karl ruiter

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eB...&category=6432
I'm having a little moment of insanity here, and thinking about doing this. The thing is that I don't have indoor parking so I dont want to start out with a perfect car and see it go down hill. And I'm a pretty good 928 wrench. The concerns I have are: 1) what if this thing is not at all as represented. I have purchased 928s on ebay before but for less $$ and not so far away. 2) does anybody know what year the flex-plate/thrust bearing problem started happening? It was discussed at Sharktoberfest, but I couldn't quite hear.
This car has been on ebay for quite a while, so I'm hoping someone has seen it or talked with the seller.

James-man

Good thinking on getting a light-colored car for outdoor parking. I would also recommend window tinting. I had to park my 928 outside for about 1 year (the other @ 9 years garaged and the prior owner claimed to have always garaged it). As a result of that 1 year, (yes I always I used a sunshade but didn't have tinted windows) the temps got so high in that car that the interior trim started pulling up. The glue must have baked or something. Ugh!

Good luck!

Tony

I like the color! then again im partial to the silvers.

IMHO, that motor looks like it has had a fire extinguisher sprayed on it at some point? I would look it over very carefully.
I have bought both my cars on ebay. It just takes communication between you and the seller and and understanding that if you come out and see the car and it isnt what you want or isnt what was represented when you see it in person, you can back out of the deal. Thats what i did..and teh seller was OK with it both times...as long as i did come out to view it.
To buy a car sight unseen is risky...and backing out of a deal because you haven't seen it is your own fault and the seller will probably be a little ticked.

Perhaps have some one local to it give it a one over?

AS far as TBF, it is an issue but many cars at the similar mileage have had no issue. I woudl recommend the first thing you do in a PPI if you get one is have it measured/checked. If not the first thing when you get it home is get underneath and release the front pinch bolt and flex plate loading.
http://members.rennlist.com/v1uhoh/cranksha.htm
http://members.rennlist.com/v1uhoh/pinch.htm

macreel

Karl... @ s'fest, Greg Brown said the flex problem began with '85, 32V
& 4- speed auto trannys. US '84 autos are 4-speed, too.

G'luck. Hope your flex plate is 'loose'.

Mark

In the pic of the pod - it appears to be idleing at about 200rpm!!!

Also - check the "!" warning lights - the ABS light is on - and....isn't that the T-BELT WARNING lit up on the top left?!?!?!?!

Styln928

Karl . . That car has been on ebay 4x already. I called on it when it was listed for $10,995. The guy I talked to on the phone was a jerk. He had no info on the car. No records, no nothing. Look at the dash gauges. Anti lock light on along with other lights. Beware! Just a heads up.

Nicole

The leather on the seats looks like it's shrunken and now hard as a rock. I'm surprised to see rust on the screws for the seat switches - maks me wonder, if there are is rain leaking inside.

chaadster

Yeah, I'm afraid of this one, too. It looks pretty rough; front spoiler is broken, seat cushions look swollen with moisture, rear cargo mat doesn't fit properly, tires look as though it has been sitting idle... be sure to check it out first hand. As already mentioned, the dash warning lights look lighted... could be a real pain in the ****... for 3k, maybe... but have several K in cash on standby. And that engine looks horrible, like it has been submerged (or sprayed with an extinguisher). Be aware!!

hinchcliffe

"!" lights look like it says Tail light and Anti-lock. Motor looks ugly. I'd be afradi of the car. Depends on what you spend for it though. Ask lots of questions. Ask why its been on ebay 4times without selling. I'm sure someone here is from NJ and could look at it for you. Or have him take it to the dealer for a PPI. Either way, don't make a final deal on it till you see it in person.

karl ruiter

O.K.- Sanity prevails. A quick pass on Autotraider shows that, if I want a less-than-perfect S4, I can get one much closer to home for about the same price. That not only saves me $775 in shipping, but allows me to have a close look first. I'm not that scared of the look of the motor or of missing speaker grills etc. It just looks dirty to me. I can fix most anything that is not thrust bearing failure, bent valves, leaking steering rack, or paint, without breaking the bank. But if the guys a jerk, or does not know enough about the car to accuratly understand and describe its condition, there's not much I can do about that. I have bought totaled 928s and basket case 928s and pretty much anything goes with me as far as condition as long as the price allows me to make the repairs. But trust is a non-negotiable requirement.
Thanks all for your help.