924Board.org

[john_london]

Hey everyone, I'm new to this forum - my name's John and I live in England. I'm hopefully going to be buying a 924 shortly, and I need a little bit of advice please.

Basically, I've seen a 924 on ebay which I like the look of. I've e-mailed the guy and we've agreed a price to end the auction. He wants me to send him a deposit etc. The car is quite far away so I don't want to send him any money yet - just hoping you guys can look at the ad and see if any alarm bells ring.

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=180427580091

I know he must be lying about the 37,000 miles surely?! Any advice would be appreciated!

Thanks
John

[ideola]

[9XX Girl!]

hmmm... you got to get it from Wales to London to get it home! are you in the AA?

I would think it has been round the clock i.e.137,000 miles but still low mileage for the year. it has also had some front end damage, ask about that. Nose panels can be pricey, it looks chipped (drivers side) it depends how fussy you are. paint looks clean though

Your gonna need to put £185 TAX on it too and some insurance, both of which are gona be about what you are gona pay for the car. but it has got an MOT.
its always a gamble i guess.

also, ask if they have the original steering wheel!
_________________
924 (84) N/A 2 ltr - 5 Speed - BLACK - Project (looking for 200BHP, any ideas!)
924 (81) N/A 2 ltr - 3 Speed Auto - SURINAM RED (Metallic) - Near Original Spec (sticking with originality)
BOTH ON THE ROAD, BOTH USED EVERY-OTHER DAY

[924guy]

odometers break fairly regularly on these cars... mileage could be way understated despite the "proof" the seller speaks of. wear on the seats, gearshift and pedals will give you a better idea.
wheels are not stock, though nice, but may be hard to find a replacement center cap for the one that's missing.
it looks to have spent allot of time outdoors, so even if it hasnt been driven allot, itll still have weather effect damage , all those pictures are ten feet out so it wont show.
these cars like to be driven, lower mile cars can be worse runners than high mile ones, and end up needing seals and gaskets and a good breaking in if it is indeed a low mileage car.
Id try and get the seller to agree to a small non refundable deposit (perhaps equal to the eBay selling fees) pending full inspection (preferably by a mechanic familiar with 924's if you can find one in the area the car is at.) if you don't like it , you only loose that deposit, pre purchase inspection fee, and maybe travel money.
good luck!
_________________
Eric
78 924
82 931 SE "smokey"
99' VehiCross
Y2K Honda Insight
http://www.cardomain.com/id/924Guy
Performance by Pasha

[Maybe924]

The assertion that it has only 37,000 miles is a big red flag AFAIC... I wonder what other "truths" may be stretched to get a sale?

Move on... you'll find a better one, just be patient.
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1981 931 GT (CGT Intercooled)
1985 911 Targa Carrera (Sold)

[Dankoneon81]

I would be very wary of buying a car basicaly sight unseen. with the door jams being painted very nicely and the engine bay totally untouched i would be a bit hesistant and buying this car as it may have been hit very hard in the front and the front clip was replaced(very dangerous on a unibody car). it may be worth it to go and look at in in person before spending any money on it. Good Luck.
_________________
95 Neon gutted PnP MS2E turbo
94 Toyota sr5 the work horse
78 924 bone stock for now coming soon MS2E

[Rich H]

Best be is to get on to www.porsche924oc.co.uk and see if we have a local member who can take a look at that car, we have a couple of Welsh types. there is normally a few cars up for sale too, might find you a more local one to look at. There are certainly local members who will gladly show you round their cars as they like to show off....

One of our technical gurus is in Bracknell. Dunno where that is in relation to you (Or anything TBH) but it's down south somewhere...

Car looks OK to me, same as any car could be a world of hidden problems, but if it drives straight and is solid underneath then go for it.
Forget the mileage, buy on condition, my odometer registers about 1 mile in 4.

I effectively bought my 924 Turbo blind and drove it from Devon to Preston in a day. It didn't eat it's head gasket for at least another 2 weeks...

These cars are normally totally solid and if you keep on top of the niggles they run with little fuss.

There are plenty of buyers guides on here and elsewhere and loads of friendly advice on here and on the UK Owners Club forum.

Rich
_________________
1994 Lotus Esprit S4 - Work in progress...
1980 Porsche 924 S2 DITC Turbo - Original spec
1978 Homo-Sapiens - Tired spec
1953 Landrover S1 - Pensioner Spec

[gohim]

I sincerely doubt that the car only has 37K miles on it from the wear pointed out in other replies.

Further, the damage on the front of the car needs further inspection. The front bumper isn't right, and the damage to the nose panel is going to be worse than it looks in the photos. The engine compartment has much more rust showing than I would expect for a car with only 37K miles. Maybe the car was a derelict that was repaired just enough to get it running and dumped onto an unsuspecting Buyer.

[Smoothie]

+~5^
The air freshener hanging from the rear view reminded me of the battery tray leak problem. You can ask the seller if any water finds its' way into the front footwell area, on or under the carpet. -And if you or anyone goes for a look, bring a few litres of water - pour it down just in front of the windscreen near the centre and on both sides, then look for leaks inside.
In addition to wet feet and accellerating rust, water can drip onto the fuse-relay panel compounding the already common 924 electrical problems.
A leaky battery tray is fixable, but it's a lot of work.
_________________
"..it's made in Germany. You know the Germans always make good stuff."


'82 924T, US version, dark green metallic, 5 speed Audi 016G gearbox

[joecitizennn]

too much engine filth and interior wear for a genuine 37K miles. Plus it has been repainted a diffirent color than stock. Major turn off for me.

[paulsmaroon924]

WALK AWAY FROM THIS SALE...

this car has done at least 137000 miles.. so ebay cant strike you for this.


statuatory consumer rights in relation to internet auctions states "... the contract entered into is binding unless the article is significantly different from that described or is not described fully having omitted vital considerations for purchase...."

so you SHOULD walk away man.. the car HAS A TOWBAR!!!! thats NOT a good thing on a car that was NEVER designed to do this.

the car has been resprayed!! and BADLY they sprayer didnt do under the bonnet which means it was a shitty home brew job by a lazy or inept hand.

the interior is showing wear well in excess of its make believe meilage.

its easy to get the "proof " he speaks of man, you go to an mot station and SAY the mileage is 37000... thats what they record... then next MOT you do the same and VOILA! low mileage car..


look seriously please please please make use of the lads and ladies here... im sure there are some near where you live that will go and see the car with you... but please DONT go to this one.

its a money pit waiting to happen..

YOU WILL LOOSE A FORTUNE IN THIS.


this is my 5th water cooled porsche, and im still learning more every day.. but i can spot a lemon... and this is one man.

Paul, any questions man call me ill pm you the number.

[paulsmaroon924]

My uncles all work in the motor trade, 2 have their own garages and one does specialist imports... My uncle Michael told me once that when buying a sports car..."the surroundings its being sold in is nearly as important as the service history" basically meaning if it looks out of place or in an area where the owner may not have the means to properly look after it... or may not be the owner at all..

now i KNOW thats being VERY generalistic, and isnt very PC. but when shedding with your hard earned its something to consider,

have you guys noticed the amount of oil spilled on the rocker cover on this car?

the rust on the cam cover points to a car that NEVER saw a garage

the english on the advert is terrible, be careful going into an unknown area with a pocket full of readies, and at the same time NEVER buy from a car park or a landmark "cos its easier to find than me house geeza"

It does not have a rear piston break, its a drum. so thats bullshit.

the front sill under the P for porsche is crushed in where a moron tried to jack it up and the car is prob rusted there..

there is sill welding under the "CHE" of the porsche... again points to rust and the fact that the listing is full of lies...no garage

the interior is in shit order..... the dash is cracked to pieces..... car was never in a garage.

damage to the bumper and rust and paint damage just under the drivers side light.


Bro, go to pistonheads, go to autotrader, speak to the lads on here and ladies.. man make use of the AWSOME knowledge of the people on here, and the amount of help available to us ALL.

walk away from this and spend 1000 on a total mint original car man..

plus those wheels are well scuffed so id say the bearings are FU£$ED as well.



sorry to be a negative nancy
Paul

[Rich H]

[paulsmaroon924]

well i stand corrected, i was wrong lol it happens a fair bit these days my missus is adding there............ but Rich, be really honest would you encourage him or would you even buy a car that had one?


not havin a dig just asking out of curiosity.. my uncles always said it puts undue stresses on the components and when they are 30years old?

[924lad]

Also mate if you do have a look before buying (and please do look) take a screwdriver or similar and poke like fury at the sills and inner front wheel arch/floor plan area! Trust me i know from experience( laying on my back and cutting/grinding lots of metal out) that the galvanized body or lower body in your case being an early model, doesnt stand upto british winters too well!!!!!!!!!!
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1985 924 n/a in guards red