Checked out a 1982 today.

[Maleficio]

It is gorgeous!

It runs strong, idles smoothly, felt no dead spots in throttle range, new exhaust sounds great, rides like a dream, front seats have new leather (look like factory), has the cool phone-dial wheels, has been garaged for 100% of it's 28 year life span, no cracks in dash, everything works on it, A/C works, front tires are worn on the inside, so it needs an alignment and new tires, still has factory paint which is in great shape, sunroof works, headlamps work, .......

Dude wants $4500 for it.

[MPDano]

Gotta post the interior pics too. Engine Compartment? Engine Code? Mileage? Auto or Manual? VIN? US or Euro? Original Paint or Respray?

If it comes back all cherry, you might have found a score. Report back with what I asked.

[Maleficio]

Originally Posted by MPDano

Gotta post the interior pics too. Engine Compartment? Engine Code? Mileage? Auto or Manual? VIN? US or Euro? Original Paint or Respray?

If it comes back all cherry, you might have found a score. Report back with what I asked.

129k miles
Auto
Original paint
Engine code I don't know
US

Engine:

[MPDano]

Looks Original to me. Clean for it's age too. Documentation? Recent Timing Belt/Water Pump Change?

[Maleficio]

Originally Posted by MPDano

Looks Original to me. Clean for it's age too. Documentation? Recent Timing Belt/Water Pump Change?

Dude's got all the service documentation for the car's entire life. I went through most of it, but didn't see a doc for the timing belt or the water pump.

I asked about the timing belt, and he said he's never had it changed over the last seven years he's owned the car. He bought it seven years ago from his neighbor across the street, who apparently babied the crap out of it, just like the current owner. However, the current owner knows little to nothing about cars. He'd just take it to the shop and hand them the keys.

The car comes with a huge catalog of shop manuals, around eight binder's worth, all clean and untouched with dirty hands. Look like they cost a small fortune.

[Maleficio]

Looked at the dipstick after the drive, and the oil was immaculate. I was surprised by that. He said the oil's a month old, and he drives it at least two days a week.

[Maleficio]

I'm thinking about getting some of these tires.

[cali4sun]

I believe an '82 is an interference engine, so plan on replacing the TB and WP (ASAP) as a procaution, if you buy. Could be an expensive job if you are not able to do it yourself....

[MPDano]

He's got a non-interference. Either way, a Timing Belt and Water Pump are in your near future if you do buy it. If it's super clean like you say, then that's a great price. I'd say around $600 for you to do the TB/WP yourself.

82's aren't hot on the market, so you could probably barter him down a grand. Just use the TB/WP as ammo.

Engine code will tell if it's a 4.5 or 4.7 engine.

Here's a list of codes:

Porsche 928 Forums dot com - View topic - 928 Engine Types & Performance Data

[Landseer]

If it shifts well I think is a great car for the money.

I'm particularly fond of the non-spoiler look with phone dials. Special. Classy.

Don't spend too much time thinking about the pros/cons if its advertised openly.

[Maleficio]

Originally Posted by Landseer

If it shifts well I think is a great car for the money.

I'm particularly fond of the non-spoiler look with phone dials. Special. Classy.

Don't spend too much time thinking about the pros/cons if its advertised openly.

I paid extra attention to the tranny, and it shifted smartly and quickly.

He's already told me he won't go below $4500. He wanted $5500 for it, but decided to drop it to $4500 because he wants it be sold before the end of April.

The more we talked about the car, the more he seemed to not want to sell it. I wouldn't be surprised if he tells me he's decided to keep it. It ran so well, and was so comfortable.

*cries*

[Landseer]

Well, I don't doubt that you will need to put a little maint. money in too, but that's a beautiful car.

The lower balljoints I think that year were still aluminum and need to be upgraded to steel, you might ask if he's done that.

I think too you need to decide how you want to participate in this hobby. If you want to hot rod or modify it, consider buying something later or less well-preserved. But for a cool showpiece driver (granted, no knowledge of this car here) I like that one.

[Maleficio]

Originally Posted by Landseer

Well, I don't doubt that you will need to put a little maint. money in too, but that's a beautiful car.

The lower balljoints I think that year were still aluminum and need to be upgraded to steel, you might ask if he's done that.

I think too you need to decide how you want to participate in this hobby. If you want to hot rod or modify it, consider buying something later or less well-preserved. But for a cool showpiece driver (granted, no knowledge of this car here) I like that one.

I want to keep it as is, but I want it to run better than new. I'm obsessed with engine and transmission cleanliness, so that's what I'm going to focus on, along with upgrading all the vacuum lines to silicon.

[SolReaver]

Ok, that is a pretty nice OB. I am guessing it is the 4.5 (gotta check the codes) To be honest with you, TB and WP are par for the course in buying these things. The ball joint should be looked at and the fuel lines in the eng compartment should be replaced as a safety issue. Other than that...If she doesn't drip any fluids...I think the only question is how much? You can try to bring him down and / or wait him out. That is your call. You really aren't going to be driving in an original nice paint, good interior, mechanically perfect 928 for less than 4K (I did the math folks) AND it comes with orig MANUALS? and all Docs? yea, there is a premium here and it is prob worth it. But hey, if it doesn't work out I can tell you where there is a bad respray wreck with bad tires, missing engine pieces and dogs living in it "82" that the owner only wants 2K for....Yea...No....go for this one. the 500 you spend now will pay for itself in the future. Try to get him to 3999 or something, but, the truth is it is prob worth what he is asking and a man a cheap as me doesn't say that often.

[Danglerb]

If a 4.5L AT, the lowest performance model, floats your boat, this looks like one to buy.

My guess the guy was "firm" at $5500 for a month or two, before becoming firm at $4500, but I also think its foolish to waste too much time when a nice car is concerned. I would have a PPI done, but if you like the car, time to move. 5 years from now $500 won't mean much.

[Landseer]

Any update??

[Maleficio]

I passed on the car today. I realized that I don't have the funds to buy the car plus have a bunch of expensive maintenance done on it that should've been done years ago.

I'll keep looking. If one of you wants the car, PM me, and I'll forward the owner's info to you. It's in Portsmouth, VA.

Thank you all for your guidance in this.

[Landseer]

Well, I'm in the same boat as you unfortunately, but I think its fantastic.

[SolReaver]

"Have a bunch of expensive maintenance DONE" ????
Are the torque tube bearings gone? And what is with this Have it DONE stuff?

IMHO, if a bit of deferred PO scares you off, yea, run for cover. You might want a different model.

[MPDano]

Originally Posted by SolReaver

"Have a bunch of expensive maintenance DONE" ????
Are the torque tube bearings gone? And what is with this Have it DONE stuff?

IMHO, if a bit of deferred PO scares you off, yea, run for cover. You might want a different model.

Funny, I was thinking the same thing.