The cheapest way to become a Porsche owner. These cars are described as the best designed Porsches as they have perfect 50/50 weight distribution due to the engine, gearbox and diff layout. They are powered by a 2 litre engine which is based on an Audi 100 powerhouse and drives the rear wheels.
There are many myths surrounding these cars - such as they arent real porkers and they are glorified Volkswagens - Not true. VW & Audi approached Porsche to design them a sports car - porsche duely did so and VW / Audi decided they couldnt afford to build it and sold the manufacturing rights back to Porsche who developed it into the 924. The car has many VW/Audi bits on it but this is no bad thing - an example being that porsche electric window switch is around £90 and a VW part is around £15. These costs make quite a bit of difference when fixing/ restoring the car.
The cars are (usually) made from galvanised sheet steel and therefore do not rust. They are exceptionally well built with all parts mating as they should and if there is a wire or cable to run through the car you can guarantee there is a tunnel for them to do it with.
They are quite sophisticated despite their age, most have electric windows (reconditioned parts are widely available in scrapyards £15-£30), electric mirors (again widely available) CIS fuel management systems (they are not gas guzzlers if driven properly - i get around 33mpg out of mine and my right foot is quite heavy :). Most will run on unleaded fuel. The cars drive spectacularily well, They arent extremely fast (126mph top speed - 0-60mph in 9secs) but they are very low and handle brilliantly. Put them to a corner and the car doesnt worry about what speeds its doing - it boogies perfectly.
The main downsides are the visibility out the rear is poor - however it is a sports car and why would you want to see behind you? The rear seats (2) are very small and dont have seatbelts - this is a sticking point - they will hold 2 kids fine but if you fit seatbelts by law they must be worn and an adult ,unless very small, will have trouble sitting in the back with a belt on. Kids can open the front door if they dont have a belt.
They were ahead of themselves safety wise, the engine will go below the driver in a crash and not through his legs etc. Impact bars etc are fitted.
The interior controls can get a bit of getting used too but are effective enough. Their are loads of owners clubs about who can help with running questions.
The car is reasonably easily serviced by a competent DIYer or local garage, Porsche garages are very expensive but worth going to if you are out of your depth on a specialist problem.
All in all i believe they are a great car - a Porsche for little money, easily repaired, clasiicly insured, with room for the kids.
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Advantages: Beautiful aerodynamic lines, powerful turbo engine, reliable, fast and quiet Disadvantages: A little heavy on fuel, an ideal 2 + 2 but cramped in the rear
rokkafella8 06.07.2000 ·
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