(Another) newb looking for opinions on a 928 purchase

[Slam]

Guys, I'm no beginner when it comes to P-cars. I own 2 944s, my wife drives a 924 (I had one of those too) and a friend and I built a 924 dirt-track racer. But I know being 944 savvy doesn't necessarily translate into being 928 savvy. There's an 84 shark near(ish) me that I may consider buying. It sat in storage for 14 years, needs a torque converter seal and who knows what else. The seller wants $2500CDN. It's black - quite pretty - and I like it. What would I be getting myself into? On 944s I've done everything from typical FOES work to changing clutches, heads, trannies - whatever. How easy is it really to get upside-down with a 928?

Thanks, fellow Pelicaners!

Slam (Simon)

[924CarreraGTP]

It's a PITA to drop the tranny. The whole rear suspension has to be lowered, but it's not that big of a deal if you've pulled the tranny from a 944 or 924. I came out of the world of 924s and 944s too. It's my opinion that the 928 is a more well built car than the 944 in many ways. That's to be expected for a flagship model. The handling is not quite as good as the 944, but it's not far off. You can make a 928 into a decent race car. The engine in the 944 is essentially the left bank of the 928 motor, but not exactly. They are simular.
With transmission problems the car is worth significantly less. My '83 was $2,000 and it ran and had no tranny issues. I wouldn't pay more than $800 to $1000 for it at the very most. I paid $1,500 for my non running '84. It didn't run, but after a few parts it turned out to be a nice original car. For $2,500 it would have to be a damn nice running and driving car with original paint, perfect interior, and some fixable transmission issues. Even then I would probably pass if it's any more than $1,500.
Also keep in mind that parts for the 928's are expensive. They were expensive when new, and they are expensive now. Buy the nicest car you can find for the money. If you buy this car for any price expect to spend another $3,000 to $5,000 to refurbish it. That's just things like the $800 radiator.
Don't let me scare you though. If you can handle a 944, you can handle a 928.

[SanDiego928]

I purchased mine for 3k in good running condition with new recovered interior needing minor things. Very easy to become upside down right from the start from what I have read. 2k is too much, IMHO, unless exceptional interior, paint and all else is real, real good.

You sound like you are very able. Good luck with search. Like was said, get the most car you can afford and look and you shall find the one you seak. Nice GTS starting at 32k on ebay in CA. The holy grail for me.

[Danglerb]

Originally Posted by Slam

There's an 84 shark near(ish) me that I may consider buying. It sat in storage for 14 years, needs a torque converter seal and who knows what else. The seller wants $2500CDN.

How easy is it really to get upside-down with a 928?

Slam (Simon)

You are there already, storage for 14 years non driver, is the definition of a money pit. Storage is often not kind at all to a 928, and until its driven some the true extent of money needed to fix it can't be known, but even in the best light it sounds like its going to want thousands before being driven. All the rubber hoses, cleaning injectors, new tires, and then you have a 84 auto worth $3k once its running.

If I lived in Canada with the easy access to Japan market cars, I would spend $15k and get a NICE 928.

[harborman]

My car sat for 19 years! However, it only had 38,187 original miles, one owner and in running condition with all documentation. I got a great deal on it but still I had to put on tires, do a TB job, fuel lines, alignment, AC charge and a number of other items. I probably spent another $2,500 on it. This was a rare find.

[mickster1]

Originally Posted by Danglerb

You are there already, storage for 14 years non driver, is the definition of a money pit. Storage is often not kind at all to a 928, and until its driven some the true extent of money needed to fix it can't be known, but even in the best light it sounds like its going to want thousands before being driven. All the rubber hoses, cleaning injectors, new tires, and then you have a 84 auto worth $3k once its running.

If I lived in Canada with the easy access to Japan market cars, I would spend $15k and get a NICE 928.

I just bought a car sitting for just 2 1/2 years. Trust me-the problems from sitting are far worse than from a car that is driven. I am blessed that 95% of the electrics work perfectly--but that is due to the owner prior to the last owner--and TB/WP was done in 2009, less than 1200 miles ago.

Still it needs a top end refresh ($1000 in parts), tune-up ($600-700 in parts) and the radiator end-cap has a leak ($150 in parts, $80-200 in labor if I don't do it myself).

You are better off adding those costs to a car that has had all of that done. There is a 1987 for $9500 on Pelican right now that is drive ready. Everything is done. It has 160,000+ miles and that is the car I'd get if I didn't own mine.

[TH_DUDE]

Originally Posted by danglerb

you are there already, storage for 14 years non driver, is the definition of a money pit. Storage is often not kind at all to a 928, and until its driven some the true extent of money needed to fix it can't be known, but even in the best light it sounds like its going to want thousands before being driven. All the rubber hoses, cleaning injectors, new tires, and then you have a 84 auto worth $3k once its running.

If i lived in canada with the easy access to japan market cars, i would spend $15k and get a nice 928.

+1

[Slam]

Righto, gents. I'm going to pass. Thanks for the help, guys, I think you've saved me a pile of cash and a lot of heartache.