Faults:

First gear synchro ring is very worn and requires the gearbox main shaft to be replaced - Very expensive (£1000 for the part alone!) so beware if you are thinking of buying a 924 Turbo! This problem manifests itself as difficulty in slotting the gearbox into first gear especially when changing from 2nd into first.

Hydraulic clutch slave cylinder leaked. Slave cylinder replaced.

Drive shaft bolt missing (not dangerous if only one missing)

Badly corroded fuel lines and brake pipes.

Badly worn front seats.

Gear knob leather perished.

Leaking front shock absorber.

General Comments:

Absolutely stunning performance for the money : 0-60 in about 7 seconds and 140MPH top speed. 50/50 weight distribution (since the gearbox is at the back) and therefore very pleasant handling. The vehicle rolls a bit on cornering as shock absorbers are a bit soft, but can be replaced with Bilstein sport inserts at the front (if the vehicle has Sachs screw in type struts) and completely new shocks at the back. Seat is very low in cabin, so beware if you are shorter than 5ft6". Steering wheel can foul your legs if you are tall so beware if you are 6ft+. Gear change is a bit slow, but in gear acceleration is fantastic. Turbo lag is monumental, but once 3000 revs arrives, be prepared for a push in the back especially off the line in first gear! If the road is long and clear ahead at the lights, be prepared to leave the plebs behind you over the horizon!

Faults:

Car bought as a restoration project. Items replaced are typical for any car this age:

Drivers seat torn (now repaired)

Dashboard cracked - normal.

Heavy clutch.

Welded inner wings.

All new brake lines.

New Rear suspension.

New HT leads and plugs.

2 rusty front wings- now replaced.

Faded paint - now T-cut back.

Fuel leak - now repaired.

Replaced starter motor - quite common problem.

General Comments:

Great looking car - especially in Guards Red.

Handles very well.

Great balance on corners.

Power is OK - could handle more, but reasonably brisk beyond 3,000 rpm.

Still in good shape thanks to galavanized body (buy post 81!)

Faults:

Batteries have repeatedly died - however I blame this on a lack of use (once a month) and a thirsty immobiliser.

Rear hatch leaks appallingly.

Gearbox has been rebuilt (£300)

Replaced rear brake drums (Volkswagen spares - £15 each!)

Increasingly concerned at the prospect of a ban on lead replacement petrol!

General Comments:

The car is superbly balanced - the front mounted engine and rear-mounted gearbox help in this respect and make it feel like driving a souped-up go-kart.

Apart from a gearbox rebuild, there have been no major works so far. I make sure the car is regularly serviced once a year (£200).

With the rear seat down, the back can accommodate a lot of luggage, making it great for touring.

My previous car, a Ford Sierra cost £2,500 and lasted 5 years until it fell apart and was sold for £100. The Porsche cost me £3,000 still has no rust and apart from needing a new battery every 18months has been relatively trouble free. I would expect to sell for not less than £2,500 (if I was to sell).

Faults:

Nothing other than routine service items.

Owners must realise that the 924 turbo is a very different car from the normal 924. The turbo has a genuine porsche designed cylinder head, suspension, and brakes.

The only expenses have been routine, engine mounts are a routine service replacement on these cars not a failure as some people think. This is a high performance sports car and should be maintained as such.

General Comments:

This car is a real Porsche, it has blistering performance and handling to match.

The weight balance is about 50/50 so the handling is naturally well balanced, new bushes and shocks at front and rear have further improved handling.

The power delivery is in a very 'all or nothing' manner as is typical with turbo-charged cars of this era. The kick from the turbo can catch you out on roundabouts or tricky junctions. A delicate right foot is required.

The car is at home in traffic or on the open road and is light and easy to drive. It really comes in to its own on fast A roads. The car is easily unsettled by poorly surfaced roads and can become quite a handful on rough tarmac. I used to drive this car in to the city of London traffic regularly and never suffered with overheating or difficulty in hot starting.

This car feels more solid and has been more reliable than my every day modern car which is only 2 years old and on 35000 miles.

Faults:

Faulty fuel pump earth - wear and tear.

Temperamental passenger electric window - easily fixed.

General Comments:

Feels great on an 'A road' in the summer!

Probably not the best car for inner-city driving, perfect in the countryside.

Faults:

Sunroof lifting bits (£300), fuel pump, door handle broke, discs needed polishing, over heated a lot, gear knob came loose, bonnet pistons would not hold it up, badge got nicked, exhaust needed replacing & loads more.

General Comments:

This car had a 944 body kit fitted, it was virtually impossible to tell that it was a 924 (well worth doing). I should have had the car properly inspected before I bought it - I still would have bought it but I could have got it for less.

I sold it about two years ago, the pain of the running costs is now fading and I am thinking about buying a 944.