Eclise

I've been chatting back and forth with a guy regarding his 928 for a couple of months now (seems he needs some reassurance I'm interested before he will show me the car). Today I'm finally going to get to see it, a red 928 s4 '87 with 60,000 miles wanting 16K. The car has had lots of maintenance done, and he seems to have sorted out the electrical gremlins. Only problem is it is automatic, which I am not too fond of, and may be a deal breaker. I'm taking your all's advice, though, as I am trying to drive as many as I can before purchasing one. I've got a couple of manuals in neighboring states that I plan to look at as well; only problems with those cars are their colors (I prefer Guard's Red).

I will try to post pics tonight. I had a hard time sleeping last night, and I'm a bit groggy right now!

perrys4

If you know how the secret shift on the auto they can be almost as much fun.

AO

Eclise-
Whoa! Settle down. The worst thing you can be is excited before looking at a car. You will be WAY too emeotionally involved to be able to walk away. Take your time. At $16k it probably will not sell overnight. If your heart is set on a 5-speed, then look for one (although tougher to find). But I agree with PerryS4's comment that the auto can be almost as much fun, but then I own a 5-speed and I am biased to them.

Hope it's nice car and suits your needs and desires. Let us know when you get it home.

Eclise

Thanks, guys, I will try to be cool. I've got a monkey on my back, and I'm jones'in for a 928. The checkbook will stay at home.

Edit: Andrew, your car is the 928 of my dreams. Perfect color, tranny, great year.

JEC_31

Don't get drool on the guy's 928 seats, Eclipse! But please give us a full report.


Personally, my fav aspect of Andrew's car is the combination of the engine and drivetrain's GT-specific details with the nice little aftermarket induction system.

bigmac

Take some slow deep breaths, eat a turkey sandwich and drink a glass of milk. You will love an auto, instant BWAAAAH. Good luck, Mac

atb

If your avatar is your track machine, I think the A/T will make for a nice balance as your daily driver (that can still take care of business on the track).

Eclise

Haha, yeah, no doubt I'm gonna drool. I do indeed have to eat something. Meeting is at 4:00 pm. I'm getting the camera charged up.

Mike Frye

Eclise,

Good luck with it. Do some searches on here about how to shift an automatic so that when you test drive it you can see what it can do.

I have a manual so I'm biased also, but if all else is good, it might be worth a little compromise. You may wait another year or more for the car of your dreams that fits every requirement.

To be dispassionate, maybe make a list of the things that you want, and give each one a weight. Then if it goes over the 'passing' threshold then you're in. (if you feel bad about the score, you know where your heart is, follow it or change the scoring system).

IMO, it's better to drive a sorted out auto than to dream about a perfect manual. Good luck!!

Eclise

ATB: The Elise is indeed my toy, but I have a couple of other cars I use as daily drivers. For some reason I just feel my toys need to be sticks. I also don't want to subject a 928 (or my Elise) to the tortures associated with my daily drive.

Mike: I will indeed look up how to do the auto shifting. It was explained to me before, but I couldn't quite imagine it in my head. I've done the pros and cons multiple times, and honestly I think tranny is more important than color, both after the priority of prior maintenance and care. I've also got a silver-grey '86 in the crosshairs with a manual tranny that looks VERY similar to yours.

I'm starting to tingle inside

michaelathome

Eclise, I had tried to explain the auto shifting thing in an old thread, again, you are welcome to come and take mine for a spin anytime you can make it out this way.

Michael

Mike Frye

I wouldn't consider an auto either . I was just sayin'

Not a good sign for an objective negotiation. Good idea to leave the checkbook at home. Keep us posted.

docmirror

For $16k it better be concours. that's a lotta $$$ even for a Dr with too much already.

Eclise

MooHahaha, I just went and stalked out the car in the lot where we are going to meet. Only thing for certain is that these cars look better in person than in photos. This car seems to be made for the Guard's red color. It is beautiful. Must...keep...from...making...hasty...purchase...

MichaelAThome: I thank you for the invite. I am going to have to look up how far Chantilly is away from Morgantown. I specifically recall your description of using the auto tranny like a stick. I doubt the owner will let me get away with much today.

DocMirror: I agree, 16K is alot. Each car that I am currently eyeballing is running $15-16K.

T minus 1 hour and 40 minutes...

Edit: Just wanted to add that in the Lotus, my eyeball level is about at the top of the bumper on the 928. At least it seemed that way!

linderpat

Good luck Doc - Can't wait to see what you bring up to Pitt this summer! (PS - I'm taking t-shirt orders now - what size for a 928OC/PVGP shirt, and how many?)