924Board.org

[hyunelan2]

Hello Porsche enthusiasts! I do not yet own one of these cherished driving machines, but am not new to automobiles. I have been looking into buying an older Porsche (1980s), and comparing between the 924/944 and 928. I’ve looked into all the engine differences and performance specs, and known maintenance downfalls… but one thing I cannot find is information about the actual driving experience. Specifically, I am tall, 6-foot, and 4-inches to be exact. I do have some concern regarding clutch operation and banging my leg on the steering wheel, or even resting the roof on my head while driving.

Any personal insights to the driving experience and interior dimensions would be greatly appreciated. I’d love to just hop in one to find out, but as you can imagine my neighborhood is not exactly overflowing with 1980s Porsches.

Thank you all, I’ll be around for a while, learning as much as I can.

Mike

[Chrenan]

My father-in-law is 6 foot 6 inches tall and he is able to drive my 924 no problem. Now, he is a tall guy with very long legs, the 924 has lots of leg room (your legs will rub the steering wheel, but that happens with everyone, it happens with me and I am only 6 foot 1 inches tall). If you are a tall guy with a long back, your problem will be head room, but you should still have no problem. Some 924s have factory spacers under the seats which rase them up about an inch or two, these can be removed to provide more head room, although many have already been removed over the years. You can also fit a smaller diameter steering wheel to free up more leg room, there are a lot of other nice looking Porsche steering wheels that fit, and also a lot of ugly after market ones that fit.

Good luck, and get a plain old 924, they are the best!
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1987 951 - M193 Version for Japan

[My924gtc]

I agree with Chrenan. Plenty of leg room in the 924. None in the back seat, but up front is ample.

A nice D-shaped aftermarket wheel will free up some clearance at the top of the driver's leg, and they are not all ugly.

I am 6'2" and 260 lbs and I am perfectly comfortable in my 924's.

I also have to second the motion for a Plain Jane 924. They are much more economical to own, and the challenge of squeezing performance out of the power plant is interesting to say the least.

Good luck with your search.
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MJ
'81 924 2.0L T
'82 924 2.3L SC/EFI <---online fall '06

Sponsor of the 944 Cup and Super Cup
Sponsor of the "2006 Battle in the Badlands"

[924RACR]

Another regular option with the steering wheel is to move it closer with an extension. I'm 6' even, find the 924 more comfortable than most cars by far.
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Vaughan Scott
Webmeister
'79 924 #77 SCCA H Prod racecar
'82 931 Plat. Silver
#25 Hidari Firefly P2 sports prototype

[5150]

Damn, I'm a dwarf next to you guys, only 5'10"

Loadsa room in a 924 though, just need a set of ladders to climb up out of the bugger once you're all the way down there!
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Mars Red '78 Euro 924 n/a
http://www.cardomain.com/id/5150_uk

Graphite? Grey Metallic '85 (late model) 944 2.5

There are two kinds of pedestrians: the quick and the dead.

[kike924]

I´m 6 feet 4 inches and not only tall but also big (117 kgs) with a wide back and long legs.

I fit perfectly (my car is an european version) but I have a little trouble getting in and out (not so much)
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Euro 924 1980 N/A
Daily driver + week end racer

[macBdog]

Im 6 foot 3 inches and it feels like the car is almost made for me.

Since the car is so low, getting in and out isnt the most graceful thing in the world (think of a stalk bird climbing into a pizza box and closing the lid). But once you are inside its fantastic.
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1979 931 with a 350 chev
1973 911E with EFI

[hyunelan2]

I don't know what a stalk-bird is, but I laughed anyway. Thank you everyone for your input. Sounds like once you're in the car you're set, but getting in and out is where the trouble's at... sounds kinda like the 80s corvette coupes. My 86 IROC Z28 Camaro was like that too, but sounds like it didn't have the legroom of the 924.
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I don't have a Porsche... Yet.

[Khal]

One of my best mates is 6' 6" and he's perfectly comfortable in the car.

I'm 5' 8" so every car seems roomy to me

I think macBdog means an Ibis, which looks like a small crane (the bird, not the mechanical kind)
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'80 924 Turbo

[Smoothie]

some measurements -
<click>

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"..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

[kye]

i'm gonna rock the boat a little here and suggest that you have a look at a 931 (924 turbo) before buying.. i've only ever driven mine, so I have no basis for comparison, but I know that the driving experience changes significantly when the boost guage starts reading positive!

i'm told they're a little more expensive to maintain, but it depends on what your tastes are, and what your income/budget is like.

i'd be silly to buy something and then discover you'd like to have purchased a different model to begin with. they're all wonderful cars, just for different reasons..
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it's funny, but when they said "Anything is Possible", that's exactly what they meant....

[Khal]

I second the motion for a Turbo!

Woo hoo! I'm gonna start a rant, but there's no substitute for cubic inches... except a turbo

Mate, when that baby starts to whistle, you just can't help yourself! Singularly THE MOST FUN you can have, especially out of a corner! BOOST BOOST BOOST!

Sorry, I've had a few beers...

But get a turbo, they're way more fun!
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'80 924 Turbo