Where can I do some learning?

[BunnMan]

I've been poking around the net the past few weeks learning more and more about these cars and plan to jump into one early next year. So far it seems I'll be aming at an '87 or newer 5spd. so as to maximize the stock power output. I'm real hungry to learn some more about 'em though. Where should I go on the net to do this? I found a forum that charges a fee for membership but don't want to sign up unless someone recommends it. Any help? Anything I should know as I begin my quest? What are the qualities to look for in a prospective car? Seems a good body is real important as I've seen some outragess numbers quoted for body repairs on these cars. Can interior parts be obtained reasonably?

Thanks for any help,

God bless,

-BunnMan

[Rixter]

rennlist
or check out the Potomac Region PCA, they've got a decent 928 crowd that meets every month

[BunnMan]

What's the Potomac Region PCA? That may even be local. ANy contact information? Rennlist is the pay site I found, it's a good one then?

Thanks for the reply,

-BunnMan

[Danglerb]

Rennlist "looks" like its pay only, but you can register for free and and get the title of "user" instead of "member", and from time to time people will tell you how paying for membership is a good thing and best money they ever spent. Doesn't stop plenty of people from asking a few questions and reading for years without ever becoming a full member. Only paid members can list items for sale, and a couple other restrictions, but nothing major.

SITM Sharks in the Mountains is a BIG regional porsche event on the east coast, attending could be the best time spent you could imagine. People who love these cars will have some for sale, and rides etc. will not be hard to get. NOTHING will educate you more on what to buy than riding/driving a few nice 928's.

I bought a book that was a very good "basic" education on the 928, "Porsche 928: The Essential Buyers Guide", about $20 and shipping new, and it gives a very good "flavor" of what the 928 is like both good and bad.

Hands on behind the wheel is where you learn if you love or hate the 928. The 928 may be the finest production car ever made, at the very least one of a very small group. The downside isn't that it takes a large commitment in time and money to keep it running its best, its that the bad stuff about the 928 doesn't matter, you still want it.

[rhjames]

funny that D. recommends Rennlist.....

where do you learn "928 speak"?

here, Rennlist, the factory workshop manuals (available from Jim Morehouse on CD), Porsche Club America (website, local PCA club, Panorama magazine), 928 Owners Club (website), 928 Specialist (website/tech tips, etc.), 928 International (parts), 928 Motorsports (parts/service), and other publications available online. you may even look at eBay and see what's available for sale, just to familiarize yourself with the various year models and options.....


fyi---

if you want to own one, take Walley Plumley's advice on purchasing:

buy the newest (year) model you can afford.

there are many differences in year models, US spec and Euro spec, 16V and 32V engines, even 2 different slushboxes in the earlier cars.


other preferences have been discussed here on other posts, but learn as much as you can before purchase.

when you decide no your "baby:, be sure to get a PPI and as much service information as possible on your car's past history.


welcome to the club!

[rhjames]

one further note:

reasonable cost for anything Porsche related is a perceptive thing.

we're talking about a Porsche, and the most technologically advanced car of it's time.

with that said, it comes with a "price".


enjoy!

[Danglerb]

RH is refering to my "banned" status on Rennlist, but I don't see why I should be petty about it. Rennlist is a good resource, wrapped up a bit over getting $18, but as I said you don't have to pay it, you're just encouraged to.

Wally is a smart guy, but I think Jim Bailey's plan has just as much merit, buy a cheap old 928 in good running condition, do a few things to make it faster, then drive it like you stole it.

The main factor in 928 costs is WHEN you need it fixed. If you have another car for a daily driver, and don't mind the 928 sitting in the garage for a few months while you wait for a good deal on a "blank" repair part to show up, and then do the work yourself its an entirely different situation from needing to drive it to work on Monday.

[Barbapapa]

Bunnman, try this: http://www.nichols.nu/tips.htm

[Black Pig]

My take on this: people run old cars for lots of reasons, for me the pleasure is working with an example of the best of engineering rather than the lowest common denominator. If you have to pay some one else to have the fun, it seems a bit self defeating. Old Porsche are no differnt to running say old VW passats, they still have the same faults and issues, a rusty porsche bolt is just as hard to undo as any other. What is great is to enjoy quality engineering, and a hand made car.
I found the OEM workshop manuals to be brillaint, but they do assume that you have some idea what you are doing, but thats fine, you probably do! In my experience garage mechanics were not the cleverest in my class, but they do have a lot of experince on thier side.
Back ground reading: a journalist reccomded Hillier's Fundamentals of Motor Vehicle Technology: Bk. 1 (Paperback)
by Victor Hillier (Author), Peter Coombes (Author) which is very non model specific, and good on the underlying technology, it is a basic text for mecahnics at college in the UK.

[BunnMan]

Thanks for the leads floks!

I tried siging up for rennlist without paying but can't figure how to.

That link you provided Barbapapa seems loaded with some good stuff and I have been sifting through much of that getting a handle on what to expect.

Black Pig, I'm with you 100%! I like old cars just 'cause it feels cool to "throw back" when I'm on the road. I am an extremely busy individual working two very different jobs with little time to just plain goof off. I can make time to maintain my vehicles when it's necessary as long as it doesn't grow into too much time (ie, no early jags!). I like to get my recharge time while commuting between jobs. As stated above I've always loved the 928 and have enjoyed seeing it become affordable for me. Only turn offs are the awful mileage and a lot of whistles and bells. I understand it isn't an economy car and I wouldn't be happy with one of those anyway but mileage almost HAS to be a consideration anymore when looking at the gas prices these days. As far as the whistles and bells, to me a wealth of luxury options is more oporrtunity for trouble, more I have to maintain. electric and electronic creature comforts never work forever and are sometimes very difficult to troubleshoot and even more expensive to repair. I hate leaving things broke so I either have to spend the coin on the parts or keep staring at the inoperable control driving myself nuts inside until I fix it. It seems the more I look around at these cars the more complex the nonsense options get. I'd be real happy with a 316hp sports car with a analog guage set, manual trans, AC, bucket seats that grip you tight, power sunfroof, and cruise control (OK, a few comforts are in order) The 928 is a strong candidate and my favorite in my search for it's power and beauty if I could only find one without so many options when I'm ready to plunge. Also been checking out 944 turbos and (forgive me) 300zx twin turbos. Only problems there are I don't think the 944 will break loose shifting second/third (wasteful but thrilling) and the 300ZX is very diffucult to find with both a twin turbo and back seats.

Sorry for the lengthy post, but I love talking about cars!

God bless,

-BunnMan

[Danglerb]

For Rennlist you need to "register", not join.

http://forums.rennlist.com/rennforums/register.php?

You put in your info, real name, forum name, password, and a email address used for verification. You submit your info and a email is sent to the address you specified with a link that you click and bingo, your registered, and can login and post, just no pictures and can't offer items wanted or for sale.

[DanielDudley]

Bunnman, You owe it to yourself to drive a good 928, to see if it is you. there will be several 928 gatherings this year, and you ought to go. I think you would find the 85 and newer 5spds to be to your liking, but be sure to get a well maintained example from an enthusiast. Maintenance if far more important than what's on the odometer.

LOL, Dan

[Danglerb]

Mileage, and a few other things are mostly important only in terms of resale value. I am either black or white on this, if resale is important, then what you have to hunt for is a DEAL, a car you can drive as it is, do VERY minor things to, and sell at a profit. Hand in hand with that is that you can't be picky, since its "not for you", its to have some fun in, learn about the car, and sell for money.

The flipside is knowing exactly what you want and buying it pretty much regardless of price or mileage, and keeping it until your grandkids hide your keys and give you a walker.

I agree with Dan, you gotta drive some cars in nice shape to really appreciate a 928. Attending Sharks in the Mountains would be very good for you.

[demo5757]

http://dcauto.gotdns.com/catalog/index.php?mode=model&model=928