924Board.org

[skucera]

I'm a Saab nut, and in reading up on getting an older Saab 900 Turbo, I hit a link to the CIS fuel injection system shared by both the pre-1988 Saab Turbos and and the 924 Turbo. It got my mind working. I've been toying with the idea of buying a 931 lately. Yeah, I know, this is how it begins....

I saw a local 931 today, and it is sad. It's been in storage outside at least five years. The tires are gone. The engine looks complete and unmolested. It's a funny color of metallic red, bordering on metallic lipstick pink. It looked like a normal 924 that someone had shoehorned a turbo motor into because it had 4-bolt hubs with rear drum brakes. I thought that all 931's came with 5-bolt hubs and four-wheel disk brakes, so when I looked at the car I didn't spend too much time looking it over, out of disappointment perhaps. I see in other threads that many US 1980 924 Turbos came that way, so I'm still thinking about it. I couldn't start the car to test its engine or transmission, which was also discouraging. The interior was also water damaged, with standing water in the rear footwell.

What other details might help me prove to myself that it is a real 931, and not someone's wannabe 924 Turbo? Is there some telltale detail that only Turbos had that normal 924's didn't have in 1980?

Also, I've read lots of great tech articles about reviving these cars here and on 924.org. Thank you all for writing them and posting them. If I get this car, I'll be posting many questions, perhaps about seat coverings, headlight motor rebuilding, or a source for the odd size of tire on that car.

Scott

[ideola]

[Nein37]

Find one in better condition with 5 lug all disc. It will save you lots of frustration and many dollars.
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1981 931 CGT replica, OEM CGT intercooler, .8 BAR WG spring, GTS Headlights, Innovative Wide band A/F, A/C delete, 16" Fuchs, Weltmeister 200lb lowering springs, Bilstein HDs front, Koni Sport rears.

[skucera]

Guys, thanks for the quick reply. It does have green gauges, black rockers, the NACA duct and slotted chin valence, and the short rubber spoiler. I'll have to go back to look at the tranny. If I'm right, the G31 transmission has the dogleg 1st shift pattern, right? I'll look for a hydraulic clutch too.

And, yes, I'm the guy that proves the old adage that you save money by buying the best car you can find, but I prove it by buying the cheapest car and fixing it up over time. It's not that I'm particularly contrarian, but I just prefer to buy "fixer-uppers" cheap then slowly put better parts into them over time, which costs more in the end, but gives me something to work on in the garage on weekends, to keep me out of the pool halls and cat houses.

Scott

[Rasta Monsta]

Another 931 in Oregon! Outstanding!
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Toofah King Bad

• WeiBe (1987 924S 2.5t) - 931 S3

[ideola]

I suspect this is that red-brown one that's down in Eugene area...
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erstwhile owner of just about every 924 variant ever made

[Nein37]

[skucera]

Well, I figure the reliability will be comparable to my Saab 900 or my BMW 750iL... about average among cars. Not as reliable as a new car, but not as maintenance intensive as my Range Rover or my Triumph Spitfire. We may see yet if my assumptions bear out if I buy the thing.

Yeah, this is the car in the Eugene craigslist. The pictures in the ad were taken five or six years ago at another location, and the car doesn't look that nice now. If I could find a 944 in my price range, I would go for it, but they usually aren't in that price range. I've never owned a CIS car before, and I've never owned a turbocharged car before, so both systems are slightly daunting. Let's just say that I'm motivated to do my research before I buy the car so I don't waste too much money. The car needs mechanical troubleshooting, and perhaps some expensive parts, and it needs new window and door seals, and new seats and carpets, which won't be cheap. Time to research both....

Scott

[Khal]

[Rasta Monsta]

[ideola]

A 931 engine rebuild isn't really that expensive in the grand scheme of things...certainly not double the cost of a decent 951. True enough, you will spend more on the engine rebuild components and machine shop labor than you're likely to spend acquiring the car itself, but isn't that the whole point? I'd wager for a decent rebuild project, you'll be well under half the cost of a good 951, and you'll end up with a car that can approach 951 performance levels, is lighter, more nimble, and cheaper to maintain in the long run.
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erstwhile owner of just about every 924 variant ever made

[Khal]

[ideola]

If it's the car I'm thinking of in Eugene, the overall car looked to be in great shape. Might need some new seals and a new carpet kit, maybe some seat covers if you want to do it up. But that engine shouldn't need a complete overhaul. I bet it could be gotten up and running and in presentable condition for $5K or less.

Part of the formula is time...if you can be patient, you can shop around and find excellent condition used seats for peanuts compared to show quality new seat covers. If you want everything done overnight, yeah, it'll cost you more.

http://eugene.craigslist.org/cto/2191646649.html

This car has been available for sale FOREVER, like for at least three years. I reckon the guy would take $300-$400 for it no questions asked. To me, that's a worthwhile pursuit. As I've said before about this particular car, it's a good thing it's not within a days drive, or it'd've been in my driveway long ago...
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erstwhile owner of just about every 924 variant ever made

[skytrooper]

If you buy it and need any parts...let me know as I have a 1981 931 that I am stripping.
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Matt

1987 - 924S "Black Pearl"
1982 - BMW 633CSi
1984 - BMW 528e
1983 - 944 N/A "Blue Max" (Gone)
1981 - 931 "Scarlet Harlot" (Gone)
1976 911S Targa (Gone)

[Rasta Monsta]

I agree, that thing is pretty cool.
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Toofah King Bad

• WeiBe (1987 924S 2.5t) - 931 S3