Well I know the insurance on the LS would be cheaper and the LS would be better in terms of a big trunk, four doors and seats etc. But I love porsche and I love the 924. The one I am looking at seems to be in good shape (saw it in person at local dealer) not sure on mileage or maintance etc. yet but according to the add (looked it up) its in good shape. Car is $2800 should I go for it? Should I get the alfa which will cost me 5,000 more?
Be weary of bargain basement Porsche's. I just realized you are young...run away from 924s! They will make you go broke.
Porsche 944's are not much more expensinve and are much better cars. They are faster, handle better, and IMO look better that a 924. Also take a look at E30 M3's, there very cool little cars.
E30 maintenance is near Ferrari levels (and in frequency). I would buy a 635CSi. The first car I bought with my own money was an 82 633CSi. The 635CSis are even better. Great handling, tight and crisp, drives better than my SL. The 33s are a bit down on power (Not as bad as the 924 though) but the 635's have a good punch. Very comfortable cars too. Parts are very reasonable, and there is a good community online to help if you get in a pinch (I was able to get a lightly used alternator for 40 bucks!) Also, lots of bits interchange with other BMWs. (So for upgrading you can put on stock BMW wheels from any later 5/7 series, or get a cheap big brake kit by installing the brakes off of an E32 750iL) Also, there is a good aftermarket, also reasonable in pricing. They are tanks! Engines go for well over 200k miles with proper service. They are not to hard to work on either, and pretty well layed out that even a novice can learn easily. Here are 635's: Image Unavailable, Please Login Image Unavailable, Please Login
Unless you have a few thousand set aside for repairs and maintenance, I would avoid either car as primary transportation. A 924 may be 10% of the cost of a similar vintage 930 Turbo, but the Porsche parts are still priced about the same and a repair shop still charges the same hourly rate.
