Rolling Obsolescence?

[m962b]

Many consider the 944 and the 928 worth very little because they cost a considerable amount to maintain.

with that out of the way, how good are these cars?

I'm not talking about value- i got mine for nearly free and i've put at least the purchase price into it and plan on another $2000 per year. Value wise it's not a good deal for most.

But all things considered, how are 928s and 944s compared to 911s?

It seems that as CARS, they are pretty good.

I could even argue, though I won't, that real car people don't car about value, they simply want good cars. and anyone who had loads of money to spend may want to look at 944 and 928.

Am i crazy here? Maybe onto something?

It should be noted that although i have a 944 and will never sell it, nor do i get mad when i do the dreaded maintenance on it, (it's never broken on me) I am still hunting a 911 and will get one soon.

[techweenie]

Judged on their own the 944 and 928 are great cars. But their sibling, the 911 is in a class by itself. so there's the problem.

As the prices have dropped, many fallen into the hands of people who cannot or will not maintain them, so the examples you see in the market are pulling down the values of well cared for cars.

Something similar happened in the 914 market, but that has turned around...

[NYNick]

I like your thinking, m962b. Value is very overrated these days as it relates to 911's. I'm sick to death of the preservationists, the garage queens and the owners who are afraid to drive their cars because they're worth too much. Why exactly did anyone buy these cars to begin with? Certainly, some bought them before the recent 911 bull market and have watched their inexpensive toys go through the roof. That's great news! But then they should insure them, drive them and have fun, not quiver every time they take it out for a spin.

I'm with you. The 928's and 944's are great cars, for what they are, and they're not 911's, that's for sure. Neither are BMW's or Alfa's. Once everyone gets past that, they present solid driving excitement, and they're Porsches through and through.

Are your on to something? Hardly. Real car people, as you call them, buy cars they enjoy. Value is secondary. If the market happens to go up on what they own, that's a bonus. Some even get to accomplish both simultaneously, and I call them smart, while some call them flippers. Whatever.

Buy what you love, not what everybody tells you to buy, and you'll never 'lose' money.

[CalE]

The 911 has won on every race track in the world, Racing heritage brings Value IMHO.

[thamlin000]

924/944 series had a strong factory backed racing heritage/history.

924/944/928 are great cars. When you look at the sad era of sports cars/GT cars from the late 70s and early 80s, these cars become more special in that context. Aside from a few of them like 924 Carrera GT and 928 GTS; they are not collector cars. Not yet.

[CountD]

My first Porsche was a 914.

My Second Porsche was a 924.

My Third Porsche was a 924 Turbo (yea, I know, and I suffered).

My Fourth is a 911.


1) The 924/944 series are amazing cars. They carry a lot, are very comfortable for guys 6-foot + tall, and they handle well. The are just DIFFERENT cars. Different from a 911 in every possible way.

2) People mistake and compare them to a 911. They cannot be compared. Nor can you compare a 911 to a 944 or 924. They aren't, weren't meant to be the same car.

3) When I owned the 914 or the water cooled cars it wasn't all about 911 envy for me. They were cars a college student could maintain on his own for very little money - and that's what I did. They were extremely reliable and were very fun.

4) The 911 is in a class all by itself because it's different. It's altogether a differently thought-out and made car. When people think 911 it's the mystique. It sounds different, smells different, and appeals to many people on this level.

I would really like to own a 944 convertible for a bit though. Seems more manly than a 911 cab, but that's me.

[Nick Triesch]

The 944 and 928 were wonderful cars. But whenever a car costs WAY more to repair than the car is worth then prices will fall like a rock. Which they have. The only people that can restore and drive these cars are rich folks. My Doctor for example drives a nice 928. And he has a few other Porsche cars as well.

[Nick Triesch]

The problem with the 924 was that it was a well balanced dog. It had the power of a lawn tractor. Horrible 0-60 times. Tiny engine. A well tuned 67 VW bug had more power up a hill. Then there was the dash. The 924 was one of the few cars in the world where the dash just exploded in a few years. Everyone had a ugly dash cover. The interior plastic parts were squirt gun plastic quality. And that is why today they are worth $800. And their Brother the 944 is worth a bit more. And those are their good points!

[christiandk]

Well I recently bought a very nice 78 928. I like it way more than any other Porsche I have owned. That engine is just awesome and the styling is just so Back to the Future. I guess it depends on what was the bomb when you were a kid.

I only hate 2 things about the 928 - the car is so wide and the hood so narrow so when working from on top of the car you will scratch the car or damage your back and it has too many warning lights

[Patrick3000]

Originally Posted by christiandk

Well I recently bought a very nice 78 928. I like it way more than any other Porsche I have owned.

Picture?

[NYNick]

Originally Posted by Patrick3000

Picture?

Don't get him started!

Hey Christian, those 928's are all air cooled right? I'm mean, what with my Ruby Red Kia you hate and all.

[christiandk]

Originally Posted by NYNick

Don't get him started!

Hey Christian, those 928's are all air cooled right? I'm mean, what with my Ruby Red Kia you hate and all.

Ha ha, I know that one was below the waist. Sometimes I wish that both of my cars were not from when I was a toddler

Here are some pics, Patrick.

Green 78 toad.... - Rennlist Discussion Forums

[NYNick]

That car is sweet Christian.

[G450X]

Nice old 928, great color - you don't see many early 928's in that kind of shape.

As previously mentioned, I think the short maintenance intervals (timing belts, water pumps, hoses, etc..) of the water cooled models really work against them as "old" cars.

The air-cooled 911 shines here as a most economical "weekend" fun car that is relatively easy on the wallet. A yearly oil change and a valve adjustment every 3 or 4 years is all that I have done on my old SC for maintenance, besides a few repairs (rebuilt 2 calipers, installed an ignition switch, starter, steering bushing) that I accomplished myself.

If I had all the water cooled specific tools and manuals, I'd consider a 928/944/968. If I had to pay someone to do the work, forget it!

Once bitten by the 911 bug, it's hard to shake. The build quality, engine sound, short wheelbase quick moves, magical steering, good brakes, excellent visibility....

[christiandk]

Thanks Nick.

P450, well the body and interior of the 928 is just as good quality as the 911 the difference being that the 928 has more (annoying) electronics and some parts of the engine is really hard to get to. Will do a clutch job on it this winter. I am expecting it to be less work than on a aircooled.

Cheers,

Christian

[bh912e]

My 86 944 turbo was awesome! Loved it!

[NoRush993/951]

Get them both. The 951 gets more attention these days than the 993.
You will rebuild either car over time. I've had the 951 25 years and put 250k miles on it. Use the forum, source your own parts and it won't break the bank. But do budget extra $$$ for something that will come up, as it always does. Both cars will put a smile on your face.