924Board.org

Rattlinbone · Joined: 21 Jun 2009 Posts: 265 Location: Seattle, WA

As I drive around in my 924, I find myself wondering if I'm driving this right. I'm still not quite used to this car, and you ladies and gentlemen seem to know a thing or two. Simply put, how fast do you spin the engine when driving around town? Sometimes I think I might be lugging the engine when I'm driving at or a little under 2000 rpm, 3000 seems good usually, but should I spin it a little closer to 4000? What do you do? Do you keep your tach between 2000 and 3000 or do you like to spin it a little faster, more 3000 to 4000 rpm? I'm talking about when driving in the 30 to 40mph range, you know, around town driving. When I get on the freeway, at 65mph the tach settles in at between 3000 and 4000 rpm, which I assume is fine.

Just looking for some opinion on how to best operate this car. I like it a lot, but it's really unlike anything else I've ever driven. (late-model Jap economy cars, mostly)
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Fred- 1979 924

Khal · Posted: Fri Jan 21, 2011 4:10 am Post subject:

There was a poll on that a while back...
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'80 924 Turbo

9XX Girl! · Posted: Sat Jan 22, 2011 5:32 am Post subject:

If you want good fuel economy around town, keep the taco between 2000 and 2500. You should get 32mpg like that. Don't hurt to get it up to 5500 before shifting when overtaking when you are driving on major roads though but,.. don't expect the same level of economy.
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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

Slam · Posted: Sat Jan 22, 2011 6:07 am Post subject:

As above for stately vehicular operation. But...

These cars REALLY like to be driven hard. The harder you drive the car, the happier it will seem to get. My 924 just seemed to wake up all its senses when I thrashed it, and its limits seemed to adjust themselves too. Quite the enigma.
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'84 944 - kid blew motor
'83 944 - resting comfortably. For 12 years
'87 944 - sideswiped by trucker
'80 924 - gone
'78 924 - gone
'77 924 - rusting comfortably

the_mad_electrician · Joined: 16 Nov 2009 Posts: 1073 Location: Central Georgia

I give mine hell everytime I drive it! That being said I don't drive it one or two days a week at most usualy under 30 miles round trip
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81 924 N/A

2004 Ranger "Edge"

2005 Mazda 6

Rattlinbone · Joined: 21 Jun 2009 Posts: 265 Location: Seattle, WA

I'm kinda experimenting with thrashing it a bit more. Around town, 4000 rpms seems to be a bit high at 30-someting MPH. it's fun, but I feel more aggressive than I'm accustomed to feeling.

As for 32 MPG, dang, I'm getting about 10 to 12 MPG. I just had the engine rebuilt, and I think I probably need to have the valves readjusted and I need to fiddle with the air/fuel mix, 'cause I think I'm running kinda rich. When it's good and warmed up, it idles at about 1500-1800, and that seems a big high, don't you think? But when it's cold, I mean it's 30 degrees outside and I just turned the key, it idles under 800 rpms, and that seems low. Hmmmm.

Ah, it's all good. I'm just getting used to an unfamilliar car. One of these days, I'm going to go to a car show where someone with a really nice 924 is driving around and I'm gonna ask real nice if I can ride shotgun, just because I want to see how these things in good shape are supposed to behave!

Anyway, We'll see about 32 MPG. Right now, I'd be happy with 20-25 mpg.
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Fred- 1979 924

!tom · Posted: Sat Jan 22, 2011 7:41 am Post subject:

International gallons are bigger than US gallons. I don't know about 32 miles per US gallon.
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78 924 NA
5-lug

emoore924 · Joined: 13 Apr 2004 Posts: 2822

You are NOT going to hurt the car with RPMs. IMHO these cars don't come to life until about 4500.

I think the 924 really wakes up in the higher RPM ranges, and in fact, they demand to be driven that way. You don't have to redline every shift but heck dude, stomp the throttle, ram some air down the runners and let her sing every now and then.

9XX Girl! · Posted: Sun Jan 23, 2011 6:58 pm Post subject:

So true, these cars really do have a split personality. They can potter around town at 30mph and never miss a beat..... Then boot it to 4500 rpm and unleash the beast.

I'm very surprised with my automatic. Yes i know, it is not quick off the mark, useless for leaving number elevens on the road.
I'm not sure what the 0 to 60mph (0-100km/h) is but believe me, it is NOT at all impressive.
That said, how often do you need a car that gets to 60 real fast?.... The auto however, really comes into its own when sprinting from 50 to 70mph (like where you need it), hit kick-down and watch the revs rise, my perfect overtaking companion.

God I do love these cars

And thank you Dr Porsche
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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

staticsan · Joined: 19 Jan 2009 Posts: 450 Location: Sydney, Australia

They do like revving high. Most modern Japanese cars still give decent torque around 1200 and unless they're blown, don't wake up much more past 3000. The 924, OTOH doesn't start showing much until 2000 and just gives and gives and gives.

Wade.

Scorpio · Posted: Mon Jan 24, 2011 1:03 pm Post subject:

9XX Girl! · Posted: Tue Jan 25, 2011 9:20 pm Post subject:

Hay, this is Cornwall. we don't do the red light thing. Its all roundabouts here mate

I passed my driving test in Monmouth Wales. I remember having to drive through the same set of lights 3 times on mt test because you have to be tested turning right, left and going straight on. Monmouth has only one set of tragic lights in the whole town.

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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