924Board.org

[uzerzero]

Hello,

I'm new to these forums and thought I'd introduce myself. My tag is uzerzero, but you can call me Jon. I'm an IT specialist and a former TV engineer. I've been a gear/petrol/motor head since I was a kid, but until recently, never had the money for a nice car.

I'm looking to purchase an '82 924 n/a that I found in the Walmart parking lot. The seller is asking $1800 USD. Externally, it looks to be in good condition, although the interior isn't in great shape. The seller said the only real issue with it is that the alternator is going dead. He said the car is drivable, but after about three hours, the battery will be completely dead. He also mentioned that the heat, A/C, and wipers don't work, although I'm guessing that would be related to the alternator. The odometer also doesn't work, but I'm not too worried about that. I've priced an alternator and found them for $100-200 for non-genuine.

This car would be a daily driver for a 25 minute commute. Will the initial investment be worth it? Is the alternator simple enough to replace? Are there any major issues that could crop up in the next year or so that might necessitate me having to get a new car? Also, is there anything else I should be looking for besides what's listed in the FAQ when I take her for a test drive Thursday?

Oh, and here's the link to the craigslist ad for the same car: http://chattanooga.craigslist.org/cto/3821480463.html
He's brought the price down since he posted it.

Thanks, and glad to meet you all!

[emoore924]

hello and welcome

Yes, the alternator not working will cause the battery to die. It will not cause the heat a/c and wipers to not work. That's something else. And if I was in Georgia, I'd be wanting at least the a/c to be working.

You'll get lots of opinions regarding whether this might be a good deal or not. I'd be looking for 5-lug wheels and disk brakes at that price point. Not sure whether you'll find working a/c but keep your eyes open and you'll find a good deal.

You can find opportunities like this one right here on 924.org...

http://www.924board.org/viewtopic.php?t=38251

[dubrict]

Talk him down to 1200 and don't plan on using it as a daily driver for a while. Plan on using it as a learning project. That's my advice

The body does look very nice, but I wouldn't pay 1800 for a 924 with mechanical issues and a shot interior.

But I'm also really cheap and really picky.

Anyway the alternator has absolutely nothing to do with the heat and wipers. The heat is probably some cheap or silly fix, the wipers too unless there's electrical issues in the wiring.

We'll be here to help if you do decide to join us
_________________
1979 924 NA
2009 Chevy Impala
2005 Dodge Dakota

[Kens_74_911s]

offer him $900 ALternator probably only needs a voltage regulator it has the brushes attached to it $30 max.

Tell him how expensive these cars are to work on and how fussy these imports can be. Scoop it up cheap if you can. CL listing seems to indicate owner seems a bit out of touch.

Then come back and we can get you fixed up if you have some skills and tools.
K
_________________
Ken - ebay: wandrey1 , *0 , *00 , *01
74 911s widebody
96 BMW 750iL
99 BMW 328i
81 VW MK1-1.8 GTI, 5 spd Pickup
02 Explorer (wife's)
92 BMW 735iL Parting
84,85,86x3,87,944. 82-924,88-924s parted
68, 70, 72, 73, 911~ 70,73 914 past Pcars

[MikesCoupeGT]

I know that when I bought my car, the main points I looked for were the following.

1. Make sure it is structurally sound. Look around the hatch, in the spare wheel well and under the fenders as well
2. Make sure the engine is sound, runs and pulls strong.

To me things like the interior and paint can always be repaired or replaced. That being said, the disc/drum brake setup works really well. I tracked my car with that setup and had no problems.

From the Ad the current owner doesn't sound like he wants to fix the small issues the car has, use that your advantage and talk him down. Just because the car says "Porsche" some people think it makes them worth more than they really are.

Pay what you feel the car is worth. The people on this board are great and can help get it working and driving like a gem.
_________________
Cheers;
MikesCoupeGT
'76 924
'83 944
''19 Elantra GT N-Line

[sbarc]

I'm wondering if this car should be passed over in favour of the newer generation of the 924 with it's better wiring and better motor etc?
_________________
1981 931 (Canadian car)
1981 931 (US car)
1990 928GT (ROW car)
1991 Toyota MR2
1989 Toyota MR2 Super Charged
1985 Toyota Supra
1973 Triumph GT6
1971 Opel GT

[uzerzero]

Thanks for the welcomes and good advice. I really would like a good project car, but not one that costs an arm and a leg. I had already planned to talk him down, but the $1200 suggestion that dubrict mentioned is a good number, I think. I'll take pictures and let you all know tomorrow night (assuming it doesn't rain... I don't know how Pacific NW weather wound up here...). Also, how would a 924 drive on mountain roads? I know the RWD will definitely help in curves, but I'm curious about some of the steep climbs. My current car (96 Accord EX) goes up and down fairly well on about 135 hp, and it also weighs a lot more than a 924. It can keep up with the speed limit of 45 mph in the gradual climbs. If this 924 does eventually become a daily driver, it would have to go up and down a small mountain 5 days a week. Well, it's elevation is only 2000 feet, so it's nothing compared to the Cascades that most of the members here are familiar with. But I'd still like it to be able to get down and back up with fair ease. Unlike the Cabriolet that overheated behind me on the way up this evening.

[nickthompson]

I drove my 77 up to Blairsville when I had it. I went down 129 across, 180 and down 75. It did fine on those mountain roads and was a blast to drive. It did have a Weber conversion so I'm not sure how it would do with CIS. I'll let you know when I get my 81 up there later this summer.

[uzerzero]

Thanks for all the advice, you've all been great. I just got off the phone with the seller, and unfortunately, the car was stolen out of the parking lot last night. So I guess I won't be buying it after all. He did say that since the alternator was shot, if they turned on the headlights the car would have been dead after ten minutes. So it probably didn't make it too far. He said he'd give me a call if the police recovered it. I could probably talk him down really low since it most likely has a broken window and ignition now.

EDIT: In light of the stolen car, and not having heard anything about it, I hit up craigslist for some other 924s. I found this 924S (http://knoxville.craigslist.org/cto/3879008085.html) that looks to be in good condition. Any advice on it would be appreciated. Unfortunately, my current Honda had some starter problems this weekend, if it doesn't cost me an arm and a leg to fix it, I might be going up to Knoxville this weekend to look at this 924S.