my first 928
12-03-2018, 01:03 PM
#16
RL Community Team
Rennlist Member
Rennlist Member
Ed, take your time, figure out what you like about the different years - OB looks, MT or Auto, plans to keep it mostly stock or upgrade with forced induction, etc as all those things can factor into the decision - for example, no one is modifying GTS anymore due to their value and price.
Personally, I'd ask Stan (MrMerlin) what he's working on that will be for sale soon and put that at the top of my list
12-03-2018, 04:13 PM
#17
Nordschleife Master
First off, welcome. You've come to the best, most knowledgeable & friendliest 928 resource available. Everything you will need to know is on here.
As was suggested, read the "New Visitor" sticky. Follow the links and read them too.
Then start reading the "For Sale" sticky. Keep in mind that it's an ongoing thread, and is never 'cleaned up.'. So there are cars listed for sale that were sold a long time ago,
But you will see what's out there, and what asking prices are.
One more 'research' suggestion is to go back through the forum, page by page. You will see the issues that pop up, questions that are asked, that sort of stuff. You will also find a bunch of "I want a 928 but don't know what I'm looking for" threads. Read those.
As was also suggested, if you can find a good 928 to get a ride in, great. It may or may not be an option where you are.
The differences among the years are not all that big. It's the same car. It gained some weight and technology as it evolved, it gained some power too. But it was an evolution, not huge changes.
Styling changed from the S3 to the S4. Flush fog & tail lights vs recessed. Wing vs lip spoiler. That is a matter of personal taste.
The GTS is going to cost the most, followed by the GT. Then likely the OB (78 & 79) then the S3. 80-84 US is least loved, lowest powered, and priced accordingly.
But it usually comes down to condition and records. Mileage matters some for price, but not for ownership. There's a fairly significant price drop when the car crosses the 100k mark, but there are a number of cars with well over 200k on them. Take proper care and they last a long time.
If you've owned a 968, then you have some idea of how the 'front engined water coolers' are largely forgotten & ignored. You have a "Porsche Specialist", but does he know the 928? If not, does he understand how different they are from the 911? Is he willing to learn how to correctly work on a 928?
And do you realize what you are getting into? You asked about them being "problematic". The answer is 'not more than any other exotic supercar that's 30 years old.' Being that old, they need work on a fairly regular basis, just like any other car that old. They cost as much as a mid-sized house when new. Parts cost reflects that, not what you can get them for now. This was a huge problem 15-20 years ago, They were cheap to buy, but not to own. So many got neglected. There's a pretty good discussion of 'cost of ownership' in the 'Porsche Classic' thread that popped up last week.
And last, there are the questions of what do you want, what can you do and how much can you spend?
Soooo...
What do you want?
A long term project?
A 'driver' that runs well but has flaws?
A nice 'weekend and cars & coffee' car?
A concours level car?
A car that sits in the house and gets rubbed with a diaper?
How much work can you do yourself?
Full shop including lift and air? Capable of doing major work like engine rebuilds?
A couple roll aways full of tools, including some specialty stuff? Capable of fairly big projects?
A couple tool boxes full? Capable of mid level stuff like brakes and wheel bearings?
One box, typical 'wrench & sockets'? Capable of oil changes but not much else?
A crescent wrench, pair of pliers and a couple screwdrivers? Don't even change your own oil?
How much do you want to spend?
A lot.
A whole lot.
Just won the lottery and money isn't a concern.
(Note that 'not a lot' isn't a choice).
As was suggested, read the "New Visitor" sticky. Follow the links and read them too.
Then start reading the "For Sale" sticky. Keep in mind that it's an ongoing thread, and is never 'cleaned up.'. So there are cars listed for sale that were sold a long time ago,
But you will see what's out there, and what asking prices are.
One more 'research' suggestion is to go back through the forum, page by page. You will see the issues that pop up, questions that are asked, that sort of stuff. You will also find a bunch of "I want a 928 but don't know what I'm looking for" threads. Read those.
As was also suggested, if you can find a good 928 to get a ride in, great. It may or may not be an option where you are.
The differences among the years are not all that big. It's the same car. It gained some weight and technology as it evolved, it gained some power too. But it was an evolution, not huge changes.
Styling changed from the S3 to the S4. Flush fog & tail lights vs recessed. Wing vs lip spoiler. That is a matter of personal taste.
The GTS is going to cost the most, followed by the GT. Then likely the OB (78 & 79) then the S3. 80-84 US is least loved, lowest powered, and priced accordingly.
But it usually comes down to condition and records. Mileage matters some for price, but not for ownership. There's a fairly significant price drop when the car crosses the 100k mark, but there are a number of cars with well over 200k on them. Take proper care and they last a long time.
If you've owned a 968, then you have some idea of how the 'front engined water coolers' are largely forgotten & ignored. You have a "Porsche Specialist", but does he know the 928? If not, does he understand how different they are from the 911? Is he willing to learn how to correctly work on a 928?
And do you realize what you are getting into? You asked about them being "problematic". The answer is 'not more than any other exotic supercar that's 30 years old.' Being that old, they need work on a fairly regular basis, just like any other car that old. They cost as much as a mid-sized house when new. Parts cost reflects that, not what you can get them for now. This was a huge problem 15-20 years ago, They were cheap to buy, but not to own. So many got neglected. There's a pretty good discussion of 'cost of ownership' in the 'Porsche Classic' thread that popped up last week.
And last, there are the questions of what do you want, what can you do and how much can you spend?
Soooo...
What do you want?
A long term project?
A 'driver' that runs well but has flaws?
A nice 'weekend and cars & coffee' car?
A concours level car?
A car that sits in the house and gets rubbed with a diaper?
How much work can you do yourself?
Full shop including lift and air? Capable of doing major work like engine rebuilds?
A couple roll aways full of tools, including some specialty stuff? Capable of fairly big projects?
A couple tool boxes full? Capable of mid level stuff like brakes and wheel bearings?
One box, typical 'wrench & sockets'? Capable of oil changes but not much else?
A crescent wrench, pair of pliers and a couple screwdrivers? Don't even change your own oil?
How much do you want to spend?
A lot.
A whole lot.
Just won the lottery and money isn't a concern.
(Note that 'not a lot' isn't a choice).
I don't need to hear the answers to these, but you need to answer them honestly. And note the order they are in. A high level car, with you capable of little or no work will cost a lot. A project or 'driver', with you capable of a lot of work will cost far, far less. Still not cheap, but that's part of owning a 928.