924 Buying Info Reqd
Discussion
I've been asked by my neighbour to go look at a 924 she's thinking of buying.
All I know about the car at the moment is that it's an A reg (83/84) in "Mink" colour, with a targa top, and it's not done many miles recently.
Apart from the usual stuff when looking at a car, particularly one that's been little used recently, what should I be looking out for ?
What are the weaknesses of these cars ?
Anyone know any good online buyers guides ?
Cheers !
Nev
All I know about the car at the moment is that it's an A reg (83/84) in "Mink" colour, with a targa top, and it's not done many miles recently.
Apart from the usual stuff when looking at a car, particularly one that's been little used recently, what should I be looking out for ?
What are the weaknesses of these cars ?
Anyone know any good online buyers guides ?
Cheers !
Nev
The weaknesses of the 924 are that at the age they are at now, you will spend its purchase cost in running it for a year. No matter how pristine it looks at the moment.
I know of one that got through a headgasket and all sorts of other problems within 6 months of new ownership. A 1500 quid car, with 1500 quid of problems attached.
Your friend would be better advised to either buy a 944 of a newer vintage (2.5s/2.7s are OK, S2s are good, but LHD 968s are better if your friend can stretch to 8k), or get a nice MX-5 for 4k. Sh!t, I can't believe I just said that, but I'm just being honest.
If they are that desperate to get a Porsche keyfob, buy them one for xmas, as they won't cost you anything to run - unlike old 924s.
All IMHO.
Domster
>> Edited by domster on Tuesday 20th August 10:19
I know of one that got through a headgasket and all sorts of other problems within 6 months of new ownership. A 1500 quid car, with 1500 quid of problems attached.
Your friend would be better advised to either buy a 944 of a newer vintage (2.5s/2.7s are OK, S2s are good, but LHD 968s are better if your friend can stretch to 8k), or get a nice MX-5 for 4k. Sh!t, I can't believe I just said that, but I'm just being honest.
If they are that desperate to get a Porsche keyfob, buy them one for xmas, as they won't cost you anything to run - unlike old 924s.
All IMHO.
Domster
>> Edited by domster on Tuesday 20th August 10:19
sorry, not being snobby but 924's really are a pile of old sh*t. They aren't very fast and can have loads of problems.
My mate bought one for £500 with full service history a year ago, he has spent about £2000 on it just to keep the "Porsche" on the road, now the numberplate is worth more than the car which needs a packet spent on it to pass the MOT & he can't give it away.
PS. the fact that it hasnt done many miles recently is more a bad than good thing I'd say.
For the money as Domster said, she'd be better off saving to get a 944 (I've seen these for about £2000) or getting another sports car, MX5, Suzuki Cappuccino, MR2 etc.
>> Edited by craigw on Tuesday 20th August 10:53
My mate bought one for £500 with full service history a year ago, he has spent about £2000 on it just to keep the "Porsche" on the road, now the numberplate is worth more than the car which needs a packet spent on it to pass the MOT & he can't give it away.
PS. the fact that it hasnt done many miles recently is more a bad than good thing I'd say.
For the money as Domster said, she'd be better off saving to get a 944 (I've seen these for about £2000) or getting another sports car, MX5, Suzuki Cappuccino, MR2 etc.
>> Edited by craigw on Tuesday 20th August 10:53
I had a 924 a few years back, ones that aren’t used much can be a real pain, mine only had about 35k on the clock and was nothing but trouble, I sold after the head gasket went, now have the TVR which seems ultra reliable in comparison. It was good fun when it went and very cheap to insure these were its only plus points.
Albatross for sale. £500.
Never look at purchase cost - always look at overall cost to purchase and run over your expected ownership period. This could be a couple of grand as has been pointed out.
Porsches are pretty reliable as a general rule, because their overall engineering integrity and build quality (both materials and procedures) are high.
However, old cars are old cars. Things perish. A 924 may have been reliable in 1986, but in 2002 it may not be. The parts will still come with a Porsche parts number and probably a Porsche price tag, too. This makes them uneconomical to run as old bangers, so people scrimp on their maintenance... creating a vicious circle.
A well cared for 1988 911, for example, will be a very reliable proposition under most circumstances. Certainly more so than a 1988 TVR 350 etc.
>> Edited by domster on Tuesday 20th August 11:25
Never look at purchase cost - always look at overall cost to purchase and run over your expected ownership period. This could be a couple of grand as has been pointed out.
Porsches are pretty reliable as a general rule, because their overall engineering integrity and build quality (both materials and procedures) are high.
However, old cars are old cars. Things perish. A 924 may have been reliable in 1986, but in 2002 it may not be. The parts will still come with a Porsche parts number and probably a Porsche price tag, too. This makes them uneconomical to run as old bangers, so people scrimp on their maintenance... creating a vicious circle.
A well cared for 1988 911, for example, will be a very reliable proposition under most circumstances. Certainly more so than a 1988 TVR 350 etc.
>> Edited by domster on Tuesday 20th August 11:25
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