924Board.org

[Jeffrey]

Hello all,

I have read many posts here in my quest to learn more about the 924. A friends father is offering a 1982 model 924 with 26k miles. He is the original owner and wants $5,500 US for the car. The car was stored up for a few years and seems to be in good condition.

I was concerned when I read about $3,000 front end (tune up?) work being needed at 30k miles. I live in Memphis and don't know a Porsche mechanic.

Could I be buying a money pit? I just want a fun weekend car.

Thanks in advance for your experience and honesty.

[Khal]

I'll bite first.

You mention the car was "stored up for a few years". Does that mean it hasn't been started in a "few years"? (what, like, three years, five years?) Might have some serious (read possibly expensive) fuel system issues after years of not being used. Not to mention the cooling system, electrics, etc...

I assume it's not a Turbo? If it is, it's gonna be more expensive...

Why did the owner stop using it? Did it stop running for some reason and the owner couldn't afford to repair it?

It's a little counter-intuitive but engines generally last longer (in terms of miles driven, not necessarily time) if they're used consistently. After long periods of sitting and not running, seals, hoses, etc start to degrade, fuel system components get gummed up, electrical connections corrode, and so on and so on... It can be a nightmare to get them running again. Plenty here have been there and done that, by the sounds of it!

The stated mileage is extremely low! These odo's clock at 99,999 miles. Could it be 126,000 miles? I'm not implying dishonesty, just something to check out.

Are you buying a money pit? Depends... how handy are you with the spanners Parts are relatively inexpensive (for a Porsche), I think we'll all agree. But you might have to replace a lot of 'em If you can do the mechanical work yourself, they're fairly cheap sports cars to run.

Even if it's in very good condition, from what I've heard of the U.S. market (I assume that's where you are EDIT: Oh, you're in Memphis... missed that Say G'day to Elvis for me!), the price seems a little high, right fella's?

By you initial description, you're gonna have to do a full service and more. Think drain/clean the fuel tank, flush the fuel system, replace fuel pump(s), major engine service i.e. front-end service + plugs, leads, oil change and oil and fuel filter change, tune-up...

Oh yeah, the brakes and transmission (it's a manual, right?) are going to need a fluid change, at the least.

The standard response... more info required! Pictures too!
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'80 924 Turbo

[Raceboy]

Yep, I agree with Khal, main question is: why did the owner stop using it? And the price is a bit pricey even for a car with in truly excellent (driving) condition.
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'83 924 2.6 16v Turbo, 470hp
'67 911 2.4S hotrod
'90 944 S2 Cabriolet
'78 924 Carrera GT replica
'84 928 S, sold
'91 944 S2, sold
'82 924S/931 "Gulf", sold
'84 924, turbocharged, sold.
http://www.facebook.com/vemsporsche

[924 turbo]

The $3,000 service only applies to the 924S ('86-'88), and plenty of competent shops will perform it for under $2,000.

The car would have to be absolutely 100% showroom perfect to be worth $5,500.

Finding a good 924 is rare these days, as most have fallen into disrepair, but you can still buy a better Porsche like the 944 or 928 for not much more money, which keeps the 924 essentially valueless. A decent running and driving car in good cosmetic shape shouldn't be more than $2,500, but probably closer to $2,000 or less. Most shops that work on VWs will work on the 924. The timing belt on the 924 is an easy job for a shadetree mechanic.

Personally, I wouldn't pay more than $2,000 for a non-turbo 924, even in perfect shape. The car is just too slow (95-110 hp...about as fast as a Toyota Echo) to justify spending that much money on. It's supposed to be a sports car, after all, and there are too many good alternatives around the same price range to justify spending more than that.
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Jon Furst

[Khal]

[924 turbo]

The 944 and 924S cost the same to have the belt service done.

The 16v 928 isn't much more expensive as far as the belt service goes, and the early cars (some say all 16v, some disagree) are non-interference so it's really drive it until it breaks or get to it when you feel like it. You can buy a belt tension tool based on the original factory tool for about $60, and most people swear by it. The service interval is 60k miles (though most knowledgeable people recommend 45k-50k) for the 928 as well, rather than 30k. IMO, the early 928 doesn't cost any more than a 944 as far as maintenance is concerned. If I were in the market for a 944, I'd be driving early 928s as well.
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Jon Furst

[ideola]

For what it's worth, I have three quotes from independent Porsche specialists for front end service on my 928. Ranges from $1800 - $2200. I've also been told that the belt tensioner tool is strictly optional especially on the 16v cars. I will probably do it myself.

As for the 16v motors, some were interference, some were not. My 4.5L Euro is NOT an interference motor.
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erstwhile owner of just about every 924 variant ever made

[Khal]

I don't necessarily disagree with you 924 turbo. But I notice both you and ideola have 924's. C'mon, you gotta admit, you'd rather have the toofah than an Echo, right? I mean, if nothing else, it looks the goods and has that badge.

So, what's a 944 or 928 worth to buy over there? Say, the earliest example of each... what's that, '83 for the 944 and '77 for the 928?

Could be worth considering if Jeffery was willing to stump up five-and-a-half for a toofah...

Also, Jeffery, check around for a decent 924 Turbo. Granted they're more expensive to buy and maintain (though cheaper than a 944/928 I'll bet) but they blow the doors off a 924 NA performance-wise
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'80 924 Turbo

[ideola]

[Helstrm]

I just finished a 928s 32 valve frond end job. $756 in parts and I am still gettign the $200 core back for the waterpump. Took 2 days in my driveway and that included rebuilding the tensioner. It was not a hard job but it was cold and I cursed a lot. Couple of busted knuckles but in the end it came out great. To be honest it was harder to remove the valve covers to powder coat them because of the damn hard to reach allen bolts and the wiring harnes getting in my way at the rear passenger side.

If you are not in a hurry and have some wrench time do it yourself. You will learn a lot about the car and have a huge smile when you are rolling down the road because not only did you save over $1k but you did it yourself. To get back on topic. Do not pay $5k for a 924. You can get into a near mint 944 for that money and have more ponies to play with. In fact I just saw a 951 sell for $5500 that needed the front end service. Keep looking.

[gohim]

It sounds to me like you don;t have that much money to play with. The 924S, 944, and 928, with their more expensive mandatory maintenance schedules might not be the best choice for you right now.

The 82 (or 81) is the best of the Series 1 924 models. But it may not make much sense to drop $5500 into a collector grade (if that is what the car in question is, and at that price should be). A collector grade 924 will have the original paint, and interior in clean, like new condition, with lower than average miles, and an accident free history. A car like this may be worth slightly more than the average 924, and will probably go up in value, only if kept in the same condition (in other words, not driven, with with the engine and otehr mechanicals regularly exercised, and maintained).

You need a driver, if this is going to be your only car. There are plently of less expensive, less valuable 924 cars out there (as well as 924S and 944 cars) that you could buy for less, that are in decent drivable condition.

If you are not rich, and are not planning on doing all of the regular maintenance yourself, don't buy a 924S, 944, or 951. 924 service is simple, basic, and easy to learn. The maintenance schedule on the 924 2.0L engine is much less expensive to pay someone else to perform, and the results of a missed service are less serious (expensive).

[Eturbo924]

My 2 cents. A perfect low mileage 924 from the early 1980s... say a 1981-1982 US model. Would be worth $3000-$4000 in my book. Now again that is perfect and low miles confirmed with all paper work.

I know many say that is steep price for such a car but I have watched these cars for many years now. (I know there are other much older timers here ) But they are doing the same thing the 914 did in the later 1980s-early 1990s. You could get a 914 for chump change. Some going for $500 and such. Now try to get a decent model for less than $4000. The same is begining to happen to the 924 2.0L.

Why? I think is is because it is a simple fun car. Yeah it has its problems and could use a bit more power... but your average back yard mechanic can work on it with basic tools. No expensive belt adjustment tools needed. No expensive DME to replace, no leaking power steering, no leaking slave cylinder, no rubber center clutch, no worries about crashing your valves into your pistons if you set the timing wrong. The list goes on and on. The 944 is a great car... as is the 924S and 931... but they have many other big ticket systems that can fail.

I would agree on some of above... as to why it has been sitting... was the gas drained or stabil put in the tank. Was the maint performed to spec. Were the fluids changed before storage.

Also agree $5500 is a bit much.

But that is my 2 cents.

Eric
www.geocities.com/eturbo924
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1982 924
1992 968
2003 C4S
Parts Parts Parts and More parts.
E-mail me for parts you need!
Drive Fast!

[Jeffrey]

Neil mentioned that I should shift the 924 above 3000 rpm up to 5000 rpm. Why do you shift at the higher rev?

I am devouring information from the board. Thank you for helping me get educated about the car. The owner is coming back from vacation on Monday and I should get more answers to the questions you pose.

Any advice on how I can persuade a friend his price is a little high? This is his original owner baby. They have gotten old and can't get in and out of it so easily (said reason for selling).

Please keep the advice coming. I am grateful for you taking the time to comment.

Jeffrey
Memphis, Tennessee

[Eturbo924]

Easy on the price. Go and look it up on line at edmunds or KBB.com

Likely the value will be even lower than what we have all said.

Of course I could also point out a couple of publications that could support their price.
_________________
1982 924
1992 968
2003 C4S
Parts Parts Parts and More parts.
E-mail me for parts you need!
Drive Fast!

[Jeffrey]

Kelly Blue book only goes back to 1985...