Need some advice for buying a 928

[edgars648]

Hi, 928 fans.


I am thinking of buying a 928 but there's a problem - I haven't driven one. So I'd like to ask a few things about it:

1) What should you be aware when buying one?
2) What's the recommended minimum price for one?
3) What's the fuel consumption (mpg/ l per 100 km)? (There's thousands of data out there but I want to know from your experience).
4) How big is the road/engine noise while driving?

One is for sure - I want to buy a manual one 'cos someone said that 928s cluch is heavy.


Thanks.

[MPDano]

First time I heard someone actually "want" to drive a heavy clutch under that advice. Anyways, welcome to the Board! #1 is do you want a Project to learn on? Or do you want a turn key? Most of us here bought cheap (under 1K) and learned on them. It's an expensive process but the knowledge and experience is priceless. Put your location in your Profile so we know what part of the world your in, and maybe you'll have one of us nearby you can test drive.

It's a V8, so don't expect to compare it to a Prius. I believe some are getting between 15-18mpg. I don't monitor because I just accept it's a V8 and sucks on gas.

FYI, you "could" spend up to $60,000 on a Concourse low mileage GTS. Also, as an another FYI, I got my 1983 928S for $900. Here's the thread: http://forums.pelicanparts.com/porsche-928-technical-forum/583848-900-1983-us-928s-latest-leo928s.html

[edgars648]

Originally Posted by MPDano

It's a V8, so don't expect to compare it to a Prius. I believe some are getting between 15-18mpg. I don't monitor because I just accept it's a V8 and sucks on gas.

Yeah, I know. But still it's worth it. I thought of first getting a BMW 8-series, but that got 10mpg. Awful.

It's in a quite good shape for a $900. It needs some visual work, of course, but if it's mechanically good, then it's worth it to get such a scruffy one.

[edgars648]

Originally Posted by MPDano

Put your location in your Profile so we know what part of the world your in, and maybe you'll have one of us nearby you can test drive.

...and I'm from Latvia. That might be a "bit" of an issue for a test drive. I'm thinking of buying one from e-bay.

[MPDano]

Originally Posted by edgars648

...and I'm from Latvia. That might be a "bit" of an issue for a test drive. I'm thinking of buying one from e-bay.

Always a hit and miss buying from eBay. Especially when your not close enough to see it in person prior to bidding on it.

[JK McDonald]

Hey Edgars, To help answer your initial ownership questions:

1) Check over this and other 928 web sites for an indepth check list of pre-purchase concerns. Your personal list will probably grow considerably in length as you approach scruffy. A well documented maintenance record will help indicate the condition of the potential big ticket items – such as the timing belt, water pump, crankshaft thrust bearing, etc...
2) The typical 928 price will start at a “non running - tow it off the property for free” range to $20,000 for a late model in pristine/well maintained condition. Many 928’s in the U.S. are often available for $1,000 - $3,000 in very reasonable condition. The GT seriese are priced off the charts.
3) Fuel consumption is directly proportional to the application of your right foot. Many owners experience a low of 9-10 Mpg in stop and go traffic to 20-22 Mpg on the highway.
4) The engine noise is exceptionally low on the 928. It will primarily be the exhaust/muffler combination that will determine how your neighbors view your arrival.

You may need to be a bit cautious in buying a 928 without considering a few other areas of ownership. Such as :

1) Do you have an experienced 928 Porsche service facility in the area of Riga with maintenance manuals and parts available. It would also normally be important to use their expertise in completing your pre-inspection prior to buying the car.
2) Buying a car off Ebay might be problematic if after shipping it to Latvia there is a dispute. Especially with no oportunity of a pre-inspection.....
3)If you plan to service the car yourself, what is your technical experience in owning a relatively expensive car to maintain ?

From a personal side, I thoroughly enjoy the cars I own and have no regrets in buying them.

Good Luck, Michael

[Alan in AZ]

I would find a way to drive one before you buy. Before you commit to the time & cash ensure you like it - try to find something of the approx age you are thinking of buying.

I'd recommend against buying on ebay remotely - complete crap shoot unless you know something independently about the car.

Work with some of the owners in Finland maybe - try Erkka ("Vilhuer" on rennlist) to figure out where to source more regional cars - he may also be willing to review anything you come up with (- he really knows 928's).

Alan

[dcrasta]

1) What should you be aware when buying one?
Take your wallet, put it on the street in a parking space, light it on fire. This is what you will be doing to your wallet when you buy a 928. You can do it slowly or fast, but you are throwing money away. Be aware of that fact before you buy one.

2) What's the recommended minimum price for one?
Free. however if you want one that you can drive immediately expect to pay > 5000 . And it will still likely need work.

3) What's the fuel consumption (mpg/ l per 100 km)? (There's thousands of data out there but I want to know from your experience).
HAHAHAHAHAHAHA... OH GOD.. (COUGH) HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAH.. (cough.. thats a lung) Hahahaha.. no wait.. your killing me.. no seriously call 911 im dying over here.. This is a V8 car .

4) How big is the road/engine noise while driving?
Stock, with all the weatherstripping, suspension and things like Motor mounts and exhaust in good working order, this was one of the quietest cars available in its day. There is some tire road noise (however this can increase or diminish depending on the tire brand)


Some questions you need to ask yourself.
1-Do you have a garage (with a concrete floor and space to have the car on 'jackstands' for days (weeks) at a time and the inclination to use said garage and jackstands regularly for the first year?

2-Do you have about 5000 (after purchase) to dedicate on restoring the car to its previous mechanical glory?

3-Do you have the patience to track down rare parts and follow complex repair procedures?

4-Do you want a car that is extremely fast, or do you want a 928?

You can get a mustang or camaro and it will blow the doors off a 928 (At least til about 120 mph or so) and do it much cheaper than doing the same with a 928.

Not trying to rain on your parade, I know from experience the 928 is like dating a supermodel, and then finding out she is bi-polar. Do you stay or do you go ? If you can date a bipolar supermodel you may be ready to own a 928.


Welcome to the bi-polar supermodel dating club.

[markivtruck]

only buy a s4 87 and up 5 speed cam belt an issue oil leaks,motor mounts,water pump,ac working? electrical issues,seat motors lots of fuses and relays on these cars. cam seals leak oil,plug wires ok? engines are very durable gearboxes check for grinding 1st and 2nd. parts availability is becoming an issue.

[924CarreraGTP]

I kicked a Cameros a$$ in my 16 valve 928 the other day. I also paid $2,000, plus $150 for the alternator, and $100 for the front spoiler. So for $2,250 I have a 928 that will outrun Cameros and whip the crap out of Dodge Challenger R/Ts.
I think some of this cost is exagerated a bit. It didn't cost me an extra $5,000 to restore my '84. It cost about half of that and it was really bad. If I put another $5,000 into one of my 928s I could supercharge one and outrun these idiots who think it's smart to put Corvette engines in 928s.
Of course there is always Turbocharging, engine building, and other ways you can make a 928 faster.
It is a matter of what's cost effective, but I'm willing to bet it costs less to supercharge a 928 than it does to ruin a Porsche with an LS1 engine. If you want to lose value, a corvette engine would drop a 928 from a $1500 car to a $0 car in my book because I don't like Chevys. I like Porsches.

[MPDano]

Originally Posted by 924CarreraGTP

I kicked a Cameros a$$ in my 16 valve 928 the other day. I also paid $2,000, plus $150 for the alternator, and $100 for the front spoiler. So for $2,250 I have a 928 that will outrun Cameros and whip the crap out of Dodge Challenger R/Ts.
I think some of this cost is exagerated a bit. It didn't cost me an extra $5,000 to restore my '84. It cost about half of that and it was really bad. If I put another $5,000 into one of my 928s I could supercharge one and outrun these idiots who think it's smart to put Corvette engines in 928s.

Lol, I too got my Mustang Cobra kill a few weeks back in my $900 1983 928S. Not sure why I keep hearing of Mustangs beating 928's. Has to be user error

[924CarreraGTP]

They don't know how to use that kickdown switch on the 4 speed auto that they talk trash about constantly. My shark is hungry for stupid looking muscle cars.

[andres87]

I'm confused now!! Did I pay to much for my Jubilee?? $1500???

[whatudrivin]

Originally Posted by andres87

I'm confused now!! Did I pay to much for my Jubilee?? $1500???

Is it worth $1500 to YOU?

I paid $1000 for my 82 that hasn't been run in close to 10 years

[Danglerb]

Originally Posted by edgars648

Hi, 928 fans.


I am thinking of buying a 928 but there's a problem - I haven't driven one. So I'd like to ask a few things about it:

1) What should you be aware when buying one?
2) What's the recommended minimum price for one?
3) What's the fuel consumption (mpg/ l per 100 km)? (There's thousands of data out there but I want to know from your experience).
4) How big is the road/engine noise while driving?

One is for sure - I want to buy a manual one 'cos someone said that 928s cluch is heavy.


Thanks.

Early cars have a dual disc clutch that has very light pedal pressure, later cars have more pedal pressure, but still on the light side for a V8.

1) This is like fishing, buying one means you have a fish on the hook, driving one means you have a good experienced 928 mechanic or are willing to pay someone to learn as they go and are prepared to make a substantial investment in restoring the car to proper condition.

2) Buy the nicest 928 you can afford, that will ultimately be the cheapest one.

3) If you get more than 20 mpg you aren't driving it like a Porsche. Your aim should be consistently below 16 mpg.

4) Depends a lot on the tire and road, but with a small enough or removed muffler you don't notice it so much. Stock you notice it so much.

Hook up with other 928 owners in your area, or reasonable travel distance and attend some events. Its essential to have two things;

Hands on experience to decide which model etc you like enough to put up with the quirks and expenses of owning a 25 year old world class car.

A mechanic that knows the 928 extremely well, not just German cars, or even Porsche's, they need to have a LOT of experience with the 928, or you need to do the work yourself.

[1982_928]

I honestly dont see why people are complaining about 18MPG out of a V8.. Thats actually decent. If you care what your car consumes, and care about the price of it, go buy a prius. Those greenies have got to love my 83 chevy pickup that gets 11 MPG..

Anyways, the price on a project should be pretty low. Combined, i have less than $1400 in both of my 928's.

Last week on craigslist, i saw a 928 euro that had a bad fuel pump for $900, and it was a fairly nice car. It even had that pasha interior or whatever you call it. It didn't last but for a day. (The guy was the PO of both of my 928's... Sure wish he wouldn't have wanted 2k for the euro when i bought my S for 900... He only had 13 928's, so i guess it was time for him to downsize.)

[andres87]

For me is worthed.! it has a 300 hp engine!! and is a rare 50TH JUBILEE!!

[whatudrivin]

Originally Posted by andres87

For me is worthed.! it has a 300 hp engine!! and is a rare 50TH JUBILEE!!

Then you did not over pay for it. It is all in what the car is worth to you in my opinion.

Just like I am sure that I could have gotten a better deal on a car if I had looked more but the reason I got this car is reason enough to buy it.

[andres87]

Originally Posted by whatudrivin

Then you did not over pay for it. It is all in what the car is worth to you in my opinion.

Just like I am sure that I could have gotten a better deal on a car if I had looked more but the reason I got this car is reason enough to buy it.

Yeah! thats true. Thanks!!

[AirtekHVAC]

hey, mine's a non-running wreck, and I paid $650 for it...but I have been begging for years, and when the wife finally said yes, I didn't care what shape it was in...I got one!

And ya know...if it takes me 10-years to finish, I have had it only a month and have enjoyed spending what little free time I have had so far screwing around with it, so it was worth it to me!

Whatever makes you happy!