928autobahndreamer

I have dreamed of owing a 928 since I was 4 years old when I saw one on the autobahn (good story, I'll have to post it some time). Recently, I was shocked that this dream was no longer $ unobtainable $, so I started planning.
I plan to save until I can pay cash for the car with money earned on the side from extra consulting work so I don't upset the family's finances (May take a few years). Then set aside $200/month for repairs and regular maintainence or possibly upgrades . On average how much $/year is required to keep a 928 in great running condition?
I also plan on keeping my reliable daily driver. I have very limited mechanical experience but am reasonably mechanically inclined and am willing to learn. I have read everything I can get my hands on regarding the 928, and this site is by far the best source of info I have found. Let me know if I'm on the right track, I want to go into this with eyes wide open.

rixter

you are planning well grasshopper...
avg yearly maintenance is $1500-2000.. that means some years are more (ie tb/wp) and some are less (oil changes etc)
it's always best to get the best car you can initially.. a well maintened car may cost more to get into, but a "cheap" 928 that hasn't been maintained can quickly become a $$$$ pit
since you have time, use it to spend time around 928 owners and get a feel for which model you like and the options you prefer...

bcdavis

Well, you already know to buy the newest one you can afford, in the best condition possible...

If you buy an old one, with a lot of problems, you will be spending a lot on fixing it.
Mine ended up costing $70K over 9 years in maintainance.
So if you take out my mods, and optional stuff, it's still probably $50K.
Which is $400-500 a month in repairs. Probably $3-5K per year on average...
But that's because I had an old car, with lots of things breaking all the time.
If you get a new one, with minimal problems, you will only have the occasional expense.
As Rixter described, one year you may have one of those $3000 repairs.
But other years it will have nothing but oil changes...

They are great cars though, and you will love it...

Jim bailey - 928 International

You asked for the Devil's advocate ?...... HELLO ! Your $200 per month is about right AFTER you fix everything that was neglected by the prior owner. Buy the very nicest car you can find and not the least expensive.

Sharkbait

Autobahndreamer,
Let's put it this way. I laugh at $10,000 repair bills.

Daniel Dudley

Good early cars can be had for about the same money as the played ones. Get a pre- purchase inspection done by someone who knows these cars. If you find the mechanics in you area who are into these cars before you buy, they will tell you what to avoid and possibly clue you into a real deal if one comes up. In my experience, the best late model 87 or later cars will cost less to own than a played early model that has been neglected. If you are not a good mechanic stay away from fixer uppers. After I had my 80 for three years and 22K in service I realized that you get what you pay for. High miles are not a problem, lack of service and stagnation are killers of time money and enjoyment. Having said all that I love these cars and am not sorry for the experience. Buy your car from someone who knows their car, has the receipts and has an even faster car parked next to it . Good luck, and don't do it alone

bcdavis

And if at all possible, keep a second, more reliable car around...

Kaz

BAh, I spent money on a second more reliable car and it cost more than the maintenance on the car it was supposed to be saving me from. Just stay up on your 928 and you'll be fine.

Jim bailey - 928 International

The very last 928s were $100,000 cars when buying parts especially when Porsche is the only source they are very much aware that it was an expensive car. You might consider buying the factory workshop manuals while they are available We have them for $229 , Devek was $219, Dave Roberts $215 for the new 9 volume set which covers ALL YEARS. BC who replied above has publicly stated that he spent about $65,000 restoring/improving his 928 which is much more than most. My old very brown 1980 has lived on a much smaller budget. It did need a good used transmission ,it got Eibach springs. I have the POC (Porsche Owners Club) window banner on it and as was pointed out at our last Sharktoberfest..... POS would be more appropriate. But even so I happily buy $600 of race rubber to go destroy in just a few weekends ! The A/C is long gone,the heater does not heat, it now has rubber floor matts, black manual 944 seats in a brown interior,carpets are pulled out, roll bar bolted in. But bottom line is I love driving it loud squealing race brakes and nearly open exhaust. Driving an old faded 928 is still much more fun than most new cars especially when you humble them at track events There is no logical rational reason for owning a 928 but something about it just has to make you smile and that is all the justification needed.

Black Sea RD

Owning two, a 1989 S4 and a 1986.5 track car, both ATs, I'll weigh in too. As other's have said buy the best kept 928 you can find, even if it's a bit more than you want to spend. A poorly kept 928 that is bought cheap will not be cheap at the end of your ownership. I have been very fortunate with both purchases but also do my own work on them. Lets me spend money on the parts needed rather than the labor for a mechanic.

This list is invalubale as are the people who haunt them. Don't think you can find a better group to ask questions of or just vent. And we are blessed to have vendors who are very honest, knowledgable, and accessible to help with your 928 ownership.

Good luck and buy well,
Constantine

Ron_H

Everyone has given good advice. Here is one thing more to consider. My car looked great when I bought it, except for a couple of scratches. But it was going to be a driver so I thought those would keep me from going insane when the first inevitable ding happened. But as time moved on, I noticed that the PO had used a buffer to polish this car and in some places had been a little lazy and created some hot spots wearing almost through the clear coat. Now those spots are turning to crazed spots and at least the roof and hatch will need to be repainted. Well, after speaking to a well reputed body shop (metal finishing instead of bondo, and stripping the car to prep it), a top quality job will cost ....are you sitting down?.......$10,000 to start. (welcome to california). Hey, would I recoup that if a Peterbilt overran it as I backed out of a driveway? I doubt it. Of course, I could paint it myself. Or I could take it to Maaco. Both foolish options. Or I could truck on down to Arizona and beat that price, but its a long walk home to await the finished product. Someone once advised me to buy the best body I could find, and not worry about replacing the mechanicals. There was some truth to that advice.

928autobahndreamer

Thanks for the replys. Thats why I already love this forum and I don't even own a 928 yet, the people here are full of great advice.
As far as the car goes, I am looking for the best balance of cost, condition, and performance. Originally I had my heart set on an S4 after watching the record breaking run at Bonneville on video. However, to get one in prime condition that will cost me about 15-20K as best as I can figure from watching auto trader and e-bay. However, the 928 that originally stole my heart was the old style. I like the old non rear wing look (especially in black) but want a little more power than the early US models. 240 HP is nothing to sneeze at but something inside me is balking at getting the ultimate Porsche and not having that much more HP than my V6 family sedan (I know theres no comparison when you drive, but still) So what I was thinking was an 86.5 being the best compromise. You still get the 32 valve engine, the bigger brakes of the S4, improved suspension, and the dual exhaust that may be better suited to upgrades such as x pipe, and RMB. I have seen 86.5s that typically go much cheaper than S4s. Can I make up the HP difference with the exhaust upgrades and "chipping". I would love to hear opinions of people who own any age 928 give the pros and cons of each.

goliver

I have owned an '85S 5sp. and two S4s. A 5sp. and now an auto. The 85 felt more cammy and was a touch lighter. The S4s have the better brakes (as you stated an 86.5 will have them too) and seem torquier (sp.?). I'd buy the newest car you can afford in the best possible condition. My latest S4 is my daily driver and everything works as it should and if you stay on top of maintenance you won't go wrong. The biggest pain in the butt I have experienced is the passenger side sunvisor clip breaks within a couple of months after install. Either I'm not putting them in wrong(on the 4th one in less than a year) or Porsche plastic sucks. I'm going with the later as the dashes will crack if you look at them sideways. Small price to pay to own and drive a supercar IMO.

Good luck on the hunt.

Cheers,

Ron_H

For some strange reason I seem to think the '86.5 is a good compromise.
The engine is almost as powerful as the S4 and I agree that it seems more "cammy" with torque coming in around 3000 (just like other Porsches I have owned, particularly the great 911E). The brakes are S4, along with suspension geometry I am informed. And I like the old body style also. Try both the 16 valve cars and then get into a 4 cam car; some guy at Devek advised me to try his 4 valve car after he spotted me getting out of a 16 valve car I was considering buying at that shop. Night and day to me, and I had to have a 4 cammer. That meant looking longer 'cause the car at Devek was a good one, just 2 valves. So off I went to find an '86.5. But the best part is the transmission if you get an auto. That MY starts in first all the time, every time, passively. Great transmission in my opinion. Now all I need are some wheels and lots more cash.

fraggle

Love my '87 S4 (5 speed). Needs shocks/springs this year, but otherwise all I've done is tires/oil. If you do the work youself you can save a TON of money!!