928 S3 - To paint or not to paint?
09-08-2018, 06:03 PM
#1
928 S3 - To paint or not to paint?
Looking for some advise, here. I have a 1986.5 928S Manual with around 82k miles. It is Black/Champagne. I bought it in very rough shape, a year ago. Since then, I have completely mechanically restored the car (long list, includes clutch, water pump, cam belts, chain tensioner, refinished intake manifold and cam covers, all new water, fuel and vacuum hoses, new AC components, plugs, wires, injector wiring harness, heat exchanger, climate control vacuum actuators, brake rotors, pads, shocks, a control arm, steering pump, window switches, window guides, oil pan gasket, added s4 oil pan baffle, etc. etc.) as well as replaced most of the interior including carpet, factory new dash, refinished pod. New door panels, etc. I kept it completely stock except for PORKEN chips and a rear muffler bypass (actually haven’t installed the RMB, yet).
Sometime in the cars like, it was repainted, poorly. The CARFAX is clean, and the frame is straight. All body panels are original. So, I don’t know why they painted it. Maybe just age.
The point is, I have around $30k in the car. I have been shopping around for painters, and the quotes are between $5500 (if I disassemble the car myself and purchase all of the trim to replace), to $15K.
The question is: Do I paint it?
Thanks,
Josh
Sometime in the cars like, it was repainted, poorly. The CARFAX is clean, and the frame is straight. All body panels are original. So, I don’t know why they painted it. Maybe just age.
The point is, I have around $30k in the car. I have been shopping around for painters, and the quotes are between $5500 (if I disassemble the car myself and purchase all of the trim to replace), to $15K.
The question is: Do I paint it?
Thanks,
Josh
09-08-2018, 06:06 PM
#2
Rennlist Member
What's the argument for NOT painting it, assuming the funds are available?
09-08-2018, 06:46 PM
#4
Whether or not it’s worth $45k painted shouldn’t be the question.
It’s probably not worth $30k right now.......
To anyone else........
The question is, do YOU want to drive it as is or with fresh paint?
It’s probably not worth $30k right now.......
To anyone else........
The question is, do YOU want to drive it as is or with fresh paint?
09-08-2018, 07:39 PM
#5
Rennlist Member
Have you considered wrapping it? There's a lot of variables on that decision, i.e., storage environment, driving conditions, amount of exposure, etc..
I think the math mentioned above is a little off as it assumes you would sell the car right after it's painted. So let's say you went with a $10K paint job and plan on keeping the car 10 years. Amortize that cost over the length of ownership and $1K per year doesn't seem so bad.
My $.02, whatever you do, make sure you adjust your insurance accordingly as it sounds like you've already invested a lot to bring it back from the dead.
I think the math mentioned above is a little off as it assumes you would sell the car right after it's painted. So let's say you went with a $10K paint job and plan on keeping the car 10 years. Amortize that cost over the length of ownership and $1K per year doesn't seem so bad.
My $.02, whatever you do, make sure you adjust your insurance accordingly as it sounds like you've already invested a lot to bring it back from the dead.
09-08-2018, 08:10 PM
#6
Shameful Thread Killer
Rennlist Member
Rennlist Member
You're in a tough spot. Is this a keeper, or a flipper? If it's a keeper, then do most of the work yourself and have a spray done. If it's a flipper, you aren't going to get 30k now, so dumping good money after bad makes no sense. It sounds like it's a flip car, so let the new owner decide on the level of paint. Also, don't be surprised if you lose $10k for your effort.
09-09-2018, 12:07 AM
#7
I didn’t buy it to flip it. But I also am too ocd to not fix every single item I see that needs attention. The car was the first real project I have undertaken. I have bought many many cars that need things done, just not to this extent. It came with GTS wheels. Did I need to also buy a set of hollow spoke 18”s for it? No. I guess I paint it.
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09-09-2018, 12:33 AM
#8
Rennlist Member
Contact RL member "Kiln_Red". Austin really knows his way around these cars. I wouldn't fool around with your local paint shop as I have done in the past...BIG mistake. You will save some $ if you partially disassemble/reassemble yourself, re: pull front and rear bumper covers, exterior mirrors, and let Austin’s experienced hands pull the trim, etc. Now that you have the mechanicals sorted, best to fix up the interior (if needed) after paintwork is completed. May I suggest to enter your location in your sig so we know if this would make sense depending on your location. T
Last edited by 77tony; 09-09-2018 at 01:32 AM.
09-09-2018, 10:27 AM
#10
RL Community Team
Rennlist Member
Rennlist Member
Now that it's mechanically sound, do you love it, where you'll want to keep it for many years to come, or is it just OK where you'd prefer a Mustang GT350 when you find one. If you love it, paint it and keep it. If you don't, save the time and $10k, drive it as is until you decide to move on.
09-09-2018, 10:52 AM
#11
First, thank you everyone for responding.
I live in Scottsdale, AZ. I love the car. I grew up in the Wierd Science/Risky Business era so the 928 (pre S4) was always a car I wanted to own. And, yes, I briefly owned a red Mondial Cabriolet when I bought this car and was very tempted to get vanity plates for both. The Porsche being “science”, of course.
My plan was not to spend $35k restoring the car. I started out hoping to make it a nice driver for $15k. I paid $5000 for it, knowing it needed work, but it had reasonable service records and a clean CARFAX. And I found it locally. Unfortunately, once we started digging in we discovered most of the warning lights were disconnected, and the mechanic who did the work was more shade than tree.
I also own a 2006 911 C4S, which is an amazing car. Yet, the 928 is somehow equally as fun to drive. Just different.
The reality is is that I can’t keep both. So I am at a decision point. And struggling.
I will Post some pics, for the member who requested.
Thanks again.
I live in Scottsdale, AZ. I love the car. I grew up in the Wierd Science/Risky Business era so the 928 (pre S4) was always a car I wanted to own. And, yes, I briefly owned a red Mondial Cabriolet when I bought this car and was very tempted to get vanity plates for both. The Porsche being “science”, of course.
My plan was not to spend $35k restoring the car. I started out hoping to make it a nice driver for $15k. I paid $5000 for it, knowing it needed work, but it had reasonable service records and a clean CARFAX. And I found it locally. Unfortunately, once we started digging in we discovered most of the warning lights were disconnected, and the mechanic who did the work was more shade than tree.
I also own a 2006 911 C4S, which is an amazing car. Yet, the 928 is somehow equally as fun to drive. Just different.
The reality is is that I can’t keep both. So I am at a decision point. And struggling.
I will Post some pics, for the member who requested.
Thanks again.
09-09-2018, 11:12 AM
#13
RL Community Team
Rennlist Member
Rennlist Member
First, thank you everyone for responding.
I live in Scottsdale, AZ. I love the car. I grew up in the Wierd Science/Risky Business era so the 928 (pre S4) was always a car I wanted to own. And, yes, I briefly owned a red Mondial Cabriolet when I bought this car and was very tempted to get vanity plates for both. The Porsche being “science”, of course.
My plan was not to spend $35k restoring the car. I started out hoping to make it a nice driver for $15k. I paid $5000 for it, knowing it needed work, but it had reasonable service records and a clean CARFAX. And I found it locally. Unfortunately, once we started digging in we discovered most of the warning lights were disconnected, and the mechanic who did the work was more shade than tree.
I also own a 2006 911 C4S, which is an amazing car. Yet, the 928 is somehow equally as fun to drive. Just different.
The reality is is that I can’t keep both. So I am at a decision point. And struggling.
I will Post some pics, for the member who requested.
Thanks again.
I live in Scottsdale, AZ. I love the car. I grew up in the Wierd Science/Risky Business era so the 928 (pre S4) was always a car I wanted to own. And, yes, I briefly owned a red Mondial Cabriolet when I bought this car and was very tempted to get vanity plates for both. The Porsche being “science”, of course.
My plan was not to spend $35k restoring the car. I started out hoping to make it a nice driver for $15k. I paid $5000 for it, knowing it needed work, but it had reasonable service records and a clean CARFAX. And I found it locally. Unfortunately, once we started digging in we discovered most of the warning lights were disconnected, and the mechanic who did the work was more shade than tree.
I also own a 2006 911 C4S, which is an amazing car. Yet, the 928 is somehow equally as fun to drive. Just different.
The reality is is that I can’t keep both. So I am at a decision point. And struggling.
I will Post some pics, for the member who requested.
Thanks again.
Glad I don't have to get rid of either so feel for the quandry you're in.
09-09-2018, 11:23 AM
#14
Rennlist Member
For me , it would depend on what you mean by "poorly" in regard to the previous repaint. Hopefully the color was not changed. If poorly means a lack of preparation or little or no trim removal with paint over the plastic and such, that is one thing, but if it means that it was poorly sprayed and not finished, that might mean that all it needs is to be color sanded and polished out. For example, I suspect that the faded looking paint on the hood might very well be saved. Have you considered any of this?
