Nice writeup, but I think one thing was left out (unless I missed it): The 924S. While there's passing reference to the original 924 and its anemic Audi engine, the piece moves right on to the various 944 models, talking about prices getting over $20k, to get into the game. That said, you can still pick up reasonable-condition 924S's for a quarter of that and really nice ones for about $10k - I suppose since everyone thinks a 924 badge means "crappy Audi engine" and forgets the S is basically an early 944 without the fender flares. In any case, the 924S is the real "bargain-sleeper" Porsche for those who don't want to pay extra for the fender flares, so don't sleep on it!
My 924S is still my favorite car to drive, hands-down.
GRM ass, since threads without photos are boring.
I could imagine the 924S being a blast. The 924 was a very nice chassis and suspension waiting for a little more oomph.
Kreb (Forum Supporter) said:
I could imagine the 924S being a blast. The 924 was a very nice chassis and suspension waiting for a little more oomph.
Mine has Bilsteins, 944 Turbo swaybars, and staggered 911 wheels (8" rear/7" front) but otherwise pretty much stock. I'm always surprised how much grip this thing has considering the suspension is only mildly upgraded.
I remember when the 924S came out.
Car & Driver tested it and said they would buy the 924S and take the $5000 they saved and put that towards wheels and tires. That seemed like a good idea to me.
I've always loved the clean lines of the 924. As far as I see it, the only real downside to the cars is the early dash.
Tom1200
SuperDork
4/19/21 8:56 p.m.
Count me in as a fan of the 924S.
Kreb (Forum Supporter) said:
I could imagine the 924S being a blast. The 924 was a very nice chassis and suspension waiting for a little more oomph.
Wasn't the 924S "just" a 944 without the flared fenders?
My first experience with Hoosier autocross tires was in a 924S. Mind = blown
Pete. (l33t FS) said:
Kreb (Forum Supporter) said:
I could imagine the 924S being a blast. The 924 was a very nice chassis and suspension waiting for a little more oomph.
Wasn't the 924S "just" a 944 without the flared fenders?
My first experience with Hoosier autocross tires was in a 924S. Mind = blown
There were a few other differences - most notably the 924S (86-88) had the early 944 dash and interior (by then the 944 had the new interior). 924S has the stamped steel front LCAs (944 aluminum), on paper the 924S had 10 less HP (except in 88 where it got bumped to the 944 tune), smaller rear spoiler (mine has a 944 turbo tail, about twice as big), and of course less space for big tires. I think there are a few other differences with the 924S getting cheaper (read: VW) stuff here and there vs. Porsche-specific stuff on the 944, but I don't really recall what those things are....
924S was (IIRC) 100lbs lighter than the 944s of the same years, so theoretically they were a bit faster in a straight line.
Tom1200
SuperDork
4/19/21 10:55 p.m.
In reply to irish44j (Forum Supporter) :
I always wanted to put in a 944 turbo engine and run it at El Mirage dry lake.
What about the front engined car that replaced the 944? I don't even know the number, but it seems like those should be affordable? I don't think I have seen one in years.
Just looked it up, the 968. Are they not a good value for some reason?
In reply to aircooled :
They sold about five of them.
Not a 924 but we need more pictures.
aircooled said:
What about the front engined car that replaced the 944? I don't even know the number, but it seems like those should be affordable? I don't think I have seen one in years.
Just looked it up, the 968. Are they not a good value for some reason?
Even in the DC area I almost never see those come up for sale. I just think they are pretty rare comparatively speaking, But as far as I know they were very good.
In reply to aircooled :
968s hold their value very well. I'd love to have one in my garage.
968s are pretty rare and expensive.
The exchange rate went crazy around the time they came out and German cars got dramatically more expensive, so they didn't sell very many of them. And as the final evolution of that water cooled four cylinder, they are the best of the bunch. Demand is pretty high when they come up for sale.
Yep, everything to like about a 944 turbo, minus the complicated plumbing and heat, plus a 6 speed gearbox. So no bargains.
I'm surprised 7s and 9s fit a 924S, but that's great - how about square 8s?
paddygarcia said:
Yep, everything to like about a 944 turbo, minus the complicated plumbing and heat, plus a 6 speed gearbox. So no bargains.
I'm surprised 7s and 9s fit a 924S, but that's great - how about square 8s?
8s up front would or require fender work. These are my 7s out front with 205s on them (I have 225's in the rear). My rears are about 1 mm from rubbing the inner fender lip so nines in the rear would also probably take some fender work
Woody (Forum Supportum) said:
968s are pretty rare and expensive.
Could also be stated as:
968s are pretty, rare, and expensive.
irish44j (Forum Supporter) said:
paddygarcia said:
Yep, everything to like about a 944 turbo, minus the complicated plumbing and heat, plus a 6 speed gearbox. So no bargains.
I'm surprised 7s and 9s fit a 924S, but that's great - how about square 8s?
... My rears are about 1 mm from rubbing the inner fender lip so nines in the rear would also probably take some fender work
Maybe you can use a different offset and still fit 9s if needed depending on whether there is clearance the other way.
Slippery said:
irish44j (Forum Supporter) said:
paddygarcia said:
Yep, everything to like about a 944 turbo, minus the complicated plumbing and heat, plus a 6 speed gearbox. So no bargains.
I'm surprised 7s and 9s fit a 924S, but that's great - how about square 8s?
... My rears are about 1 mm from rubbing the inner fender lip so nines in the rear would also probably take some fender work
Maybe you can use a different offset and still fit 9s if needed depending on whether there is clearance the other way.
I mean to be perfectly honest I intentionally got this wheel set up because I thought it would be ideal for handling in a car like this. With only 160 horsepower and a relatively stock suspension I don't really see any upside to wider wheels and tires. As far as offset there is definitely not much additional clearance on the inside. In the front I actually will rub the struts if I put too much negative camber. The nines would probably fit in the back fine as long as I stuck with the 225 tires.
