Help Buying 1988 928 with 17k miles

[Landseer]

Its not unheard of for a car to be abandoned at a shop.
One approach may be for the shop owner to acquire title via mechanics lien.

[chaoul1]

Originally Posted by Landseer

Its not unheard of for a car to be abandoned at a shop.
One approach may be for the shop owner to acquire title via mechanics lien.

Is that possible then? Will it still have a lien on it or is that something I have to go through with my mechanic?

[19psi]

Looks like it's in good company with all the other high end vehicles!

Are they abandoned too?

[Danglerb]

Originally Posted by chaoul1

I'm going to get the VIN Number. If I buy it, it's still not technically mine.So I want to see if the owner is still in the area or something. I'll do a Carfax. to make sure it isn't salvaged. I'm also going to check up on the VIN number and make sure it isn't stolen or anything. The body isn't the issue, I can get that cleaned up with no problem.

Factory paint is the single most valuable and expensive to replace item on a 928, but don't worry about that for now, lots of yuck can be polished out.

Most states a car left at a shop with "any" repair done and not paid for, and/or depending on the state and shop a daily storage fee could apply, entitles the shop owner to a "mechanics lien", and allows them to hold a lien sale to recover what is owed to them and excess going to the cars owner or the state until the owner is found. Lien sales usually require some paperwork, notice sent to the registered and legal owners, notice published in a newspaper, a waiting period, then a public auction of some sort. Looks like that is how it works in VA.
Commonwealth of Virginia Department of Motor Vehicles

[chaoul1]

I'll call my dads friend who owns the shop to see and find out. I'm going to call Tom at 928 Intl and find out that part name and how much it will be.

[Danglerb]

Maybe this
928 307 074 01

Link to diagram.
Porsche 928 Automatic Transmission Parts

[Glenn M]

Cahoul1
All used parts at 928 international are 1/2 price.

I'm working on four cars now (87 Strosek, 99 Accord son wrecked, 92 Saab freebee for son to drive, old minivan) time is tough for the next two weeks.

I could take a look after that if you would like or could maybe find some time. I may be getting a windshield for the Saab in DC.

Being and auto you should check the thrust bearing.
Great link on doing the procedure.

1988 Flex Plate and Crank End Play Check Procedure w/pics

Under the rear carpet on the right side is a label with the option codes, write them down so they can be looked up.

Rear spoiler painted, not original.

Speedo also could have been replaced.

PM me if you have any questions.

Glenn

Southern Maryland

[chaoul1]

PMed you! I'm now hoping that the speedometer hasn't been replaced.

[fraggle]

I'm in manassas/Bristow and can help. Don't be too quick to drive it yet - you don't want to end up breaking it worse than whatever caused it to be left behind. Low miles is a plus but at this point condition is anyones's guess. Email here or on rennlist, Glen or I can help out, though I might be closer. There are a lot of nova guys.

[namasgt]

I think that's a good deal even if the mileage is not true. Odometer rollback on 928s is not rare, very easy to do.
You need to check for crank shaft end play like others have suggested, a problem with the automatic 928s. If the trust bearing has failed the block would more than likely be cracked and would need replacing.
Check the timing belt from the inspection holes, you have to take the plastic intake tubes off to do that. Timing belt job should be done every 5 years or every 40-50,000 miles. If timing belt fails on a 32 valve 928, figure around $4000 or more in parts to put it back together properly.
I would not suggest a S4 for a student, I bought my 88 when I was 22 and in college. Not a good Idea. The 32 valve motors are just too expensive to maintain compared to the earlier 16 valve 928s. Cam gears alone would cost $800 for the pair.
Remember these used to be super cars back in the day, parts will always be expensive.

[chaoul1]

If I do get it I won't be driving it everyday. I'll keep it as a project car and do small things at a time.

[fraggle]

Just expect there to be a LOT of downtime on this and having a garage is a must!! There are a lot of nova/md people who will be willing to lend a hand with knowledge. I don't want to scare you off - or your dad - but this car will be a huge investment in cash and time. It isn't going to be an afternoon fix and go type of project.

Make sure you've got a full set of metric tools at your disposal.

When I was 19 I had time to fix and go my '80 camaro, but barely. This car is much much more complex and mistakes will cost!

[dcrasta]

I'm willing to donate some wrenching time if you get it and need more fingers .

These S4's are more complex than the lowly S models, and seem to suffer more from neglect than the earlier cars. It looks like a good straight body, but with an Autotrans and later drivetrain I would be cautiously optimistic until you can at least check the crank-end-play (for possible Thrust bearing issues), Flexplate, trans and torque convertor (no leaks hopefully), and timing belt. A compression test is a good test to run also (once you inspect the timing belt / water pump area). Unfortunately, to be careful means taking some things off and verifying some very important things before even starting. Also, as mentioned previously in the thread, fuel situation must be addressed (I would drop the tank also and change all the filters). Those old fuel lines (especially the ones in the engine bay) should be replaced asap (visual inspection is not enough), and vacuum lines while you're at it. Things will add up fast, and the temptation to just 'drop a battery in and crank it up' will be strong. You must resist, and approach this car like a bomb technician approaches an unknown suitcase. Like Frag said, mistakes can be very expensive (or not fixing things before they 'break' ) .

Best of luck. Maybe we need a mini-meet to take a look ..

PM here or Dorki of you decide to do that.

[chaoul1]

Shop owner is busy ATM. I'll call him again in 30 mins. I called Tom at 928 Intl and I have to find the exact place where it's leaking and the name for the Transmission Lines that are going to the Cooler.

[MPDano]

You only have two going to the cooler. Replace both.

[chaoul1]

Would you happen to know the names of them?

[GeorgeM]

I'll repeat what has been for emphasis.... be careful.

Relax, there doesn't appear to be a rush or chance that someone will grab this one out from under you (except that we all now know about it).

Take your time, do your research and make sure you're prepared to sink some cash into this car. It may seem like a great deal now, you just need to prepare yourself for the worst.

[Danglerb]

Really don't worry about specific parts for now, sort out the title etc. and have some good 928 eyes look over the car before you start spending.

[chaoul1]

Gotchya! Thanks!

[JK McDonald]

Hey Chaoul, Just another friendly word of caution before putting down any money on this purchase. Make sure to get the straight story on the where, when and how the title can be obtained. There is not much more disappointing than owning a car that you can’t get the title sorted out on - Don’t Ask.

Get all the facts on the mechanical condition of the car and be sure to take the time (make the time) to have a knowledgeable 928 Porsche tech go over the vehicle. There ARE a few sweet deals out there and you may have very well found one. But just about every 928 owner has a “sadder but wiser” story about their first purchase.

Best of Luck, Michael