Urgent... I need everyones help!!! Please???
07-15-2005, 10:28 AM
#62
Interesting reading all the comments. 0to60 sounds confused to me. Wants it but is scared, buyer's remorse..... He thinks he might like to own a 18 year old 928, but doesnt want to spend $$ each year in maintenance or upkeep. Sounds like he has more than enough $$, ability & his garage facilities to put many of us to shame. I don't know what a 1987 S4 w/77k miles is worth with good mechanicals if you already feel the body & interior are 9.5's! With perfect mechanicals, wouldnt it be priced way higher? And as DN said, are there really that many out there at any one point in time that meet that description based on how many were sold here originally? And at that kind of price? He has the $$, if he has the time, he can wait & find a "perfect car" & probably pay every bit of the $17k or more for it, yes? Maybe he should wait. But even buying that "perfect" 928 doesnt mean that unforeseen things wont possibly come up down the road, right? That would be a 928 dream few ever live I think.
On the one hand, God smiled on you for having it die in his drive instead of yours the next week. Could be an omen, or a God Send either way you chose to look at it. You could buy a 3 year old car & it die the next week, Porsche or otherwise!
I say if you like everything else about the car, & if I understand correctly, two mechanics have noted the same repairs, then you have a few choices. You could walk away yes, especially if you have time & patience, another 928 will come along. And most likely, a williness to shell out more than $13,500 for the car. Maybe not in your neck of the woods( I notice he wouldn't answer the "where's this 928 located at??" questions.
That to me says he still wants the car.
Or you could buy the car with two possible options:
1) If you dont want to wrench any of it yourself. Pay $13k + $500 of the repairs & start off with what sounds like a nice example of an S4. Or perhaps have a PPI done by someone who you know knows a 928. Maybe someone here lives near you & would look at the car for you. I know everyone who's posted here including me would now at least want to see this car first hand! Or 2), try to negotiate it to the $10k to 10.5K range, buy it as-is, & do the work yourself if you do have the ability & facility to do so.
As stated before, two last thoughts. One, you did sign the valid contract & the seller could be an a$$ & try to hold you to it "as-is". You might win if it went to court, but how much $$ would that cost ya? More than any PPI & the repair $3k bill I'm betting since it wouldn't be small claims court. It does sound like the seller is trying to be decent about things in his willingness to pay most of the repair bill. Two, the seller would have a tough time selling the car to most with it not running right. Perhaps that might be why he is willing to pay most of the repair bill. He has the "bird in the hand" in you, & knows if you do walk, he will have to pay the $3k in repairs & still have to turn around & find another buyer. I think that most of the 928'ers on here would not run if they wanted the car. But others like yourself who have not ever owned one would most likely shy away if the car couldn't get outta the guy's driveway.
I say if you want a 928, you like this one, & don't want to wait for another to come along, then negotiate the price of the car/repairs & do what repairs you can yourself. Otherwise go ahead & buy an NSX. You might just find every bit as much $ spent on repairs over time & I promise you that you won't get just as many looks in an NSX as you would in a 928! And you will also always regret not buying a 928 & becoming addicted to a true supercar as most of us on here now are!
GOOD LUCK! and if you do buy it of course we all want to see pics of it!
On the one hand, God smiled on you for having it die in his drive instead of yours the next week. Could be an omen, or a God Send either way you chose to look at it. You could buy a 3 year old car & it die the next week, Porsche or otherwise!
I say if you like everything else about the car, & if I understand correctly, two mechanics have noted the same repairs, then you have a few choices. You could walk away yes, especially if you have time & patience, another 928 will come along. And most likely, a williness to shell out more than $13,500 for the car. Maybe not in your neck of the woods( I notice he wouldn't answer the "where's this 928 located at??" questions.
That to me says he still wants the car. Or you could buy the car with two possible options:
1) If you dont want to wrench any of it yourself. Pay $13k + $500 of the repairs & start off with what sounds like a nice example of an S4. Or perhaps have a PPI done by someone who you know knows a 928. Maybe someone here lives near you & would look at the car for you. I know everyone who's posted here including me would now at least want to see this car first hand! Or 2), try to negotiate it to the $10k to 10.5K range, buy it as-is, & do the work yourself if you do have the ability & facility to do so.
As stated before, two last thoughts. One, you did sign the valid contract & the seller could be an a$$ & try to hold you to it "as-is". You might win if it went to court, but how much $$ would that cost ya? More than any PPI & the repair $3k bill I'm betting since it wouldn't be small claims court. It does sound like the seller is trying to be decent about things in his willingness to pay most of the repair bill. Two, the seller would have a tough time selling the car to most with it not running right. Perhaps that might be why he is willing to pay most of the repair bill. He has the "bird in the hand" in you, & knows if you do walk, he will have to pay the $3k in repairs & still have to turn around & find another buyer. I think that most of the 928'ers on here would not run if they wanted the car. But others like yourself who have not ever owned one would most likely shy away if the car couldn't get outta the guy's driveway.
I say if you want a 928, you like this one, & don't want to wait for another to come along, then negotiate the price of the car/repairs & do what repairs you can yourself. Otherwise go ahead & buy an NSX. You might just find every bit as much $ spent on repairs over time & I promise you that you won't get just as many looks in an NSX as you would in a 928! And you will also always regret not buying a 928 & becoming addicted to a true supercar as most of us on here now are!
GOOD LUCK! and if you do buy it of course we all want to see pics of it!
07-15-2005, 11:21 AM
#63
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ZERO2SIXTY
I neglected to mention that this car has had needed service performed. I do have a stack of service records. The rack/pinion replaced, alternator replaced. Water pump was replaced in 1994. However, the mechanic says to do the pump when he does the timing belt. This car had oil changes ever 2000 miles, per his records. The car was not neglected. It is very obvious. Simply, an over-sight on the timinig belt with miles usuage versus age usuage. That is really all. The car idels perfect and has a nice rich mellow tone. There was zero indication of this leak in the manifold gasket. Again, the tech says that there was a service bulliten on bad gaskets.
I would really be worried if this car was a little on the ruff side. Not the case. It has really been taken care of. The above two items were the only concern.
Your help and advise has me at a 90% chance of calling the seller today and going ahead with the deal. I will make certain he puts his $2500.00 funds up front to the mechanic and that the deal is not sealed till the car is returned and found to be in good working order.
Like one James-Man said, there are not really many S4's around today under $100,000 in really good shape. I again appreciate everyones input. It has been of great help.
By far, the most educated board I have ever been on.
By the way, I bought a 1991 Cadillac Allante three months ago. I must be a glutten for punishiment. I always have went for the underdog, owed the Reatta, Allante and always liked the Bricklin. I need help.
I neglected to mention that this car has had needed service performed. I do have a stack of service records. The rack/pinion replaced, alternator replaced. Water pump was replaced in 1994. However, the mechanic says to do the pump when he does the timing belt. This car had oil changes ever 2000 miles, per his records. The car was not neglected. It is very obvious. Simply, an over-sight on the timinig belt with miles usuage versus age usuage. That is really all. The car idels perfect and has a nice rich mellow tone. There was zero indication of this leak in the manifold gasket. Again, the tech says that there was a service bulliten on bad gaskets.
I would really be worried if this car was a little on the ruff side. Not the case. It has really been taken care of. The above two items were the only concern.
Your help and advise has me at a 90% chance of calling the seller today and going ahead with the deal. I will make certain he puts his $2500.00 funds up front to the mechanic and that the deal is not sealed till the car is returned and found to be in good working order.
Like one James-Man said, there are not really many S4's around today under $100,000 in really good shape. I again appreciate everyones input. It has been of great help.
By far, the most educated board I have ever been on.
By the way, I bought a 1991 Cadillac Allante three months ago. I must be a glutten for punishiment. I always have went for the underdog, owed the Reatta, Allante and always liked the Bricklin. I need help.
07-15-2005, 11:27 AM
#65
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Originally Posted by 928drvr86.5
i also wouldn't offer him a cent more than the original price, the repairs should come from his profit margin on the car not out of your pocket.
Glenn
07-15-2005, 11:44 AM
#67
Yeah, I think Glenn is right - the seller sounds like he is a good guy, and doesn't want to screw you. I paid more that $13K for my 87 S4, and did the TB/WP anyway, to the tune of $1800...if he is offering to pay a significant share of the cost for the repairs I think you should go for it. Any used car is a risk, 928's a bit more so because of the expensive repair costs. But you could look a lot longer and end up paying more for what seems like a better specimen, and still end up with big repair bills. If you have good service history, and a seller that seems trustworthy, you will end up better than some of us did I say go for it!
Bill
I say go for it!Bill
07-15-2005, 11:51 AM
#68
928 OB-Wan
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you may want to consider just adjusting the price and doing the work yourself
tb/wp kit is under $500 take a competent person 2-3 days on a 1st time, pocket the extra $$$ for anything else that may happen
tb/wp kit is under $500 take a competent person 2-3 days on a 1st time, pocket the extra $$$ for anything else that may happen
07-15-2005, 12:37 PM
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I say buy it an "save" it. If every 928 that needs a little love gets "walked away from" then there won't be very many left in a short period of time. My 88S4 was purchased for 8K and I have put nearly 4K into it. I have also had a lot of help for a friend who posts here and posted in this thread. Mike LaBranche has been a huge help to me and I try to keep him supplied with beer as best I can LOL.
My 88 still needs more love an attention, but when all is said and done she'll be a beauty restored to her former glory and I will take pride in the fact that I "saved" her from doom.
I bought my 87 in just about perfect condition and I love her just as much ( soon to be back on the road after an accident ). They are all great cars and I'd liek to see more "saved" if people can actually afford to do it.
My 88 still needs more love an attention, but when all is said and done she'll be a beauty restored to her former glory and I will take pride in the fact that I "saved" her from doom.
I bought my 87 in just about perfect condition and I love her just as much ( soon to be back on the road after an accident ). They are all great cars and I'd liek to see more "saved" if people can actually afford to do it.
07-15-2005, 02:20 PM
#72
USMarine
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Originally Posted by sharkmeister85
From my perspective, this is sounding like a no-brainer issue. BUY THE CAR! If not, post the contact info so someone else here can buy it.
Glenn
Glenn
Hear! Here!
07-15-2005, 02:38 PM
#73
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Originally Posted by sharkmeister85
You're kidding, right? The current owner bot it in 1993 when it was 6 years old. I'd suggest that rather than making a "profit" he's already getting hosed on his "investment", like many of us would if we were to sell today, no matter what the condition of our sharks! I would suggest if the owner pays for all the work required, he would be fully justified in getting his full asking price.
Glenn
Glenn
07-15-2005, 03:09 PM
#75
Three Wheelin'
Just got mine, go 4 it!
Since the middle 60's I have owned 15-18 different model Porsches always loved the model I owned. All models have their pros and cons, the old 356 and 911 just rusted out, the early 911's had head pull stud problems. The advanced technology of the 928's design still makes this a great ride for the money, even today. If you like the car and the seller is willing to work with you than buy the car and enjoy. 