start and Hot start problem ?
Get a pics of under the bonnet could get some nice indication of the car maintenance.
Get also a pics of the damaged sills ?

Where are you located ? To be honest I will need more info before going and see it.

The price is too high I think.

Do you have spannering skill ? and garage/workshop to work if needed ?

salysol

The cost of maintaining a 924 is relatively cheap, but when it comes to a major job like sill replacement ,it usually involves major work by a very skilled panel beater,the last time i checked which was about 5 years ago you would have been looking at €1000 per side, as you had to remove the outer sill before you could determine what the inner sill condition was like,but it might just need patching, it would be best to get some one who knows what they are looking at, to determine what it would entail,prior to buying it.
+ you will have to pay €200 to clear it.
£900 is a bit much for a car needing structural work also you will have to nct it,you would be far better looking for a pre 80 924 that is nct exempt.

dcollins

Hi Guys,
Anyone any experience in getting a mechanic to deal with rust on a sill- is it mega bucks to get welding on a car and does it tend to indicate that the whole thing is a gonner?

I'm looking at going to view this one and it does need a bit of work, but otherwise seems exactly what I want. The problems described over the phone were just that - a bit of rust on passengers side sill, rear shocks seized or otherwise not working. Anyone any experience with either of those and a guess-timate of cost for sill work or shocks or even for a top end rebuild? As I'v said I'v only had boring cars so far so havent a lot of experience with this lark.

http://www.gumtree.com/p/cars-vans-motorbikes/porsche-924-classic-car-coupe-very-cheap/1030382836#photo-content

superfly35

The 924 is by far the best sport car from that era that you can buy these days.
Ok I am a little biais I have 6. ;-)

I have an auto, on the road at the minute, there is kick down and when you go for it, oh you can feel it.
I really like the auto for the cruising it is very nice to drive.

For the hot start issue, the best thing to do is to get a fuel pressure test and take it from there.
The fuel pressure test system can be made for 20 euro.
The change of the accumulator been are high about 190 euro.

The problem of the switch under the dash which is probably controlling the cvs is that you could if you stay on the long flood the engine, so there will be no starting at all.

My advise would be buy the best you can afford. I would be looking for a rust free car to be honest. The body is galvanised after 1980 so it should be no rust.
The dash can be recover by any trimmer.
I would also rather buy a car used that not use with a NCT just because it is legal vehicule then.

Hopefully you find what you are after.
The 924 owner club is the way forward. URL porsche924.co.uk

I am on there too.

I actually wondering why we are so few Irish in the club, I would be delighted to organise some 924 event soon I it was a goer;-)

dcollins

Just got a call- the auto is already gone :-( the search goes on.

There was an 81' 5 speed in black with twin weber carbs on here a while ago, they guy is asking 3450 with no nct, and a broken window motor. That sounds a bit (lot?) high compared to some other ones that have come up needing work - what do you guys think?

unkel

dcollins wrote: »

am wondering is it very strange to have an auto in something that's intended to be a bit sporty

Not strange at all!

The vast majority of Porsche 928 were autos and that was in the 70s and 80s. Most 911 are auto now

Ferrari no longer make any manual cars...

Dades

dcollins wrote: »

Almost all the ones I've seen seem to have cracked dashes and I guess its something I'll live with but has anyone had any joy with covers or custom work or even hearing of one in great nick going for parts?

Only heard of one guy claiming he had a dash that wasn't cracked. The car had other big problems, though! I'd not worry about that and look for one with tidy seats and sound in body and engine.

Kenny Logins wrote: »

Yeah, it seems odd to have a 'sporty' car with an auto box IMHO. I'm sure if you stamp on the throttle it'll drop a gear though... (I have only ever owned one auto)

Yeah, the 924 auto has kickdown. My old SL was an auto with kickdown was and still plenty of fun. Had loads more power, though.

The thing is, if you always had you mind set on a manual, I'd keep looking. If it's not a dealbreaker, by all means test drive one.

---

In other news - my 924 passed it's NCT (retest) this morning - with no advisories I might add! Good till Oct 2014 now.

Kenny Logins

salysol wrote: »

I didn't have those 3 Kenny , but as far as i know they are sold ,but i do have an original Dublin reg 78 924 i'm busy doing at the moment.
Incidently i was looking at the auto in question last night and to be frank it's a tidy car ,runs very well ,needs a small bit of tidying on the badge panel,thats all i could fault it on.
as for the NCT issue ,he has it in writing that it's exempt.

Oops, sorry. Though it was you.

Kenny Logins

Yeah, it seems odd to have a 'sporty' car with an auto box IMHO. I'm sure if you stamp on the throttle it'll drop a gear though... (I have only ever owned one auto)

It's the engine braking I'd miss.

salysol

Kenny Logins wrote: »

http://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/member.php?u=185536 ?

I didn't have those 3 Kenny , but as far as i know they are sold ,but i do have an original Dublin reg 78 924 i'm busy doing at the moment.
Incidently i was looking at the auto in question last night and to be frank it's a tidy car ,runs very well ,needs a small bit of tidying on the badge panel,thats all i could fault it on.
as for the NCT issue ,he has it in writing that it's exempt.

dcollins

Thanks for all the input everyone I should have asked these ages ago, I'll keep you posted on what I go look at!

I learned to drive on an auto in Canada but am wondering is it very strange to have an auto in something that's intended to be a bit sporty (not compared to modern big bores but compared to my almera :-) )- will an auto feel sluggish compared to being able to drop a gear and get the higher torque?

Almost all the ones I've seen seem to have cracked dashes and I guess its something I'll live with but has anyone had any joy with covers or custom work or even hearing of one in great nick going for parts?

Cheers guys,
Daniel