Buying a 928 - Is a 5 speed a must?

[Spede]

I've been following the 928 market for a little while now and it seems that almost 90% of the cars are automatics. While having my heart set on a 5 speed, I've started to reconsider my requirements.

So my question is, should I hold out for that perfect 5 speed shark? Or would I be just as happy with an automatic one?

I would primarily use the car as a daily driver and was interested in a manual transmission because I think I would get bored with an automatic. My commute to work is outside traffic hours so bumper to bumper conditions aren't my concern.

[goat]

I was in the market for one about a year ago and drove both.
I test drove a early Auto and did really care for it it was a 3 speed if I remember but had enought torque that you did not notice that much.
then I drove a 1989 gt, and WOW!!
Later years had huge power gains over the earlier ones.
I would hold out for the 5 speed it was just more fun to drive.

[aigel]

I think you answered your question yourself. Unless you drive in traffic a lot or are handicapped (no pun intended), the stick is the way to go. I also second the notion to go for the later, more refined and powerful years. No 4x4 though.

George

[epbrown]

I settled for an automatic when I bought mine a while back, and I regretted not getting the manual until the day I sold it. I say hold out. Be prepared to pay a bit more - the 5-speed S4 is a very desirable Porsche.

[Jeff Alton]

I had a 928s4 auto. If it was a five speed, I would still have it.......

Nuff said!!

Cheers

[Cobalt]

Why buy a performance car in an auto. Especially since the 928 has a big V8 with lots of torque. I find my 5 speed GTS to be the easiest manual transmission car to drive in traffic than any other manual I have driven and the list is extensive.

The auto trannys are made by MB and are easy enough to replace but the 5speed manual cars are by far more fun to drive. You also have to worry about the autos they are afflicted by problems that can be costly to repair if everything is not adjusted properly.

[naro914]

Steve,

I know we're an entire country away over here in Charlotte, but we have a couple of both 5 speeds and automatics.

Here's my thought to your question: what do you want the car for? If it's a replacement of a daily driver that you would have considered a BMW, MB, Audi, or any other "commuter" car, then get the automatic. But, if you like to drive, and want the strong feel of torque, get the 5 speed.

Personally, I'm a 911 and 914 guy. My partner Stan is the 928 fanatic in our company. He's had 5 I think, and now has the ultimate: 5 speed GTS.

The profiles of most of the automatic buyers we sell to is either someone that will use is all the time in traffic and doesn't want to bother shifting, someone who can't drive a stick, or a guy that wants a sports car, but his wife can't drive a stick and this is the compromise. Kinda like a tiptronic.

Just so you know, we've shipped a ton of cars to the West coast, and have a lot of very happy customers.

If you're interested, check out our inventory and give me a call. the 89 that listed as "coming soon" should be up later this week.

[Cobalt]

Wow the 89 Auto looks really nice for the price. Too bad its an auto.

I agree with what you are saying but if the question is over which is better I would have to say the 5 speed has everything the auto has plus the fun of shifting and putting the power where you want it to be. It is a better car to drive on twisty back roads where a 5 speed comes in handy.

I almost bought an auto GTS and am very happy I purchased the 5 speed GTS instead. The torque produced by the GTS is by far the greatest of all the 928's but I have to admit if there is any 5 speed I would drive in heavy traffic the GTS is the easiest to drive. In most cases you can leave it in second gear and just drive it from 1200 rpms on up and then slow down again never needing to shift and only occasionally pressing the clutch for the really slow points. Although no sports type car is fun in traffic 5 speed or auto.

The autos are great once they are moving but IMO they feel heavy and sluggish when first starting out. If you can get a 5 speed but you won't be disappointed in the autos especially if you can get one that appears to be as well cared for as the one naro914 is showing.

I would try to drive one of each and make your decision from there.

[naro914]

Anthony makes a good point about the starting out sluggish thing on an auto, but there is a solution (somewhat) to that.

The automatic transmission from MB normally starts out in 2nd gear, so you really don't get much push from a start. There's a manual "kick-down" switch that can be installed fairly easily that forces the trans to start out in 1st, and hold it there if you floor it up to almost redline. It works pretty well, and is definitely noticable.

[Jeff Alton]

You can also make a small adjustment on the tranny and it will start in 1st gear, a quick search either here or on rennlist will highlight the prodedure.

Cheers

[techweenie]

I think it was maybe 84 that Porsche went from a 3-speed to 4-speed automatic. Somje years, 85% of 928s were automatic. All 4 I've owned have been automatics. Some cars just feel 'right' as automatics, and the 928 is one of those for me. But the newest one I owned was an '86-1/2.

However, if I were buying a '90-95 928, I'd be tempted to try and find a manual.