Brent 89-GT

S4 vs GT......

The 928 S4 designation ran from 1987 through 1991. The GT was an option on the late '89 S4. For 90 and 91 the GT was the manual transmission 928, all 90-91 S4's are autos. In '89 you could have an S4 five speed or auto, or the manual only GT.

The GT is the hot rod 928, they get hotter cams, slightly higher redline, stronger, lower gears in the rear end firmed up suspension, you get the idea. Generally the GT is the higher strung of the two. It comes on very strong above 4000 rpm. The GT's torque curve was moved up 1000 rpm compared with the S4, and horsepower was rated 10 more, though dynos show that to be a little conservative. Word also has it that the GT engines had slightly tighter tolerances.

I wouldn't hesitate to drive a GT or 5-sp S4 daily, even in trafffic. There is no penalty beyond that of any other manual trans car.

You will pay a premium for a GT though, they are rare and desirable (no bias from me of course )

worf928

I'll throw in my 9.28 cents here...

Incompetent service is the bane of the 928 and the leading cause of the '928s are stupidly expensive to maintain' legend. Know that the shop to which you plan to take your soon-to-be-acquired 928 is not only a competent Porsche shop but that they work on 928s frequently, enjoy working on 928s, and that they don't have an anti-928 predisposition. Absence of the latter is tough to find up here in Yankee land.

mpesik

How picky are you and how much do you want to spend ? Maybe if you tell us what you don't like about your other porsche (s) perhaps you could be guided a little more accurately. Mike. I myself would pick 93 -95 GTS hands down! Mike.

Cameron

I had a '90 S4 as my daily driver for 3 years. Since then, I have had a '91 GT as my daily driver. The GT, as stated, is more of the hotrod of the two. The upgrades that the '91 has (as stated by Nicole) are noticable improvements from the '90. The only time since I sold my S4 (auto) that I missed it compared to the GT was when I had to commute down to Miami from Fort Lauderdale in rush hour. About half way, I remember saying to myself,

'If I had to face this traffic everyday, I would need to get an S4 or GTS auto'.

So, if your traffic is not too heavy, get the GT. If heavy, get the S4 auto ('87 or newer). Even better, the '89 had the higher final drive ratio which makes it a bit quicker off the line. Idealy, a '91 S4 for the model year improvements, but they are noticably more pricey than earlier S4s.

A word of caution - if you decide on a 928 GT, you may end up selling your other two P cars due to lack of use. Don't say I didn't warn you.

.....Cameron
'91 Euro GT

Bill Ball

If you try an AT car, shift it like a stick and you will be surprised. The throw on the stick seems quite long to me, even in the GT/GTS models, and would benefit from a short shifter mod.

The GT had stiffer suspension (although look for an S4 with sport suspension option and you will be close), 10-15 more HP (different cam), higher final gear ratio, wider wheels (at least in 89)...oh, here is a more complete list, comparing the GT to a 5-speed S4.

http://www.nichols.nu/tip042.htm

S4s could be either 5-speed or AT until 90, when GT designated 5-speed and S4 AT.

Nicole

Anders: You should do that, too!!!

ViribusUnits

Boy, all these folks wanting the newer cars.

There is something to be said for the older makes. I'm rather partial to the older cars myself.

As a daily driver, the older cars have enough power to get you into plenty of trouble. To be honest, my car don't feel slow untill you get up past 120. If your drive is similer to anything I know, you'll rarely get that fast! Not to mention, going that fast will get you into a heap of trouble with the black and whites.

The cars are simpler, often easyer to work on, and a bit more forgiveing. The spider intake allows fairly easy access to the bits and peices under it. The older cars are typicaly non-interference designs, so if the t-belt goes, it won't total the car. (Note, there are exceptions to any rule. The tollorances are tight, so it is possible to bend valves if the combustion chamber isn't clean.)

The fuel of choice is 87 octane, so they're a bit easyer on your fuel bill. The 85+ cars all want 91 octane fuel according to the WSMs. There is a mode to allow them to use lower octane fuel, eighter activated by the anti-knock sensors, or the "low octane loop", but they have other complications.

The EFI brain seems to be more reliable than the LH unit, and the rest of the FI components are at least as reliable as their later equivlent. There are fewer brains in general, less possibility for things to go wrong. For example, no fan control brain, and one fewer a/c control brains.

However, as always incompetent service is the ban of the cars existance. While the equipment may be more forgiveing, it's also more unusual. Many "import" car mechenics will turn you away, simply because of the L-jetronic fuel injection system. Or even worse, preform the work and have not a clue what they're doing. The twin disk clutch is picky as to how it's adjusted. If it's adjusted wrong, it can take the weaker syncros out even faster than would be otherwise the case.

Eighter way, there really arn't any "years to avoid".

Good luck, and good hunting.

mac993

Wow, thanks for all the good advice. Looks like I'll be looking at an '89 or up S4 or possibly a GT. The info you all provided was exactly what I was looking for. Thanks again. It's good to know that the people on this board are as cool and knowledgeable as over on the 993 board.

BTW- Cameron, nothing and I do mean nothing will ever make me want to sell my 993....(well I might be tempted by a 993 twin turbo )

Cameron

Dan,

I know. I shoulda' added the smiley face. You will like the GT, though.

In time, I want to add a 993 and a 968 to the stable. One of the two will have to be a cab.

Good luck!

.....Cameron
'91 Euro GT

Brent 89-GT

Dan, Cameron really had some insight there. I almost sold my GT this spring to replace it with a 993. I drove a couple and they are no doubt awesome cars, but I couldn't go through with it. The sound and feel of the 928 is unique (as is the 993) and I would have had to choose one or the other, the 928 stays. Driving it daily is going to get you hooked Still I envy you somewhat, I would love to have a 993 C4S, or a TT of course but with a half dozen cars for two drivers, I had better not push my luck with my wife

Good luck and keep the questions coming as the search continues, sounds like you are on the right track.

Gretch

What Brent 89-GT and Cameron said............

And you wanna know what a hot rod is? .....wellllllll, do ya???????

try an 89GT with a supercharger...........You have no idea..........!!!!!!!!!!

Gretch is the quickest, fastest, most agressive hot rod I have ever driven.....this car is downright violent.............

Brent 89-GT

Now that I have moved to the land of thin air (7200ft elev.) that SC system is sounding better and better all the time. Please stop the positive comments about the SC immediately, my wallet can't take it right now, but the rest of me sure is pushing for it

Gretch

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OK, I will stop now...............

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Just go get one.....................cause it is now clear to me I ain't gonna shut up..........

mac993

Brent 89-GT and Gretch- There is no doubt that I'll like the 928 S4 or GT. I like the looks, love V8 power and well it's a Porsche so I'm sure it has that "feel". But IMHO the 993 is "it". Not only does it have the handling, power, braking and "feel", but the best way to describe it is what a girl/friend said the first time she saw it.
"That has to be the sexist car I've ever seen in my life!!"
I would have to agree.

Cameron

Dan,

By the way, nice wheels! They look great on the 928 as well.

.....Cameron
'91 Euro GT

http://f1.pg.photos.yahoo.com/ph/nee...&.dnm=c177.jpg