zzdcar
Home
/
Reviews
/
Buying
/
At $9,000, Is This 1988 Porsche 924S Worth The Lightened Wallet?
At $9,000, Is This 1988 Porsche 924S Worth The Lightened Wallet?-July 2024
2024-02-19 EST 22:09:15

Nice Price or No Dice 1988 Porsche 924S

Today’s 924 comes from the last year of production and with the ’S’ model it arguably went out with a bang. Let’s see if this slightly tired edition still offers some good bang for your buck.

You’re in the Army now. You’re not behind a plow. You’re digging a ditch, you’ll never get rich. You’re in the Army now.

Yesterday, in honor of Independence Day, we looked at a that had been fully restored and was ready for parade duty or just cruising around while people thank it for its service. At $20,000, few of you were thanking its seller for their pricing acumen. That price tag came in at a loss with a 66 percent No Dice vote.

Image for article titled At $9,000, Is This 1988 Porsche 924S Worth The Lightened Wallet?

Do you know who we really should be thanking? That’s right, Volkswagen. Yep, if it hadn’t been for that major German manufacturer telling Porsche “just kidding” when it came time to poop or get off the pot on the purpose-built sports car for VW’s upscale brand, Audi, that Porsche was developing we likely wouldn’t have gotten the 924 and hence the 944. And, if VW hadn’t decided to stop production of the 924’s 2.0-liter van engine in late 1985, we wouldn’t have been blessed with this , the last of the 924 line and the model that shares its 2.5-liter SOHC four with the brawnier (and, heh, heh, heavier) 944. Yessiree-bob, thank you, Volkswagen.

Image for article titled At $9,000, Is This 1988 Porsche 924S Worth The Lightened Wallet?

Now, not only does this 924S share the 944’s mill, but in this model year it also shared the same 156 horsepower output. Earlier S models had 148 horses, nominally so they didn’t embarrass their bigger brothers. Porsche simplified matters in the last model year, likely for emissions standards.

While gaining the 944’s motor, the S is otherwise still a 924. That means a lack of the 944’s bulbous hips on the outside and it still keeping the ’70s dash on the inside.

This one, in Guards Red over black leatherette, sports a modest 58,200 miles under its belt and comes with proper phone dial wheels and a five-speed transaxle in the back. According to the ad, this is one of 2,000 non-U.S. spec 924S’s, which is puzzling since the pictures obviously show the car wearing U.S. market bumpers and side marker lights. Regardless, the VDO speedo does read in kph with no secondary markings. Maybe this was a Canadian car?

Image for article titled At $9,000, Is This 1988 Porsche 924S Worth The Lightened Wallet?

Aesthetically, the car looks to be a 20-footer. The paint pops nicely in the pics, but is marred by some chipping on the nose and scrapes under the bumper. The ad describes “minimal rust” in the rockers, but there’s nothing obvious in the photos. A rubber ducktail spoiler—standard on the S—dresses up the big glass hatch in the back, and there’s a sunroof.

Image for article titled At $9,000, Is This 1988 Porsche 924S Worth The Lightened Wallet?

The interior is an equally mixed bag. The dash is plagued by several cracks and the glovebox door seems to have given up the ghost. The upholstery is ok save for the driver’s seat. That is splitting at the outside seam and probably needs rebuilding beneath to be comfy. The shifter oddly looks like a 5th Grader’s science fair exhibit on how volcanos work and also needs attention.

Mechanically things are much better. Per the ad, the engine has recently enjoyed a full front-end service including the timing belt and water pump. The Yokohama tires have less than 3,000 miles on them and, with the exception of the wipers, everything is said to work as it should, even the old-school A/C. The air cleaner lid is missing in the pics and should be mentioned to the seller upon review of the car.

Image for article titled At $9,000, Is This 1988 Porsche 924S Worth The Lightened Wallet?

Title status is also not apparent in the ad—thanks, Facebook Marketplace—and there are no plates shown on the car so we can’t visually confirm it has current registration. We can assume it’s ok since not mentioning it being tainted would be a glaring error for the seller. The asking price is $9,000, and that’s a recent $1K reduction in the ad. The seller also claims to be flexible on that price.

Let’s see just how flexible you all are in voting on that $9K asking. What’s your take on this 924S and that asking as the car is presented in the ad? Does that seem like a deal? Or, does this Porsche’s price tag need to lighten its load?

You decide!

out of Phoenix, Arizona, or go if the ad disappears.

H/T to Don R. for the hookup!

Help me out with NPOND. Hit me up at and send me a fixed-price tip. Remember to include your Kinja handle.

Comments
Welcome to zzdcar comments! Please keep conversations courteous and on-topic. To fosterproductive and respectful conversations, you may see comments from our Community Managers.
Sign up to post
Sort by
Show More Comments
Buying
How Our 1991 Yugo Compares To A 2017 Ford Raptor
How Our 1991 Yugo Compares To A 2017 Ford Raptor
The Ford Motor Company would have you believe that you need a $60,000 twin-turbo V6 off-roading pickup truck with an aggro name and than a 12-year-old playing Grand Theft Auto V. Bah, we say! You need this only if you are a tool of the landed gentry. We’re here to...
Jul 5, 2026
The Campagna T-Rex Would Have To Be Your Last Car
The Campagna T-Rex Would Have To Be Your Last Car
Once you’ve driven every supercar, classic and enthusiast-spec vehicle under the sun, you might find yourself a little sad. What’s left, just a viking funeral in your Ferrari? Oh no, there’s a better blaze of glory to go out in. It’s called the Campagna T-Rex 16SP and it’s unlike anything...
Jul 5, 2026
Rude Porsche Dealer Story Proves Why You Always Make An Appointment To Look At A Nice Car
Rude Porsche Dealer Story Proves Why You Always Make An Appointment To Look At A Nice Car
A story about a young man who strolled into his local Porsche dealership wanting to check out an expensive sports car has been making the rounds. The treatment he received was rude and unprofessional, but it could have likely been avoided with a simple phone call. about his negative experience...
Jul 5, 2026
For $25,000, Would You Like To Wake Up Next To This 1998 Lincoln Mark VIII “Sleeper?“
For $25,000, Would You Like To Wake Up Next To This 1998 Lincoln Mark VIII “Sleeper?“
The idea of a “Hot Rod Lincoln” was once so popular that it was even immortalized in song. Today’s MK VIII is pretty hot, but let’s still see if its price tag can also bring the heat. Last Friday we waged a war on those mad souls who call certain...
Jul 5, 2026
There Is No Magic Solution To Your Underwater Car Loan
There Is No Magic Solution To Your Underwater Car Loan
It’s unfortunate that some people get buried in debt. I frequently get emails from folks underwater on their car loans and most are hoping for some solution that defies the laws of mathematics. Here’s the real answer: there is no real answer. I’ve been getting emails like this one at...
Jul 5, 2026
When You Should Spend $70,000 Or $150,000 On A BMW Sedan
When You Should Spend $70,000 Or $150,000 On A BMW Sedan
Hello, my somewhat wealthy friend. You’ve worked hard in your life to earn your riches. You deserve nice things. Things like a 2017 BMW 530i. You’ve earned it. Go on, get it. Oh wait, you’re not somewhat wealthy—you’re stupid wealthy? Well, then. Fuck everyone. Get an Alpina B7. Here’s what...
Jul 5, 2026
Copyright 2023-2026 - www.zzdcar.com All Rights Reserved