Looking for Advice - 1987 Porsche 928S4

[Lars911]

Hi,
I am looking for some advice on whether to purchase a '87 928S4. I am new to 928's and have not really considered them before.

It is Marine blue exterior with a blue interior. The original owner is selling the car. It only has 17k miles ... that is not a typo! It is totally original and in showroom condition (according to the owner). I have only see pictures of the car and it looks like you could eat out off the engine compartment!

It is automatic and I am planning on driving it on weekends. I am not planning on flipping it.

I am looking for the right questions to ask when I go see it and what you guys think it is worth. If you have experience with this year of 928, please speak up.

Thanks in advance.

[Landseer]

Maint areas to know about:
Replace fuel lines, motor mounts and timing belt. (age)
Premptively add an auxillary clamp to driveline to prevent thrust bearing failure. (known design flaw, automatic S4)
Similarly, premptive rebuild of LH computer due to circuit failure (age / design flaw)

Value sub $20K. Will depend on location.

[harborman]

Get all the documentation you can, maintenance records and where serviced. It could be a real good find.

[Bills928]

How much are they asking for it ??

[Danglerb]

You need somebody that is an expert in 928's to give it a full inspection.

I'd guess an 87 with 17k documented miles to be worth between $25k and $45k, automatics about $5k less than manual, but despite the miles if its just been sitting for years it could need serious amounts of money, figure a good $5k as a very low estimate.

Miles need good documentation and car needs to reflect the miles. 928's almost all have or will have a gear fail in the odometer so it requires service or replacement.

[Landseer]

We saw Dwayne's bonafide sub 15K mi auto be purchased by him for sub $15.

Guy had shopped the car for a year at $19K prior to steadily dropping price. Even played the cancer card.


Dangler, what data you got on approx selling price that leads you over 25?


(You and I both agree, I think, that the intrinsic worth of such a hypothetical car far exceeds the value of a new, say, accord or camry, putting it closer to your figures than mine).

[Outbackgeorgia]

Wish my 87 S4 only had 17k miles AND all maintenance done!
Dave

[Outbackgeorgia]

Unfortunately, it will most likely need at least $6-8k of maint anyway. Age and storage are hard on these cars.
Dave

[harborman]

Originally Posted by Outbackgeorgia

Unfortunately, it will most likely need at least $6-8k of maint anyway. Age and storage are hard on these cars.
Dave

Not necessarily. My car was stored for 19 years and had 37,800 when I bought it. I did not spend that much or even close. I did the TB and a few other things. I now have 60K on it.

[Danglerb]

Originally Posted by Landseer

We saw Dwayne's bonafide sub 15K mi auto be purchased by him for sub $15.

Guy had shopped the car for a year at $19K prior to steadily dropping price. Even played the cancer card.


Dangler, what data you got on approx selling price that leads you over 25?


(You and I both agree, I think, that the intrinsic worth of such a hypothetical car far exceeds the value of a new, say, accord or camry, putting it closer to your figures than mine).

If anybody decided to wait until they got a deal like Dwayne has had more than once most would never have a 928.

I agree an AT is unlikely to fetch $25k even with 17k miles, but a 5 spd if it was "minty" enough might go for a bit more in the right hands.

I know of a number of people who have been VERY lucky and did not need to spend much to keep their new 928 happy, but I know many more that needed to hit the car hard with a money firehose to make the car what they wanted.