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The GTS
I would like an honest answer. Other than some sheet metal work, sport mirrors, and a larger engine that has a bad reputation for bad rods, and drinking oil. What makes the GTS, a better car than my S4? My 89 is supercharged, and some other mods, and is very fast out on the highway.
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Originally Posted by polecat702
(Post 15745151)
I would like an honest answer. Other than some sheet metal work, sport mirrors, and a larger engine that has a bad reputation for bad rods, and drinking oil. What makes the GTS, a better car than my S4? My 89 is supercharged, and some other mods, and is very fast out on the highway.
Åke |
What makes you think that a GTS is a better car than a GT or an S4, by example?
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Originally Posted by polecat702
(Post 15745151)
I would like an honest answer. Other than some sheet metal work, sport mirrors, and a larger engine that has a bad reputation for bad rods, and drinking oil. What makes the GTS, a better car than my S4? My 89 is supercharged, and some other mods, and is very fast out on the highway.
The cosmetics and front brakes are genuine improvements as are the larger diameter wheels. Not convinced the R1 rods are a real world issue given there was no recall and one does not seem to read about them failing even if they are considered to be a "weakness". For sure I would not supercharge a GTS motor with the R1 rods. I believe the S4/GT motor on balance is a better option but folks have managed to make their GTS's work. I am quite happy with my late 90 S4 motor in my current GTS chassis. It probably kills any prospect of resale value but given I have no intention of selling it that is somewhat academic. If you are happy with your setup that is all that really matters or so I would think. What I have perceived [rightly or wrongly] is that I felt my late 90 S4 had a better build quality than my current GTS. |
It’s a more beautiful car, especially if it doesn’t have the side stripes.
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The price for a GTS is certainly worth mentioning too.
I did not pay a lot of money for my GTS in 2003 when I bought it in Germany. It had a full service record, exactly 100 kmiles on it and they gave them away for "free" back then. This time is long gone and y could sell it easily for triple the price today. I never had any major issues with the engine. It is still the first and is still unopened. Runs very smooth and strong with GT cams, X-Pipe, sharktuning and other small upgrades. Oil consumption is close to zero. Yes, not all GTS engine consume oil by the quart between fill ups. I just took it last weekend to the highway for some final EZK mapping adjustments. With a modified 2.2 final drive ratio, the car hits 143.5 MPH in third gear in no time. Is the GTS so much better than S4 or GT, no but it is certainly more refined. Porsche was always about evolution with years of production, not revolution. After 16 years of owning my GTS, it never let me down, everything works even the RDK. It still does all that I I've asked for with no complaints. Not bad for something that is 27 years old. Enjoy your 928 regardless of the year, they are all great in their own way. |
From a performance standpoint, the 90/91GT which has the early version of active driver assist with variable LSD control would be equal to any of the GTS. Although the power was up with the GTS engine, the weight was up as well. This also applies to the bigger brakes. The GTS needed more stopping power due to weight increase. The S4 would be close, but the added HP and manual trans make the later GT with 2.84 diff gears the equal of any GTS(stock to stock).
But, the 928 is not a sports car it is a 'touring' performance car. I suspect, but do not know for sure, the GTS has better sound insulation than the early S4. I recall there was a sound improvement during the S4 run, not sure of the year break. While the bullet mirrors are a bit more elegant, the flag mirrors provide a better view to the rear. Cosmetically I like the bullet mirrors better, but from a driving perspective I prefer the flag mirror. I believe the seats are the same, dash, instruments, AC, heat, steering, etc are all the same. Cosmetically, I do think the fender treatment on the GTS is an improvement over the S4. If only to make it more aggressive looking, and provided a bit more serious footprint on the ground. This is a noted change from slab-sided car-think of the late 70s early 80. I would guess there is just barely enough 'improvement' in the GTS to consider it higher market value, but to me it is not worth pursuing over an 90/91GT. The S4 prices are still a bargain comparatively and from a value perspective, I would choose the S4 over any auto trans GTS every time. |
I will throw a temper-tantrum every chance I get regarding the 928's lack of hips and its resultant slab sides.
However, not with the GTS! I think it looks so much better than the earlier ones by far. FYI, S4 5-speed and GT owner here. |
I can agree that my ‘93 GTS is the quietest of the 928’s. My ‘90 GT very close. I do have a “quart per tankful” engine which I will be addressing soon with one of GB’s baffle systems.
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I also like the widebody look of the GTS plus the aero mirrors. However their price is up there and you already own a nice S4.....is it worth it? Thats a ? only you can answer polecat
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My GTS surely had a level of BWAA at the seat of the pants that topped my stock S4, my CIS car and my L jet car. My wife was constantly worried they would have to scrape me off the rear end of a big truck. With the blower you are probably more than equal. Bigger brakes, but I did not feel much different on the street. Hardly feel it between the S brakes and S4 brakes even, although the pre S to S is a drastic change. Noticeably quieter inside, but should be easy to match that. The hips look good, but 1) they stick out far enough to attract dings (parking spots are getting smaller all the time), and 2) they actually take the same size tires. Aero mirrors look good but rear visibility is noticeably reduced. This biggest disadvantage to me was that it was rare and valuable. I mean its good...I made some money on a car for once. But its a situation that works against you wanting to modify or even drive it much. The new owner's big project is to try to locate a stock radio so that he can return the car to absolute stock condition. That's fine, and probably the right move, but I tend to be more ambitious than that. It did get a bit of attention and even the Greg Brown nod of approval at SharkFest, so there's that.
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Joe,
Have you ever driven a GTS? If you haven't, you can drive mine at Third Coast this year. It's a different experience than any of my others. They are all great, but they all drive differently. The GTS is a road beast and it has that great low end torque. |
Originally Posted by soontobered84
(Post 15746356)
Joe,
Have you ever driven a GTS? If you haven't, you can drive mine at Third Coast this year. It's a different experience than any of my others. They are all great, but they all drive differently. The GTS is a road beast and it has that great low end torque. My 928 has had a bunch of up grades, brake rotors, shocks, bushings, X-pipe, RMB etc. With the X-pipe and RMB, it's loud. The PO, dyna-matted the car when the carpeting was replaced. I wish he'd have used the black silverknit, instead of the white. White carpet sucks in a car. Of course it's sharktuned, with the blower. I like the looks of the GTS, but never figured it'd be worth buying one over what I already have. |
The reality is.....Porsche never got the 928 quite right......every single year has "mechanical issues".
In terms of early cars, the "which year is the best" is really simple....the 1986.5 model wins this, by a huge margin. It can be argued, fairly convincingly, that the '89GT has the best of the best of the late model cars, in terms of the mechanical pieces (in the 5 speed versions). The 1991 GT model comes in a close second....only because of the extra complexity of the PSD and the Airbag System (although it could be argued that the Airbag System is a big improvement.) The 1989 S4 and the 1991 S4 are probably about the same caliber vehicles, in terms of mechanicals....with the same debate about the PSD and the Airbag System. (The 1990 vehicles are also very nice cars....except they have the "first generation" Airbag System and the first generation PSD, which both improved in 1991. Some of the mechanical design problems with the GTS border on the absurd.....and it is quite a stretch to think of this car as being the "most evolved" 928, because of these mechanical "issues". All of these cars, until they are "repaired", fall behind the '89GT, in terms of mechanicals. The GTS rear flares are very nice....and to a certain extent, "blind" people to the mechanical issues. The very best of the late model cars? How about a 1991 GT with the rear flare option? |
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