Need opinion on this '88 928 S4
#16
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Now, since you are looking for a car to drive and not be a garage queen, what's stopping you from buying a higher mileage car in similar or better condition? This car in NY is asking >$30k due to "low mileage". It has way to many issues for a >$30k car. Unless it is a GTS or GT, >$30k should buy you a turn key 928 that is not an ultra low mileage car. However, this car's condition belies the mileage. Also, it is in the "not so desirable" red. Unless red is your top color and you want a collectible garage queen, I would take Safulop's car over at BaT. Venetian blue is beautiful!
I am sorry to hear about your mother's health. Best wishes to her making big progress on rehab and to her future health.
hoi
I am sorry to hear about your mother's health. Best wishes to her making big progress on rehab and to her future health.
hoi
#17
Intermediate
Thread Starter
Thanks for the positive thoughts - difficult times...
It's psychological - I can't buy a high mileage car ;-) Ideally I would like a corrosion free car/original paint/no accidents/with 40-50k miles.
Why is red not so desirable - because of the oxidation ? It's personal - I think it looks best in red, then black... silver.
It's psychological - I can't buy a high mileage car ;-) Ideally I would like a corrosion free car/original paint/no accidents/with 40-50k miles.
Why is red not so desirable - because of the oxidation ? It's personal - I think it looks best in red, then black... silver.
Now, since you are looking for a car to drive and not be a garage queen, what's stopping you from buying a higher mileage car in similar or better condition? This car in NY is asking >$30k due to "low mileage". It has way to many issues for a >$30k car. Unless it is a GTS or GT, >$30k should buy you a turn key 928 that is not an ultra low mileage car. However, this car's condition belies the mileage. Also, it is in the "not so desirable" red. Unless red is your top color and you want a collectible garage queen, I would take Safulop's car over at BaT. Venetian blue is beautiful!
I am sorry to hear about your mother's health. Best wishes to her making big progress on rehab and to her future health.
hoi
I am sorry to hear about your mother's health. Best wishes to her making big progress on rehab and to her future health.
hoi
#18
Nordschleife Master
after you get this car figure about 17K to 20K in repairs to bring it to pristine daily driver status.
MMs OPG, intake refresh with fresh powder coating ,cam covers powder coated , fuel lines ,trans lines, AC refresh, new brakes, t belt, water pump, tires
looks like a great starting point
MMs OPG, intake refresh with fresh powder coating ,cam covers powder coated , fuel lines ,trans lines, AC refresh, new brakes, t belt, water pump, tires
looks like a great starting point
Best Wishes
#19
Pro
#20
Vegas, Baby!
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That's a premium price for a car without service history documentation. Besides, red Porsche's are a dime a dozen. If it was black, I'd say jump on it!
#22
Burning Brakes
#23
Team Owner
how would you feel about a turn key 88 and all of the things I listed have been done and more,
with 5 speed LSD and fresh carpet and 52k miles, cost would be less than the red car
with 5 speed LSD and fresh carpet and 52k miles, cost would be less than the red car
#24
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Good luck with your decision!
-Hoi
#26
Vegas, Baby!
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Buy Stan's car, it's the perfect color, and needs nothing!
#27
Rennlist Member
Thanks for the positive thoughts - difficult times...
It's psychological - I can't buy a high mileage car ;-) Ideally I would like a corrosion free car/original paint/no accidents/with 40-50k miles.
Why is red not so desirable - because of the oxidation ? It's personal - I think it looks best in red, then black... silver.
It's psychological - I can't buy a high mileage car ;-) Ideally I would like a corrosion free car/original paint/no accidents/with 40-50k miles.
Why is red not so desirable - because of the oxidation ? It's personal - I think it looks best in red, then black... silver.
As you said, color is a personal thing. Porsche paint of that era was quite good, and red would be single-stage (no clearcoat) and easily polished to perfection-- as long as the polishing thing hasn't been over-done in the past.
One thing to understand is that these cars were seriously over-engineered, and going 250-300K miles before an engine rebuild is routine. If you keep the fluids changed then you can pretty much drive them forever. We bought our GT with 150K miles, some folks here were tsk-tsk'ing over that (link), and we happily drove it for another 100K before getting the engine and tranny rebuilt. Which probably could have gone another 50-100K but that's another story.
If low-miles floats your boat then by all means go for it. (We've got one of those also). The car looks very original, which is a plus. There is some corrosion, probably from living in Florida, which is a minus.
A potential (and small) minus for the red car is the wheels, those are Mille Miglia aftermarket "Cup-2's" which are bit heavier than stock, a bit softer, and the front offsets are not ideal. But we've got a set of those and they work fine. Factory Cup-2 wheels were used on the '93-95 GTS and work well also on the earlier cars, and will have the size and offset ("ET") marked on either side of the valve stem. Fronts are 7.5x17 ET65, rears were 9x17 ET55. The aftermarket wheels were marked on the back of one of the spokes, 7.5x17 ET52 and 9x17 ET47. The front ET52 pushes the wheel outboard (which is what those look like) and is not ideal, but works OK. If you like that style then maybe look for the Porsche wheels with the markings on either side of the valve stem. Or look for original wheels, but being 16" the tire choices are limited.
A couple of caveats: Engine corrosion is more related to age than miles, and a potential concern-- I don't see any notations of coolant changes in the history but the DMV records are typically pretty sketchy. If you are going to pay a premium for low miles then I would want to see some documentation of coolant changes. This is critical, I think. If it is the original coolant then mileage doesn't count. Used-car dealers typically toss receipts, but we wouldn't pay a premium for low miles without them.
Timing belt and water pump: What is the history? If no history then I would deduct a quick $3-4K (dealer price for TB/WP) from the ask. Fuel lines, if original, all need changing (years not miles), that's another $1-2K or so for parts plus labor. The front spoiler is damaged (that's a quick $900 from the dealer) as is the (original) belly-pan, aluminum replacement is $250 from 928 Int'l and be sure to save the scoops off the old one.
Good hunting!
Last edited by jcorenman; 03-14-2017 at 11:34 PM.
#28
Rennlist Member
I too think the red car has been repainted. Look closely at the stickers in the drivers door on the jamb and I think you will find some tape lines, and that's aside from all the overspray mentioned under it. I too think the mileage is much much greater than shown. I would give it a big pass.
I think you can still find a lot better 928 for half the money--not likely Stan's, but his for less than the red one is probably the best deal you might find for quite a while.
I think you can still find a lot better 928 for half the money--not likely Stan's, but his for less than the red one is probably the best deal you might find for quite a while.
#29
Pro
We bought our GT with 150K miles, some folks here were tsk-tsk'ing over that (link), and we happily drove it for another 100K before getting the engine and tranny rebuilt.
Thanks for posting the link, I hadn't seen that thread before. Most of the posts in the linked thread were very supportive of your purchase, and I think all would agree 9 years later that you got a great deal on your GT.
#30
Burning Brakes
I too think the red car has been repainted. Look closely at the stickers in the drivers door on the jamb and I think you will find some tape lines, and that's aside from all the overspray mentioned under it.