I don't have the facility nor the tools to do the heavy maintenance an old 928 requires right now.

I work on my other cars in a parking lot with a small collection of tools. From what I've learned so far, from this site, is that I will need to buy a whole new set of tools just for the 928, special tools that probably cost a lot of money.

I'm only reading posts written by owners of 928's.

If you'd like to degrade a total stranger on the internet because you think he should be able to go out into a parking lot and tear apart the entire front end of a 928 and change out the water pump, timing belt and tensioner with absolutely zero experience with Porsches, then knock yourself out. I won't hold it against you.

Maleficio...you have made the right decision. These are complicated cars and I myself would not attempt to do the tb and wp in a driveway with limited tools. Don't be put off though. They are magnificent cars and be patient when it comes to purchase. If you find one for sale you might ask one the guys here to check it out for you.
I get a mechanic to do the tb and wp anyway. It just looks better for resale. Most folk are a bit put off by 'ordinary' people undertaking important tasks on a Porsche. If I were buying one and the dude said he did all the work himself and I had no idea about his mechanical skills, I'd be worried. Lets face it, it not like it's a air cooled 911.

Interesting perspectives.

One way or another, you need to invest in them. Time/tools/money or lots of money.

Fortunately, not much is required in Porsche-specific tools if you go that route.

But you do need some tools.

For me, these are the pinnacle of do-it-yourself project cars. Extremely well documented. They are barely even supported anymore by the dealers I've visited. Resale for me is not even a concept worth considering because there is so little money in them to begin with.

The 928 is my dream car, and I will eventually own one myself. This 928 I was looking at this last week was the very first 928 that I've actually looked at and considered buying. It's never a good idea to buy the very first one you look at of anything.

Though the car was in amazing condition, I'm very cautious about buying cars from people that can't talk cars. The guy knows absolutely nothing about automobiles and their maintenance. The tires were seven years old. The fronts were worn bald on the inside. The driver seat fore/aft switch didn't work. He said it blows fuses. I asked about the timing belt, he said he'd never had a problem with it before. What kind of answer is that? I'm given a hard time on this forum because I don't want to do a tb/wp job in a parking lot, but the owner of this car doesn't understand that the tb/wp should be changed to avoid having problems with them.

I don't want to buy a car from the guy because even though he thinks he's telling me everything wrong with it, his lack of knowledge would prevent him from even noticing other real problems. What else does he not know about the car?

Very good point.

Lighten up
 

Malifico: Don't get your panties in a wad. I am not making fun of you, I am just kidding around and using humor to underly my logical premise. IF you work in a parking lot with limited tools This is not the model for you. Period, end of story. No malice, no judging, no fault and no blame. With time and commitment you can become one of the 928 afflicted individuals. I am not denying you this future if you so choose it for yourself. But without a Garage, tools and experience.....You are like a person who lives in a REALLY small apartment who wants to have several Great Danes. Yea, I understand, hec, we all do. But it is not good for the car OR for you and I can see unhappy times ahead. PLEASE, Trust me on this one.

Find a fellow enthusiast and assist them. These cars have a serious learning curve and the Appraisal and de bugging of one of them, even in good shape, can take years and cost more than the initial purchase price. (ask me how I know)

You would have to have looked at as many wrecks as I to appreciate the 82 you just looked at, even with the faults you mentioned. Tires? Electrical? New timing components? Pfeh! They ALLL need that! and more! Anyhow, take what I say with a grain of salt and have a good one. Best of luck to you in all your endeavors.

^^^^Exactly what he said^^^^^

That's exactly the type of seller from which to buy. One owner. Garaged. Preserved. The stuff mentioned is all wear-parts that have to be done on all of them.

These really aren't standard transportation, they're hobbies. $4250 or so to buy it, a pledge to treat it right and tuck it in at night, and $3000 or so in parts. Garage, 4 heavy jackstands, motor lift, trans jack, gear wrenches, standard mechanics tools, workbench, vice, torch, voltmeter and Morehouse CDs, flywheel lock, kempf, just the basics need to be available. Invest some time. Done. Then, its useable as transportation when you want it to be. But always have a backup car. Don't fall in love with the old brochure pictures, these ain't new anymore.

Oh, that one you spotted is as close to the brochure pics as I've seen locally.

If you really like the car, have a professional have a good look at it
I would like to encourage you on your quest. Point #1) yes they are complicated cars, but well designed, and actually not that bad to work on. 2) If you have another car for everyday transportation, it takes some of the pressure off.
3) Yes, you will need to do the TB, but, I did my first one in 1988, and it was'nt that bad. (My Ducati's are more of a pain in the ass) 4) Even if the thing needs
lots of love, (I have one of those) sometimes just having the car and being able to look at it and dream, is worth the price of admssion. Some day, I hope to own a Ferrari. (i'm told that the maintenance difficulty is much worse than a 928).
So, whats the moral of the story? Make the best purchase you can, fix what you can, as you can, and most importantly.... Enjoy the damn thing. -Kerry ;)

I said I wasn't going to hold it against you. :D

I've got to restrain myself right now and not buy a 928. My military career is coming to an end in 18 months, and I've got some debt to kill off before I get out and start over. I'm just gonna keep studying these 928 forums and hopefully get schooled up enough to one day make a good decision about my dream money-pit.

:cool:

Patience, stay, learn. Cool. What is your job in the service?

Pppppp
 

Malifico: Now, THAT's a plan. There is sooo much to know about these critters. They are part hobby, part obsession, and part addiction. You will need a DD, Good tools, a Garage, etc... but it is all do able.

18 months is a good long term plan, and a 928 is an excellent choice to keep you occupied when you get decommissioned. Believe it or not the one you looked at might still be available.

Glad you don't take me too seriously. No one else does either :)

I'm Navy, E-6 with 18.5 years, aviation electrician, work on F/A-18 Hornets and Super Hornets in Virginia Beach, VA.

An electrician? Dude, your already 60% in the know. How is your Motor skills?

I appreciate everyone's input and guidance, and I have fairly thick skin, plus I enjoy a good ribbing once in a while, too. :cool:

Don't you some access to repair facilities for your own stuff?

Some guys have been known to do a motor swap in the driveway or the street, but if you check around you will likely find some other local owners that are willing to share some location resources.

This is why I enjoy reading the technical discussions in here so much. I feel like I'm reading about how to fix Hornets. :cool:

We have an automotive hobby shop on base which is great for tune-ups and minor repairs, but should I find I need a part that I have to order, but the car is fully disabled, I'll be in a big jam because cars are not allowed to stay overnight.

I need a place to work on the car without having to worry about it being able to be driven out at 7pm everyday.

Mother Fokker
 

Yea, there is a REASON that they are reminiscent of aircraft. They are Descended from Luftwaffe Technology. All those german engineers had to do SOMETHING after WWII and building high performance sports cars was just the ticket. The meticulous level of detail and unnerving precision of the components is not unfamiliar to aviation technicians. IF you treat it like an aircraft, you are much better off.

A peek under the cowling of a WW II German fighter plane will convince you that a LOT of the components are similar. The Germans were first with a lot of technical innovations at the time and why re- invent the wheel? A primitive version of the K jet used in OBs was the first FI used in a production fighter and it out performed the spitfires the British used in certain maneuvers when the Spitfires floats in the float bowls failed due to G forces and choked the engine. (trivia buffs take note)

German Aircraft were technologically advanced, however, they were too few in number and required levels of maintenance excessive by military standards and required great numbers of mechanics to keep them in the air. (sound familiar?)

Look at the fittings, the wiring, the lines and the streamlined styling. These things are part Mesherschmit, Part Fokke Wulf, and Part Junker. OK some are more Junker than others.;)

Yeah, i remember using one of those Auto Hobby Shops on Base when I was going through my MP Officer Basic Course in Alabama. Kinda a rip off, I remember just pulling plugs and having to "RENT" tools from them. It would have been cheaper to buy a set of Chinese Socket Set and wrenched on it off base.

Yeah, in your situation, I would wait till your out or if your settled in maybe some off base housing with a garage, the you can tool around with it for months like most of us do on here. It's an addictive car and I find it relaxing to work on. That's just me though. Ok, now here's my Army HUAH!!

I worked on SR-71's and U2's back in the day (avionics). As I recall, the SR leaked way more than my 928. Got out in '80, and yes, I'm that old.:D
-Kerry