What about the 928 as your "beater" work car?

Normy · 07-27-2009, 11:13 PM

I really hesitate to post this-

Perhaps I will "shame" someone into bringing their 928 back to Texas and treating the car the way it should be treated. But I might also be pointing out one of the strengths of the 928 automobile.

-I fly airplanes for a major cargo airline headquartered in Memphis, and as such when I'm up there for work, I drive my '97 Jetta GLX to and from the Air Operations Center and the "crashpad" I am a member of 25 miles east in Cordova. The Jetta is a necessity, since the company won't buy me a hotel room when I'm in Memphis, and occasionally my schedule calls for me to be there first thing in the morning, while the last flight out of Fort Lauderdale is in the evening. This thing is a road-legal "go-cart" with the VR6 engine, but it is beat up to the point that no thief would look at it.

And that is what "airport cars", or work cars are all about, right?

YEAH. But they aren't supposed to be "super cars" either!

Motor-Trend magazine once called the 928 the "Car of the Century", and praised the way it could be put 6 inches from a wall on a track at 150 miles per hour, and the driver could take his hands off the wheel. I've driven my 928 at 145 mph, and it was easily stable enough to do this [Though I didn't!].

I was scared scheize-less to go that fast in a car!

Well, the 928 automobile is built like a tank. The accessories saw no where near the attention that the suspension did, and that timing belt was probably a mistake versus a 911-style chain....but here it is: A 1984 928 acting as a work car in Memphis, 25 years after its construction.

N~

N!

rhjames · rhjames's Garage

one man's beater car is another man's super car-

I've seen everything from car's that should not be driven to collector cars at Houston's Intercontinental airport.

considering that this example 928 is a US spec OB, not a low production number GT or the last GTS built, it's really just another $5K (if that) beater.

it's a matter of perspective. until the prices (or rarity) of the 928 go significantly higher, it's just another inexpensive car.....until you have to repair it.

how many $60K + Escalades are in your lot....?

--Russ

Danglerb · 07-28-2009, 10:33 AM

Wow, thanks for posting that Normy, I've always wondered what my 85 would look like if I washed it.

I can see using a 928 as a expensive daily driver, but not as a park it for a week at a time and need it to take me to a place to sleep and get back to work in the morning car.

DMRK · 07-28-2009, 03:31 PM

Thats what my 944 is for

These cars are made to be driven. I would much rather see them being used as daily drivers than parked away to rot because the owner doesnt want to fix it. Look on CL and see how many neglected broken fixer-upers and parts cars there are, now that is sad.

rhjames · rhjames's Garage

apparently, the owner of this "beater" isn't concerned about he 928's former status as a supercar.....

notice the directional tires on the rear are installed wrong, and it looks like it hasn't seen a bath and wax in years. the beat up rear bumper cover doesn't matters either.

at least it's inspection and license is current, which leads me to it being driven "sometimes".

--Russ

morriss · 07-29-2009, 06:27 PM

LMAO! I didn't even notice the tires. Holy crap, I'm laughing so hard my eyes are tearing up! That guy gives Texans a bad rap.

DanielDudley · 07-30-2009, 04:24 PM

I recently sold my Beater/DD to a guy who considers it to be a classic high end car. He has cleaned and scrubbed, and he just lu, uh, uh, uves it.

I feel good knowing that it went to someone who will keep it a nice cosmetically as I made it mechanically. And I gave him such a steal of a deal.

You are right Nammy, they are made to be driven. Now I need to drive the 85 more, Bwa Ha Ha.

zoltan944 · 07-30-2009, 08:01 PM

I would rock a 928 as a beater, but the problem is the unknowing of the car. If I had the car along time and was familiar with the car and what not, I would take it anywhere and do anything, these cars for me have been solid and reliable.
Buying a cheap one to BE your DD/Beater may end up costing as much as the nicer one in the ad down from it.

DanielDudley · 07-31-2009, 12:25 PM

Zoltan, my nice car was cheaper - and faster.

Landseer · 06:52 PM

I have one. Airport car, traffic beater. I replaced an awful lot of mechanical parts, but its extremely reliable now. More money in it than in the other cars combined. But the body is a 20 footer and interior is bad, torn seats. Drive it every day. Ironically, came home from the airport the other night and read this post. Couldn't figure out if I was proud or embarassed about it.

Normy · 08-03-2009, 05:05 AM

I wouldn't hesitate to use my '85 as a work car, from a standpoint of reliability. I've owned it for 10 years, and know its weak spots. It would never likely strand me on the highway.

I'd be loath to park it in a lot like that, with tight aisles and many large pickup trucks. I keep a '97 Jetta there, and despite the fact that the people I work with are great folks, the Jetta has still picked up a few nasty scratches on its bumpers and fenders.

Using an old 928 with questionable reliability would work if I lived in Memphis, and could call the girl to come and pick me up if it quit on the highway. I guess this guy is probably pretty senior and has a bunch of sick time. If it gets sick...he just calls sick. We've got plenty of people sitting reserve right now~

It's still sad to see that car sitting there in that condition.

N

soupcan · soupcan's Garage

Not quite a beater but it is my daily driver.