924Board.org

[Keaton]

what should i get i got my tax return and was thing about getting another porsche. 1987 924s or 1987 944

924s

[Stampedetrail]

Definitely NOT the 944. No car which destroys itself instantly when a belt breaks is worth it. Consider also that this belt is a pain in the neck to replace requiring a $500 tool and X-ray vision.

[timstar92404]

depends which look you like, I like the wider 944 look but the 924S looks nice aswell.

oh yeah if the engine is crapped out then obviously don't buy it unless you want parts.

the 924S needs paint so even if you get a macoo job you have to add that to it..... you can't just drive a car with primer.
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78 924 sold.
85.5 944

[timstar92404]

I see you've 3 cars already in your sig. What's the point of having so many cheap cars. You should just save your money and buy a car in nice condion instead of a beater which I assume that 924 will be.
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78 924 sold.
85.5 944

[seanski44]

I put save your tax return, not because I don't think you should buy another, but because I wouldn't suggest either of the two you've posted!

if it were down to 924S, 931 or early 944, I think I'd err towards early 944. the bonus of the 924 for me is the cheap VW type parts, but you start to lose that with the 931 and more so with the 24S. I like the 44 body
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1998 BMW Z3 2.8 arctic silver & red

1981 168HP 931 S2 blue/tan leather - SOLD
1985 121HP 924 2.0l na modded - SOLD!
1992 968 lux SOLD
1989 944 2.7 lux SOLD

[Mike924]

924S - same power as 944, lighter, more aerodynamic body; looks nicer too (944 looks heavy and bulky with that squared-off nose and the steroid-look wheel-arches)

BTW, Stampedetrail, the 924S has the same engine as the 944.
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1985 Porsche 924 'Lux', Kalahari Beige (my ex)
1993 Porsche 968 Coupe, Midnight Blue, 6 spd

'There is no substitute for a little grease under your fingernails.' - Chrenan, 924board.org

[924RACR]

Well, fundamentally the only difference between the two cars in a general sense is the body and HVAC/interior styling. I'd prefer the late 944 on that basis, but have the 924S myself anyway. Either one is an upgrade over the 2.0L cars, as we know. So on that basis I'd vote for the 944. Then again, they're usually much more; 924S's tend to go for equivalent prices to the early 944's, and late 944's are much more (6k vs. 3k).

931's are a real PITA to get right, but in some ways more fun (once you get them there). OTOH, being older in design, etc., they're not as nice and polished.

Specific to the two cars you're looking at, the picture may change. Very little info on that 924S, so hard to say. Do you want to deal with a paint job? Even if it's mechanically perfect (or at least in good shape), the prep body work to this point may not be perfect, and some re-work may be necessary. You certainly wouldn't want to have it shot without thoroughly making sure everything's good. I'd be concerned (despite what the seller says) that it might be in primer because of accident repair underway, rather than the repaint all our old cars need. So I'd either want an independant evaluation of that, or have a good idea myself.

All that said, if it is in good solid shape mechanically, it could be worth picking up. Realize, though, if you get it for the asking price, and it costs between 1-2K to paint (properly, and there's no point not doing it properly at this point), you're pretty much right there at the value of the car in good shape. Which points out that you should cross-shop; at the same time finding one just painted for that price will be hard, so again, you could be either ahead or break-even with solid mechanicals. Those will be the major deciding factor IMO.

For the 944, hmmm... whole lot of info, not necessarily a good thing for the seller. I'd be happy to see all this stuff done on an older 2.0L car. On a much newer car with all that done to it - I'd expect the project to be complete and the car selling for good money. The seller doesn't sound very knowledgeable about 944's, doesn't even state what about the engine crapped out. I'd be concerned that he spent too much time on cosmetics and running gear without maintaining the engine. Doesn't state what tires... I don't care if they're new if you just slapped on a set of crappy Kellys!!! I'd also be concerned about what else the PO screwed up by his ignorance... wiring, etc...

So if you're talking about these two cars, neither one is a definite gem, but I'd be leaning towards the 924S from what info is available right now...
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Vaughan Scott
Webmeister
'79 924 #77 SCCA H Prod racecar
'82 931 Plat. Silver
#25 Hidari Firefly P2 sports prototype

[Keaton]

bad news on the 944 blew a piston throught the bottom and the side of the block. no go on that.

[gohim]

From my point of view both of the cars you have mentioned are way overpriced.

The 924S probably isn't worth more than $300-$500 (decent paint jobs are expensive).

And a 944 with a blown engine (and an average body) is only worth $500 ($1000 with a perfect original body and paint).

Take a look at the 944. If the body and paint are decent, offer him $500. He probably won't take the $500, so leave him your phone number. In a month or two he will change his tune. Figure $1000 to get an engine delivered, $500 for a clutch, and $600-$700 for the "front of engine" service parts. If you pay him $500 for the car, you could have it running for $3000 (with the cost of the car).

[Vince Ponz]

Owning a 924, 924S, 924NA and a Euro 931 I would say the early 944 because it has the early arms, the S has the most power but you have the problem with the timing belts as does the 944.

If you have one car go for the best you can afford. The least power is the 924 and probably doesn't have air. If it does it may be an early car witch did not come with it but they did install VW air condition which did not work well. I bought my 77.5 with air and it was terrible. The 944 and the 924S have the best air.

By the way I also have a garage princess in my 87 911 Targa.
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"Never let them see you sweat"
77.5 924 modified track car
79 931 Euro stock
88 924S SE
87 911 Targa stock

[Vince Ponz]

Owning a 924, 924S, 924NA and a Euro 931 I would say the early 944 because it has the early arms, the S has the most power but you have the problem with the timing belts as does the 944.

If you have one car go for the best you can afford. The least power is the 924 and probably doesn't have air. If it does it may be an early car witch did not come with it but they did install VW air condition which did not work well. I bought my 77.5 with air and it was terrible. The 944 and the 924S have the best air.

By the way I also have a garage princess in my 87 911 Targa.
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"Never let them see you sweat"
77.5 924 modified track car
79 931 Euro stock
88 924S SE
87 911 Targa stock

[timstar92404]

do all 944s have power steering? I'm just wondering because I heard some early ones don't have power steering. I've heard that power steering leaks are common in 944 that's why I'm asking.

I'm also thinking of buying a 944 soon but I'm not sure how much I should pay or how to find a good one, paying more doesn't always mean getting a better car with used cars. I need one in excellent condition so I can keep it for a few years without having to fix something everyday other than regular maintenance issues.

I can spend 6-7 grand, I think you can find a really nice for that amount in Vancouver. I'm scared of the high milliage though, they're pretty old and even the nice ones usually have over 200k kms or close to that.
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78 924 sold.
85.5 944

[seanski44]

[Khal]

C'mon fella's, y'all know a Porsche's not even worth looking at unless it's got a huffer bolted to it...
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'80 924 Turbo

[Mike924]