Non DIY repair stories and costs
11-03-2006, 02:26 PM
#76
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Originally Posted by danglerb
...I don't even know what OB means yet.
Get on it.
11-03-2006, 02:29 PM
#77
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They didn't let me drive it, but just after I got my license I got an old school demo ride in a 914 when it was still being sold new. 10 years later I bought one and started my education on Porsche parts and mechanics. I knew the parts guys at several dealerships by name, and drove a handfull of other Porsches in the course of many visits. 924 was ok, we "liked" the 911, but it didn't quite suit us and at the time dealers were packing them like crazy and calling them investments.
A few months after the 944 came out I was in Sacramento with some time on my hands and drove by both (think two) Porsche dealers in town. First one was snooty, second one a salesman took me for a 944 demo ride that included air time over a small bridge thing, and a few minutes of me behind the wheel. I drove back to the dealer, and arrived in the desired totally jazzed state, but couldn't stay. Walking out of the dealer lot, out of time, hyper from the ride, I see this beautiful white 928 sitting next to the showroom door, and ask the salesman whats something like that go for. When he gave me a figure in the low 20's, I was like WHAT? Same year 911 was more like $35k, and he says they are fine cars, but caught on more on the east coast than the west coast so often real bargains on resales.
I get home and tell one of my friends, and in a couple months I have a 81 auto and he has a 79 5 spd. Neither of us have any real issues with our cars, but that never stopped anybody from spending money on a Porsche. When everything runs great, spend money to make it faster. New shocks, and gatorbacks proved perhaps not to be the best improvements, it gave the car incredible grip, but also made it TOTALLY tame in normal driving. The 944T came out, and in an odd set of financial twists that goes with a lot of Porsche stories, I had zero cash, payment and registration due, traded it in on the 944T and didn't have to make a payment for almost 2 months.
The 944T wasn't that much like the 928, but it was everything the 928 wasn't. My friend kept his stick for years, and I started wanting a stick as well, but PCNA had stopped bringing in anything without a sunroof, and the first one I tried my hair was touching the headliner, so I bought a Mark VII. Owning the Mark and 944T actually kind of fine tuned wanting another 928, and what I wanted in it etc.
A few months after the 944 came out I was in Sacramento with some time on my hands and drove by both (think two) Porsche dealers in town. First one was snooty, second one a salesman took me for a 944 demo ride that included air time over a small bridge thing, and a few minutes of me behind the wheel. I drove back to the dealer, and arrived in the desired totally jazzed state, but couldn't stay. Walking out of the dealer lot, out of time, hyper from the ride, I see this beautiful white 928 sitting next to the showroom door, and ask the salesman whats something like that go for. When he gave me a figure in the low 20's, I was like WHAT? Same year 911 was more like $35k, and he says they are fine cars, but caught on more on the east coast than the west coast so often real bargains on resales.
I get home and tell one of my friends, and in a couple months I have a 81 auto and he has a 79 5 spd. Neither of us have any real issues with our cars, but that never stopped anybody from spending money on a Porsche. When everything runs great, spend money to make it faster. New shocks, and gatorbacks proved perhaps not to be the best improvements, it gave the car incredible grip, but also made it TOTALLY tame in normal driving. The 944T came out, and in an odd set of financial twists that goes with a lot of Porsche stories, I had zero cash, payment and registration due, traded it in on the 944T and didn't have to make a payment for almost 2 months.
The 944T wasn't that much like the 928, but it was everything the 928 wasn't. My friend kept his stick for years, and I started wanting a stick as well, but PCNA had stopped bringing in anything without a sunroof, and the first one I tried my hair was touching the headliner, so I bought a Mark VII. Owning the Mark and 944T actually kind of fine tuned wanting another 928, and what I wanted in it etc.
11-03-2006, 02:32 PM
#78
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Thread Starter
Read it front to back before my first post, but that doesn't mean it stuck.
I followed the links to mechanics and suppliers, other forums, but did not take notes.
Besides you guys use a LOT of shorthand.
OB = Old Bugger, an older 928, model year 1978-1980
OBC = Old Bugger's Club, see above
OTOH I notice Big4 is now Big3 without update.
I followed the links to mechanics and suppliers, other forums, but did not take notes.
Besides you guys use a LOT of shorthand.
OB = Old Bugger, an older 928, model year 1978-1980
OBC = Old Bugger's Club, see above
OTOH I notice Big4 is now Big3 without update.
11-03-2006, 02:56 PM
#79
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I almost replied to this threat last night but I got distracted.
I applaud what you are trying to do. There is however, one logical flaw that I think is the cause of some of the responses you are seeing.
The oldest S4 you can buy is 20 years old now. The newest 928 you can buy is 11 years old.
There ARE NO TYPICAL repairs any more with a 928. Its 50% repair and 50% restoration at best. A 'typical' repair cost, and what the book time is for the repair, are based upon the assumption of a fairly new car: A car where wiring harness aren't crumbling, fuel lines aren't dying form age, electrics haven't been butchered by 32 stereo installs, and a car that hasn't had 15 monkeys doing duct tape and bailing wire repairs for the last decade.
A 928 that has for the last 20 years only been 'repaired' is going to take about $10k in parts to get it to the point were book time has any bearing on reality.
So, compiling typical repair costs is theoretically a good start, but it will not give you a realistic idea of what the repair cost versus restoration cost is, will be, or has been.
My '91 has, for the last 15 years, only been 'repaired.' It has been one of the most reliable cars I've owned and the cost of ownership (minus upgrades and non-essential items) has been lower than my Audi DD that's a third the age of the '91. BUT, this winter the '91's going to get several thousand dollars worth of parts and 100+ hours of labor to 'restore' it to a condition that will allow me to continue to drive it for another 10 years or so with only 'repairs.'
Originally Posted by danglerb
I don't see finding out some typical repair costs for the common repairs as "overthinking" in a vehicle where maintenance is maybe 80% of the 5 year ownership cost either.
The oldest S4 you can buy is 20 years old now. The newest 928 you can buy is 11 years old.
There ARE NO TYPICAL repairs any more with a 928. Its 50% repair and 50% restoration at best. A 'typical' repair cost, and what the book time is for the repair, are based upon the assumption of a fairly new car: A car where wiring harness aren't crumbling, fuel lines aren't dying form age, electrics haven't been butchered by 32 stereo installs, and a car that hasn't had 15 monkeys doing duct tape and bailing wire repairs for the last decade.
A 928 that has for the last 20 years only been 'repaired' is going to take about $10k in parts to get it to the point were book time has any bearing on reality.
So, compiling typical repair costs is theoretically a good start, but it will not give you a realistic idea of what the repair cost versus restoration cost is, will be, or has been.
My '91 has, for the last 15 years, only been 'repaired.' It has been one of the most reliable cars I've owned and the cost of ownership (minus upgrades and non-essential items) has been lower than my Audi DD that's a third the age of the '91. BUT, this winter the '91's going to get several thousand dollars worth of parts and 100+ hours of labor to 'restore' it to a condition that will allow me to continue to drive it for another 10 years or so with only 'repairs.'
11-03-2006, 10:50 PM
#80
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Thread Starter
Precisely why I wanted to see some real repairs, not anecdotal comments related to annual costs. Looking through a service history makes it tangible, relatable. How can a non owner relate to $5k getting the AC to work? Looking at the nuts and bolts of the actual repair puts a handle on it.
**** Todays Light Bulb.
My old hobby that is about to get trimmed to the bone has my 2 car garage full (hence the direct need to cut it back before putting a 928 in it) and a $289/mo storage unit. $3k a year on a 928 is going to SAVE me money. <not that I believe that for a second, but its amusing>
**** Todays Light Bulb.
My old hobby that is about to get trimmed to the bone has my 2 car garage full (hence the direct need to cut it back before putting a 928 in it) and a $289/mo storage unit. $3k a year on a 928 is going to SAVE me money. <not that I believe that for a second, but its amusing>
11-04-2006, 09:43 AM
#81
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...Jim Bailey said : The prior owner of Brians car had an unfortunate (for him) waterpump/timing belt issue while crossing one of the bay bridges...
You know I remember a thread regarding that a few months back, I think somebody had spotted him breaking down...I'm not skilled enough with a computer to find it but it was discussed here at the time.
Mark
You know I remember a thread regarding that a few months back, I think somebody had spotted him breaking down...I'm not skilled enough with a computer to find it but it was discussed here at the time.
Mark
11-04-2006, 05:56 PM
#82
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Sorry for my confusing posts.
1) I know a LOT of my posts aren't working. I know its like asking what turtle tastes like, but you might as well tell your dog not to circle three times before it lays down, cause I am going to have more stupid posts before I buy something and start asking a different kind of stupid questions.
2) A lot of what I post is to clarify my own thoughts, not to declare some truth, just to stir the pot and see what floats to the top. Its my online conversational style, so very often I am not arguing with you, I am arguing with me, or just trying to see all points of view.
3) I like being frugal. It doesn't stop me from spending serious amounts of money, but it does tend to make me talk about it a lot before I do. Maybe I take the notion of due diligence at bit too much to heart.
I have worse faults to correct before I work on these, but again sorry if I am annoying anybody.
1) I know a LOT of my posts aren't working. I know its like asking what turtle tastes like, but you might as well tell your dog not to circle three times before it lays down, cause I am going to have more stupid posts before I buy something and start asking a different kind of stupid questions.
2) A lot of what I post is to clarify my own thoughts, not to declare some truth, just to stir the pot and see what floats to the top. Its my online conversational style, so very often I am not arguing with you, I am arguing with me, or just trying to see all points of view.
3) I like being frugal. It doesn't stop me from spending serious amounts of money, but it does tend to make me talk about it a lot before I do. Maybe I take the notion of due diligence at bit too much to heart.
I have worse faults to correct before I work on these, but again sorry if I am annoying anybody.
11-04-2006, 06:22 PM
#83
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"Be sure you're right...then go ahead." David Crockett, Tennessee
When I started looking at the 928, Adam's House Cat knew more than I did. I took the plunge and, although it's not a cheap car to run, I've developed a passion for the 928 that I've never had for any car I've ever owned before....and I've owned several dozen interesting street rods/antique/ or sports cars (I don't count the daily drivers as serious cars).
H2
When I started looking at the 928, Adam's House Cat knew more than I did. I took the plunge and, although it's not a cheap car to run, I've developed a passion for the 928 that I've never had for any car I've ever owned before....and I've owned several dozen interesting street rods/antique/ or sports cars (I don't count the daily drivers as serious cars).
H2
11-04-2006, 06:54 PM
#84
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3 spd tranny rebuild $1000.00 water pump and Tb done on an 83, 350.00 I supplied parts.... Living in Erie PA with these cheap bastards.. priceless.....
