Trying to find a value to a 1982 competition

Ajg82comp · 12-01-2015, 12:44 PM

Hey guys I'm new to the forum. I've been following it for a while but just joined as I found the car I've always wanted as a youth of the 80's. The car is a 1982 928 competition series. Guards red, tan interior originally (now has all the parts to go black) 5 speed non sunroof car. I'd like to know what everyone thinks this car is actually worth as is and finished product. I want to make sure I didn't over spend out of nostalgia (the wife thinks I did) for this project. I know it needs a lot of maintenance done as the car sat in a garage as a project for the last owner for 15 years. Any help or advise is greatly appreciated! Aron

Mrmerlin · 12-01-2015, 01:10 PM

you wanna guesstimate .
I would suggest to post pictures for better guesstimation.

Ajg82comp · 12-01-2015, 01:15 PM

Ya trying to post pictures but it's not letting me. May have to try from my computer tonight.

19psi · 19psi's Garage

Anywhere from $500 to $15,000. You didn't really give any information about the car.
Are there scratches, dings or dents on the body? Is the paint pristine or faded and checkered. Is the interior really nice or a sun baked, warped and cracked mess?
How does it run? Or maybe I should ask, does it run? If so, does that 5 speed transmission (subpar even for a Yugo) have 2nd gear synchros that still work?
How many miles?

If I found an '82 that mainly needed deferred maintenance and a lot of elbow grease to make it into a respectable looking daily driver, I might pay upwards of $3,000.

Ajg82comp · 12-01-2015, 08:09 PM

Ajg82comp · 12-01-2015, 08:25 PM

Those are the pictures I could get to load. From what I've been able to find there weren't many 5-speed non sunroof cars. Just wondering what it could be worth cherry, also in this condition. I did pay a bit for it the way it's sitting as it was the exact color and optioned car I wanted. I bought it knowing it ran when parked but does need water pump and timing set done. It has 100,000 on the odometer. The interior that came with it has a few areas that aren't the best. One back panel is somewhat sun backed and has started cracking, drivers seat has a L shaped tear where it looks like something cut it, and one back seat has a quarter size hole that looks like some sort of chemical ate through it. Steering wheel is dried and cracked on the top. The car has been painted at some point and isn't a terrible job, but not great.

harborman · harborman's Garage

To make this car "cherry" you are talking a ton of money. Just the body, painting and interior is going to cost a small fortune alone.

Ajg82comp · 08:21 AM

Is there anywhere I can find out if it's one of a limited number made with similar options? Anything to help justify the cost to complete this project. I paid a lot for it from what I'm hearing so far (3,500), and just trying to justify the end cost. As far as body and mechanical I will be doing all repairs, so only costs will be materials. As far as needed interior pieces I'm still trying to find a source if anyone has recommendations.

stepson · 12-02-2015, 08:42 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ajg82comp

Is there anywhere I can find out if it's one of a limited number made with similar options? Anything to help justify the cost to complete this project. I paid a lot for it from what I'm hearing so far (3,500), and just trying to justify the end cost. As far as body and mechanical I will be doing all repairs, so only costs will be materials. As far as needed interior pieces I'm still trying to find a source if anyone has recommendations.

Well, it's 1 of 4570 sold worldwide in 1982 or 1 of 57,998 ever sold according to 928 Specialists' website.

I would not ever try to justify the cost for this car. Just drive it and enjoy it. Don't ever total the money you spend on the deferred maintenance. It will detract from your overall enjoyment of the car. Do not put monies spent on this car on a spreadsheet for your wife or significant other to peruse: this will detract from your ability to enjoy life as you know it. Spend what you want to spend to make this car your own, drive the car like you stole it, and enjoy your example of one of the finest GT cars ever built.

Danglerb · 12-02-2015, 11:20 PM

Remove the idea this is a special car, its the model year before the S was released with the smaller older 4.5L and some of the S upgrades like spoiler and brakes. Until 83 non sunroof was common, few in 83, rare after.

Bottom rear corner of the quarter window is a common spot for rust, this got way out of control and the damage could be worse than it looks. No option but to strip down to bare metal and start fixing.

Parts are not going to be cheap. If a part appears to be cheap, it will be a low quality Chinese copy of the real part. Good news is that 928Intl has a half price sale until 12/27 on used parts. Bad news is they are well known for quality parts, not low prices.

Quality interior parts will be no exception, unless you just get lucky, as interior parts are mostly common to all years, so people with $20k newer model cars compete with $2k older model owners.

Paint is going to be a lot more expensive than you might guess, and most owners will consider it a big step down from good factory paint.

Ajg82comp · 12-03-2015, 02:59 PM

My intentions have been to strip the car to bare metal all along. I also plan on rebuilding the complete drivetrain. I'm a contractor by trade, but I did attend auto body classes at a trade college for two years and do all my own body and paint work. So at this point I've figured around 2k into paint, seals and gaskets. As far as drivetrain, motor runs great but water pump is bad, so I haven't drove the car to know about transmission issues. Plan for the drivetrain is to tear down and inspect everything and rebuild as needed. I would like any advice on mods that will help performance and stay reliable as a driver. I guess my hope is to finish the complete project for 10k, so hoping to do interior and drivetrain for 8k.

19psi · 19psi's Garage

Sounds like you have a plan and a valid man-card so your figures are realistic. Paint and body work will not be anything special...it's not like an old Corvette with glass, gel coat and bonding strips. The interior will be pricey but if you also do that yourself, you'll save a bundle.
Mechanically, the transmission synchros will probably be trash. Good chance you'll be opening up the trans.
Not much aftermarket for performance on an '82. If you don't have emission testing in your area, maybe do a performance exhaust with no cat. Simply bumping the timing up and running mid grade fuel gives a noticeable boost and it's free.
There are supercharger kits but I wouldn't even think about it until everything is perfect.

Danglerb · 12-04-2015, 08:04 AM

The 4.5L will have reasonable performance, good torque as do all 928's, with the weakness showing at the top end in less hp. If you have a real itch for more HP, best to think about different models and motors.

From a $$$ standpoint the car will need more in parts even with free labor than it will gain in value once completed. Its just a fact all of us live with, money goes in, it doesn't come out.

The costly area for the motor is bad coolant damaging heads and related parts. Its VERY common in cars that have sat for years.

Next is maybe clutch, torque tube, and transmission with about $4k typical parts costs.

The rest is normal Porsche stuff, rubber and hoses add up fast.

Its the reason most of us can afford to buy them, cheap to purchase, expensive to own.

Ajg82comp · 12-05-2015, 02:25 PM

Thanks guys! Ya I kinda figured drivetrain would eat up most of the budget. Luckily in Nebraska we don't have emissions testing, so off-road exhaust it is! I'm really excited to do the project, just the wife thinking I'm wasting too much money on it?!?! My hurdle was after the purchase, a "friend" said that he could buy nice 928's all day long for 3k. The wife (knowing I'd spent more than that) wasn't happy and thought it better I sell this and get one of those nice ones for less. The money part doesn't bug me (and it didn't bug her when building her 71 Camaro) it is mainly to help her understand that it's worth more than 3-8k. I've wanted one since I was 10 years old and would still do it regardless of value. This is the first build my son is excited to help with, so kinda thinking if it goes well to get one for him as a graduation gift. I'm sure I'll be on here a bunch when I get to the drivetrain part of the build! Thanks

honerboys · honerboys's Garage

my son loved the 944's - so we got an 85 in 2011 before he had his first license - we spent all summer working on it - he drove it all through high school - only kid in the school with a Porsche - even delivered pizzas in it - some of the best times we've had together - so if your son is really interested go for it

Ajg82comp · 12-05-2015, 07:33 PM

Very nice. As a father that's more to me than the car, hands down. I personally like the 944's, would like a 86 turbo for myself. We might have to look into one for my son. It seems the 944's are a bit more reliable for a daily driver. Either way I'm sure he would love one of his own!