Paul Waterloo

Been lurking here, have a 93 968 with high miles in excellent condition. Six speed coupe.

Being interested in a 928, started looking at them online and studying them. Wow, compared to 968's, there are a lot available! I thought I would only be interested in a five speed, but after driving a five speed, would like to try an automatic.

The other day an 81 in Naperville, IL came up: http://chicago.en.craigslist.org/wcl...586819879.html

It did not have "Euro" in the description (was later added), but I figured it out from the spoilers and side markers. Went and looked at the car yesterday.



The car has been owned by the present owner for about 10 years, he bought it from a friend who owned it for about 15 years, who bought it from the original owner, who was a doctor. The car has 69K miles on the odometer. The owner did not really know the differences between the Euro version and the US version, he just has had the car for a long time, always wanted it as he is about my age...he is 48 years old from my guess. He also owns a vette, a range rover, a cop car, a plane (in his hanger on his property), a custom motorcycle and two helicopters, which are also in his hanger.









The exterior of the car was very clean. With one day of detailing, it could be really, really nice. There are some imperfections on the side molding below the driver's door handle, but no noticeable dents or anything else. This is the only issue with rust on the car that I could see:



This is an interesting plate:



As I have never driven a 928 before, this was my first go at one. The car has headers on it and when you first start it up, you can TELL IT'S a V8!

Oh, this is not good, I might want one. It's not too loud, just a darn good rumble on this car.



So I went with my son for a test drive. Let's just say the gearbox in this car HAS A LOT to be desired. The word "Mixing Bowl" comes to mind with the shifter pattern. It had no real spring return to neutral/center position. The throw left to right on the shifter had to be six inches left to right, if not more.

Anyway, I had a BIG SMILE on my face while pulling away. The synchros on this car are in need of work, grinding into first and second, almost felt like I didn't know how to drive a stick. The owner states once it warms up, it goes away.

The power was interesting. Felt like you were accelerating quickly, but once you look at the speedo, you really weren't. Above 4,000 RPM is when it came alive.

The clutch is also like no other I have driven before. I've read that they are unusual clutches, but don't know the details. It also felt as if it was an automatic once it was out and at low revs.

The front end is very heavy as compared to my 968. The doors are very heavy also, the driver's door squeaks a bit when you open it. The passenger door is just fine.

This car handled just fine, felt pretty tight, but I know there are worn bushings on the car, the front sway bar bushings were worn on visual inspection.



The engine just had the timing belt tensioner replaced, along with the timing belt, I believe something was wrong. The owner told me over the phone the tensioner was $1,100, I looked it up on line and was pretty shocked to see that is true.

The AC does not work on the car, it never has in the past 10 years. No way would I own a 928 without the AC working, that's at least $1K in my book, if not $2K.



The underside of the car was exceptionally clean, no signs of rust anywhere. I did not inspect it super close, but it is in very good shape.







The interior has cloth seats, I did not take the cover off the driver's seat, but I guess it's pretty trashed. If I bought this car, I would probably find a leather interior and put it in. Cover two front seats, and just chalk up another $1,500, I know, I just did it a couple of years ago on my Alfa Romeo.

The rest of the interior is in fair shape. I would want a car with a better interior, so I would find used parts to replace these. I would also upgrade the radio/sound system.













I don't know what this car is worth, but it does not seem that $12K is a selling number. I don't really need another car but I would buy this car at $5-6K. I told the owner I was at about half of what he is asking. After thinking about it some more, I need to go drive a S4, auto and manual and see what they are like.

I wanted to pass this info along and to see what others think this car might be worth. If you'd like to get with the owner, his name is Dave, his number is 630- eight eight one - 6 triple 9. Super nice guy!

Then I drove my 968 back home, and it really felt a little faster, the gearbox is AWESOME, the clutch is awesome and I can tell you it handles better, but I don't think people will argue that point.

Ducman82

ya, 12 is a bit steep for that car. outside does look in pretty good shape.

Dean_Fuller

12K is high if needing a clutch and A/C in my opinion. I assume the front seats must be "covered" for a reason. I do like the cloth EURO interior. An 81 is not going to have the power to compare to your much newer 968...an S4 would be a much better car to compare to. I think after test driving a "nice" S4 you will be more impressed. I really love the AUTO myself for an everyday driver.

Jerry Feather

I think an 81 Euro will be 4.7 L and have about 300 hp.

Jerry Feather

The rust blister is right where the crappy S spoiler mounts. That small blister makes a big partial repaint issue. With the other issues I would not go over $5k for this car. I bought a similar 85 S3 5 speed with these kind of blisters and about 50k more miles for $3k. Otherwise pretty similar to this car, but only about 285 hp.

outbackgeorgia

New bushings in the shifter will fix the gear selection precision, but sounds like it needs a clutch also, should not grind going into gears. Any rust is a no go for me. This car "may"'have more miles than indicated, as the odometer gears tend to crumble.
You can buy a nice S4 for 12k.
Pass, just my opinion.
Dave

19psi

I noticed that Euro on C/L a few days ago. It appears to have way more miles than what's on the odometer.

This S4 seems like a killer deal.
http://chicago.en.craigslist.org/nch...544949828.html

I've been car shopping and don't really want a second 928, but this one has me reconsidering. Almost sounds too good to be true.

Hilton

First, I have to say, this is one of the best "new to the 928 section" posts I've seen. Lots of pics = winning! Thanks for that

Second, it sounds like you've just been infected with the 928 bug. Now your challenge is to resist the urge to buy each one you look at until you find an actual good 'un.

Lastly, on this car - the shifter bushings fall apart and leave the stick very vague and inneffective. Whilst it has a reputation for being slow to shift, on a car with all new bushings, its not that bad, so find a local rennlister with a manual car with replaced bushings to reset expectations (they're cheap.. about $50 to do all 7 plastic bits in the linkage IIRC). As it stands, the seller is wildly optimistic at $12k - you just have to fight your emotions on this one and sit on your wallet until the right car pops up for sale here either by a member, or a craiglist and which gets posted and deconstructed by the peanut gallery. Even at $6k that might be overvaluing it, depending on whats under the seat cover, what the parts-replacement history is like, and any mechanical issues.

Welcome!

Dean_Fuller

I stand corrected...the low power euro motors were use up to and including the 1980 model ... NOT 1981 as that year got a increase in HP. Still you are comparing 12 years difference in development advances.

danglerb

Low power Euro was up to 82, 83 they went to all S model, first year of S option was 80 iirc.

NO Sunroof, that got repeated in my head about half a dozen times, but no way is this a $12k car. Headers and exhaust it should pull hard to red line, sounds like it has some issues if the power did not impress

OTOH $6k it might sell very quickly, but potential issues would not put it a bargain in my mind.

VIN for reference wp0zzz92zbs840050

Paul Waterloo

Yes....I am over this car already. I would rather buy one that is in very good shape with electrical issues (very easy for me to fix) or minor mechanical issues (also easy for me to fix).

Good to know that the "mixing bowl" is not normal, I didn't think it would be.

I will have to look at a S4 or GT when one comes up. Would rather have a later version car.

docmirror

Hey Paul, welcome to the V8 party! I went the opposite direction. I got the 928 first, then found my 968 later. The two cars are quite different to drive, and both have plus and minus. The early 928 like this one are pretty raw. Once you get an early car set up right, they go plenty fast, and have better road feel if you don't mind being a bit brutish about things. The 968 is more of a gliding car, with refined manners.

They both have the Weisach axle, but the 928s are quite a bit heavier. This is one of the lighter models with no sunroof, and not as much gewgaws as on the later S4 cars. I'm a diehard stick shift man from way back but the auto cars 85 and later are really outstanding. I had an 86 with an auto and it drove just fine, with plenty of umpf. I would not be dissuaded from a 85 and up car with auto.

If you can afford a GT, that's the way to go. The 5 speed in those is rock crusher strong, has a short shifter and PSD(LSD) in the back. Quite a bit more pricey though. Good luck searching, lot of good info in this group, keep us informed.

MainePorsche

Good decision.
If you're going to go auto, read in the FAQ on the top of the page about TBF (thrust bearing failure) to insure it is evaluated on your PPI.
Welcome and Best Wishes.

rnixon

That sounds very sensible, as does your valuation of that particular car. Good luck with your search - there are nice cars out there that are good value (but not cheap).

What's your budget?

P.S. As has been said - that's a great first section post. Photos are always appreciated.

MainePorsche

Guys,
Just back from a 2300 mile jaunt with son for hockey and surprise visit to Mom and Sis.
After about 1000 miles started it up on day 2 with a high pitched, 'water is boiling', sound from rear of engine. All systems running well - didn't pull airbox for further look/see - kept going with trip. Car ran flawlessly. Sound would diminish in intensity, but not frequency of 'squeal' with higher rpm at idle until absent at higher rpm - leads me to believe some leak at throttle plenum when vacuum is maxed. With airbox off sounds as if it is coming from under manifold. All topside vac lines without sound and sealed to destinations.
Will remove manifold and find it.
Any suggestions on where to key in on ?
Any BTDT's ?
Thanks in Advance.
Craig