“Many of the 924’s aerodynamic features are apparent in its clean styling.”

For 1980, Porsche’s entry-level 924 generally stood pat. The five-speed transmission changed to an Audi design and a breakerless ignition system was added. Otherwise, a few exterior color changes marked the turn of the model year.

The 924’s engine remained the Volkswagen/Audi EA831 110 bhp 2.0 liter/121 ci inline four with Bosch K-Jetronic fuel injection. This engine—used in many applications—did not make the 924 quick. Period testing with the five-speed manual (an Audi-sourced three-speed automatic was optional) recorded 0-60 mph times of about 10.6 seconds in a car with a curb weight of a little over 2,600 pounds. Fuel economy ratings with the manual were 19 city/32 highway by the day’s standards. With a 17.4-gallon gas tank, a 924 driver could expect a range of 360 to 400 miles with a 10% fuel reserve.

The 924’s base price was $15,970—about $68,600 in today’s dollars, which is about 9% less than a 2025 Porsche 718 Cayman coupe goes for. Standard exterior and mechanical equipment included retractable headlights, an integral front spoiler, tinted glass, a manual antenna, a four-wheel independent suspension, a front stabilizer bar, rack and pinion steering, power assisted front disc brakes, and 165HR-14 tires on 14-inch wheels. Inside, reclining front bucket seats, a center console, full carpeting, intermittent windshield wipers, power windows, a tachometer, a quartz clock, and an electric window defogger were included.

Options & Production Numbers

Among the options available for the 924 were a removable top ($485), spoke type light alloy wheels ($545), a 4 spoke leather covered steering wheel ($185), heated outside mirrors ($110 each), and air conditioning ($725).

Porsche sold 3,700 examples of the base 924 in the United States in 1980, along with 3,440 units of the far sprightlier Turbo version.

The View From 2025

924s are often cited as “the car that saved Porsche,” and there is good club support for them, as there is for all Porsches. Folks are collecting 924s, though the lack of power limits their appeal. According to Hagerty‘s valuation tools, a 1980 Porsche 924 in #1/Concours condition is $34,000, with a more normal #3/Good condition car going for $8,500. Porsche 924s often show up for sale in the Hemmings Motor News classifieds, on eBay Motors, and on Bring a Trailer.

Make mine Inari Silver Metallic over Onyx Green Metallic, please. Two-tones were a thing in the early eighties.

Other eighties Porsches I have written about include the 1982 928 hatchback coupe, the 1982 Porsche 924 Turbo hatchback coupe, the 1985 911 Carrera Cabriolet, the 1986 944 Turbo hatchback coupe, the 1987 911 3.2 Carrera coupe, and the 1988 944 hatchback coupe.

In mid-2020, my ex-wife and I were out for a walk. As we headed down my town’s portion of the Lincoln Highway, we saw a glorious Iris Blue Metallic Porsche 911 Carrera Cabriolet with a dark blue top and blue leather seats. I, of course, neglected to take a photo.

“Driving in its most beautiful form.”

Not much was changed for 1985 for Porsche’s 911 Carrera Cabriolet—the fuel tank size increased from 21.1 to 22.5 gallons, and the pricey “Turbo Look” optional body style was extended from the coupe to the Targa and Cabriolet models. The Cabriolet entered its third year, having debuted in the final year of the 911 SC generation.

The Carrera continued with the 200 bhp 3.2 liter/193 ci flat six with Bosch Motronic fuel injection that had debuted in 1984. With the standard Getrag five-speed manual transmission, 0-60 mph came in about 6.3 seconds, with a claimed top speed of 146 mph in the 2,750-pound Carrera (the 2025 911 Carrera Cabriolet is over 3,500 pounds). Fuel mileage was 17 city/25 highway by the day’s standards (15/23 by today’s measures) with premium gas. With a 22.5-gallon gas tank, a 911 Carrera’s proud new owner could expect a range of between 385 and 425 miles with a 10% fuel reserve.

For the 911 Carrera Cabriolet’s $36,450 base price (about $110,500 in 2025 dollars), exterior and mechanical equipment included tinted glass, halogen headlights, fog lights, and power four-wheel vented disc brakes. The front 185/70VR15 tires sat on 15 x 6 inch pressure-cast light alloy wheels, while the rear 215/60VR15 tires were mounted on 15 x 7 inch pressure-cast light alloy wheels (Pirelli still makes these tire sizes). Inside, heated power mirrors, power windows, air conditioning, and reclining bucket seats were all standard. A stereo was not included—Porsche evidently assumed that 911 buyers had their own ideas about what should be in that part of the dash—and Crutchfield still provides. Stuttgart did deign to provide four “high-quality” speakers, a fader control, interference suppression, and a power antenna.

Exterior and mechanical options for the Cabriolet included a color-coordinated tonneau cover, a limited slip differential ($595), front and rear spoilers, and 16-inch forged alloy wheels (6 inches wide in the front, 7 inches wide in the back—and setting the buyer back $1,580). Inside, options included automatic cruise control ($320), power door locks ($250), a passenger power seat ($380), an alarm system ($200), and a Blaupunkt Monterey digital cassette radio ($625).

The View From 2025

It’s little surprise that 911 Cabriolets from the 1980s have maintained their value quite well. According to Hagerty’s valuation tools, all the money for a 1985 Porsche 911 Carrera Cabriolet in #1/Concours condition is $95,000, with a more normal #3/Good condition car going for $42,000.

Porsche 911 Carrera Cabriolets have (of course) excellent club support from many sources and are often available in the Hemmings Motor News classifieds, on eBay Motors, and on Bring a Trailer. As I update this blog entry in April 2025, a Moss Green Metallic 1986 Cabriolet with black leather seats is for sale on Hemmings, asking $60,000.

Make mine the exact same color scheme we saw in 2020, please.

Other eighties Porsches I have written about include the 1982 924 Turbo hatchback coupe, the 1982 928 hatchback coupe, the 1986 944 Turbo hatchback coupe, the 1987 911 Carrera coupe, and the 1988 944 hatchback coupe.

Last updated April 2025.

“… one of the fastest production two-liter cars in the world.”

1982 was the final model year for both the Porsche 924 Turbo and the base 924. The 924 S would return in 1987 and 1988, but the 944 would take over as the entry-level Porsche from 1983 to 1986, with the 944 Turbo coming in 1986.

The 924 Turbo‘s engine was a 154 bhp 2.0 liter/121 ci inline four with a single turbocharger and Bosch K-Jetronic fuel injection. 154 bhp isn’t that impressive over forty years later, but in the early 1980s, it marked a significant upgrade from the base 924’s 110 bhp—enough to drop 0-60 times by about two seconds (Road & Track clocked a 9.3 second 0-60). Fuel economy ratings were 20 city/33 highway by the day’s standards. With a 17.4-gallon gas tank, a 924 Turbo driver could expect a range of 375 to 415 miles with a 10% fuel reserve.

The $21,500 924 Turbo was about $73,500 in today’s dollars or just about exactly what a 2025 718 Cayman costs. Standard exterior and mechanical equipment included tinted glass all around, a rear spoiler, a four-wheel independent suspension, rack and pinion steering, 4-wheel ventilated disc brakes, and 185/70VR15 tires (a size still available thanks to Pirelli and Vredestein) on 15-inch light alloy wheels. Inside, air conditioning, power windows, and an electric rear window defroster were included. Upholstery features included reclining bucket seats, full carpeting, and a leather-covered steering wheel.

Options & Production Numbers

Options for the 924 Turbo included headlamp washers, a limited slip differential, an electric rear window wiper, an alarm system, leather sport seats, a digital cassette radio, and a power antenna.

Porsche sold 876 examples of the 924 Turbo in the United States in 1982. In 1983, the 944 would sell 75% more than the 1982 sales of the 924 and the 924 Turbo combined.

The View From 2025

There is good club support for the Porsche 924, as there is for all Porsches. According to Hagerty’s valuation tools, all the money for a 1982 Porsche 924 Turbo in #1/Concours condition is an astounding $39,000, with a more normal #3/Good condition car going for $12,500. Porsche 924s frequently show up for sale in the Hemmings Motor News classifieds, on eBay Motors, and on Bring a Trailer. As I update this blog post in April 2025, there’s a Black Metallic 1982 924 Turbo with tan leather seats and 46,000 miles for sale on Hemmings, asking $15,000.

Make mine Diamond Silver Metallic, please. The 924 always looked good in silver.

Other eighties Porsches I have written about include the 1982 928 hatchback coupe, the 1985 911 Carrera Cabriolet, the 1986 944 Turbo hatchback coupe, the 1987 911 3.2 Carrera coupe, and the 1988 944 hatchback coupe.

Last updated April 2025.

“the finest Porsche ever built”

1982 was the final model year for the first-generation Porsche 928, which would be replaced by the slightly more powerful Porsche 928 S in 1983. Despite the aerodynamic look of Wolfgang Möbius’ exterior design, the 928’s drag coefficient was a middling 0.41.

The standard powertrain remained the 228 bhp M28 4.5 liter/273 ci V8 with Bosch L-Jetronic port fuel injection mated to either a five-speed manual transmission or a Mercedes-Benz sourced three-speed automatic. To the eternal horror of many enthusiasts, the automatic was ordered about twice as often as the manual—something that probably didn’t shock Porsche.

In a car that weighed 3,197 pounds with the manual transmission, 0-60 mph came in approximately 7 seconds, with a top speed of just over 140 mph. Fuel mileage was rated by the EPA at a class-competitive 16 city/25 highway—with a 22.7-gallon gas tank, the proud new owner of a 928 could expect a range of about 380 to 415 miles with a 10% fuel reserve.

The 928 came well-equipped—a good thing considering it had a base price of $39,500 (about $135,200 in today’s dollars or a little less than a 2025 Porsche 911 Carrara T coupe costs). Standard exterior equipment included halogen headlamps, a headlight washing system, and a rear window defogger with a rear wiper. Mechanical equipment included power-assisted rack-and-pinion steering, four-wheel disc brakes, and P225/50VR16 tires (a size still readily available) on 16 x 7 inch wheels.

Inside, automatic cruise control, adjustable pedals, power windows, a central door locking system, and automatic full climate control were all standard. Bucket seats with a driver’s side power seat, a partial leather interior, a leather-covered steering wheel, a steering column that adjusted along with the instrumentation, and an AM/FM stereo radio with a cassette player, four speakers, and a power antenna were also included.

Exterior and mechanical options included an electrical sliding roof, protective side moldings ($195), and pressure-cast alloy wheels ($795). Inside, options included a front passenger power seat, sports seats (either leatherette/cloth or leather), an alarm system ($300), and a Hi-Fi sound system with eight speakers.

The View From 2025

There is excellent club support for the Porsche 928, as there is for all Porsches. According to Hagerty’s valuation tools, all the money for a 1982 Porsche 928 in #1/Concours condition is $68,000, with a more normal #3/Good condition car going for $22,000. Porsche 928s frequently show up for sale in the Hemmings Motor News classifieds, on eBay Motors, and on Bring a Trailer. As I update this blog entry in April 2025, a Guards Red 1982 with black leather seats, an automatic, and 41,000 miles is available on Hemmings, asking $35,000.

Make mine the rare Rosewood Metallic, please.

Other eighties Porsches I have written about include the 1980 924 hatchback coupe, the 1982 924 Turbo hatchback coupe, the 1985 911 Carrera Cabriolet, the 1986 944 Turbo hatchback coupe, the 1987 911 3.2 Carrera coupe, and the 1988 944 hatchback coupe. Other sports cars from the 1982 model year that I have written about include the Chevrolet Corvette coupe and the Fiat X1/9 coupe.

Last updated April 2025.

In the summer of 2015, I was out in the Philadelphia suburbs picking up some hoagies (known as subs or heros to a good portion of the rest of the country). A young man parked next to me in a black Porsche 944. As we waited for our sandwiches to be made, he told me that his family had recently picked up the car, that it was quite original, that it had only about 50,000 miles, and that it was a 1988.

“Driving in its finest form”

For the 1988 model year, the 944 stood mostly pat. The engine continued to be the 147 bhp 2.5 liter/151 ci inline four with port fuel injection, paired with either a standard five-speed manual transmission or an optional three-speed automatic transmission.

0-60 with the manual transmission was about 8.5 seconds in the 2,800-pound car, while mileage was 20 city/28 highway by the day’s standards (18/26 by modern measures). With a 21.1-gallon gas tank, range was an impressive 420 to 455 miles with a 10% fuel reserve.

Standard exterior and mechanical equipment on the $31,650 car (about $87,600 in 2025 dollars) included pop-up halogen headlights, an integral front air dam, power rack and pinion steering, vented disc brakes, and 215/60VR15 tires (a size still readily available) on 15-inch cast alloy wheels. Inside, all 944s came with air conditioning, a leather sport steering wheel, a digital quartz clock, power windows, and an electric rear window defroster.

Options included anti-lock brakes, automatic cruise control, a tilting sunroof, sports seats, front heated seats, driver and passenger airbags, and a selection of Blaupunkt digital cassette radios.

The View From 2025

There is good club support for the Porsche 944, as there is for all Porsches. According to Hagerty’s valuation tools, all the money for a 1988 Porsche 944 in #1/Concours condition is $37,500, with a more normal #3/Good condition car going for $11,500. Porsche 944s often appear for sale in the Hemmings Motor News classifieds, on eBay Motors, and on Bring a Trailer. As I update this blog entry in March 2025, a Black 1988 with the manual, black leather seats, and 85,000 miles is available on Hemmings, asking $37,900.

Make mine Zermatt Silver Metallic, please.

Other eighties Porsches I have written about include the 1982 928 hatchback coupe, the 1982 Porsche 924 Turbo hatchback coupe, the 1985 911 Carrera Cabriolet, the 1986 944 Turbo hatchback coupe, and the 1987 911 3.2 Carrera coupe.

Last updated April 2025.