Porsche Enthusiasts Club Forum

Anywhere I can go to see a side by side comparison of a 1979 924 vs a 1985 (2) 944?
I've got my eye on each but would like to know the stand-out differences and of course hear your opinion.
Thanks

Too many differences to set out here. The 924 will be lighter but unless it's an 924S it will be slower than the 944.

What do you want to get out of the car? i.e. what is your intended use?

If both cars were in comparable condition and money wasn't an issue, I can't think of a single reason to pick a standard 924 over a 944.

If it was the 2.5S 924, it's quicker than the early 944, rarer and will be worth more long term..

R

Unless you spent a ridiculous amount of money on it that you'd have no chance of ever seeing again.... If I wanted light and fast I'd stick a supercharged VTEC in an Elise....

Personally it's a no brainer....944 every day....the 924 is a nice car, yes I have driven one but the 944 has much more presence....it's a true beauty no matter which model you have. However, like most things in life it's down to personal choice.

Cheers

Pete

Prophead has answered this with "What do you want to get out of the car?"

I went for the 924 as a toy because its easy to work on, they don't seem to suffer the same rust problems as the 944 (I know there are exceptions both ways on this) and I can run it on a shoe string. The engine is mostly bullet proof and can be maintained with a simple tool set and although the k-jet injection has its moments once set up simply does what its meant to do.

The handling is great and what performance is lacking on the straights is more than made up for in the bendy bits.

I have no doubt 944 owners will have equivalent reasons but for me simplicity of the 924 is the main attraction.

Note: as it a 1979 924 you mention it wont be an S but could be turbo which then changes the argument a little bit more.

Don;t get personal, besides your on the wrong forum if you quoting Honda Engines and Lotus...

It's Best stick you stick to the subject 924 v 944

R

Then if it's a personal choice Pete then it can't be anything to do with a "No brainer" !

We need to know the criteria and desires of the OP, then and only then can advice really be more reliable.
There are many folk who enjoy a 924 2.0 for what it offers them, it's not for me not but maybe in 25 years time!
Not everyone like you and me is after the highest forms of performance.

R

I did quantify my reply with the word 'personally' Roger....to me it indeed is a no brainer. The differences between an early 924 and a later 944 (OP stated (2) which U assume he means oval dash)....a far better car..

I've owned a 924 and now have a 944S2 cab,
The 924 was nimble and fun but not fast, the 944 is on overall better quality feeling car, but still not that fast, I personally love the 944 dash, it has aged so well, I would go for a 944 for the dash alone, but if it was a early 944, that would be a tough choice,
on the subject of the 924 not being a "real Porsche" the 944 itself is still looked down on by the rear engined lot anyway
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w5XM_9jlbgw

Yes some like the 924, others the 944 and some the last guise (968). I've owned all three and a total of 8 so far
so I'm very aware how they all drive and perform.

Not many car's were designed & developed from the same chassis for almost 2 decades,
Each incarnation and many components were changed for many reasons, but mostly to sell car's
so as we're still led to believe today (every new model is better than the last) and has more technological
advanced features etc..but some do slip the net and often mark 1's from many other manufacturers are deemed
better than mark 2's etc..Three examples MR2, Focus & Civic Type R

The Op asks for a "side by side comparison" and what's the "stand-out differences" which will always be perceived
differently by different people.

The 924 is the original slim body, Manual steering, relatively low powered 2.0 Audi / VW Engined car which looks and
drives like a car from the late 70's, the 944 a wider arch (later designed dash version) power steering, larger engine and bigger brakes car which performance is higher than the 924 2.0

When the Audi lumps were no longer being produced Porsche decided to continue 924 production but with their own
engine, what better to use their 2.5 from the same chassis (944) so the S 2.5 was created.
Which they had to detune to 150bhp to make sure it was any quicker than the 944, but even then it was deemed so when roadtested.

A 924 2.0 v late 944 2.5 are quite different, it's more like a comparison of a 1.6 & 2.8 Capri !

R

Whatever your choice - look for rust in the sills and any body damage - even an AA approval. Service history and tyres all the same make on each corner etc. Always check the engine bay - a clean one (decent hoses etc) will show the owner took some care...

Hi

Slightly off topic..but how about a 928...more cylinders, less mpg (lol) and HUGE fun ??

And if you are into speed..fast than both 924 and 944...

All the best Brett