What's a 928 like to drive?

[5l32v4c]

I have had my '85 auto for about six weeks but I've never driven it. It had not been driven since 1997 so needs a little work before being used, though it has only done 65k miles in it's entire life and is in great shape.

The only other Porsches I have driven are an old 912 and a friend's '02 Boxter. The 912 was a neat experience and the Boxter felt like it could never come unglued from the road. I took a spin in another friend's heavily-modified Impreza WRX recently and it took several hours for the smile to fade - awesome.

So, tell me what to expect from my stock 928. I can't wait to get it on the road, hopefully this year, and experience a car that I have waited many, many years to own.

....and no, I did not drive any others before getting mine as it was a unique opportunity at a great price. It checked out OK mechanically and the body and interior are very nice.

[hbueno]

I've owned my 5-speed 928 for almost a year now. I also have a 79 911 Targa that I've owned ince 1998.

Stream of consciousness thoughts.....

- at 6'-1" I just fit headroom-wise
- much quieter than my 911 at highway speeds with the windows closed
- very effective air conditioning but my system sprang a leak this past summer. I hope to convert to R134 this spring.
- the 911 is more raw, not as refined feeling as the 928. The 928 controls feel like everything is coated in a light layer of syrup.
- acceleration is exhilarating compared to the 911, but it should be considering the 928's higher power to weight ratio. I can't imagine what an S4 or GTS feels like.
- the engine/exhaust sounds in both cars are fantastic, I love both the sound of the flat 6 and deep rumble of the V8.
- I love getting on the highway (or leaving tollbooths) with the 928. The best part is when you're accelerating hard in third gear. Yowzah!
- people seem to look more at the 928 than the 911
- the 928 is built for high speed cruising. It reaches speed efforlessly and feels stable.

Hugo

[5l32v4c]

Good news about the sound. I could have listened to that Impreza all day long, going through the gears.

My only regret, so far, is that mine's an automatic - maybe next time.

[Danglerb]

My first 928 was a 81 AT fresh off lease from a top notch dealership, and by the time I sold it almost in perfect condition. It felt amazingly solid, like a tank, very smooth, almost impossible to drive near the edge in street conditions, partially due to lower power of the early cars and the aggressive upshifting 3 spd AT. We really liked it, but it was a bit boring and expensive to keep happy, so we traded it in on a new 944T, for both new car warranty and more excitement of a turbo 5 spd.

If we had purchased a 5 spd, or a Euro 5 spd, fair chance we would have kept it a very long time, but its hard to say how we would have dealt with operating costs at that time.

[5l32v4c]

I think my days of "spirited" driving are behind me, particularly now there seem to be more and more boneheads on the road each day. It doesn't seem to take too much to write these cars off due to high repair costs.

I'm hoping I don't get bored with the automatic. I really used to enjoy winding up the revs on my BMW 5-speed and listening to that great engine / exhaust sound.

I am also hoping maintenance costs don't spoil the fun. I'm pretty hands-on with the mechanical stuff and there's a really good Porsche specialist here in town. It's not going to be a daily driver and it will be garage kept, like it has for most of its life.

[hobbyshark]

The previous owner had gotten suspension bits from 928 international. The car was lower than stock so I find myself doing the diagonal approach to most driveways. That being said when I first drove my 928 it felt like it wasn't just handling curves, it was beating them into submission. The car is a tank. The exhaust note throws everybody off. They think they're hearing anything but a Porsche.

[MPDano]

Originally Posted by hobbyshark

...The exhaust note throws everybody off. They think they're hearing anything but a Porsche.

This is actually funny. I was under a freeway overpass waiting at a stop light and there was a Hemi Truck revving his engine. I too decided to do the same, but he kept looking everywhere except in my general location. He couldn't figure out where that badass V8 sound was coming from. Yeah, we're stealthy.

[Fixer]

Rock solid chassis,more so than a contemporary 911, torquey motor, forgiving suspension in all senses.
You feel very protected by the car, but visibility is very good.
If you are in the Philly area you can take mine out for a spin.

[Linderpat]

What's a 928 like to drive?


on par with sex!

[Pete R]

what's it like?... pretty much like any car with you holding a basket of money out the window as you drive

[5l32v4c]

Originally Posted by MPDano

He couldn't figure out where that badass V8 sound was coming from. Yeah, we're stealthy.

Excellent!

[5l32v4c]

Originally Posted by Linderpat

What's a 928 like to drive?

on par with sex!

So what you're saying is that I'm going to think it's awesome but my wife will just roll her eyes and put up with it?.....or are you saying that there's about three minutes of fun every six months or so?

[5l32v4c]

Originally Posted by Pete R

what's it like?... pretty much like any car with you holding a basket of money out the window as you drive

hmm, not what I wanted to hear. I'll have to keep my windows closed.

[riber.bentsen]

Originally Posted by 5l32v4c

hmm, not what I wanted to hear. I'll have to keep my windows closed.

That really depends on a lot of things.

1: The state of the car @ purchase.

2: DIY or mechanic (knowledgeable 928-mechanic is the exception, but mostly you'll be paying for some bozos learning curve on your car, including his mistakes).

3: Where you buy parts. If you're smart, you get them from one of the specialized 928-vendors (none mentioned, none forgotten). If you really want to burn cash and get a ditto sensation in your behind, buy them from your local Porsche dealer.

4: Do research. Get the workshop manuals on CD from Roger (928sRus). Make sure the PM (preventive maintenance) is up to date, so you don't get surprised and shop impulsively.

5: Don't spend your money on new wheels, radios, interior, exterior etc. until the mechanicals are in order.

If you own a 928 this way, it won't eat through your wallet. You'll get a reliable, everlasting car, which will be no more expensive to own than any other Porsche. And by far cheaper than a contemporary, say Italian, supercar. But you will be driving one of the (if not the) finest cars around. Ever.

Happy motoring and congratulations on your purchase, sounds like a real stunner.

NOW SHOW US SOME PICTURES! We looove pictures...

[5l32v4c]

Pictures as requested;

[riber.bentsen]

Looks straight as an arrow, beautiful Hope you get it going soon.

[Fixer]

If I had a nickel for every time I've said I love white 928s I could own Pete R's.
Beautiful 928, and don't worry it's a well made Porsche.

[5l32v4c]

Thanks guys - even more motivated now to get her on the road.

[AirtekHVAC]

WOW...looooove the white....

I have yet to drive or ride in a 928....I bought my non-runner in April, or something like that, all Ive done is sit in the seat..

My 13yo sat in it and steered when I moved (towed) it around the house right after I bought it...she said it was fun...lol...

The anticipation is killing me!

[laneyamps]

My 84' is a joy to drive. A hell of a lot of fun!

Acceleration isn't amazing, but, 80's Horse Power was never really amazing, anyway....What's really amazing is, for a car that's 30yrs old, it handles some pretty sick curves at some pretty high speeds, without breaking a sweat!

Yeah, it's cliche, but, a 928 rides like it's on rails....

I can get pretty "spirited" with the car every once in a while, and it can take most of what I throw at it, and it asks for more! And being behind the wheel, you're not worried.

The car "overall" feels really tight, it's fun to drive, you get a lot of looks while driving it, and it's very predictable.