potsiewebber

you dont need a special socket for the plugs. try metric. also, while you have the car you should check the timing and plug wire order. this can make the car run like crap as well.
James

AO

This is a poster child for why you need a good PPI. I say dump it, unless you want to make it into a dedicated track car. Just my $9.28.

LaughaC

That's good advice. I hope I can find a 928 expert in my area today. (1 hr West of DC near Winchester, VA)

My cell number is 540-327-2730 if anybody wants to call me with a mechanic's info while I'm at the parts store looking for a thin socket for the plugs. (Can't do a PPI without a pro, but I definitely got a good price!)

Ispeed

Use the plug socket tool in the tool tray. It works just fine. Those might be really nice wheels depending on sizes and brand.

Chazz

In my view, if you are looking for bargains, make the compromises on the cosmetic side not on the mechanical side. If the dealer will refund your money, take it!

heinrich

Chazz this is the holy grail of 928 purchase, and one to be pondered. I'm of the opposite opinion. A cosmetically great car is a great car. Even with a blown-up (notice I have stopped saying blown) engine. Why? Because engines can be rebuilt or replaced. No biggie. So can suspension, gearboxes, etc.

The one thing you CANNOT replace on a 928 ..... is the 928.

Jim bailey - 928 International

A comment from some one who might be considered an "expert"......But if the damage becomes known, book value diminishes dramatically. "At best, a vehicle that's had a salvage title would be worth half its Blue Book value, even after repair," says Charlie Vogelheim, executive editor of Kelley Blue Book, a leading publisher of used-car prices.

Imo000

I totally agree with you. I rather have a cosmetically nice car with some mechanical issues. But then again I do all my wrenching so my point of view is a bit biased! I think this car is a really good deal. It has some minor issues but nothing that’s too alarming.

If he keeps this car, an investment is a really good tool set is a must. Most of the issues listed can be easily repaired without taking the car to a mechanic. I would say, go for it!

JEC_31

I am waiting to hear the news that the used-car-weasels (yes, the same ones who lied about the car in the first place, remember) manage to weasel their way out of taking the car back and giving a refund. I have very little faith in the words of such "smoove operators".

I glanced at this car on e-bay and kept looking. Bad vibes.

LaughaC

Thanks to some Rennlist heros (Dave) I have now changed the plugs. The car runs much smoother, but the 1200-1400 RPM vibration is still there. However, now the vibration feels more like it is coming from the transmission area instead from the flexplate area.

I'm going to a mechanic before I take this back. A phone call to IMA sounded encouraging (thanks Mike, for their number). They doubt the vibration is the torque tube, or anything terrbily serious, and a Porsche mechanic I called in FL thinks something may have worked its way loose. Since I don't even know the lift points on this car yet, I'm going to buy some ramps to get a closer look.

So what do your vibes say will be the best way to fix the vibration?

heinrich

what about smoke ... likely engine oil on cats.

928SS

could be the torque tube. it's a common thing after 100kmiles or so, iirc. could also be a lot of other stuff too. probably not a good car for a novice 928 owner unless you've got $$ to burn and are in just love w/that specific car.

but the salvage title thing is a big red flag for sure. mine has one too, but I dont care cause my wife has promised to bury me in the car (I just hope she's going to wait till I'm dead 1st, hehehe)

some states offer a way to have the car inspected to have it removed, some don't. but insurance on one is the real bugger. you'll need to have it inspected by your carrier and appraised & some ins. co's won't do it. you could also get a collectors policy, but again the car will have to be well documented and photographed before anyone will touch it. if anything happens in the meantime, many ins. carriers may just say have a nice day/it was totalled already (maybe even by your own ins. company!!)

I'd guess you've got a breach of contract/misrepresentation case if they don't want to refund it. if you mess w/it though, they may say you've ruined it - so I'd be hesitant to do anything till it's settled one way or the other.

Jim bailey - 928 International

Rob has an excellent point about the insurability of salvage title cars. All that we can say at this point is the "story" is it was stolen... it could easily have been stolen AND stripped...stolen and wrecked...stolen and engine blown-up or stolen ,stripped ,wrecked and engine blown up. The old saying "Drive it like you stole it" has more than one meaning.

hinchcliffe

See if you can ins./register it. if you can tell the guy that you'll only give him $1500 for the car. Then you could always sell the good pieces to us and make that money back. Right?

MichaelH

I bought an 88 S4 on e-bay two years ago for a "good price". I am still finding thing the the PO f-uped. I actually have a small voodoo doll of the po and when ever I find something stupid he did I stick a an other pin in it. I am running out of space.

I N. VA I would take it to ASG in Fairfax, 703-876-2811. They have a couple of guys that know 928s