perrys4

I still love the car but things like the PO paint repair going bad, cracks in the pod and dash, worn steering wheel leather and some cracks in the seat bolsters, need for motor mounts, ect, ect, are very disappointing. Today I went to a high end shop ( they do great work) and the estimate to essentially repaint the passenger side of the car (feathering into front fender and all) was $4800.00. I know there are cheaper shops but I want it done right, not like it was done with all the trim left on and re-sprayed. Then I look at the cost of bringing the interior up to snuff and having the motor mounts done and what it would take money wise to get it back where I want it, and I wonder if it is worth it.

I have spent a lot of $$ on this car mechanically and with the help of members like Keith and Dr. Bob have all but the mounts sorted out, so it is great from that standpoint. It just seems the paint work is crazy expensive and even with Paul doing the leather I could rack up a big bill.

Right now I figure 10K would get this car looking sweet but I can't justify it in my mind. There is the option of buying another but I know the condition of my car at this point. It has 86k on the clock and overall is in good shape. I know I am being overly picky but I want to be proud to drive it again. What should I do? Spend and fix it or bail and buy a different, nicer one.

heinrich

You are in a well-known phase. It has nothing to do with losing interest. It's about unjustifiable expense. In my opinion you need to stop a minute, park your car in the sun at your most comfotable spot, an drink an entire beer while walking around the car and sitting in it.

What I think you'll find is that.....

Your car needs nothing. Just drive it, stop finding things to spend money on.

bigmac

Keep in mind that you have one of the most desirable cars in the world. Slow deep breathing and a few beers should help, Mac

perrys4

BUt thats just it, I am not proud of it anymore. The years are taking their toll and though it is a nice example it does need $$ to stay ahead of the game or else it will be a piece of crap not worth fixing in a few years. Something else I didn't mention is the fact that I am constantly comparing it to the cars I drive at work. These newer cars are a real kick in the *** to drive.

Bill51sdr

Ron,

PM me regarding the MM's as I still have Rob's engine support. Mounts are cheap and we could knock out the job in a day. Just one small step in regaining the enjoyment of your 928...

Black Sea RD

I am in the very same spot with our 1989 928S4. The AC just lost it's charge after just completing a evaporator change out, the paint fade is looking really bad now ($3000.00+ if I dismantle the car myself and put it back together), trans is leaking but I have a rebuilt trans waiting and a few other little things.

So what cars are you driving at work?

linderpat

always the devil you know vs the devil you don't - I wish I still had my first car! I'd put the money into it and keep it. I'm going thru the long slow process of bringing back to life my current 86.5, and since it is such a desirable year (IMHO), I will restore and keep ... sounds like yours is already there mechanically, so take the cosmetic plunge. Plus, it's a 90 MY...that alone is worth keeping it, unless you want to be in a GTS....

Bill Ball

Perry:

You've encountered the truth that it's always better to buy a car in good shape cosmetically than to try to restore one. Mechanical condition is not as critical. My dad told me this in not so many words when I was a young teen, and he was right. Of course, at the time I did not appreciate that.

Ideally you buy a car that is sound in all ways and just take care of it.

perrys4

We drive most everything..lately the BMW 335, Pontiac Solstice GXP, LP640 roadster (I know that doesn't really count) Boxster among a few, I am spoiled.

Heading off to a 45 year old steak house for a steak and local beer with my daughter, will be back later.

bronto

It really sounds like you are a "new car owner". Obviously these are not. You have to decide wether you want to 1) pay the mechanic to keep it in the condition you can be proud of, or 2) pay the finance charges to own something less "special". Make your choice and be happy.

bd0nalds0n

Suck it up and spend the money to bring it up to snuff. Some of the things you're talking about doing are once-every-ten-years-or-more items. It makes a huge difference to get into a car where everything's right, as opposed to those nagging little (or big) details that detract from the driving experience.

I'd take it a step further to say that if you're going to have a whole side of the car painted, wait and have the whole car done. Do it once, do it right.

I bought a $10k car, and put another $40k (conservatively) into it. It was a dumb approach, but once I was in a certain point, what I had vs. what I would be abandoning to take a chance on yet another unknown quantity made it make more sense to me to continue down the existing path.

There is no other car that even comes close where you won't spend EVEN MORE MONEY on upkeep and/or depreciation. To put another $7k-$10k into a $15k car isn't the best "investment," but it makes a huge difference to own something that's very well cosmetically and mechanically sorted, than to own something that's only at 70%-80%.

Not that your car falls into such a category, but there are a lot of 928 beaters, and I think it's a real shame. People should either pay up to buy a nice example (the smart, cheaper way in the long run), or invest the time/energy/money/love to nurse a bad example back to something glorious. But to allow a fair example to become a marginal example, to me, means that the wrong person owns it for the wrong reasons. Again, I don't mean to imply that you or your car are in this category, just that such a category exists and is bigger than it should be.

morganabowen

Hey Ron,
Just get rid of it, and get youself another Jag or a late model Beemer. Based on what you've said, you'll be happier From what I know about your 928, you should get a nice piece of change towards something more conventional. Good luck

tv

Could be a lot of things, form the type of driving you want to do, the driving you can do in socal, and your personality. Maybe you don't have the right 928. I assume an auto S4 that starts in 2nd gear.

With the right 928 and the right exhaust nothing is better. And my experience involves a stradale.

You cant beat physics, its a balanced, wide, low center of gravity vehicle that with the right suspension and rubber will handle anything you can do. And without going into detail it is the most beautiful modern automotive shape in existence with an interior to match especially all leather.

Hope that helps.

Daniel Dudley

If you are a Boxter S kind of a guy, we wouldn't hold it against you.

I have a budget allowance for my 928. If I exceed it, the car gets parked until I'm ready. OTOH, I have other cars that never exceed their allowance, so I know where you are coming from.

I honestly wish I had never sold my 86. It was the greatest driver, but it wasn't so pretty. I console myself with the notion that I could get another one, and someday may. I think I had to sell my car just to find out that I miss it. You sound like a married man who feels deprived because he can't date. What do you want to do ? Besides drink that beer, I mean.

Marine Blue

Perry,

Can you define "the PO paint repair going bad". Is the paint beyond wet sanding and buffing? Does it really need a new paint job? The pod, steering wheel and seats aren't going to cost too much realistically. Maybe $2300 total.....

So the question is can you revive the paint without a new paint job. Can you post some close up pics of the problem areas?