What's your ownership experience

[5l32v4c]

Went to a car show yesterday - all makes and models, mainly german. There were 2 928's there (an '84 and an '88), out-numbered by 911's about 30:1.

You would think that, because of their relative rarity, people would be more intrigued / excited to see a 928, but people were just walking on by without giving them a second glance.

As much as I tell myself that I own a 928 ('85, 32v, auto.) because I fell in love with them when they first came out back in 77/78, it would be nice to own / drive something that others admire too.

I need to get mine on the road so I can experience driving it; I bought it last November and have never actually driven it.

What are you guys' ownership / driving experiences like? Is the pain and expense worthwhile? How do other people respond to your 928?

[steve322s]

pure pleasure to drive worth every penny and every day spent working on.

[JhwShark]

Love it...all aspects

[mproseusa]

When at a gas station, or just driving around, people frequently ask "what kind of car is that?", "Wow, what a nice car", "is that a Ferrari?", "what year is it?" and so on. Driving it makes it all worth it (I think)

[AirtekHVAC]

I love it, although like you, have never driven it......it just sits on its lift bars in the workshop, waiting for me to fondle her once again.....

Best car I have never driven!

[Alan in AZ]

Drive mine every day - plenty of folks who are interested in it.

Park at a car show with the hood up and people come to look, surprised there is a Porsche with a big V8.

When the Cayman came out someone asked me if that's what I had...? odd question, but neat that someone assumed if could be a brand new car...

You have to drive it - its a drivers car...!

Alan

[harborman]

It's one of the best handling cars I have driven. I am 6'3" and feel very comfortable in the car. The car has room for golf clubs, luggage, etc. It still looks modern for something designed prior to 1977. I am sure today it would cost well over $250K new. I too, have been asked "what is it". I feel bad for those who did not see what a great car it was during it's day and even today. I ran into a local foreign car shop owner. He was driving a new Boxster. I said how is it?? He owns a 82' 928.....he said I will take my 928!!!!!!!! What more can I say!

[hbueno]

I've gotten positive comments and interest at any car meet I've been to, whether Porsche oriented or not. On the road, I've noticed that people notice the car, which is nice and all, but not really why I got the car in the first place.

Any Porsche is a driver's car, and the 928 is no exception. I like the refined sound of the stock exhaust, the quiet ride on the highway, the grip in the turns, the more than adequate power and acceleration, and the timelessness of the design. Luckily, my car hasn't needed much in the way of repairs since I was lucky enough to find one in good shape. The only work I've done (or had done) so far is motor mounts, oil pan gasket, trunk latch receiver, Delco alternator, transmission synchros and a few other miscellaneous items. The pleasure/pain gauge is still reading more to the pleasure side.

Hugo

[JK McDonald]

Just about every time I stop to fill up either 928, someone will come over for a closer look and want to talk. Like several members have mentioned - the first question many on-lookers ask, especially if they approach from the front is "What kind of car is this".

Last month my wife and I returned from a couple of great weeks in 911 country up around the Vail, Estes Park and Steam Boat Springs area. We saw quite an assortment of Porsche - but we had the only 928 around. I tried to stay off of interstate as much as possible to enjoy the two lane back roads designated scenic drives. Miss Purdy did really well, even during one unintentional 5 mile trip over a one lane dirt trail called Buffalo Pass. By the way - a light grey line at the end of a road on a Colorado map means an unimproved stretch of dirt and gravel - good luck and have a nice day.....

While heading home we stopped in Amarillo for the night and the next morning we found an older German couple in the parking lot admiring our car. They said that when they were 1st married they drove a 928 and talked over 30 minutes about how much they had enjoyed owning it. The wife especially liked driving on the autobahn and through the Bavarian Alps on vacation. Both seemed very nice but Miss Purdy took a dislike to them when the large dog they were walking decided to christen the left rear tire.

Great trip over all with lots of good comments on the old girl - The car not the wife....

Michael

[Danglerb]

Taking a 928 to a German car show can be like taking the world's finest dog to a ferret show, it has nothing to do with the car or the dog, its the people at the show.

Love it and hate it, nothing on 4 wheels offers the same level of total experience as the 928.

[medinfoto]

I live in Sweden where people don't talk to each other, so don't get many comments; however people do take note when I drive by, I can look in the rearview and see them turning to stare.

[hobbyshark]

One day you're thinking its a sweet ride. The next day you're seeing fluid leaking or some gremlin has reared it's ugly head and you want to be rid of it.
One of my coworkers gave a metaphor:
It's like the smoking hot psychotic girlfriend. She's great looking and a real thrill but you're always worried about that night you might end up with an ice pick in your back.

[hobbyshark]

That being said, I'll stick with the crazy 928. I can't help myself.

[Crumpler]

Originally Posted by hobbyshark

One day you're thinking its a sweet ride. The next day you're seeing fluid leaking or some gremlin has reared it's ugly head and you want to be rid of it.
One of my coworkers gave a metaphor:
It's like the smoking hot psychotic girlfriend. She's great looking and a real thrill but you're always worried about that night you might end up with an ice pick in your back.

Yes, LoL.

Now I'm used to the "what kind of car is that?" questions.
And I don't take the derision from the air-cooled guys seriously.
But, what does still surprise me is -- how many guys that know their cars tell me that "they just love these cars" and that the 928 was the coolest Porsche ever made.

So if every body feels that way, why is the market so soft?

[stepson]

Originally Posted by Crumpler

So if every body feels that way, why is the market so soft?

Originally Posted by hobbyshark

It's like the smoking hot psychotic girlfriend.

It's just way too scary out on the fringe for a lot of people.

[laneyamps]

I take mine to a local car cruise event almost every Wednesday evening, during the Summer months. And the pompous 911 guys always make their rude comments under their breath as they walk by, wearing their golf pants, and sweater tied around their neck....Makes me wanna punch 'em in the throat....but, I'm used to it...I live in Westchester County, NY. "Land of the snobs"

One night, they wouldn't let me in, because the Sponsoring Club thought my car was "too new", until I pointed to my Registration Sticker!

But, enough of my ranting....

Driving the 928 is a ton of fun. Especially on curvy roads! It can literally handle just about anything you throw at it. And you don't have to be ginger while taking those curves, either. The 928 takes curves, like it's riding on rails.

Now, I have to admit, a lot of folks at the show, will come up to me, and ask me a bunch of questions about the car, chat with me for a bit, and love the car, so, I know there's a handful of folks that love the car. Many of them think it's newer than what it actually is. It's a timeless body style, and even today, looks like a modern Porsche.

When I pull into the local grocery store, or local gas station, I always get people staring and/or talking to me in the parking lot, etc...

And, yeah, I'd have to agree with Hobbyshark, 100%!!!! When he said: "It's like the smoking hot psychotic girlfriend. She's great looking and a real thrill but you're always worried about that night you might end up with an ice pick in your back."

[hbueno]

Originally Posted by laneyamps

I take mine to a local car cruise event almost every Wednesday evening, during the Summer months. And the pompous 911 guys always make their rude comments under their breath as they walk by, wearing their golf pants, and sweater tied around their neck....Makes me wanna punch 'em in the throat....but, I'm used to it...I live in Westchester County, NY. "Land of the snobs"

One night, they wouldn't let me in, because the Sponsoring Club thought my car was "too new", until I pointed to my Registration Sticker!

But, enough of my ranting....

Driving the 928 is a ton of fun. Especially on curvy roads! It can literally handle just about anything you throw at it. And you don't have to be ginger while taking those curves, either. The 928 takes curves, like it's riding on rails.

Now, I have to admit, a lot of folks at the show, will come up to me, and ask me a bunch of questions about the car, chat with me for a bit, and love the car, so, I know there's a handful of folks that love the car. Many of them think it's newer than what it actually is. It's a timeless body style, and even today, looks like a modern Porsche.

When I pull into the local grocery store, or local gas station, I always get people staring and/or talking to me in the parking lot, etc...

And, yeah, I'd have to agree with Hobbyshark, 100%!!!! When he said: "It's like the smoking hot psychotic girlfriend. She's great looking and a real thrill but you're always worried about that night you might end up with an ice pick in your back."

You should drive south a bit to the hinterlands of NJ. There's a couple of meets I attend where I've never encountered snobs.

Hugo

[928Neophite]

I think the 928 is one of the most beautiful cars on the road, and fell in love with it when I first saw one on the road way back in 1980. However I had to wait until about four months ago to actually own one (a 1985 928s auto), having spent the intervening years on Minis and rebuilding a Triumph TR3A from frame up.
There is no question the 928 will take virtually any corner you throw it at, and is potentially very fast; I love the advice in the drivers handbook not to change down to 3rd gear at speeds above 180 kilometres/hour (~120mph)!
My only reservations so far relate to the high gas consumption, and to the complexity of of the engine/transmission. To put it mildly, it is not going to be an easy (or inexpensive) car to work on, particularly if something goes wrong. I am hoping that if I drive it with reasonable care, and keep up the maintenance, I will not run into trouble.
I have a copy of the factory maintenance manual, but what I would really like to find is something that describes the overall design and functioning of the engine and all the associated electrical systems. I see there is a book called "The Real 928" but it is out of print and no-none seems to have a copy.
Anyway, despite my reservations, I think it is a great car, and I look forward to developing a good relationship with it! :-)
Dave

[Starless]

Originally Posted by laneyamps

I take mine to a local car cruise event almost every Wednesday evening, during the Summer months. And the pompous 911 guys always make their rude comments under their breath as they walk by, wearing their golf pants, and sweater tied around their neck....Makes me wanna punch 'em in the throat....but, I'm used to it...I live in Westchester County, NY. "Land of the snobs"

One night, they wouldn't let me in, because the Sponsoring Club thought my car was "too new", until I pointed to my Registration Sticker!

But, enough of my ranting....

Driving the 928 is a ton of fun. Especially on curvy roads! It can literally handle just about anything you throw at it. And you don't have to be ginger while taking those curves, either. The 928 takes curves, like it's riding on rails.

Now, I have to admit, a lot of folks at the show, will come up to me, and ask me a bunch of questions about the car, chat with me for a bit, and love the car, so, I know there's a handful of folks that love the car. Many of them think it's newer than what it actually is. It's a timeless body style, and even today, looks like a modern Porsche.

When I pull into the local grocery store, or local gas station, I always get people staring and/or talking to me in the parking lot, etc...

And, yeah, I'd have to agree with Hobbyshark, 100%!!!! When he said: "It's like the smoking hot psychotic girlfriend. She's great looking and a real thrill but you're always worried about that night you might end up with an ice pick in your back."

Settle down Laney, not all 911 guys are pompous. Just as some 928 guys are. I came on this forum today because I was at the supermarket this afternoon in my 911 and saw a gorgeous red (not my favourite colour) 928 in the parking lot and it reminded me how exotic they are. I've always wanted one but never had the balls to buy one. I need something i can do at least some work on myself and I'm not to sure i could do a 928. Anyway, as I drove by the owner was getting out and I mentioned how nice it was and how I always wanted one. He just looked down at me, mumbled something and just walked right by. Still, a beautiful car in fantastic shape.

[Danglerb]

Whats the difference between a Porsche and porcupine? With a porcupine the pricks are on the outside.

All sorts of owners, but anybody that doesn't have time to talk about how cool THEIR car is doesn't deserve it.