Well, after a couple of years out of retro motors I found myself thoroughly bored of my modern mile muncher, found the 50% rule on finance deals and realised I could hand it back and walk away..
but I still needed a daily and wanted a toy..
So step up the sale of my off-roader, funds generated had 2 things to do - get us a daily (50 mile round trip commute) thats not too modern, but modern enough, 2000 cut off year, my requirements, clean, diesel, estate, (tat hauler) tow capabilities if needed and good spec, decent history and cheap enough to leave room for a toy
So got that sorted with a bland enough, but nice enough Diesel Vectra estate.. low miles, history, SRI spec etc blah blah
Been running fine and getting near enough 50mpg on the commute too...
So that led me to time to think about the second car..
Now with the title the clue's already given, but i started my search harking back to my younger days, found myself wanting something 80's - was initially looking at VAG, mk2 golf GTI's in particular, but was amazed to see the prices of them at the mo, seem to have rocketed in the 4 years since i last had a GTI..
So this changed my view, started scouring ebay classic car section, 1500 max price and closer to home as set options and went from there.. a few ideas came and went then i started noticing the prices of porsches, 924 - 944 etc, seemed within reach - call to the insurance company, cheaper to insure than a mk2 golf driver, let alone a GTI..
decision was made..
We don't have kids and arent planning on any, turn 35 in just over a weeks time so why not!!
by this point a few things had left me with just over a 'bag a sand' to pick up my new toy..
Search went on, some runners, some non runners, some history, some non history etc.. Did my research into the 'its not a porsche, its an audi' thoughts, turns out the 924 was the brains of VW/Audi, and they had paid porsche to develop, they scrapped the plans and went with the scirocco instead, porsche needing a replacement for the 912/914 bought their own plans and the rights back from VW/Audi and continuing, launching the 924. So this appealed, porsche spec/build, but a VAG engine i know and can get work done etc.. Carried on reading and it then said the 944 is much more porsche than the 924, they developed the engine, its near perfect handling with 51%front and 49% rear weight distribution etc..
So that was that, a 944 - then i came across this one, ticked boxes, folder full of receipts, loads of MOT's flaky roof paint removed and satin black applied, recent new clutch, long enough tax and mot.. It was just in the middle of nowhere, so consider 'buying blind' had some long phone conversatios with the seller, all seemed good, a deal was reached over the phone and i jumped on a train..
2 hours later I'm being picked up at a train station, test drive went ok, slight whine to diff/gearbox, but only slight, bit of a rumble in fifth, but only a bit.. drive belt whine, but I'd read they all do.. checked through the paperwork, seemed good enough - only downside was the clutch pedal wasnt returning properly, but as it had a recent clutch and master cylinder I'm hoping it just needs a bleed or at the worst a slave cylinder, but i can live with it for now.
The red paints proper 80's faded, a few little scabs here n there, but in general a good solid little car.. I don't liek shiney full on restored paint etc, i like to see the history so this puts a smile on face just looking at it.. Driving it broadens the smile even more
Deal was re discussed following the points I'd seen and negotiated 10% off the original discussed deal..
So then it was time for the first proper drive home, just shy of 250 miles later I've learn the rumble from the rear is slightly louder on left hand bends than right, so might just be a wheel bearing, not gearbox, it has a bad steering wobble between 60 and 75 but pulls through it smooth again.
Windscreen washers don't work, battery is a little too big as wiper motor catches it just, seat appears to only be on 3 bolts, not 4 so a little wobbly but with tax till end of sept, mot till end of august I'm not complaining...
Its a NA 2.5 8v
I suck at picture at the mo, just haven't had time since picking it up yet..
Have now since studied the history a little better, the recent cam belt change was about 10k miles ago, but the date shows its now due, so thats gonna be a big blow to the remainder of my budget to get done, but i think its only right i should.. Reading up its not straight forward because of the balance shafts too..
I'm planning on selling the number plate if anyone is interested, offers around £500 to a RRer but newreg have it up for about £800, if not more.. I think its the plate that was put on from new, but it feels like a personal plate and means nothing to me, I'd rather it just wore a normal number..
I've got a lot to learn and read up about these
Plans for moving forward will be to get it running good n true, maybe some different wheels, not sure on lowering it yet tho but it could look good slammed, but if it does go lower, it'd be 30mm max..
maybe the porsche twists from a boxster would look good or maybe just fatter teledials on the rears, currently its got 7's all round
Otherwise I'm just going to enjoy it, don't want to wash it much and want it to keep its faded paint looks, I'm not 100% on the roof yet tho, but i think it adds to its character/charm
Any tips/advice/pointers to info would be great.. and if any RRer has the tools to do the belts and wants to earn some spending money then let me know before it goes to the local Porsche independents and i pay out
More pics to follow next week when i get a proper chance to look round it all and have the seats out etc..
Comments as always - welcomed
but I still needed a daily and wanted a toy..
So step up the sale of my off-roader, funds generated had 2 things to do - get us a daily (50 mile round trip commute) thats not too modern, but modern enough, 2000 cut off year, my requirements, clean, diesel, estate, (tat hauler) tow capabilities if needed and good spec, decent history and cheap enough to leave room for a toy
So got that sorted with a bland enough, but nice enough Diesel Vectra estate.. low miles, history, SRI spec etc blah blah
Been running fine and getting near enough 50mpg on the commute too...
So that led me to time to think about the second car..
Now with the title the clue's already given, but i started my search harking back to my younger days, found myself wanting something 80's - was initially looking at VAG, mk2 golf GTI's in particular, but was amazed to see the prices of them at the mo, seem to have rocketed in the 4 years since i last had a GTI..
So this changed my view, started scouring ebay classic car section, 1500 max price and closer to home as set options and went from there.. a few ideas came and went then i started noticing the prices of porsches, 924 - 944 etc, seemed within reach - call to the insurance company, cheaper to insure than a mk2 golf driver, let alone a GTI..
decision was made..
We don't have kids and arent planning on any, turn 35 in just over a weeks time so why not!!
by this point a few things had left me with just over a 'bag a sand' to pick up my new toy..
Search went on, some runners, some non runners, some history, some non history etc.. Did my research into the 'its not a porsche, its an audi' thoughts, turns out the 924 was the brains of VW/Audi, and they had paid porsche to develop, they scrapped the plans and went with the scirocco instead, porsche needing a replacement for the 912/914 bought their own plans and the rights back from VW/Audi and continuing, launching the 924. So this appealed, porsche spec/build, but a VAG engine i know and can get work done etc.. Carried on reading and it then said the 944 is much more porsche than the 924, they developed the engine, its near perfect handling with 51%front and 49% rear weight distribution etc..
So that was that, a 944 - then i came across this one, ticked boxes, folder full of receipts, loads of MOT's flaky roof paint removed and satin black applied, recent new clutch, long enough tax and mot.. It was just in the middle of nowhere, so consider 'buying blind' had some long phone conversatios with the seller, all seemed good, a deal was reached over the phone and i jumped on a train..
2 hours later I'm being picked up at a train station, test drive went ok, slight whine to diff/gearbox, but only slight, bit of a rumble in fifth, but only a bit.. drive belt whine, but I'd read they all do.. checked through the paperwork, seemed good enough - only downside was the clutch pedal wasnt returning properly, but as it had a recent clutch and master cylinder I'm hoping it just needs a bleed or at the worst a slave cylinder, but i can live with it for now.
The red paints proper 80's faded, a few little scabs here n there, but in general a good solid little car.. I don't liek shiney full on restored paint etc, i like to see the history so this puts a smile on face just looking at it.. Driving it broadens the smile even more
Deal was re discussed following the points I'd seen and negotiated 10% off the original discussed deal..
So then it was time for the first proper drive home, just shy of 250 miles later I've learn the rumble from the rear is slightly louder on left hand bends than right, so might just be a wheel bearing, not gearbox, it has a bad steering wobble between 60 and 75 but pulls through it smooth again.
Windscreen washers don't work, battery is a little too big as wiper motor catches it just, seat appears to only be on 3 bolts, not 4 so a little wobbly but with tax till end of sept, mot till end of august I'm not complaining...
Its a NA 2.5 8v
I suck at picture at the mo, just haven't had time since picking it up yet..
Have now since studied the history a little better, the recent cam belt change was about 10k miles ago, but the date shows its now due, so thats gonna be a big blow to the remainder of my budget to get done, but i think its only right i should.. Reading up its not straight forward because of the balance shafts too..
I'm planning on selling the number plate if anyone is interested, offers around £500 to a RRer but newreg have it up for about £800, if not more.. I think its the plate that was put on from new, but it feels like a personal plate and means nothing to me, I'd rather it just wore a normal number..
I've got a lot to learn and read up about these
Plans for moving forward will be to get it running good n true, maybe some different wheels, not sure on lowering it yet tho but it could look good slammed, but if it does go lower, it'd be 30mm max..
maybe the porsche twists from a boxster would look good or maybe just fatter teledials on the rears, currently its got 7's all round
Otherwise I'm just going to enjoy it, don't want to wash it much and want it to keep its faded paint looks, I'm not 100% on the roof yet tho, but i think it adds to its character/charm
Any tips/advice/pointers to info would be great.. and if any RRer has the tools to do the belts and wants to earn some spending money then let me know before it goes to the local Porsche independents and i pay out
More pics to follow next week when i get a proper chance to look round it all and have the seats out etc..
Comments as always - welcomed
