924Board.org

924RACR · Posted: Fri Jan 23, 2009 11:01 pm Post subject:

Personally, I'm voting for the NA 2.0L. Simple and robust. I think the turbos are just too touchy for the nonexistent support network you have. They can end up reliable, but it's a long and more expensive road there. You'll be working on stereo and carpet and cosmetics with an NA where you'dbe fighting boost leaks and funny running symptoms in a turbo, most likely.

I'll cede to Dan's experience with the 924S - I only restored one and passed it on.
_________________
Vaughan Scott
Webmeister
'79 924 #77 SCCA H Prod racecar
'82 931 Plat. Silver
#25 Hidari Firefly P2 sports prototype

Pelican924 · Joined: 20 Aug 2006 Posts: 98 Location: Mountains of WNC

Paul · Posted: Sat Jan 24, 2009 1:09 pm Post subject:

I've owned them all (except a Carrera GT), fixed them all, competed in them all, and the cheapest to own and most reliable 924 in my experience is a 81 or 82 NA standard shift. Yes, I have owned automatic 924 cars, stay away please.

I suspect that most of us who have owned or still own a 931 have spent more than $10K on it including the original cost. In my case I'm closer to $15k. You can buy a nice Boxster for that price.

924S Porsches are better and more refined cars than an NA or a 931 but as they age they have hard to diagnose (and expensive to fix) running issues especially in cold climates. They also like to leak engine oil and power steering fluid.
_________________
White 87 924S "Ghost"
Silver 98 986 3.6l 320 HP "Frank N Stein"
White 01 986 "Christine"
Polar Silver 02 996TT. "Turbo"
Owned and repaired 924s since 1977
Porsche: It's not driving, it's therapy.

Sebring '79 · Posted: Sat Jan 24, 2009 1:26 pm Post subject:

Thanks Paul
Assuming that I stick with the 1981-1982 cars for a moment, how much LESS reliable and expensive is the 924 Turbo than the same year NAs?
Is there anyway to roughly quantify that?
Am I getting 50% more fun with a Turbo for 500% more expense and trouble, or is the equation the other way around?

I guess what I'm trying to say is: does the added trouble and expense of a 924 Turbo lineally scale with the extra speed?

Hopefully I'm making sense.

Paul · Posted: Sat Jan 24, 2009 2:02 pm Post subject:

Are you changing your original question?

Most 924 Porsches will need to be mechanically restored to be reliable.

In order of increasing cost, mechanical skills, and tools to do this:

924

931

924S

My favorite 924 is a 931, but I have the time, money, tools and knowledge to maintain it. Now I just have to find the motivation to put it back together!
_________________
White 87 924S "Ghost"
Silver 98 986 3.6l 320 HP "Frank N Stein"
White 01 986 "Christine"
Polar Silver 02 996TT. "Turbo"
Owned and repaired 924s since 1977
Porsche: It's not driving, it's therapy.

Sebring '79 · Posted: Sat Jan 24, 2009 2:06 pm Post subject:

Paul · Posted: Sat Jan 24, 2009 2:12 pm Post subject:

IIRC a stock 931 has less than 40 hp more than an 82 924, how much is that worth?
_________________
White 87 924S "Ghost"
Silver 98 986 3.6l 320 HP "Frank N Stein"
White 01 986 "Christine"
Polar Silver 02 996TT. "Turbo"
Owned and repaired 924s since 1977
Porsche: It's not driving, it's therapy.

Sebring '79 · Posted: Sat Jan 24, 2009 2:20 pm Post subject:

Paul · Posted: Sat Jan 24, 2009 2:24 pm Post subject:

Once both a NA and a 931 have been mechanically restored, both if used regularly will run for years with oil, filter, and spark plug changes. Both will need valve adjustment checks once a year or so.

The point is the 931 will cost a lot more to mechanically restore and requires a higher level of skill.
_________________
White 87 924S "Ghost"
Silver 98 986 3.6l 320 HP "Frank N Stein"
White 01 986 "Christine"
Polar Silver 02 996TT. "Turbo"
Owned and repaired 924s since 1977
Porsche: It's not driving, it's therapy.

Sebring '79 · Posted: Sat Jan 24, 2009 2:30 pm Post subject:

Paul · Posted: Sat Jan 24, 2009 2:31 pm Post subject:

1977-1982 Porsche 924 Specifications

Prices New:

$9,395 for 1977 model
$16,770 for 1982 model

Dimensions:Length (inches) Wheelbase (inches) Weight (pounds)
170.1 94.5 2,625

Engines:Size (cc)
Type
Horsepower
Years

1984
sohc I-4
95
1977-1979

1984
sohc I-4
115
1980-1982

1980-1982 Porsche 924 Turbo Specifications

Prices New:

$20,800 for 1980 model
$21,500 for 1982 model

Dimensions:Length (inches) Wheelbase (inches) Weight (pounds)
170.1 94.5 2,780

Engines:Size (cc)
Type
Horsepower
Years

1984
Turbo sohc I-4
143
1980-1981

1984
Turbo sohc I-4
154
1982
_________________
White 87 924S "Ghost"
Silver 98 986 3.6l 320 HP "Frank N Stein"
White 01 986 "Christine"
Polar Silver 02 996TT. "Turbo"
Owned and repaired 924s since 1977
Porsche: It's not driving, it's therapy.

Paul · Posted: Sat Jan 24, 2009 2:43 pm Post subject:

When it comes to buying cars, my advice is to find one that someone has already restored and is now bored with it. For many of us it is more fun to fix it than to own it. Sick? Probably but it happens all time, even on this board.

Parts for NAs and 931s are becoming scarce and soon will make a 924S the most cost effective 924 to restore.
_________________
White 87 924S "Ghost"
Silver 98 986 3.6l 320 HP "Frank N Stein"
White 01 986 "Christine"
Polar Silver 02 996TT. "Turbo"
Owned and repaired 924s since 1977
Porsche: It's not driving, it's therapy.

Sebring '79 · Posted: Sat Jan 24, 2009 2:51 pm Post subject:

Paul · Posted: Sat Jan 24, 2009 2:55 pm Post subject:

$2500 + $6000 will buy an almost museum quality all original 924 NA.
_________________
White 87 924S "Ghost"
Silver 98 986 3.6l 320 HP "Frank N Stein"
White 01 986 "Christine"
Polar Silver 02 996TT. "Turbo"
Owned and repaired 924s since 1977
Porsche: It's not driving, it's therapy.

Sebring '79 · Posted: Sat Jan 24, 2009 3:01 pm Post subject: