Faults:

Alternator failed.

Washer pump failed.

Switch for electric wing mirrors replaced.

Wiper column stalk replaced.

Battery failed.

Brake discs/pads front and rear replaced.

Brake caliper replaced.

Rear tail light occasionally wouldn't work (needed banging to start working!).

Oil was leaking onto the exhaust manifold from the engine, making it smoke. Valve was replaced.

Speedometer stopped working.

General Comments:

Mine was a 924 with a 'proper' Porsche engine, NOT the VW van engine!!

I had a 2.5 150 BHP lump in mine, basically half a 928 V8's engine.

These cars are basically now what I'd call modern classics.

Mine was a white one, which looked BRILLIANT!

I could never believe the lack of rust for a car 26 years old when I got rid of it. Perhaps galvanised bodywork helped, who knows, but I got admiring glances, flashed headlights and thumbs up all over the place. Not bad for a car I bought for 2K!

First things first. This is a car designed in the 1970s!! Ergonomics, seating position etc are all therefore, well, not up to modern standards shall we say!! It was entirely possible to drive it with my knees if I wanted to, as the steering wheel was set so low! The screen demister was next to useless (although the heater was ace!).

I've read some owner reports saying their 924 was the best handling car, ever. Well, yes, for its age it handled OK, but come on, it handles well for a car from the 80s, i.e. nowhere near modern car grip levels, no safeguards to speak of such as ABS or ESP; I used to have no trouble locking an inside front tyre under heavy braking, but balance wise, a great car. 50/50 weight distribution down to the transaxle gearbox design, and steering feel you only seem to get from older cars with no power assistance! On an icy, slippery, country back road, the Porker wouldn't be first choice though!!

But, what a great, comfortable car to do a journey in! We took it down the the Goodwood Festival of Speed, to the classic car show at the NEC, and on holiday. I'm always amazed how well older cars ride with their high profile tyres and suspension that won't break your back!!

And the engine was bullet proof, bearing in mind I drove it properly, i.e. like a sports car! It could still wrong foot many modern cars, and I'll never forget 135mph with a brand new 911 up my backside (graciously not overtaking me, although he could've blown me into the middle of next week!)

25 MPG on average, £150 a year to insure on a classic policy, timeless looks, very expensive spares. And, tons of character and fun every time it was driven!

Faults:

Nothing other than fair wear and tear.

Head gasket died in its sleep at or about the normal time in the expected place - between cyl 4 and the water jacket.

Dash board cracks, shocks replaced, brakes, discs batteries etc etc. Nothing significant.

In fact I changed most things just for fun. Rebuilt the brakes front and rear, shocks and inserts front and rear.

General Comments:

The later 924, from 1982-1983 onwards is a fantastic car and is a real pleasure to drive. Build quality is fantastic, and things work for a long time.

My car was 21 years old when I bought it. I threw my previous one into a ditch at speed and wrote it off, and immediately went out and bought another, even better.

I rebuilt a lot of the important safety elements eg brakes and suspension, as well as doing a lot of work on the engine, alternator and starter motor. Generally I have more fun with cars underneath them than in them. (I am like that with boats as well. I prefer them on dry land!) Anyway the Porsche is very easy to work on for the DIY mechanic.

Can't find any fault with it. Anything that went wrong was due to age and wear and tear. I would recommend the 924 to anyone who wanted to experience owning a Porsche. To be honest, most people don't recognise it so don't get one to impress anyone.

When I was a teenager, I could recognise one by the sound and lusted after all the 924s and 944s I saw out on the streets. Nowadays, kids will drool over a Toyota Starlet Glanza and wouldn't recognise a Porsche if they were hit by one.

Anyway, if you want to have some fun driving, then it is definitely worth a go.