I've had several 911s over the years, including the 00 996 now. How does the 996 compare to a 928 GTS. I use the 996 as a daily driver and I've heard some really good things about the GTS, but I've never driven one and there are none for sale around Atlanta, that I've seen anyway. I've been checking autotrader and it looks like there are several low mileage examples available right now within 500 miles or so. I would assume the prices of a 94 or 95 GTS is pretty close to the value of my 996, based on what people are asking.

I'm not unhappy with the 996. I just thought the GTS would be something I would like to try for a year or two as a daily driver. I guess a couple of magazine articles I've read in the past couple of months has caused this uncontrollable urge. Any opinions?

 

Two years? You probably won't let go of it at all after you have driven it at speed. It IS a Porsche, but not a 911. I have had three 911s, and the 928 is the true GT. After the sixth hour you will understand why as you are still rested and itching for six more hours. There is no other car I have ever driven that has a seating/driving position comparable to the 928. The car must have been designed around the driver. I once said that about 911s but then I got into a 928 and the difference was amazing. Comfort, elegance, no nonsense, and a forgiving nature unknown to 911s. 911s can bite the unaware; but the first hour in a 928 on a mountain road will make apparent the forgiving nature of a 928. The last 911 I drove was a 996 C4 on a closed course. Forget it. Try the 928 and join the enlightened. If you have ever driven a 356 Speedster you wil understand what I am saying. Light and responsive and direct. The 928 lacks the lightness, because of its weight and higher speed purpose, but the directness is there. And the interior space is just what 911s lack. Vision all around is also good. But a town car it is not; you need to spend time at speed to appreciate it fully. One poster of its period offers it as an alternative to flying. Hey, forget flying. Just get a V1 and take the 928. Or don't try it and save yourself the pain of knowing how much better life can be: ignorance is bliss they say. Can you tell I am enthused?

 

I'd say the GTS would be very similar to the 996 as a daily driver. However for the money, the GTS will definitely cost you more in maintenance because it is older. It's still a Porsche remember? And a high-end one to boot.

My recommendation for you is to drive one. I think you'll like the huge amount of extra interior room; the very large amount of torque off the line as well as the many subtle design advantages the 928 would offer you. For a guy like me, the S4's are not that far behind the GTS in performance, and they are a STEAL at the price. You can pick an excellent S4 up for less than half GTS price. At that price point, the S4 becomes a very desirable daily driver.

One thing to note: If you're used to a 996, you will need to buy a 5spd. The autos are every bit as quick and sporty, but unless you understand the auto gearbox very well and know how to make it dance (that isn't hard) you will think the 928 is slow off the line when you drive it.

It is not.

 

My brother has driven 911 and 930 and I 928. One high speed exit from an interstate in the rain will tell you more than I can.

 

Everyone needs to own at least one 928 in their lifetime

 

what about this tasty looking example......

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eB...516067883&rd=1

an 89 GT down in Florida....... if it PPI's ok, not a bad price for what you get....

 

Heinrich is spot on with the advice about the S4 variety. The sportiness of the GTS is only apparent at the upper reaches of the tach, when compared to an S4 with a few suspension mods. At less than $10k, it's a ton of car for the bucks. Keep your 996, and drive the S4 when you want more comfort and room.

BTW, we're ALL looking for that SC slantnose in the avatar.....

 

I must add to Intrepid's statement about high speed exit from an off ramp in the rain......I recall one day in the rain through the Siskiyous on the California/Oregon border, light traffic, medium rain, and constant 110 to 130 mph on a curvy freeway mountainous road that you would have wished would go on endlessly, grinning from ear to ear that I was so lucky to be in this spot at this time in history and privileged to experience what only a few individuals ever will know. I had been in that car for hours that day coming from Whistler and Portland. Finally I had to stop in Redding for gas and sleep and the fun came to an end. Crap. That will make you care for yourself well enough to stay alive longer to do it again another day. Rain? What rain. That just made it interesting. You will smile everytime it begins to twitch in the rain and you snap the wheel to correct and the tail tucks back under your butt instanly and you just keep the pedal where it was. I say again: it is no 911 I have ever known. Get some face cream to keep your skin from cracking as you keep grinning.

And to add to Heinrich's comment: my '86.5 has a 2.2 final drive so it doesn't go up in smoke off the line, but who cares? The S4, if I am correct has a 2.54
final drive. Not as tall, but still no stump puller. But you won't care either once it is moving. Get above 100 and you won't even think about it.

I think if I had to describe the 928 in one word it would be: BALANCED.

 

Earlier ('87 and '88) S4 have 2.2 rear ends, later have sportier rear ends like 2.54. I ran a 0-60 in 5.9 sec in my '87 with stock 2.2 rear. Quick enough?

 

Hey,

DO NOT go buying a GTS, or S4... They did not make enough of them, and there are barely enough left for the Shark fans to have for themselves....!

If you even get to drive a GTS, even an S4, you will ask yourself why the hell did you buy a 996. Unless you really love the design, the 928 is one of the best daily driver cars ever period. (As long as you are able to maintain it properly.) Now, I'm with Heinrich, as I think the S4 is comparable to a stock GTS in performance. If you modify it just a bit, you will have more power than a stock GTS.

I have an 87 S4 with the 2.2 rear end, and it is pretty quick even by 996 standards... Now, once those skunks have finished fooling around under the hood, I will get to bite some GT2's on the @_ _ and wave as I pass them....!

 

Hi -

I have a '93 GTS. As stated above, an S4 would be very close to a GTS in performance. There are, however, a few items I like a lot about the GTS: In the appearance category, I like the flared rear fenders - it gives the car a great-looking rear end. I like the body-color rear wing better. And I like the GTS wheels.

In the performance category, it's got great torque and simply effortless power. And the flared rear fenders allow a wider rear track, which I think improves handling/cornering even more. I have never driven an S4, so I don't have any personal comparo experience, but I did own an 86.5 928S. That car handled very well, but there were a few times, under very aggressive cornering, when I would think to myself, "Whoa, gettin' a little close to the edge here!" I have NEVER felt even close to the edge in the GTS, no matter how hard I thought I was driving it. It's capabilities as a car seem to far eclipse my courage as a driver! No matter how hard I flog it, it's like the car says to me, "Is that all you want me to do?"

I owned a 911 back in '82, so I can't really speak to more modern 911's. However, I remember the 911 as a great car, but generally being somewhat of a "handful" to drive. The ride was harsh, and there weren't a whole lot of creature comforts. Every expansion joint in the highway was a threat to the fillings in my teeth! And I could never just open it up, sit back, and enjoy the ride. It demanded my full attention at all times.

The GTS is a true Grand Touring car. It is comfortable, it is smooth, it has a much more supple ride without being at all soft or wallowing. In addition to "balanced," I would add descriptive words like "effortless," and "smooth."

I have never driven any of the current crop of exotic GT cars, such as an Aston Martin or Mercedes SL. But of all the many cars I've driven in my life, I rate the 928 GTS as the most ideal, complete, fully-developed iteration of the automobile I know of. It is the perfect balance of power, handling, and comfort.

 

If you are contemplating a 928 it will be a minimum of ten years old, if it's an S4 up to 19 years old (mine was actually manufactured in '86 despite being an '87 model). Who is going to maintain your car? If you're used to a four year old 996 then chances are you don't do much work on it yourself. Finding someone competant to work on a 928 may not be straightforward, so if you're not willing to make a significant commitment yourself then think twice. However, if you are generous with your time and resources you will be rewarded handsomely.

 

I can't believe I've never driven a 928. I bought a 914 in 1975 and have had at least one Porsche to drive ever since. I just thought I had an uncontrollable urge to get into a 928. After reading all your posts, I have decided to find one. Instead of selling the 996 and going all out for the GTS, I may take some of the advice here to keep the 996 and buy an S4. Only because the prices for 996s are on the downward spiral right now. The 996 has PSM, which eseentially resolves all the former 911 tail happy problems. I have a Boxster and 968 Cab I can sell. Only one thing though, are the typical Porsche shops nor necesarily knowledgeable on the 928. I do my own maintenance, but haven't taken an engine apart since the 327 Chevy in 1971. Thanks for all the answers.

 

These engines don't need to come apart brother. It's not like my little SC, at 100k the engine was re-made. In a 928, the engine comes apart when you've not kept the oil or maintenance up to date, that's all.

 

My daily driver is an '87 S4 and my weekend queen is a '93 GTS that I purchased new, both A/Ts (I wouldn't have it any other way). When I get into the GTS, it just feels so lighter on its feet and more responsive to small throttle inputs. You would be amazed at what an A/T GTS can do with a bit of throttle and a 1st gear start ... my first set of rear tires were gone after 7000 miles.

I have no complaints about my S4, it actually is a bit more comfortable driving at lower RPMs on long trips and has all the power needed for a great driving experience, the GTS just does it better.