geez.... these 997 guys coming across the railroad tracks to the bad side of town with 928 fever... just kidding. If the car has been on the market for a year, I would say something is up with it. If you post more info here others will chime in with what they know. This group's collective knowledge of cars on the market may save you the fee of a PPI. Also if you are seriously looking at a 928 find a 928 specialist not someone that is familiar with them.

 

 

you can also use google to search rennlist for the VIN to find the dirt on it as well.

 

The biggest issue with a '79 auto is that the performance is not going to light your world on fire. If you are OK with the performance as it sits, that is not a big issue, but if you going to feel the need to try to get more out of it, you will be into a big expensive project.
-The engine and tranny should be pretty solid. I don't think there are any trended issues with that year model.
-The CIS injection can be an expensive pain in the *** of the car has been sitting for any length of time.
-The brakes on the pre-S 928s are sub par IMO, and you will be wanting to upgrade there, at least.
-Even if you have engine mechanical issues or tranny issues you are not really looking at big $ there, as long as you have access to someone competent.
-The real money is in paint and interior.
-I think early number '78 models are a lot more likely to appreciate than '79 models.

 

 

If it is the Iris Blue/cork car, yes it's been for sale for a while. Am I correct with the car?
The owner is asking too much.
If ~$7500, nice value, but he recently increased his asking to ~$13k IIRC.
Maybe he will bite.

Needs the usual service, water pump/timing belt, AC service.

Interior is pretty decent though.

 

 

Well, first off, welcome to the "Shark Side" (insert 'evil laugh' here).

I will caution you to exercise some restraint. "928 Fever" can turn into a really expensive proposition.

Have you read the "New Visitor" sticky? Lots of good info there.
Have you been following the "928s For Sale" sticky? Lots of cars and some good critiques of those cars. Gems and dogs are both identified.

I've asked this before - What are you looking for? What is your skill level? What is your budget? (some of this has been addressed to a certain degree, but it's usually best to start from the beginning)

So...

What are you looking for?

A project car that will take a lot of work?
A decent daily driver?
A nice "weekend' driver to take to shows & get togethers?
A concourse quality collector car that you expect to increase in value?

How much can you do yourself?

Full shop including a lift and air? Able to do stuff like a full engine teardown/rebuild?
Full set of tools in a couple of roll aways? Able to do major projects?
Decent set of tools in a couple of boxes? Able to do mid level projects?
Set of sockets, a few screwdrivers? Able to change your own oil, but that's about it?
One crescent wrench and a pair of channel locks? Virtually none of your own work?

What is your budget?

A lot?
A whole lot?
Just won the lottery and money isn't a question?
(note that "not a lot" isn't an option).

Answer those questions honestly and you will have a good place to start. The answers don't matter to me, but they do to you.

There's also a fair amount of difference between the various years and models. OB (78 & 79), 80 - 84 (US), S3 (85 & 86 US) S4 (87 - 91) GT (89 - 91) GTS (93 - 95). That's leaving out the Euro models. OB, S4, GT & GTS are similar, but the early S (80 - 83) and S2 (84 - 86) are quite different.

You say that the 79 in Ohio caught your eye.

This one?
https://www.cargurus.com/Cars/l-Used...ting=190148960

From the ad, it looks ok, but the price is high.
No engine pics. That can be a real red flag. The experts on here can tell a lot from just one pic of the engine.
Or it could be that the seller didn't bother.
For sale for over a year is also telling. If it was a great deal, it would be gone.

It's entirely possible the seller's spouse wants the car gone, so he intentionally jacks the price up so he can say "I'm trying to sell it, but I'm not going to give it away." It wouldn't be the first time that's happened.

Why are you focused on this car? Have you looked at any others?
It's easy to get interested in one car, and not notice others that are as good or better (that's where the "For Sale" sticky can be handy). That's where '928 Fever' can become problematic.

Jim Doerr at 928 Classics had a 79 Euro up for sale a couple days ago. No clue on price, but he called it an "entry level, driver grade".
It may meet your qualifications.

 

 

You are welcome. I'm sitting home, sick with a cold, so I don't have anything better to do than post stuff on here.

That sort of budget should get you a decent "old style" (pre-S4) car.
One that doesn't need any major work.

Do the shops close to you know 928s? Specifically 928s?

Many (most) "Porsche Specialists" are not 928 specialists.
Its a very different car from the 911 (or just about any other car, for that matter). It has a variety of 'peculiarities' that can result in very expensive 'learning opportunities' for mechanics. (and the mechanic isn't the one who pays the 'expensive' part).

Transport shouldn't be that big of a deal. The type of car you are looking for wouldn't require high end enclosed (Inter City or Passport). Or, if the car is solid, go out and drive it home. Lots of folks have done that (including me). It's a great way to get to know the car and can be a really fun adventure (it can also be a real nightmare, but that's the chance you take).

 

 

I'm doing better today than yesterday. Hopefully on the upswing. It's just a head cold. Standard Rhino-virus. I'm miserable, but no fever, no respiratory issues (I stay off my back when sleeping). I'll be ok in a few days.

Having a PPI done at the shop the seller uses is a dicey issue. Especially if you don't know the shop.

It's entirely possible they are on the 'up & up' and will give you a honest report...

Or not.

How realistic would it be for you to take someone down there to look at it? It would probably involve paying for both the inspection and the travel time, and may include taking enough equipment to do at least a halfway decent inspection.
But you would be able to trust it.

 

Never use the shop that has been "maintaining" the car for the previous owner for a PPI unless it is one of the trusted guys on here . Even then it is good to get an unbiased opinion.