924Board.org

[Ritzo]

Hi guys,

I've come across a 1977 Porche 924 for sale; $5000. Well I don't know the real value of these cars (but i saw the word porche and the price and almost died). Only things that are said about it is that it has new disc brakes and spoiler... No pictures of the inside of the engine... So I'm wondering is it to good to be true? Is is most likely gona die on me? Also it's Vic plates so i gota pay rego ect... Looking at buying my first car, I'd love to have this but then I don't want to get screwed over with $2000 in engine rebuilds..

What do you think?

[924RACR]

Depends on a lot of things including, most importantly, where are you located??
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Vaughan Scott
Webmeister
'79 924 #77 SCCA H Prod racecar
'82 931 Plat. Silver
#25 Hidari Firefly P2 sports prototype

[Ritzo]

I was hoping to leave it out cos it could be sold from under me... but it's been moved to where I am from vic. I haven't called the guy/chick to find out any info (its new years). But I will do so tomorrow.

Edit: This is a international forum, sorry didn't realise.

Victoria is a colder state in Australia (not snow cold, but cold for Australia).

[Chrenan]

$5000 would be very steep in Canada unless it was in absolutely perfect condition. Keep in mind when he says "new discs", the model you are looking at should only have discs on the front, drums on the rear, so he may have only repaired half the brake system. If he fitted discs on the rear of a 4-bolt setup I'd be curious how he did that. I don't like the spoiler or rims, I like things to be a little closer to original.
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1987 951 - M193 Version for Japan

[macBdog]

If the motor and mechanicals are in good condition and it supplied with a RWC then it could be a good deal. Get it checked out by a workshop and make sure you are happy with the looks/character and the handling of the car. Performance will be underwhelming if you have driven other sports cars.

Pics of the engine bay would tell alot, is it auto or manual?

Also, do you like working on old Porsches?
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1979 931 with a 350 chev
1973 911E with EFI

[Khal]

G'day mate, welcome to The 'Board! There's a few Aussies on here, including myself (living in Vancouver right now). Several in Melbourne... leadfoot and steeny amongst others.

I agree with Chrenan regarding the price. Even in Aussie pesos that's a high-ish price for a 924 unless it's in very good condition. Condition is all important.

Bear in mind a '77 is the oldest of the 924 series that we got in Australia. We had them from '77 to '81, I think, with the Turbos in '79, '80 and '81. There are some grey market imports apparently. I know Ozzie has an '84 from the U.K. and I've seen a '77 from the U.K. as well. Don't think it really matters, as far as I know the Aussie and U.K. cars are identical up until the last '81 model sold in Aus (later overseas models like Ozzie's may have had some updates/changes).

The 924 is a very fun car to drive. But they're not super quick. A '77 may only be a four-speed, too, which is the least desirable gearbox. Basically, the engine pumps out about 93kW... or about the same power as a base-model 1.8-litre Toyota Corolla. So straight line performance is not really mind-boggling. Totally adequate for its age, just not... um... awe-inspiring

Parts and consumables are relatively cheap (for a Porsche). And the bottom end of the engine is pretty much bullet-proof. Unlikely it'll blow up on you. Better yet, they're not interferrence engines, so if you blow a timing belt then you can effectively just put on another one and you're good to go. You don't crush valves nor hole pistons like an interferrence engine.

But nothing is cheap when it needs a complete rebuild...

As mentioned before, condition is all-important. It's a 30-year-old car. It's probably done a lot of miles. Be careful it's not a complete piece of junk.

Take it to a Porsche specialist and get it checked out. It may cost you some money, but it'll save you buying a horror car.

Some threads...

Wheels magazine article from 2002

Wheels magazine article from 1977

And check out Red Book for a valuation.
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'80 924 Turbo

[Ritzo]

Ok thanks guys, I'll ring today. At 17 I'm not really into looking to fix much. If there is any problem with it (other than cosmetic) then I won't go for it. My budget doesn't expand very far.

Whats the top speeds I might expect from it?

[Neil924]

[Ritzo]

Ok thanks that puts it in perspective. I won't thrash it.. well not often.

It's a point A to B car for me, so if it looks like it won't last a year out then I won't be buying it. Going to look at it in the next three days.

[Ritzo]

Update:
I'm seeing him tomorrow about it. He's put new disc brakes on the front, new drums on the back, new paint job, bigger carbies, needs a service other than that its good. Interior might need the last coat of paint, other than that it sounds ok.

He sounds like a good bloke to, i can pay half and pay the rest off later..

[Chrenan]

Keep in mind Carbs are not stock for these cars, they came with mechanical fuel injection.
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1987 951 - M193 Version for Japan

[Ritzo]

[Chrenan]

Carbs are older technology than fuel injection.

One thing to keep in mind when buying a modified car, is you never know exactly what has been done, or the quality of work that has been done. Look at his house, garage, and other cars. If things are neat and tidy, likely the modifications to his car are the same. However, if you like to make changes yourself, you may be happier with an un-molested car as a starting point.
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1987 951 - M193 Version for Japan

[Ritzo]

lol well I spoke to him and I'm feeling pretty happy about it. The price is great. He's a mechanic. I can get my step dad to look he knows a good bit about cars.

I'll see how it sounds and looks tomorrow, might even take a camera and post em tomorrow.

[Khal]