Considering buying a 1980 porsche 924 NON TURBO with 80k miles as a daily driver... thoughts?

Question

found the car for sale... replacing an 03 blazer and have fallen in love with the car... is this ridiculous to use a car like that as a daily driver?

Answer 1

Dr. Phil is right.  The ugly truth is this car is an Audi, and Audi wasn't building very good cars back then. I had one that was such a pain I traded it for an Alfa Spyder.

I'm assuming the price is really low on this car.  If it's low enough then it's hard to go wrong, but I recommend that you look at the 944 instead, which was built by Porsche.

Or, if you want a real Porsche, email me, I have a 1980 911SC sunroof coupe with low miles for sale.  Presently listed in Porsche Panorama (print and online). Great car and perfectly suitable as a daily driver, including upgraded AC. Just too many cars in my stable right now.

Answer 2

First, ignore all the ignorant Porsche snobs who scream Audi anytime anything other than an air cooled 911 is mentioned.  Hey guys, how's your glorified VW bug?   The 924 used an Audi motor and transmission, but that's not a bad thing.    The 924 has it's flaws, but a well maintained example should still be a fairly good car. It will definitely make you look forward to your daily commute and get some good mpg in the process.  For a daily driver, if you can swing a 944, it's a much better, high quality, better performing car, but will cost more to keep it on the road albiet it's worth it.   Do some research, learn everything you can about 924s, know what you're getting, have a PPI done by a qualified mechanic, and I promose you won't regret your decision.

Answer 3

It should last. Porsche is most reliable German brand.

With a car that old, there will probably be lots of electrical problems.

But I would still buy one.

I like the 944 more. It is the newer version of the 924. Same body, but wider and with more power.

Answer 4

Why would you want to own an Audi? Sorry for you 924 owners.... I'll just call it the b*****d Porsche is that better for you?

I would get the 911 if i was looking for a car that has few problems.

Matt M The 924 was originally intended to be Volkswagen's flagship coupé sports car. Volkswagen commissioned Porsche to design the car (VW project number 425), who developed a fresh chassis and transmission that would work with an existing Audi I4 engine. So i guess it's a glorified VW right? or is it an Audi? but since Porsche is taking over Audi in 2009, and owns almost 51% of the stock in VW it would make it a full Porsche i guess. It's like when DaimlerChrysler owned  Dodge, so I guess by your standards you could call the 68' Charger a Mercedes-Benz.

How's My glorified VW bug? (356C cab) was just was appraised at over $ 165,000. I'm not sure i would group my 1988 air cooled 911Coupe Commemorative Special Edition in with the VW due to the fact VW had nothing to do with the building of it.

I guess I'm just a Porsche snob because I take the time to know my history............. by OWNING THE HISTORY

Answer 5

Don't due it. There noisy, slow, just yuck.

FYI owner of

74 911 carrera

77 911S Turo race car

03 986s

95 M3

88 bMW spec e30 racer

Answer 6

they make great DD's, so long as you take care of it and be mindful for electronic gremlins.  

Answer 7

I have bought a 1977 1/2 924 with 107,000 miles. Mine has the old mechanical fuel injection which has a million wires. But lucky for you, the 1980 924s have electronic fuel injection.

The Porsche 924 was made by Audi in Neckarsulm in the SAME PLANT as the 944. It was designed by Porsche and was to become a VW or an Audi, but Porsche bought the project back after VW dropped it and decided to make the Golf. The 924 has the same engine block as an Audi, but has a Porsche made Aluminum cylinder head.

The 1980 or younger 924s have a completely galvanised body, preventing them from rusting compared to the older ones.

The ride is a little rough on them but they handle amazingly well (what you'd expect from Porsche.

This is not a car you would drive through snow because the wheels will just spin being that the engine is in the front and the drive wheels in the back. If you live in the south or where snow melts away in a few days then I would say this would be an alright car.

You can buy them cheap but what you have to be aware of is that you are buying a 28 year old car and it is going to have problems. Mine was pretty much run until it died, but the parts are cheap and she is running again and sounds pretty cool.

Word of warning: If the interior is getting wet, check to see if the battery box is rotting. If it is not, then most likely the Sunroof drain tubes are clogged. Just blow air through them to clear the debris out.

Answer 8

get it, but pay to have it checked out by an tech knowledgeable in porsche.

use it as a daily driver...porshes are made to be driven so have fun.

Good luck!

Answer 9

Why would you want a 28 year old car? The 924 was a cheap entry level Porsche in the 80s. It was embarrassing to own one then and I'd be very embarrassed to own one now that it is almost as old as I am. Unless I was some kind of Porsche collector that wanted one just to have it for the sake of completeness I would never consider buying one

Answer 10

Not what I would call reliable transportation today. It is getting too old to be really reliable. It may be a good car to wrench on for the weekend, but unless you put some major dollars in it, it will leave you walking to work.

Yes, I would say ridiculous for a daily driver.