944 guy looking at buying a 928

[cwiert]

Hi there.
I currently own a 1988 944 NA and I'm seriously considering a 1988 928 S4 to replace it. There's a couple of gremlins with the car I'm looking at:
- Headlights pop up but don't illuminate.
- Wipers don't work
- Driver's side window won't go down

Just curious if electrical problems are common with these cars or if they are easy or difficult problems to diagnose. Could be as simple as relays or fuses, i suppose. Anything else I should be wary of or look out for before purchasing? I just wanted to hear the thoughts of this group... the people in the know!

Thanks in advance,

-John

[JhwShark]

Electrical issues are common, yet, usually solved.

As you suggest fuses and relays. Other areas of concern include:
corrosion on the Control Panel (where the fuses and relays are)
bad grounds
bad contacts at the Hot post and nearby connector

I'm sure others are adding on...
The 928 is the car to have...as long as you enjoy getting close to your thrill rides!

Jon
adding: sometimes the grounds in the trunk corrode as well (rear quater window seal can leak some water and...)

[Danglerb]

Nothing too much trouble or expense in the items you list, but if the owner didn't bother to fix that stuff, what did it fix? I would be very careful in having a complete PPI by someone expert in the 928.

I owned an early 928 AT, switched to a 944 turbo, then a Mustang, and now have two early 928 5 spds (one US, one Euro S). I don't think an AT would float my boat anymore.

[XLR8928]

Originally Posted by Danglerb

Nothing too much trouble or expense in the items you list, but if the owner didn't bother to fix that stuff, what did it fix? I would be very careful in having a complete PPI by someone expert in the 928.

I owned an early 928 AT, switched to a 944 turbo, then a Mustang, and now have two early 928 5 spds (one US, one Euro S). I don't think an AT would float my boat anymore.

Not even a powerglide Mike?

[bwmac]

Originally Posted by XLR8928

Not even a power-glide Mike?

He He He He did many a neutral drops around 6000 rpm with the power glide in my 68 chev-2 Nova

[cwiert]

Originally Posted by Danglerb

I owned an early 928 AT, switched to a 944 turbo, then a Mustang, and now have two early 928 5 spds (one US, one Euro S). I don't think an AT would float my boat anymore.

Yeah, the AT that the 928 has is the biggest drawback over my 944. But I'm thinking the more than double horsepower will make up for it!

Thanks everyone for the info.

[SharkTech]

Originally Posted by cwiert

Yeah, the AT that the 928 has is the biggest drawback over my 944. But I'm thinking the more than double horsepower will make up for it!

Thanks everyone for the info.

Consider both tranny's, drive both tranny's, etc, before making any decision. These cars have awesome manual tranny's and are a blast to drive in 5 spd flavor especially over the AT. And, if you are coming from a stick you will not enjoy the 928 in AT to it's expected potential, just my theory...

Also, as stated, be sure to PPI the car with someone worthy and reputable, an absolute must with 928 shopping. Don't jump on the first car, but drive a few, look at a few, etc, to compare wear and tear to year/miles, and anything else you can. There are plenty of good cars out there, but plenty of bad ones too.

Just my .02...

[Danglerb]

Stroker or supercharged motor and I start liking an AT a bit more, serious turbo and I think I might even prefer an AT. Stock or near stock 928, and any reasonable variation on the early lower power 928's and I want a 5 spd.

My view isn't anti AT as much as why spend 928 type money on one, when I can get the same performance out of a much cheaper to build and operate car like a Mustang? When I am in the mood for AT and comfort, I drive my wife's Lincoln Continental which is a tenth of a 928 in costs with NONE of the pesky 928 issues and seats 5.

[cwiert]

i thought i read somewhere that 70-80% of all 928s are AT. any truth in that?

[chesireIsugaree]

The 928 is a killer ride- powerful and poised, with all the luxury you should need.....
And a great community behind it.

[Danglerb]

Originally Posted by cwiert

i thought i read somewhere that 70-80% of all 928s are AT. any truth in that?

Early years its was about 50/50, by 85 it shifted to mostly AT, could be something like 75% AT. The grain of salt you need to take with that though is only about 15% of new drivers learn stick, and in many households one of the potential drivers may not drive stick, so what Porsche did was track the actual demand.

Now 25 years later, demand hasn't changed all that much, something like 75% of buyers still want or need an AT to keep the spouse happy. Its just that the 25% that want a stick are rabid about it, and that keeps the prices higher.

[cwiert]

Well... I went to go look at it/pick it up and I decided to pass on it. It was just OK. Lots of small issues that added up to more than I was willing to deal with. The car just didn't seem like it was loved or cared for throughout its life and that scared me. I guess I'll just keep my eyes open for something else and in the meantime, keep driving the 944!
Thanks all for the advice and help!

[XLR8928]

Hold out for a manual transmission.

[MPDano]

Originally Posted by cwiert

Well... I went to go look at it/pick it up and I decided to pass on it. It was just OK. Lots of small issues that added up to more than I was willing to deal with. The car just didn't seem like it was loved or cared for throughout its life and that scared me. I guess I'll just keep my eyes open for something else and in the meantime, keep driving the 944!
Thanks all for the advice and help!

Got link to what you were looking at? Should we warn other looky loos?

[cwiert]

Originally Posted by MPDano

Got link to what you were looking at? Should we warn other looky loos?

funny you ask. turns out i think i bought it. i'm supposed to pick it up tomorrow. i might be in trouble with this one and getting over my head. I'll attach the link...
he was selling it for $5000.. i walked away at $4300 and just last night he called me back...really hurting for money and i agreed to take it for $3000. I figured that at that price for a well running 928 S4, i'd be silly not to buy it. Let's see if I eat my words on that one.
BTW - I'm sure I'll be coming here in the very near future looking for lots of help and advice! i'll post pics when i get the car.
1988 Porsche 928S4 Black 4spd AT 5.0L V8 316Hp need to sell $5000 b.o.

[JK McDonald]

I think you will come out fine on this one. Was the mileage thought to be sky high ? I bought a similar 928 a few years ago for $4,400 with a nice interior but with just over a million-600 thousand miles. This 89 turned out to be a nice driver after going through all the basic fix it, replace it and/or repair it stuff. I later sold it to a friend who moved out of state. He is still talking to me so it must be holding together alright ....

Michael

[Mrmerlin]

thats a shazaam buy, good luck you stole that one

[cwiert]

i ran the carfax and the mileage stopped being accurate around 2004. So, since then , who knows how many miles are on it. i know it's been sitting for a while cause the tires are dry rotted..needs 4 new ones. it's leaking PS fluid and it needs some electrical work...as i mentioned earlier: headlights, wipers, windows, etc.
it does have 1 insurance claim against it back in 1994...but the car looks straight. I figure if I can fix it up...even a little.... the car certainly won't owe me anything. i hope so anyway. knock on wood!
i'll let you know if the deal actually goes through tomorrow.

[Danglerb]

Not many could walk away from that one at $3k, its one of the reasons I refrain from making offers, sometimes they are accepted.

Good place to start, even after purchase is a PPI, careful and complete inspection by somebody that knows the 928 well, before you put a dime into it.

[MPDano]

Friggin Score!