924Board.org

Ghostcloak · Joined: 15 Mar 2005 Posts: 42

Hey Guys... I've done some research, but I haven't been able to get "good" feedback on pros/cons to the 924. So I was wondering if you guys in the porche community would be able to help me. I've got a 93 Probe (as mentioned in my sig.). Its been my car for a while now, and I'm looking for an upgrade.

As I was driving by one day, I saw a 1987 Porsche 928 for sale... SO I took it out for a test drive today...

WELL... The car has been repainted... I can see where there was quite a few spots of rust (either that or the sanding job was just bad) on the body through the new cherry red paint coating. The whole interior is shot to hell. The engine seems to run "perfectly". I didn't notice hardly any flaws... (except acceleration is slower than my probe >_<) Idles fine at about 800rpms. Gas Guage is inconsistant (constantly moving between 1/4 and 1/2 tank line) Milage was about 120,000 miles. Right power window doesn't work (I assume its a quick fix with a new motor). Took the car up to 120mph just to check stability

, and it seemed to some "free play" in the steering after about 80 mph... Steering was kinda bouncier than my probe on the highway while just cruisin at 80, got even worse as i went faster (of course:P) I'm not sure if thats just the areo dynamics or if the suspension is just old. I think rear struts were replaced for one reason or another though (look newer than the rest of the components)... I didn't attempt to take off the T-Top. No rust on the undercarriage or bends in the frame. Seems to me the clutch was very heavy (but this is the first porsche i've ever driven so I dunno if that's normal compared to "low end" sports cars...) Shifting was average. Not sawdust smooth but also not too rough. headlights work, everything checks okay. No leaks from what I can tell... Hood release latch is broken (had to take a screwdriver to it...) Also, the dash NEEDS replacing... there are cracks that are at least 6 inches deep and 2-3 inches wide. The whole dash looks as if its sat in the sun and dry wrotted. Apholstry is fine, mostly the dash that needs to be replaced.
Whatcha guys think for 3 grand? From the outside, it appears to be a solid ride.. I didn't see any leaks in the engine, and it sounded, performed just like a new car off the lot. This is/might be my second car, so I was also hoping for some feedback as what else I should look for or ask the lot owner.

THANK YOU ALL IN ADVANCE FOR TAKING THE TIME TO LOOK THIS OVER! I await your replies. Thanks again!

-Steve'o
_________________
1993 Ford Probe SE
(FOR SALE!)
1987 924S (Purchase Pending!)

AznDrgn · Posted: Tue Mar 15, 2005 3:32 pm Post subject:

Well the main thing that will kill you is the belt maintenance for the engine. This work needs to be done every 30K miles and it'll cose you $5k to have someone do it for you if you don't know how to do it or aren't willing to do it. If you are willing and able it'll probably cost you $1500 in parts to do. When's the last time this was done? From the condition of the rest of the car it sounds like someone got it cheap did a shitty spray job on it and is trying to turn it over quick for some profit and if the engine release is busted I doubt the engine has been touched. As many will say "There is no such thing as a cheap Porsche" I'd walk away from it.
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-'87 Jeep Cherokee 4.0L 6" of lift 33" Super Swampers

-'83 Callaway 944 2.5L turbo, 300HP, 1 of 42 ever made

Paul · Posted: Tue Mar 15, 2005 5:15 pm Post subject:

Don't walk away, RUN AWAY SCREAMING!!!!!!

gohim · Joined: 02 Nov 2002 Posts: 4459 Location: Rialto, CA

Hey, I'd give you $100 for it.

But seriously, it sounds like a good candidate for the salvage yard. Most of the body panels on the car are aluminum, so you shouldn't see rust coming out.

The best advise has already been given... RUN AWAY, RUN AWAY, Run...

924 turbo · Posted: Tue Mar 15, 2005 5:48 pm Post subject:

T-top? Are you sure it was a 928?
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Jon Furst

My924gtc · Joined: 14 Aug 2004 Posts: 1362 Location: 248

I saw a post of yours on one of the other boards regarding this car (forget which one I was cruising at the time) but is this car a 928 or a 924S. I could have sworn your other post listed it as a 924 which would explain why it felt like your Probe could out accelerate it. A 928 would not feel less powerful than your Probe.

Regardless I say RUN AWAY! There are better 924S cars out there for $3K, and you don't even want to mess with a $3K 928, that just means you are going to have to spend 2 years and $8K trying to get it right again.
_________________
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"

924 turbo · Posted: Tue Mar 15, 2005 5:55 pm Post subject:

Oh, and 5k for the belt service? Is this a Ferrari 928? Even the dealership won't charge you that much.

This guy has to be talking about a 924S though.
_________________
Jon Furst

speedsta2003 · Joined: 12 Nov 2002 Posts: 302 Location: Lincoln, Nebraska

my 924S was in mint cond. and I only asked 3k for it :shock:
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My Old Porsche Thats Sold
http://members.cardomain.com/jatbballboy15

AznDrgn · Posted: Wed Mar 16, 2005 2:16 am Post subject:

$5k belt service I was including the entire front end maintenance. New Belts, rollers, tensioners, WP, and reseal all the balance shafts. The number I picked was on the high side but I've seen quotes from $3k to $5K+ to do that work. It's not all that hard but it is time consuming and the parts are quite expensive.
_________________
-'87 Jeep Cherokee 4.0L 6" of lift 33" Super Swampers

-'83 Callaway 944 2.5L turbo, 300HP, 1 of 42 ever made

924guy · Posted: Wed Mar 16, 2005 3:10 am Post subject:

i enjoyed the probes ive had, one in 4cyl and one in the gt 6 cyl.(manual), the gt was far superior..and faster than my 924S , and had allot more torque. but even though it handled well compared to most, it cant hold a candle to the 924 series..the probe , in GT attire, has 20-30 more hp than a 924s, and its easier to boost it into the 200hp range with a few bolt on upgrades, like pheno spacers , and exhaust work..they handle well, and are fairly easy to work on..the bigest issue with them , is the front wheel drive, which limits what you can do with them, and their weight..

the 924S is going to be much more expensive in maintance, hp upgrades are more difficult and much more expensive..but on the plus side, they have much better weight distribution, much better brakes, and handle a whole level above the probe.. thier also more nimble and responsive (i found the probe even in gt form a bit sluggish at the wheel)..

I agree with the above though, sounds like its car to run from fro that price, no matter which variety of porsche it is...
_________________
Eric
78 924
82 931 SE "smokey"
99' VehiCross
Y2K Honda Insight
http://www.cardomain.com/id/924Guy
Performance by Pasha

Ghostcloak · Joined: 15 Mar 2005 Posts: 42

My deepest appolgies guys

Yes, it is actually a Porsche 924 S. I dunno how i typed 928

oh well. Hm.. yeah.. I'm thinking about walking from this one... I can't find a dash online for a 924 S! Seems like parts are hard to come by for this kinda car?

How much would replacing the belt and pump cost (including labor) estimate to? It's about that time to replace the belt/pump in the probe, and I figure if I'm going to spend 500 bucks on a pump and belt, I might as well "trade in" my probe (its about 90% perfect, mostly cosmetic flaws, enginer is perfect, ie: paint chips on side ground effects, windshield washer fluid resevoir pump doesn't work, 2 chips in the windshield...) I figure If i'm going to spend 500 bucks on a new pump and belt, I might as well see about trading my car in for something sportier and just using the 500 to replace the belt/pump in THAT car... (anotherwords, I'm trying to look for a "free" upgrade). I"m not looking at modding the engine or anything at the moment (not until i graduate college). I'm on a "strict" budget, so I'm looking for something that's got good bang for the buck stock (if the car is cheap and comes pre-modified, even better). I'm just trying to get outa the 115 hp range and move up to around 180-200hp (No i don't like preludes

) when i say "Strict" budget, I simply mean i can "waste" money away modding. But I do have money available for repairs if they are necessary.

btw, It had a removable top on it... I think its a T-top, could be wrong as I wasn't too worried about that (showed no signs of leaks) that's all i checked for on it.

I'm gonna check it out with a friend this thursday again. Hopefully I'll get more details from a second visit. I'm already 85% sure i'm not gonna get it and will wait till i see a good one.... But who knows... maybe the car will impress me somehow.

Maybe I'll see if my friend can get some digital pictures of the car and you guys tell me what yall think....
_________________
1993 Ford Probe SE
(FOR SALE!)
1987 924S (Purchase Pending!)

AznDrgn · Posted: Wed Mar 16, 2005 2:33 pm Post subject:

Where are you located? If you pay $3k for a 924S it should be in fairly good mechanical shape, look really good and have a nice interior. The car you described earlier is worth at best $1000 if the motor is in great shape. Check out ebay and look to see what 924S's go for on there and what conditions they are in and you'll get an idea of worth. Whatever happens always remember there is no such thing as a cheap Porsche.
_________________
-'87 Jeep Cherokee 4.0L 6" of lift 33" Super Swampers

-'83 Callaway 944 2.5L turbo, 300HP, 1 of 42 ever made

Lizard · Posted: Thu Mar 17, 2005 12:21 am Post subject:

yah if the car was a 928 run like a bat outta hell,
if the car is a 924, well if you like doing electrical work good you will do alot from the sounds of it, rust on an 87 though, when they painted it they MUST have sanded it right down to bare metal as the 924S were all galvanized.

and as for the front engine service on a 928 I am afraid that most people are completely wrong on the $3-$5k, I had mine done at a shop (just got the car and wanted to drive it right away) and it was only $2k canadian and that was EVERYTHING belt, rollers, tensioner rebuilt, all oil seals, waterpump, hell even the cam gears were replaced due to abit of excessive wear.
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3 928s,

Ghostcloak · Joined: 15 Mar 2005 Posts: 42

I live in Raliegh, NC. I understand that no porsche is cheap, but I'd really like to be part of the family... I was just looking for a general price for just replacing the water pump/timing belt for the 924 S (it is a 924 S). Hopefully I'll look around and see what other Porsches I might be able to get my hands on.
_________________
1993 Ford Probe SE
(FOR SALE!)
1987 924S (Purchase Pending!)

gohim · Joined: 02 Nov 2002 Posts: 4459 Location: Rialto, CA

You can buy the parts needed to do the front of engine service yourself for between $600-$1000, depending on where you get them, and the brand/quality (IMHO it does not pay to try cheap parts in there). You will also need some 944/924S specific tools (about $600-$800) to replace and tension the timing and balance shaft belts. Some people on this message board will argue that you can get away with some screwdrivers, pliers, and tension teh belts by ear, without buying the expensive belt tensioning gauge. But I say, it's your engine, and your money, and the cost of repacing a damaged engine is many times that of the correct tools. I use the correct tools on my engines, or the engines of people's cars that I work on.

If you are going to pay someone to do the front of engine service for you, you should expect to see work estimates between $1500-$2500 from a 944/924S experienced mechanic. This service needs to be done every 30K or 3 years, whichever comes first. Don't take the car to the corner gas station, you will only be inviting an engine replacement.