Conan Dombroski

So I read the "Must Read" threads and I'm thinking that maybe the car I've loved since I was a teen in the early 80's isn't really for me. This forum makes it sound like the 928 is a maintenance nightmare. I'm looking at an auction and was going to make a bid on a 5 speed 928 but after reading here I'm thinking maybe I should pass. Is the 928 really that bad? I'm sure this is a stupid question for a forum that loves 928's but I don't want to own one if they're needing regular tear downs and gremlin hunts.

Again -- I love the 928 and have always wanted one. I'm not knocking it. Just wondering if they are as high maintenance as this forum seems to make them.

(dons flame suit...)

Tomkat80222

As a newer owner I would suggest finding one with the most complete maintenance records and buying one from a rennlist member. A cheap 928 can be the most expensive car you own. Since the value of these cars was so low for so long, maintenance has been deferred on many examples. Learning to change the coolant instead of taking on a top end refresh is much more sensible. These cars a complicated and many posts I read go way over my head. But with the right knowledge and a little patience you can do repairs and feel real good.

FredR

Cost is relative- if one considers how expensive these cars were when new and factors in 30 years of age degradation I doubt that they would be considered troublesome but they would still be expensive to run and maintain. Many folks do not understand this concept, they buy in at bottom dollar, wonder why there is so much deferred maintenance and so they label the 928 "expensive to run".

Take advantage of this list, utilise the parts suppliers we have and do things yourself the equation changes dramatically. Still not cheap but a lot of car for your buck.

hb253

Just as in real life, there's a continuum of grey, nothing is black and white.

The oldest 928's are 40 years old and the newest are 22. Any car that old will require maintenance of some sort..If you want one, what level are you interested in? A basket case? A garage queen? A driver? A really nice driver?

How much money can you set aside for maintenance and repairs? How much can you do on your own versus farming out to a specialist?

Any Porsche has it's own unique problems and will cost you money now or later. As an example, take a look in the 996 forum for fun discussions about the IMS bearing, or the air-cooled forum discussions on head studs, or oil leaks, or other ills that plague the 911's..

Don't be scared off by the chatter. Do your research and buy the best one you can afford given the criteria that are important to you.

Hugo

Conan Dombroski

I'd be looking at something I can drive. I'm not much on buying something like a car just to have it sit.

I've owned a little bit of everything -- from junkers to exotics. From econo boxes to full on race cars. Money is a consideration, but not something that really bothers me as long as we're not talking about 90's Ferrari maintenance costs. The main thing is I'm pretty lazy. I don't like doing the work. I can do the work (I've replaced full suspensions, brake systems, rod bearings, clutches, exhausts, et. al), I just don't like it. So buying a car that needs lots of care isn't something I'm into.

Imo000

Yes, they are THAT bad!

Mikebte

As with any car, get a car with maintenance records. If not maintained you will be fixing it. I don't care what car it is, if it's from the 80's some rubber is going to need replacement. This goes back to maintenance records.

The 928 is a reliable car in its own right and class of car. You just need to find one that the PO cared to maintain.

hlee96

Welcome to the edge of the shark pond! Since you are able to work on cars but do not prefer to, I would try to make sure you have a reputable 928 mechanic within 1-2 hr drive of you so that your car will not be neglected with the major maintenance items that are only due every few years (water pump, belt, etc).

I had never worked on cars before, but this forum along with the fellow helpful members, has given me confidence (dangerous) to tackle at least the OB ('78-79) cars and I have the engine of my '78 in boxes, and I am starting to plan to put a rebuild '83 euro S CIS engine into the '78 body. However, I do like to work on them and figure out how to disassemble each part and see the results when they are put back together (didn't say correctly).

Do your research on the sticky, then drive a few around your area to figure out which one you like best (OB, S, S4, GTS, etc). The members of this forum probably own 50% of all remaining running 928s left in the country, and I am sure people will sell some of them.

Good luck,
Hoi

Conan Dombroski

thanks for the answers, guys. I appreciate the feedback.

If anyone is interested, this is the car I've been considering: http://bringatrailer.com/listing/1986-porsche-928s-5/

Finding a manual is tough. This one looks really good. Whether or not that's the actual milage is questionable.

GT6ixer

There have been a bunch of posts on how much people spend on maintenance over the life time of owning the cars and IIRC the average metric was on the order of $150-$300 per month. Since you don't want to do the work yourself you'll likely be on the higher end of that amount.

As mentioned by Tomkat above, a lot of examples have issues because maintenance was deferred. Therefore if you are looking for a reliable driver look for one with more than 100K miles on the clock that has a consistent maintenance history. What that maintenance was isn't as important as there being records throughout its entire life span, with the exception that if it's a 32V car make sure the timing belt/water pump service was done within the past few years.

But let's be real. You aren't looking for a Camry to get back and forth to work everyday. This is you dream car from high school! Seriously do it! 'Tis better to have loved and lost than never to have loved at all.

GT6ixer

TB/WP needs to be done before driving this one. $$$$ Right up front. Plus read the recent exchange between the seller (dealer) and ROG100 (Roger Tyson form 928sRus). Roger is one of the most knowledgeable and respected 928 gurus around and it's clear he has reservations about this one.

EDIT: sounds like the seller is offering to pay for the TB/WP job.

DOUBLE EDIT: Upon re-reading he is not offering to pay for the job only delivering it to a shop of your choice

Conan Dombroski

Yeah, I got that feeling. I'm thinking I should pass. But it looks soooooooo good.

GT6ixer

Yeah it's disappointing the seller couldn't accommodate Roger doing a PPI. It may be a very nice car. But without a PPI it's a big risk for someone like you that wants to just get in it and drive. With only 28K it's very possible there are a lot of bits that are subject to failure due to age not mileage that could start to become nuisances as you try to drive it more consistently than it has bee in the last 14 years in which it only traveled 2k miles. That's why well-maintained high millage cars make good DD. Those bits continually get replaced.

docmirror

I'll be straight up with you. The 928 is a small production, high performance, import car with almost no outside support. The dealer will turn you away, even Porsche 911 shops won't be much help. The car is 30 years old, and almost every plastic and rubber part on the car is either aged, or replacement is due. Aside from this forum, and some local helpers you are out in the cold. The only good news is that locally to you there is a cadre of experts that can help with 928 anything.

If you are talking about getting a DD kind of car, take a look at the 996. For similar money you can get a car which is pretty much up to daily use status, with a bit of regular upkeep, but not nearly as much as a 928. Almost all 928s have gone through at least one prev owner who was a klutz, and screwed up some part of the car.

The fact you are asking, indicates it may not be for you.

GT6ixer

^ a 996? Sure it may be a great car, but the 928 was a car the OP has lusted after since high school. Everything you said is 100% correct. But buying a 928 is an emotional decision for most of us. He should do his research and buy one IMO. The worst that happens is that he gets a basket case and decides to get out from under in a year or two. He's out a few grand and at least never has to wonder about what it would have been like to own a car he's always wanted.