gaijin

Hi All,

I've lurked in the shadows for awhile now and have thoroughly enjoyed and learned from everyone’s posting. I like what I've read and digested from all the active members of this forum.

One reason of course has to do with my "need" to own a Shark. I've had the pleasure of owning a number of the Stuttgart/Zuffenhausen variants through the years. My "keeper" is a one of the last US 930 to export in early 1980.

I've for a long time admired the 928 designs and engineering and now ready to pull the trigger to begin my ownership experience with one.

Two candidates/prospects for my garage:

- 1986.5 928S; White Gold/Dark Brown; A/T. Clean title. Odometer reading documented at 85XXX. Everything works. Comes with owner/maintenance manual, tool kit and even the original window sticker. Good solid maintenance record. Exterior is an easy 8. Interior a definite 9. All systems are functional except for alarm horn (disconnected because of an intermittent problem) and intermittent issue with the rear hatch electric release (releases with no problem manually (key)).

- 1987 928S4; White/Burgundy; 5-speed. Rebuilt title. Passenger side collision. East coast/Upper Mid-West owners. Odometer reads 93XXX. Looks like all systems are working. Comes with owner/maintenance manual. Good solid maintenance records. Interior is a 9. Exterior a 8 (side collision repair included replacement of passenger door from a donor 1986.5 928S and re-use of all other OE components - elec. window motor, glass, etc.). No signs of lower control arm damaged from collision. Same applies to rear wheel. Yoko ES100 with less than 2K all-around.

Both 928s are in the price range I'd like to be at.

I live not too far from Road Atlanta (nice country and mountain passes) and occasionally visit ATL (and get stuck in traffic just like everyone else). Primary driving need will be for pleasure. I have two other "drivers" for the more mundane urban experiences and work commutes.

But I do enjoy an occasional jaunt up the North Georgia Mountains where I've found some great roads to exercise my Porsche at.

Good points and bad points? I know there would be differences between the 928S at 288 hp and 928S4 at 316 hp. Of course, there are the differences in character between A/T and the 5-Speed too.

I'm looking for possibly another "keeper."

Thanks for listening to my rant and look forward to hearing from as many of you on the Forum that would care give me your advice/opinions.

And hopefully I can return the favor (when I get my 928) by being a contributing member too.

Thank you,
Larry

F451

Hi Larry,

Welcome aboard! I'm a relative newb here myself having just got my '85 auto in February.

Both of the cars you describe sound like good candidates.

Looks like the question is: 5 sp or auto?

For me, I'm loving the auto tranny, its really surprised how good it is, and how much fun the car is to drive, especially when you manually shift it. Its my daily driver, and my commute to work has a lot of stop and go, so of course its great there, but when I get it out on the fun roads, it does really well there too.

But, I'm now in the hunt for a 5 sp, because I'm really a manual tranny guy at heart when it comes to sports cars.

If all else is more or less equal, I'd let the tranny be the decider.

Good luck and keep us posted!

Ed

ps: why didn't I just buy a 5 sp in the first place if I'm a manually tranny guy at heart? Good question. I really just wanted to see what the 928 was all about. So I bought the best one I could find in my budget. Now that I've lived with it for a while, I'm convinced that they are good solid cars, and that I can handle the maint and repairs, and also that they are a ball to drive. So now I'm looking for a 5 sp. My plan is working out nicely.

bigs

Be sure to get a pre-purchase inspection done by someone who is very familiar with the 928.

If both cars are in essentially equal condition, and if you truly want the car for a keeper (thus resale and possible reduction in resale value due to the wreck history isn't an issue for you), I'd go with the S4.

JEC_31

From the info you have, the 86.5 is a much "nicer" car, but the lure of the 5-speed is a mighty siren indeed.

I had an 86 A/T and while it was never caught off guard and always had it's deep well of power available when I wanted it, I did not track it or even flog it on twisties. But I missed the sport-car feel of shifting, and that played a part in my selling that car (well, along with the financial emergency).

If you can, try to arrange test drives in one auto and one manual 928.

danglerb

Nothing like some time behind the wheel to see what you really like.

I'm on the west coast, and a month or two away from being ready to shop for a car, very much in the study and drive phase, but what is looking smart to me is to first find a good 928 mechanic. Not a good Porsche mechanic, but a good 928 mechanic. Then like Bigs said, get a pre purchase inspection.

The white 87 5 spd is what I would have my eye one first. Or are you looking for something maybe to complement your 930, so a AT might suit you better?

deliriousga

FYI: A 1986.5 has several parts that are different from all other models so their prices are very high in comparison. Check out the parts guys and look up prices if you think that would be a problem.

Daniel Dudley

Buy the best car, or wait for another. 928s can drive pretty well and still need a ton of stuff. I don't expect both of those cars are really equal, and I second the PPI advice. [Wish I had discovered Rennlist before I bought my first 928 ...] LOL- and welcome to the pool.

gaijin

Thanks to everyone that have taken the time and provided me their valuable time and insights. All great points and are well taken.

I have decided to purchase the 1987 928S4 and will conclude the transaction shortly. Of course, I will have a PPI done before taking delivery. I plan to drive my Shark back to Atlanta as soon as I can get up north to pick it up.

And I have already spoken with my local Porsche specialist (he not only does the servicing on my 930 but is someone I consider a qualified 928 tech (confirmed Shark enthusiast – owns and daily drives his black 1990 928S4). He is more than happy to help me out in keeping my soon-to-be 928S4 in Bristol fashion.

Look forward to enjoying my Shark with you guys.

Cheers,
Larry

Mike Simard

Larry, good luck getting your 928 home, do you need transport recommendations?. White is an excellant color choice! I have a white S4 and live in Dacula, it would be a pleasure to meet you sometime. What color is your 930?

LeonT

Welcome...good choice..but then again i am biased!

gaijin

Hi Mike,

Thanks. Looking forward to a mid-Fall drive through the Ohio Valley in one of Porsche's best touring machine - ever!

I'm partial to "client" white myself.

I have a Light Blue Metallic with Navy Blue leather 930. Factory look except for the Kinesis SuperCups and twin-tip GHL tail pipes.

It would be great if we can connect in the very near future. I'll let you know when I get my Shark in the ATL.

Cheers,
Larry