Cast your vote for the "best bang for the buck" 928 out there!

low miler · 11:59 AM

I thought I'd start a light and entertaining little thread for any and all of you to cast your vote as to what you would consider to be the very best year, model, tranny type 928 out there, and just how and why you would consider it to be the very "best bang for the buck" 928 available?

Remember, this is just for the best bang for the buck 928 out there, and not the most likely longterm collectable 928 etc., so please keep that in mind when casting your votes.

I have personally been very fortunate enough to have owned and driven nearly all model years and tranny types of the 928, and I'll give you my personal idea of what I would consider to be the very best bang for the buck 928 out there, and why.

Believe it or not, my vote definately has to go to the 1987 928 S4 5 speed! What? Why, you ask?

Well, there are actually quite a number of good reasons. First off and for obvious reasons, it was with a very few small exceptions, the last body style of the 928 before meeting it's final demise in 1995. It came with an optional and actual mechanical limited slip differential vs. the computerized versions found in the post '89 cars. It did not have airbags nor the frustrating tire pressure monitoring system found on later models, as well. But the most important reasons for it being my choice was that I've always found a great running 5 speed S4 to be just as quick and responsive as the later GT models, but at a huge fraction of the cost. Honestly, and this is in no way meant to be a slam towards the GT's or it's owners, but if I were put into a blind seated test drive of an '87 S4 5 speed and an '89 GT, I could not tell any difference at all.......period! I've always said that a great running S4 5 speed is just as quick as an '89-'91 GT. I know, I know the HP is 10 higher on the GT's, but after having owned 20 or so '87-'89 S4 5 speeds and nearly the equivilant number of '89-'91 GT's, I can't tell any difference at all. And with the vast number of cheaply priced, HP upgrades now available to the S4's, they can actually be made to have more HP than a stock GT very quickly and cheaply. Now remember, this isn't a "what's gonna be the most collectable 928" thread, or the GT would obviously outweight the S4 in that category. Now I must go on record as saying that the GTS is by far my absolute favorite 928 of all! With it's widebody, updated wheels and general appearance, color coded rear spoiler and so on, it's an obvious fan favorite, but in this catagory, doesn't hold a candle to the bang vs. value of the '87 S4 5 speed.

In addition, the '87 S4 5 speeds can now be bought for practically nothing, making it the obvious reason for my overall choice. One with good miles (40-60K) can be bought for between $10-$15K, which probably makes it not only the best 928 bang for the buck, but in general, the best used sports car bang for the buck out there as well!

And finally, a well documented '87 S4 5 speed with updated wheels, some inexpensive performance upgrades and an imperative upgraded sound system is indestinguishable to most women anyway (with the exception of savy female 928 owners, of course!

), so why drop the extra $40K on the GTS? Why not instead use the extra savings to buy a nice used Donzi powerboat to add to your list of toys.

Saving money, but not looking like you did, is what it's all about!

Now it's your turn! What do you think is the best bang for the buck 928 out there and why? I'll be looking forward to all your responses!

Todd

Herr-Kuhn · 09-09-2007, 12:30 PM

I agree...my 88 S4 was bought at $10K with quite a few miles. It has been a great car. The car responded really well to turbocharging...still dialing in, but it has been great through everything.

I would not recommend looking at a pre-87 car unless it was really clean. You end up in for more money in the long run and have much less car to boot. It is easy to think you can fix up an 84 for cheap...but after all of the cash outlay you are still stuck with an 84 when you coudl have had an S4 for less.

Linderpat · 09-09-2007, 01:09 PM

I love the OB's - the 86.5 gives some of the nice 87 S4 upgrades, but with the last of the old body style. Also, there is lots of room to tweak up performance with the 32 valve engine. And these can also be had at bargain prices. That said, I do love the GTS wide body look too.

Danglerb · 09-09-2007, 01:47 PM

Best condition and best price you can find on a 84 to 89, Euro S 16v or US 32v, AT or 5 spd depending on your personal preference.

Red Baron · 09-11-2007, 02:59 AM

86.5 5-speed sharks are a lot of 928 for the money. If you like S cars you can't go wrong with the 32v powerplant and big brakes. My second choice would be an 87-88 5 speed S4 however I truly prefer the S body cars.

low miler · 04:07 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Red Baron

86.5 5-speed sharks are a lot of 928 for the money. If you like S cars you can't go wrong with the 32v powerplant and big brakes. My second choice would be an 87-88 5 speed S4 however I truly prefer the S body cars.

^^^^Hey Red, you wouldn't happen to be biased or anything towards the 86.5's, would ya'?

And I'll add one more advantage to your pre-'87 choice. That was the last year for the full leather option being seen, or at least much more common anyway.

And I certainly do love those full leather 928's..................obviously!

Todd

baby shark · 09-11-2007, 08:01 AM

Bang for buck is a relative term. The s4 provides great value compared to the GTS. I just saw a S4, 5 spd, 100 k which needed minor work for $6,500. The cheapest '93 GTS, Auto trans i saw was for $17K with 125k miles or so, . I'd rather have 2 S4's with thousands for upgrades and repairs than that GTS.
My baby shark is the '78 euro, dog leg 5 sp, 70k miles, with no cat, newly painted, no cracks dashboard, no grinding trans. I got if for less than a fifth of the price of the aforementioned s4. It runs and drives great with non interference motor. I kinda think it get a lot of bang for the buck.

Red Baron · 09-11-2007, 08:48 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by low miler

^^^^Hey Red, you wouldn't happen to be biased or anything towards the 86.5's, would ya'?

And I'll add one more advantage to your pre-'87 choice. That was the last year for the full leather option being seen, or at least much more common anyway.

And I certainly do love those full leather 928's..................obviously!

Todd

For sure biased! So much so, I'm willing to put my wallet where my mouth is and own 2 of them.

orange9mm · 09-11-2007, 09:09 AM

My vote is for the early models. I perfer the retro body over the newer models. I also like the idea of maintaining the car and the 16v engines are just about bullet proof. Bang for buck I think a early model can be had for nothing and there are plenty of 5 speeds out there in the early series. It turns heads just as like the later models. Find one with a decent interior and you have a very nice 928 that can be maintain by the driver. Keep in mind I know nothing about rebuilding a motor after a belt break. So my bang is the cost of potential repairs instead of HP.

psychII · 09-11-2007, 11:47 AM

I'll cast another vote for the 86.5. Love the S body, S4 brakes, it's what I have...

Honestly, to some extent, they are ALL the BBFTB. From the $2400 '82 I almost purchased, to the $29,000 '94 I wish I had the money for, to the $10,000 86.5 I did purchase. They are all awsome and the coolest cars on the road.

Wish I could have one of each.

Danglerb · 09-11-2007, 12:25 PM

Key is to figure out what perks your percolator.

Mistake I think some make is to go and buy what somebody else tells them is the "best" 928.

low miler · 09-11-2007, 04:22 PM

I've gotta say that the results are quite different than I'd expected them to be thus far anyway. To my surprise, so far the earlier models seem to be the buyers choice for BBFTB, and more specifically the 86.5 model. Interesting. Though it would definately be my choice of any pre-'87 model as well.

So keep 'em comin'!

Todd

Shane E · 09-11-2007, 04:49 PM

Let me see...

Tough choice, but I'm going to have to go with...

Drum Roll please...

'86.5

Hands down the winner... nothin else comes close...

If I had to pick one car out of the whole entire range of 928s and that was all I could have it would be:

An '86.5 auto in Garnet Red Metallic and Burgundy interior, fitted with a twin screw supercharger...

MarkRobinson · 09-12-2007, 10:33 AM

86.5 for sure

DanielDudley · 09-13-2007, 06:32 PM

Yup. Best bang for buck.

Unless you go for an 84S with an auto tranny. These can be bought for peanuts, and when manually shifted, the 4.7 can really push you to 100 fast. With a set of used 18s, you can really fly for less than 4K. Sometimes much less. S brakes are pretty good as well, though no bling factor.

I currently drive an 80 5spd. A lot. I tend to drive it as first choice over a 944 turbo and a hot 911SC euro. It does have S4 suspension and brakes, as well as Bilstien Ebachs. I sold my 89 S4 and kept the old dog. The gearing is perfect for the roads I drive, but it is still relaxed on the highway. It may be my favorite car of all time.

Normy · 09-14-2007, 05:03 AM

Well, I drive an '85 S2 5 speed.

3300 pounds, 310 factory horsepower, simple electronics + limited slip and rugged two-valve engine.

8 inch H4 headlights too!

N

Danglerb · 09-14-2007, 08:07 AM

Euros are great cars, my own current preference, but its the standard 928 catch22, cheaper the car the worse the condition "on average". If it takes $15k to really sort out a car, what difference does it make if you start with a $3k Euro or $6k 86.5?

Thats why I didn't narrow my model year range, and I don't think a saavy buyer should. Better to consider as many cars as possible, and focus on condition and the features you want.

Normy · 04:15 AM

I don't blame you for staying away from 928S2's, the infamous gray-market cars.

The high-performance two- valve engine relied on long cam timing to achieve its legendary high RPM surge; Most people, especially automatic owners, didn't understand this. Automatic tranny's like low rpm torque.

My '85 S2, running what I would call "correct" turned a 13.86 @ 105.87 quarter mile in early 2002. NO, I don't have the time slip. I lost it in a move, and have been asked about it incessantly over at Rennlist. But the long and short is that several others with similar cars have demolished the quarter-mile in under 14 seconds with these cars...not to mention how they kept on going to whatever ridiculous speed they attained in the end.

S2: The number of the beast!

Anyway, I have one experience with an S4 automatic on a local street. We both got on it after a light and and I put about two car lengths on him IMMEDIATELY. That car was no match for my "Euro". Of course, we never exceeded 55 mph, where the S4 might have had a better chance.

We don't have any sort of pollution inspection down here in Florida. But with a good pair of cats, I bet my car would pass any test.

N

Danglerb · 09-14-2007, 11:30 PM

One catch with a Euro, I don't think anybody has gotten one through Calif smog that wasn't licensed in Calif some time in the recent past. Tail pipe sniffer is clean, but Calif makes you jump through hoops with even a US made 49 state car, a non US car and the hoops are MUCH higher and smaller. I don't even know the exact nature of the snag, just that there are 3 or 4 cars right now that the owners can't sell because they can't pass smog. I am sure not looking forward to smogging any of mine.

Nicole · 09-14-2007, 11:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Shane E

If I had to pick one car out of the whole entire range of 928s and that was all I could have it would be:

An '86.5 auto in Garnet Red Metallic and Burgundy interior, fitted with a twin screw supercharger...

You should have some owner experience with this color - no?

Here is a funny tidbit: "garnet" in my local German dialect means "not at all".

The German name for the color is "granatrot".