$4/gal and recession, hard times for 928 ahead?

Danglerb · 03-15-2008, 07:30 PM

Gas should be about the last thing a 928 owner is concerned with, but last time gas prices spiked people bailed from anything that didn't get good mpg. Adding in a recession, I wonder if we aren't about to see some of the cheapest 928 prices ever?

DanielDudley · 03-16-2008, 08:15 AM

I have been waiting all winter to take a drive, and I really can't wait.

As for gas prices, driving the OB is cheaper than my work vehicle. Still, there may be a Miata in my future.

Danglerb · 03-16-2008, 08:28 AM

I'm waiting for that first $100 fill up in a 928.

I'd like to see about $1 or so of current taxes shifted to gasoline, its a market commodity, cost to the consumer would be tiny.

Gas prices won't slow me down, first two tanks I tried to burn through as fast as I could, third fillup drained out from a leak.

Brian Felts · 03-16-2008, 01:21 PM

I love the mpg of my 84 928...........however my second car is a 96 454 4x4 Suburban to travel with the family in.

Brian

Normy · 03-16-2008, 04:51 PM

I only drive about mine about 2500 miles per year.....

N

diverdan · diverdan's Garage

Its a supercar and the new supercars drink even more gasoline than my old 928s. If I need to spend less on its fuel, I'll probably go for an LPG conversion which also works great under pressure ala Herr Khun. The basic physics of the car aren't that bad compared to even modern Volkswagens that weigh in around the 3000 pound mark or the smaller SUVs that weigh in at 4500 pounds like the little Buick. Maybe some modern engine management may be in order. The basic car is not by any means going to be out moded for a while.

Diverdan

DanielDudley · 03-19-2008, 01:56 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by diverdan

Its a supercar and the new supercars drink even more gasoline than my old 928s. If I need to spend less on its fuel, I'll probably go for an LPG conversion which also works great under pressure ala Herr Khun. The basic physics of the car aren't that bad compared to even modern Volkswagens that weigh in around the 3000 pound mark or the smaller SUVs that weigh in at 4500 pounds like the little Buick. Maybe some modern engine management may be in order. The basic car is not by any means going to be out moded for a while.

Diverdan

Part of what sucks the gas in a 928 is the rotating mass of the engine. Of course full throttle uphill acceleration doesn't help much.

But it sure is fun.

911blex · 03-19-2008, 10:11 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Danglerb

Gas should be about the last thing a 928 owner is concerned with, but last time gas prices spiked people bailed from anything that didn't get good mpg. Adding in a recession, I wonder if we aren't about to see some of the cheapest 928 prices ever?

I believe 928 prices won't get hammered too bad as most folks that own these cars don't use them as their primary transportation and because these cars are a hobby most owners are passionate about and willing to splurge on.

I also believe that trucks, SUVs, and other V8 powered vehcles that are used as primary transportation are what will have their values hammered.

Just my $.02 worth.

ryanhoelzer · 07-04-2008, 04:38 PM

I just lost a full tank from a leak while I was out of town for a month..

I was thinking the other day it would be neat to see a vegetable oil conversion 928, sure it wouldn't perform the same but would get some attention..

928SROCK · 07-04-2008, 04:52 PM

hey food is going up to but you don't stop eating!! life's to short, live for today don't worry about the future, money comes and goes, you cant take it with you, plus if you die the tax man gets it anyways. 928SROCK ON! just thinking out loud, did anyone out there here me?

Danglerb · 07-04-2008, 10:54 PM

After some thought I've changed my mind, high gas prices are going to do a LOT of damage to 928 prices and quality of ownership. The most frequent killer of 928's is not being driven, and high gas prices combined with low MPG and a 23.5 gal tank ($100 fillup is a scary thing) and many 928's are going to be driven less.

The market is also very small, so it doesn't take much of a shift between the number of buyers and sellers to make a large shift in average prices.

rjm65 · 07-05-2008, 07:12 AM

I don't know if this has come across before and perhaps it's a good poll question; how many use their 928 as daily drivers?

I've been popping in $20 a weekend in gas and that usually ties me over for Saturday and Sunday, then the car sits until the following weekend. So whether gas is $3 or $5 a gallon, it won't effect my already very limited usage. When you look at it from this point of view, the car is actually a very inexpensive form of entertainment.

I'm sure the drivers that have long daily commutes are looking for higher mpg alternatives.

911blex · 07-05-2008, 09:42 AM

Although 928s don't get the best fuel economy, it is important to remember that fuel costs are just one of many costs involved with owning a car. Most Americans are too short-sighted to realized this. My employment with a large auto parts business that sells parts for most cars built after WWII has shown me that the only thing inexpensive with newer fuel-efficient cars is the amount of gas they consume. These cars will be HUGE money pits once they are out of warranty as they are manufactured out horribly expensive parts that have high failure rates due to being too light/underengineered (i.e. made out of light plastic) and are loaded with expensive computers/sensor/electronic parts. For example, many of newer Toyotas and other fuel-efficient cars have window regulators that cost $800, have 4 oxygen sensors that cost $250 each, several control modules that cost over $1,000 each, headlights that cost over $900 each, and the list goes on and on. When you factor in depreciation, financing costs, and insurance costs, many of these fuel-efficient "throw-away" cars make 928 ownership look like a bargain.

Just my $.02

ryanhoelzer · 07-05-2008, 02:56 PM

I'm spending way more in parts than on gas. I drive a company vehicle 99% of the time and am out of town for 2-3 weeks at a time often. Every time I fix one thing something else breaks. Hopefully I'll catch up eventually. I actually enjoy working on it when I have the time but lately I won't drive it for a month because I break something right before I go out of town, order parts, and have to fix it when I get back..

928SROCK · 07-05-2008, 03:43 PM

i took my 928 out today what a perfect day. I had the sunroof open and i filled up for $3.97 and i jumped on the I-75 and what a feeling people where checking the car out someone gave me the thumbs up these little rice burners where getting out of my way when the saw the porsche name on my windshield as i flew by with the mack truck muffler sound in the wind. What a feeling what else can i say. I totally forgot about everything including the gas prices. For me its all worth it, take your 928 for a highway ride and you will forget about the price of gas to. Happy motoring!!!

diverdan · diverdan's Garage

There may be a great solution.

Friend just got got back from a road trip in his wife's new Vette. 70 -75 mph with a feather foot he got exactly 30 mpg. Says 70 mph is 1200 rpm.

My 96 4x4 350 gets 20 mpg on the road at 70 mph... just under 2000 rpm

So what about maybe even a 35 -50 % overdrive for the 928? The torque curve is super for this application. That engine could be just above idle and roll that baby down the road at 70. Anybody tried?

Diverdan

Danglerb · 07-07-2008, 10:38 AM

For the right amount of $$$ I'm sure it could be done. 75 MPH in my Euro is like 2700 rpm vs about 2000 in my Mustang.

Funny thing, the race guys make a change that does the opposite, makes the tranny even closer ratio.

I have a 2.20 tranny I am thinking of giving a try in my Euro, just to see what changes in the feel.

Rixter · 07-07-2008, 05:39 PM

I didn't spend this much time, money and effort to let my cars sit idle, they get a ride at least once a week unless down for service/mod/resto work... I can sacrifice other things less important in my life so I can enjoy my life (ie, take lunch instead of eating out, that's about 3-4 gallons of high test a week I can "eat")
happy motoring

BLK87S4 · BLK87S4's Garage

I drive my 928 daily. Now granted it's a 5 mile drive to work :-) but it's still my daily driver. Well that is when I'm not chasing gremlins. This is my 2nd 928 and my first (an 85 Euro) was also my daily driver. These cars are too much fun to let them sit idle. I also have an 06 TDI for the long trips but that's mainly because it has a little more leg room in the back seat for the kiddos.

928sg · 07-11-2008, 05:25 PM

I think I blew over $100 on gas just last weekend driving my 928 all 3 days (4 day work week)..... it was a blast and that wasn't typical for every weekend.... this weekend I'm doing some work to get my interior and sound system back in the car......