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Hello Rennlist,
Decided to travel 60 miles to test drive a lovely 1988 Porsche 928 S4 automatic this morning. Not exactly what I expected or envisioned over the last 3 years of searching and/or bidding on Bringatrailer.com. Very heavy car, difficult to steer, accelerator far from the driver seat and hard to bury. On the way home, I imagined that taking a 5-speed around town would have been quite a chore. Does this experience sound normal? The 1988 S4 auto comes in at 3,549 lbs curb weight, but I always imagined a nimble, lightweight car (like an early 80s 928S model at 3,197 lbs). But does it really make that much difference? Should I also test drive an 83 or 86...or even a 78, if I can even find one within 250 miles? Thought I was ready to pull the trigger any day now, however I would welcome any advice from the 928 veterans and aficionados out there, any thoughts?
Sincerely,
SPS1989
I would tend to agree with you on it feeling heavy; albeit, I've only owned two 928s, I wouldn't consider either of mine light on their toes. Driving around parking lots or low speeds is nothing like a modern car… But in my mind, that’s not where 928s shine. They shine out on curvy roads where they stick like a cat on carpet, decent acceleration (for their age), top speed, and comfort.
For the accelerator pedal, that is adjustable, and maybe it just wasn’t in the right spot for you. The pedal itself can be moved closer to the seat, the throttle cable thru the firewall can be adjusted to remove slack, and the transmission kick-down switch is also adjustable. With the steering wheel/pod adjustability, the seats, pedals, etc., you should be able to find a comfortable position.
A lot of variables as to why you may have had a bad experience. (Under inflated tires, poor alignment, bad steering rack, crappy bushings, etc.) As much as you wouldn’t marry the first person you date, I’d recommend the same with 928. Now you have a baseline.
You should drive with a well maintenanced car, ask here if a Rennlist buddy is near your side.
The most used 928 have a 5.000 $ parts ticket in the suspension.
If the MAF is aged, the cat clogged and so on the power is gone, these cars are great for country roads and autobahn
but they're 35 years old.
And collector cars can be on the mechanical side awful, look careful if ignition, shocks and so on are new.
The cars I bought had both a lot of miles but the 84 S was the daily driver from a architect from swizzerland and the 86 S was
35 years in first owners hand.
Both need all wear items new but were reliable cars at the moment of purchase.
I think if you take a fresh purchased normal 928 in the shop from GB, Sean or Mr. Merlin and the task is fix all necessary mechanical work you have a 15.000 $ ticket with labour and the car wasn't bad.
The picture illustrate the needs from this cars, it's half the suspension work! ;-) I don't Like the unsafe feeling at high Speed, so new shocks and Rubber. The drivers door needs Attention, the door Stop is old, outer window gasket and glide pieces from the mechanism.
The older 16v cars feel more athletic, especially the Euro S ones with the 300-310 HP engines. One of the things that makes the 928 great is how planted it is at speed, but it's not really a canyon carver (still capable and fun there though).
The older 16v cars feel more athletic, especially the Euro S ones with the 300-310 HP engines. One of the things that makes the 928 great is how planted it is at speed, but it's not really a canyon carver (still capable and fun there though).
As Petza says, this is exactly my thinking also. Go for a euro 928s manual if it's the most fun you want with these cars.
Hmmm..
As 928 suspension ages (30+ year old rubber/sometimes original shocks), the cars get to the point where they start to feel heavy and sluggish.
However, this can not only be fixed, but improved, at the same time.
Our stock engine "developmental" GT is evolved to the point where it can either lead or stay glued the tail of a really nicely modified S2000, though the canyons of Los Angeles. (Both drivers are extremely qualified and talented.)
And our "Hellblau" restorod 928 has such insane limits that no one wants to go fast enough to find them, on the street.
Owning 5 myself (4 early and one S4) the 87 does feel bigger, and I really cannot put my finger on why. Especially since it's my only 928 with a sunroof and power seats meaning there's actually less room in it for me.
I've never understood the heavy steering feel folks say about the 928. I've been pondering ways to measure this so we have some kind of a baseline to compare to. My wife has no issues driving any of our 928's as far as steering effort goes. Once I put a smaller steering wheel on our Scirocco and she couldn't drive it that way without shoulder pain.
Much of what you say about 928 experience could be from a car in bad need of maintenance as others have said. Also to the overall "heavy" feel. The 2:20 R&P combined with a low stall speed in the converter does make the automatics feel very lazy when rolling through a round-about in 2nd gear. Every S4 would be better suited with the transmission that came out in 1989.
I drive my 87 like a manual, dropping it into 2nd so it starts in 1st.
I once read an article by an automotive writer who was "forced" by his boss to drive the bosses 928 to an place for an article. (I believe this was in the Pacific Northwest...if anyone knows where to find this article, I'd love to have it.)
The writer hated the 928. Same complaints as the OP has above.....and more.
I just smiled and said: "Give me that thing for a few days and you'll think I took 500 pounds out of it and installed a different chassis."
Once the front lower control arms loose their "spring", the front sway bar takes 40 foot pounds to move in its' swollen rubber, the rear kinematic bushings no longer move, and the stock Boge shocks loose over 50% of their original specifications, the cars turn into a large brick.
I'm curious to try your solution Greg but my other old Lady needs my attention yet! Classical lower saxony Farmhouse
1863, the roof is this....I don't know the english term edith: reed!
I think building roofs from reed is a profession on the way of the Dodo, in the future only the rich can build houses with it.
A good GT test drive would be to go 2 tanks away,
and be on fast roads where you can stretch her legs.
Yes she likes the curves.
If you have company , put the windows up, and the AC on,
your company might take a nap in your special machine.
as your sailing along at a remarkable pace,
the napping copilot non the wiser,LOL
So off the line she might seem like a floppy ooFDa.
Dont be fooled , as your gonna be schooled
But get her warmed up and Cruising,
she will reward you with a controlled demeanor,
When you arrive you will be relaxed from your journey,
after a while the others that were behind you will arrive,
fatigued and worn.
Thats why you fired the Chauffeur.
Anyone being handed a worn 35yr old car to "get an impression of" should stop taking notes right away.
FInd a _fully_ sorted one. And to date not many have really fully refreshed suspension and rubber bits FULLY, which makes the 928 quality of like significantly different than any half-done suspension work, no matter what shock or spring is in it.
What the car -is- finally comes to life in that form.
Although I would love to have the funds to put my 83 back to as good as new or even better, I love her the way she is, a 40 year old super car.
The words to the John Legend song ‘All of me’ sum up how I feel about her……. Cause all of me Loves all of you Love your curves and all your edges All your perfect imperfections Give your all to me I'll give my all to you
Come to Rendezvous 928 Sharks Discover Columbus July 20 - 22. There’s gonna be over 80 928s of every model, size, & configuration, including cars with GB’s golden touch. Miss this event and you’ll miss the opportunity for comparisons.
I once read an article by an automotive writer who was "forced" by his boss to drive the bosses 928 to an place for an article. (I believe this was in the Pacific Northwest...if anyone knows where to find this article, I'd love to have it.)
The writer hated the 928. Same complaints as the OP has above.....and more.
I just smiled and said: "Give me that thing for a few days and you'll think I took 500 pounds out of it and installed a different chassis."
Once the front lower control arms loose their "spring", the front sway bar takes 40 foot pounds to move in its' swollen rubber, the rear kinematic bushings no longer move, and the stock Boge shocks loose over 50% of their original specifications, the cars turn into a large brick.
07-14-2023, 02:05 AM
Very First 928 Test Drive
