911 vs 928

yellowbird · 08-01-2006, 08:25 PM

have 78sc and loveit father in law selling 84 928 auto 79000 miles 8000$ talk to me about power of 16valve vs 85 32valve auto trans vs 5 speed? and maintenance as i did most of 911 myself want to experience new drive is 928 worth it as 911certainly is or will weight /power of 16valve be dissapointing thanx

KTL · 08-01-2006, 09:05 PM

928 of that vintage has a whole different feel to it compare to your SC. The 928 feels like a big hulking vehicle compared to the nimble 911. I only have driven a '84 928, so I can't speak of the 4 cam models. Supposed to be a significant improvement though.

I think you'd really have to tweak the 4.7 to make it as lively as an SC. The one I drove was a bit lethargic with the automatic.

Nickatnyt · 08-01-2006, 09:10 PM

DIY maintenance on a 928 is not for the faint of heart. It is a much more complicated machine than the 911. Remember, they designed the 928 to replace the 911 because they thought the 911 was dated and had run its course. So they threw everything they had (engineering-wise) into the 928. Of course there are things that an experienced DIY owner can do on a 928, but there really is no comparison to the 911 in that regard. It is a fun car to drive though, especially the later years when HP was upped to 350. I would love to own one as a summer commuter but the MPG is really bad (I commute 100 miles/day).

javadog · 08-02-2006, 03:56 AM

The 32v motor was a huge step up from the earlier versions. I prefer the 5 speed, although the auto is more common. The transmission was changed in 1985 and the changes eliminated prior gripes about the way it shifted. The clutch feels a little different, as it's a twin plate type, but the car shifts much better than a contemporary 911. I have an '85 5-speed and it is surpringingly quick. Although the 87 and later 928 had more horsepower, they also weighed more, so the 85 is just as fast in the real world, at least till 100 or so. It will outrun a 3.2 Carrera or a 944 turbo in a straight line, which is usually surprising to the other drivers.

If it were my choice, I wouldn't buy an earlier car.

JR

vanwyk4257 · vanwyk4257's Garage

I had an '83 928S 5-speed last year with the 16V engine and it was very fast. It had the center muffler and cat removed so that no doubt added some power. The maintenance on these cars isn't anything to worry about aside from the electrical system with all of it's relays. You want to make sure the timing belt has been serviced recently along with some other things. I've also heard the 32V motor is better, but the nice thing about the US-spec 16V motor is it's a non-interference motor so at least if the belt does let go you don't destroy the motor.
On the handling side it's definitely more heavy feeling than a 911, but it has very nice weight distribution so you can still hustle it around corners very well, it's just a different feel.

petrolblue83911 · 08-02-2006, 05:29 AM

I had an 87 s4 5 speed, and have driven some of the earlier cars as well, I like 928's, my s4 was the fastest car I've ever owned, and the best highway cruiser and had decent AC so as a daily driver it's a great ride, -MPG I recall to be high teens over all, highway I think I got 20-22 or so.

The real downside of the earlier cars is that the re-sale is not good, and personally I really like the cosmetic changes for the S-4 and later cars, but you would pay a premium for one of those.

-basically though, 928's are totally different driving cars vs 911's, if you enjoy driving and learning how your 911 reacts to different conditions, you'll find the 928 booring, if you like driving a well engineered, very solid and fast crusier you'll love it!

Wil Ferch · 08-02-2006, 05:38 AM

A 928 is a "Corvette done right".... different feel than any 911 ....

Mechanically complicated, too....

- Wil

kach22i · kach22i's Garage

Quote:

Originally posted by Wil Ferch
A 928 is a "Corvette done right".... different feel than any 911 ....

Mechanically complicated, too....

- Wil

Sometimes it even can have the heart of a Vette.

You 928 guys are okay

kach22i · kach22i's Garage

Better picture, story was the 928 engine failed and the owner happened to have a Vette engine laying around the shop.

Just wait three years for the new 928, a shortened version of the new top of the line model coming out soon (Panamera).

Wil Ferch · 08-02-2006, 06:10 AM

At least the newer Vette engines are Dry-Sumped...

...and offer more HP...and are cheaper....

- Wil

hytem · 08-02-2006, 06:19 AM

This is sort of OT, but I wonder if anyone can comment on the "feel" of the 911SC vs later model 911s--for example, the 964, 993 and 996s. My SC is very tight and strong--feels like a machine. The later ones are more powerful and luxurious, but how does that translate into what you experience driving them?
Are they quieter, softer ride, etc? I refer to road driving--not track.

slow&rusty · 08-02-2006, 06:36 AM

I came close twice in the past 12months to buying a 32V 928...I love them probably soon one will reside in my garage...or a nice lowered AMG 560SEC Benz.

Jandrews · 08-02-2006, 06:59 AM

"Faster than a 944 turbo in a straight line"? Really?

JA

coloradoporsche · 08-02-2006, 07:05 AM

I drove my neighbor's 79 928 a few weeks ago. I was less than impressed with the feel of the car. Definitely heavy feeling.

It has a high top-end though and it does not feel like you are going fast when you really are.

OldTee · 08-02-2006, 04:04 PM

I have both. A 79 911SC and a 85 928S. Whoever said they are very different cars is correct. I cannot tell you which I love more. While the 928 gives a first impression of being big and heavy she comes alive when pushed. I can drive it for 8 hours, get out, strech and get right back into it and drive another 8. No so the 911. A 85S Auto will go from 0 to 60 in about 6.2 seconds. Not bad for a 21 year old girl. To be frank, when I first drove the 928 I had doubts I had made the correct choice. One trip of 100 miles changed my mind forever. The 911 I take to the track for DEs. There was a 928 at Summit Point last week end and he had a ball. He likes to eat 911s but he doesn't eat them all.

Take the 928 on a trip and live with it for a few days. She will grow on you and, it may not be a big point, but it is a babe magnet.

javadog · 08-02-2006, 04:20 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Jandrews
"Faster than a 944 turbo in a straight line"? Really?

JA

Yep. I have to say the guy in the 944 turbo was a wee bit surprised. It wasn't even close. People don't think of these cars as quick, but they really are. This is in spite of their ridiculously tall final drive ratio. If you had a 32V five speed with a Euro rear axle ratio, it'd be a rocket.

JR

unclenick · 08-02-2006, 06:11 PM

I had a 78 targa I sold thinking I would like the 928s. I had a 86.5 32v 5 speed 928s, great car, very comfortable, great low end torque but very different than my 911. The A/C in my 928s blew ice cold and everything worked like a champ but I have heard horror stories about 928's electrical gremlins. I ended up selling my 928 for 84 RoW 911 Carrera, have not looked back since.

If you looking for a fun, comfortable touring car the 928 is the way to go, but if you want fun to drive, cheaper maint, and much, much easier to work on for the DIY, the 911 is the way to go.

Blackie911 · 08-02-2006, 08:44 PM

The April 2006 issue of Excellence compares '87 Carrera with 1987 928 S4-- they gave the nod to the 911 for its "purity and simplicity in mechanical terms" I would bet resale of the Carrera 10 yrs hence is far superior- time will tell...