DonW-Cape Cod

Hi: I'm on the 996 board and am in need of a GTS automatic. I haven't searched Pano/or Excellence yet, or even the various forum "for sale" threads.

Anyway can anyone know of one? ext/int colors don't matter. Only requirement is auto trans and full records. Would appreciate your help! TIA.

Nicole

Hi Don:

Would this car be for yourself? Do you have any limits on mileage, geographical location, etc?

Nice for really spirited driving are th '94 and later models, becaukse they have dynamic kickdown. It can be retrofitted in earlier cars, or you can install a second kick-down switch do manually shift down. '94+ has pollen filter instead of intensive windshield washer, and doesn't have the tire pressure monitoring system that most of us have defeated in the meantime.

Otherwise they are all great - the greatest - 928s!

When I bought my car four years ago, I have found www.cars.com a very good resource. You can find local cars, and the sellers I encountered were not as nutty as in some other resources. The archives should have multiple threads on places to search for a 928.

Either way. DO NOT - and I say it again: DO NOT buy a 928 without having a pre-purchase inspection done by a mechanic who knows the 928 - NOT just any Porsche mechanic! Iti needs to be someone who knows this particular model and where to look for potentially expensive issues.

If you run into any questions or issues, post here, or contact "the big three" 928 parts suppliers - they are all wonderful, very helpful people and know the 928 inside out! Pretty often they know of customer cars that are up for sale:

www.devek.net
www.928intl.com
www.928gt.com

Another resource might be Brian Buxton at www.buxtonmotorsports.com. It never hurts to ask.

Best of luck!!!

PS: People are going to tell you not to buy a low mileage car because of potential oil leaks. It all depends on what you want the car for - if you want it as a daily driver, mileage does not matter that much on a 928 - as long as the maintenance is up to date and a few wear and tear parts have been replaced. However, if you want a really nice example, it is easier and less intrusive to fix oil leaks than to repaint the car (rock chips) and redo a worn or sun damaged interior. It's all a matter of priority...

Niels Jørgensen

Nicole, you got that all wrong...

I am one of those who speak in favor of high-mileage cars, but I wouldn't pick a high-mileage cars over a low-mileage car on that criteria alone.

What I say is look at the car, not the odometer. It really doesn't matter how many miles are on the car, what matters is how it looks, and what the PPI says. A low mileage car that has been sitting in a showroom for six years can be just as expensive over the first couple of months as a well maintained daily driver with a few wear issues.

Low mileage is no more guarantee of a fresh car than high mileage is a guarantee of a tired car. So, pretend the odometer is broken, and look at the rest of the car instead.

sweanders

I agree with Niels. For me the condition of the car and a minimal number of owners is important. The nicest cars tend to be kept long by their caretakers.

MrLexse

If you're buying a garage queen, you should be looking for as low a mileage car as you can find. If you're planning on a daily driver, there's no sense spending the extra money for a low mileage car, as the overall condition of this car (the 928) supercedes the mileage consideration. When its time for resale, however, that 94 or 95 GTS with 30,000 miles is perceived to be worth more than the same car with 80,000 miles.

Gretch

Don, some top condition cars have been found on E-Bay. generally handled by dealer resellers. You must be careful though as these are quite complex vehicles and if the maintenance is let go for extended periods, the cost to get them back in tip top shape can be high. Everyone here will recommend you get a detailed pre-purchase inspection by a (928 specific) knowledgable person or shop. The nice ones are out there and the fact that you are looking for an automatic will make your search a bit easier. You are likely going to have to travel to find the car you want, and the 928 community is often willing to pitch in and check out a local car for you before you make a trip. Good luck.

DonW-Cape Cod

Thanks all for the leads and comments, folks. You're all the experts. I've never owned one, so my appetite is whetted! Nicole, I know Brian quite well, in fact except for the 996 he has bought and sold all our other Porsches. Will give him a call after I do a little nosing around myself. This car is for Florida only and my only concern is leaving it down there during the summer. Alternative is having the Cab shipped back and forth during the Cape winter, but it's pretty costly for a closed trailer. Intercity and I are almost on a a first name basis.

blau928

Don,

Don't leave the 928 sitting for months. It gives less trouble if you drive it regularly. Actually begs to be driven regularly. You may want to seek out a car with dual A/C for FLA...

I have 210k miles, and the engine has never been apart. Full services, and maintenance though....

JE928Sx4.

Don,

Go to http://www.928gt.com/928s4Sale/9284sale.htm The car you are looking for is listed there last on the page.

Weissach

Take your time searching for the right car.

http://www.928registry.org/928s-forsale.htmhttp://www.928registry.org/928s-forsale.htm

Fastest928

we have a customer with a nice red 93 or so GTS for sale. contact Susan if you are interested...very reasonable price.

Marc
DEVEK

worf928

I'd be very, very concerned about this car because of the extensive non-factory electronics. All of us know that it is the after-market hack jobs that cause electrical problems.

Also, DonW,

no one has mentioned that for an auto-equipped 928 you need to determine if the torque tube has been replaced or removed and re-installed for any reason. If it has been disturbed you need to ensure that it was done correctly or thrust bearing failure is on the menu. Search for TBF.

JE928Sx4.

That is what a PPI is for.

1. All of those componenets can be added easily with out butchering the electronics, and it doesn'y look like the PO was going for the El cheapo Clarion replacement, or skimped on maintenance.
2. It is possible to check the Thrust Bearing for wear by measuring the play in the crank. Then ensuring that proper procedures are followed buttoning up the drive train after checking.
3. The car has extensive dealership maintenance records (warrantied work).
4. the car is located in the state he wants to keep it.

This car would be high on my list of prospects.

Randy V

Don - you becoming a convert? You're doing it in style with a GTS!

worf928

Agreed. None of these are prima facie run-away-now items given the low-mileage and extensive records (and a PPI.)

It is however, important to know that these items must be investigated.

Quote:

1. All of those componenets can be added easily with out butchering the electronics, and it doesn'y look like the PO was going for the El cheapo Clarion replacement, or skimped on maintenance.

Yup. A careful installation of all the equipment will not result in gremlins. However, just because someone spends $5k on an install does not mean that it was done correctly. I have, with my own eyes, seen a multi-thousand-dollar install that resulted in sheet metal screws through the floorpan of a Porsche into a hard brake line.

Quote:

2. It is possible to check the Thrust Bearing for wear by measuring the play in the crank. Then ensuring that proper procedures are followed buttoning up the drive train after checking.

And pretension on the flex plate.

Quote:

This car would be high on my list of prospects.

And mine too. If I wanted another 928 and I wanted an Automatic. It looks like a great find if the electrical system isn't a rat's nest and the thrust bearing isn't translucently thin.