The Porsche 924 is a compact car built from 1981 to 1988 over 2 generations. Engines offered: 4-cyl. Worth buying? It scores near the top of what we track at 4.5/5 — and the year you pick matters far more than the badge (best and worst years →).
What the 924 is
The Porsche 924 is a compact car that Porsche built from 1981 to 1988 — 8 model years. Our measurements put it at 2 generations, the current one starting in 1987. It has been offered with 4-cyl power. Its closest siblings in the Porsche range: 911, 944, 928.
924 generations, and what changed
These boundaries are not copied from a brochure — they fall out of the measurements. Where the 924's length or wheelbase jumps between consecutive model years the platform changed: a facelift moves a bumper by centimetres, a new generation moves the whole car — for the 924 that gives 2 distinct generations below.
| Generation | Length | Wheelbase | Weight | vs previous | Weight change |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1977-1982 | 432 cm | 240 cm | 1110 kg | - | - |
| 1987-1988 | 421 cm | 240 cm | 1210 kg | -11 cm | +100 kg |
Between 1977 and 1988 the 924 gained -11 cm in length (-2.5%) and 100 kg in weight (+9.0%). Cars did not so much grow as thicken — crash structures, airbags and equipment weigh more than the metal they replaced, and on the 924 that is 100 kg against -11 cm. Full dimensions by year →
Porsche 924 tire size, oil type & owner specs
The fitment 924 owners look up most — tires, wheels, oil and batteries. Exact wheel and tire sizes decode from your VIN or the driver's door-jamb placard; the universal items are listed below.
Exact tire, wheel, oil grade, capacity and battery group are added per trim and model year — decode your VIN above for the factory fitment. Universal items shown as-is.
What engines does the Porsche 924 have? Power & range
The Porsche 924 is offered with 1 powertrain — 2.5L 4-cyl. Here's the lineup by engine, transmission and drivetrain — 1 for the Porsche 924, against one or two on most rivals.
| Engine | Displacement | Transmission | Drive | Fuel |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4-cyl | 2.5L · 4-cyl | Manual 5-spd | RWD | Regular |
Horsepower, torque and fuel-tank size decode from your VIN — exact figures vary by engine and trim.
Source: EPA fueleconomy.gov (engines, drivetrain, range, charge time). Horsepower & torque from NHTSA vPIC on VIN decode.
The 924 by the numbers
What the federal and market records say about the Porsche 924. Each line opens the full breakdown by year.
| Topic | 924 | Detail |
|---|---|---|
| Recalls | 4 campaigns | NHTSA, all years |
| Owner complaints | 4 filed | What breaks and when |
| Reliability | 4.5 / 5 | Best and worst years |
Frequently asked questions
What kind of car is the Porsche 924?
The 924 is a compact car, built from 1981 to 1988 across 2 generations. Engines offered: 4-cyl.
How many generations does the 924 have?
2 by our measurements, the latest starting in 1987. We draw the boundaries where length or wheelbase jumps between model years — a facelift moves a bumper, a new generation moves the whole car.
What is the Porsche 924 warranty?
New models carry 4 years / 50,000 miles basic cover and 4 years / 50,000 miles on the powertrain. Worth knowing: across our complaint records the typical car reaches the halfway point of its faults at five years, so most repairs land after the basic warranty ends.
Is the 924 reliable?
It scores 4.5/5 in our data. The honest answer depends on the year far more than the model — see the best and worst years, and when this car starts to break.
How do I check a specific 924?
This page describes the model; it cannot tell you whether that car has an open recall or a branded title. Run its VIN against the records — free, and matched to the exact production run.
More in Porsche
| Model | Years | Recalls | Best MPG | ForCar score |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Porsche 911 | 1981–2026 | 282 | 25 mpg | 3.5/5 |
| Porsche Cayenne | 2003–2026 | 106 | 24 mpg | 4.0/5 |
| Porsche Macan | 2015–2026 | 26 | 105 mpg | 4.0/5 |
| Porsche Panamera | 2010–2026 | 93 | 25 mpg | 3.5/5 |
| Porsche Taycan | 2020–2026 | 66 | 93 mpg | 3.5/5 |
| Porsche Cayman | 2006–2016 | 20 | 25 mpg | 4.0/5 |
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