Newbie looking for a 928
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From: Oakland, MI
Newbie looking for a 928
Hi everyone,
I've been lurking in this forum for the last few months or so. I'm in the market for a 928 and I need some advice.
I think I'd like to get a S4 with a 5 speed. Is there a big difference in performance between the auto and 5 speed?
Anyone have a great condition car to sell?
Thanks in advance,
I've been lurking in this forum for the last few months or so. I'm in the market for a 928 and I need some advice.
I think I'd like to get a S4 with a 5 speed. Is there a big difference in performance between the auto and 5 speed?
Anyone have a great condition car to sell?
Thanks in advance,
Instructor
Joined: Nov 2006
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From: Marietta, GA
check the member-to-member for sale forum. otherwise just use the usual cars.com / autobaron.com / eBay to find one you like. post it to this forum; if someone lives close-by they'll be willing to test drive it for you most likely.
just hope they're not looking for a s4 5sp, too!
as for auto vs. manual... i've had both, like the manual more. as for which is faster... i'd have to say whichever one has the supercharger
there are lots of posts about gearing, etc., that contribute to how quick or fuel efficient various transmissions are...
just hope they're not looking for a s4 5sp, too!
as for auto vs. manual... i've had both, like the manual more. as for which is faster... i'd have to say whichever one has the supercharger
there are lots of posts about gearing, etc., that contribute to how quick or fuel efficient various transmissions are...
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From: Temecula, CA
Actual performance differences I believe are documented in the manual, don't have access to mine at the moment but maybe someone else does.....
As you start searching you'll almost immediately note that Auto's are much easier to find and typically a similar condition car will cost less than the manual version. Obviously a supply/demand situation.
If you want a 5spd get a 5spd, just be patient as they're harder to come by in good condition.
As you start searching you'll almost immediately note that Auto's are much easier to find and typically a similar condition car will cost less than the manual version. Obviously a supply/demand situation.
If you want a 5spd get a 5spd, just be patient as they're harder to come by in good condition.
Thread Starter
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From: Oakland, MI
Thanks everyone on the replies so far.
Mac - good idea. Maybe I should wait until spring, go for a test drive, and then decide. That is, if the perfect one doesn't come along between now and then!
Mac - good idea. Maybe I should wait until spring, go for a test drive, and then decide. That is, if the perfect one doesn't come along between now and then!
Drifting
Joined: Aug 2006
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From: Reno, NV
Drive as many as you can before making a decision. I was only able to drive a couple, and consider myself very lucky that things worked out as well as they did. Go look at even the junkers, so you'll know what the downside looks like. Be prepared to travel for the "perfect" one.
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From: West Chester, PA
993MI,
I too have had (and currently have) both a 5spd and an automatic 928. The 5 spds are about 0.2 sec faster 0-60, and of course the "automatic" does take away a bit of the "driver control" of the 5 speed. I've driven both an automatic and 5 speed in the white run groups of various DE events ('88 automatic and 5 spd with 2.2 diffs and '89 5 spd with a 2.54 diff). I find my lap times at a track like Watkins Glen where I've driven a lot, are essentially identical - perhaps the automatic is about 0.5 sec faster of the ~3.5 mile course. That isn't much difference unless you really are racing!!
For street/highway driving, I do prefer the automatic. I find the 5 speed a 'pain in the xxx" when driving in heavy interstate traffic with stop/go over a 10-30 minute time period. Even though I don't have that where I live, traveling on the Washington DC beltway, or even too frequently on I-95, this does happen. Thus, when I decided to buy a GTS for my long term driver (hopefully ~ 10 years until I'm too "old" to drive it safely (~80), I chose an automatic. Of all the automatics, the early '87's and earlier pre-S4 cars that start from a stop in 1st gear, and the '94/95 GTS's with the modified shift controls may be the most enjoyable to drive in everyday traffic - highway and city.
Don't forget the Rennlist classifieds. I have a neighber/fellow enthusiast with an excellent '91 S4 automatic with low miles for sale. He also has a world class '91 GT and has decided to keep it. The S4 is white/blue (I think it's listed on the www.928GT.com site).
Cheers,
Gary Knox
928 Owners Club Treasurer
I too have had (and currently have) both a 5spd and an automatic 928. The 5 spds are about 0.2 sec faster 0-60, and of course the "automatic" does take away a bit of the "driver control" of the 5 speed. I've driven both an automatic and 5 speed in the white run groups of various DE events ('88 automatic and 5 spd with 2.2 diffs and '89 5 spd with a 2.54 diff). I find my lap times at a track like Watkins Glen where I've driven a lot, are essentially identical - perhaps the automatic is about 0.5 sec faster of the ~3.5 mile course. That isn't much difference unless you really are racing!!
For street/highway driving, I do prefer the automatic. I find the 5 speed a 'pain in the xxx" when driving in heavy interstate traffic with stop/go over a 10-30 minute time period. Even though I don't have that where I live, traveling on the Washington DC beltway, or even too frequently on I-95, this does happen. Thus, when I decided to buy a GTS for my long term driver (hopefully ~ 10 years until I'm too "old" to drive it safely (~80), I chose an automatic. Of all the automatics, the early '87's and earlier pre-S4 cars that start from a stop in 1st gear, and the '94/95 GTS's with the modified shift controls may be the most enjoyable to drive in everyday traffic - highway and city.
Don't forget the Rennlist classifieds. I have a neighber/fellow enthusiast with an excellent '91 S4 automatic with low miles for sale. He also has a world class '91 GT and has decided to keep it. The S4 is white/blue (I think it's listed on the www.928GT.com site).
Cheers,
Gary Knox
928 Owners Club Treasurer
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From: Anaheim California
I NEVER see anyone with a 5 speed wishing they had an automatic, only have ever heard of one 5spd to auto conversion, never saw a 5 speed shifter made to LOOK like an AUTOMATIC...never saw any one comment on how by shifting their 5 speed at exactly the same time as a automatic they could duplicate the performance 
If you like shifting a 5 speed wait for what you want ! But I am old school and dislike automatics in ANYTHING.... The wife's Grand Cherokee is on the verge of needing a rebuilt trans...that is a quick $3,000 on a $ 7,500 CAR but cheaper than a replacement car !
If you like shifting a 5 speed wait for what you want ! But I am old school and dislike automatics in ANYTHING.... The wife's Grand Cherokee is on the verge of needing a rebuilt trans...that is a quick $3,000 on a $ 7,500 CAR but cheaper than a replacement car !
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Three Wheelin'
Joined: Aug 2004
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From: ann arbor, MI
Great points regarding driving conditions, Gary. Most of my driving is short jaunts around town, and since I love driving my Saab 5spd, I'd probably enjoy a 928 5spd in the same way. However, on my occassional jaunts out to, and around, the Detroit area, I'm really happy to have an auto. And, with so much torque on hand, I don't find myself wishing for a manual box often, either. If I lived in the mountains, it might be different...
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From: New York
993MI, what Jim said. I have both and have always loved 5 speeds, but if you are going to be in any traffic, or nosing around in parking lots; it is demanding; keep in mind this is a performance car. The clutch and box is heavier hence the reason for the hydraulics. If it is a weekend car, the wait for a manual might be worth it.
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Gary I said "I have never seen" which was is in fact a correct statement until now that you have indicated that you wanted an automatic after having a 5 spd. the last 20 years in L A traffic everything I drove was a manual trans and operating a clutch for me is "automatic" so difficullt for me to relate to comments about stiff clutches and effort. I just personally do not like automatics I put a few hundred miles on two different GTS automatics and MUCH prefer driving the old very brown 1980 5 spd. I talk with THOUSANDS of 928 owners and the question is ALWAYS what do I need to convert a auto to a 5 speed ?? and many have done it ! So when someone THINKS they might prefer a 5 speed I get somewhat concerned when they start thinking about compromising into an automatic because it is such a nice car , all they can find, a few thousand cheaper,the first 928 they got to drive because far too often after they have spent a lot of money on that first 928 they still want the 5 speed but now are locked into the automatic because it owes them ! If the automatic works for you that is great ! enjoy your car.
the last 20 years in L A traffic everything I drove was a manual trans and operating a clutch for me is "automatic" so difficullt for me to relate to comments about stiff clutches and effort. I just personally do not like automatics I put a few hundred miles on two different GTS automatics and MUCH prefer driving the old very brown 1980 5 spd. I talk with THOUSANDS of 928 owners and the question is ALWAYS what do I need to convert a auto to a 5 speed ?? and many have done it ! So when someone THINKS they might prefer a 5 speed I get somewhat concerned when they start thinking about compromising into an automatic because it is such a nice car , all they can find, a few thousand cheaper,the first 928 they got to drive because far too often after they have spent a lot of money on that first 928 they still want the 5 speed but now are locked into the automatic because it owes them ! If the automatic works for you that is great ! enjoy your car.
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Joined: Jan 2007
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I did a lot of Boogie on clutch pedals and fast hands when I was young, and there is a bit of quickness there. Now Old, I enjoy the Automatic in my 84, damn close to handspeed. back then..
..And so it goes!
Enjoy your ride!
..And so it goes!
Enjoy your ride!
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From: Seattle, WA, USA
I'm a manual guy. I bought a nice automatic as my first 928 because I wanted to see what 928's were all about, and I was really surprised at how much fun it was to drive - for an automatic.
I just bought a '88 S4 5 sp, and I'm thrilled that I did, I much prefer it to my auto 928.
For me, for sports cars, I only want a manual tranny. For my pickup trucks and minivans, I'll take an automatic. -Ed
I just bought a '88 S4 5 sp, and I'm thrilled that I did, I much prefer it to my auto 928.
For me, for sports cars, I only want a manual tranny. For my pickup trucks and minivans, I'll take an automatic. -Ed
Burning Brakes
Joined: Sep 2003
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From: I live in Findlay Ohio
There will always be the 5 sp vs auto which to buy. I sold my 5 sp 951 and bought an 87 S4 Auto. I would have prefered the 5 sp but now 3 months later I love the auto. I have not put allot of miles on my car but am getting used to the 2-3-2 shifting and it is kinda nice for around town to put it in 3rd and go with that. Now having said this I had a limit on $$ for the car. It was to be around $12-$15K for the car. I bought one for $12K and this left me with $$ to do some mods and get new wheels and tires. I look every week on 3-4 web sites looking for a 5 speed. I do find them either 2K miles away or out of my price range. I will be doing the SC this coming summer and from what I have read the Auto is a nice choice for the Super Charger
Cliff 87 S 4 Auto
Cliff 87 S 4 Auto