bpu699

Again, thanks for the input.

I have had fairly good luck with porsches in the past . I know that selling some models is slower than others. The 911s sold in 1 week. The 944turbo in a couple of months. I assume selling the 928 one day will take longer, who knows.

I have learned my lessons, though. Its best to buy a car, enjoy it for a year or two, and then sell. I have committed the fatal mistake of falling in love with cars in the past, and showering them with money and repairs. Sad fact is, no one cares. A pristine car is worth $2000 over a cheap one...go figure.

At this stage, I am looking for a care with fantastic cosmetics... Basically, it should look pristine. Speed matters less. I own some rather quick cars, but its difficult to enjoy them, they are very much out of their element on the road...

Keep the input coming .

michaelathome

As a lot of people know on the board I got mine from another member for a song and a dance. That said my car has it's share of problems. From those I have spoken to not as many problems as a lot of others out there though. I picked my '88 S4 for $5500. I am at about $7800 in now including the initial purchase price and it needs about $4-5K more to get it to where I would like it. That would put my car in the right $'s for an '88 between $11500 and $16000. BTW I am the 6th owner of my 928 from best I can figure. That should not be an issue as long as the documentation is there. Heck, for that matter I only have a few things from the past 3 owners and I am not concerned really. I have nothing from the first 2 at all. I can also afford to take my time on the repairs as I have another DD.

They are out there to be found. Just keep looking. Also, I am sure you are aware that spring/summer pricing tends to be higher than fall/winter pricing. There was at least a foot of snow on the ground when I picked up my '88.

Again, good luck!

Michael

Charley B

I purchased an '88 last year that had an asking price of $14K. The body and interior were nearly flawless (one small dent). After pointing out the retail cost of the deferred maintenance and letting him sweat for a week and a half I finally drove away with my $7,000 purchase. I don't think I made a particularly hot deal because by the time I have completed all the deferred maintenance I will have spent close to retail value.
You have two strong allies in negotiating for a 928. 1) A good PPI that shows the owner what you will be faced with after purchase, and 2) you may be the only one showing interest.
On the other hand, if the PPI shows few problems, and you like the looks of the car, give the man his money and begin THE SMILE.

CaseyH

He didn't say talking him down to $6,000 wasn't going to happen, if fact he even said it was possible. He said talking him down $6,000 wasn't going to happen. I think I'd agree with him there, a nice 928 for $1,000 seems a little ridiculous...although stranger things have happened.

I paid $5,000 for my '81 with 76,000+ miles. The seats weren't in the best shape, but pretty much everything else on the car was. I actually broke the rules and bought the car without a PPI. At the time when I bought it...I knew nothing about 928s, other than Pacino and Tom Cruise were both big fans. I saw a BIN for $5,000...thought it seemed like a great deal and I clicked the button.

I've had the car for almost a year now and I haven't had a single mechanical problem. I had a problem with an intermittent no-start for a while, but even the best PPI couldn't have told me that was going to happen, and I have to expect some electrical problems on a 26 year old car. I've spent about $2,000 on new seats and new carpet, things I knew I was going to have to replace anyways.

I wish I had found Rennlist and done some research before I bought the car...not long after I bought the car an '86 popped up on eBay for not much more. Of course, I suppose I could've had worse luck with that one or I could've passed on it after an inspection. Plus I would've missed out on the cool looking OB engine.

So...$7,000 for an '82 in good shape sounds like a good deal to me.

Kaz

Well the bottom line is the only person who needs to be comfortable with the purchase price is you the buyer. If your intent is to turn around and sell the car 2 years down the road keep in mind what Keith said about his first 928 which was about as clean as clean could get when he sold it.

CaseyH

Well, I plan on keeping this baby for the rest of my life...unless somebody who knows nothing about 928s comes along and offers me a substantial amount of money. I doubt that is going to happen.

michaelathome

Agreed and corrected Charlie B

Dan87951

Thats why I keep my Porsches its a loose loose battle when you start to modify repair them to your standards. And once you do bring them up to your standards why sell it afterwards? I don't understand why so many sellers invest thousands then turn around and sell them? I would be the first guy in line to pickup where they left off. Thats how I bought my 944 turbo and 88 S4.

bpu699

I agree...

I bought the 944 turbo for $6500 or so...cost me some oil changes for a year or two...sold it for about the same.

The 911s was about 7-8000$ (years ago , 1976)...sold it for a small profit. This was my first porsche - and I wanted to make it perfect. What I quickly learned is that the moment I fixed one thing, another quickly broke/leaked. It didn't take too long to figure out that its cheaper to add oil than rebuild every gasket... Ah...the optimism of youth...

The 914 was bought for $4000. Neighbor offered $8000 the next day - its really rather clean.

Boxster I took a $5000 beating on...not eager to repeat that scenario, but its a relatively new car...so it was expected...

If you buy a porsche for a reasonable sum, and you tend to be a bit lucky...you can recoup your money. If you start "repairing" things, like new tires, rotors, etc...you will be in the hole in about 5 minutes. The goal is to buy a car that needs NOTHING immediately. All used cars need love, but you have to be smart about it...

Dan87951

To me another part of the equation in the fun of ownership is fixing your car up and putting your mark on it. If you are worried about loosing money on a Porsche you probably shouldn't be buying them.. Anything can happen.

bpu699

There is a difference between "being worried" about losing money, and purchasing/selling intelligently. I think it benefits everyone to look down the road, and realistically assess what you can resell a car for. Its that kind of foresight that allows you to buy more cars, toys, etc .

I have owned substantially more expensive cars, and have spent weeks buffing parts no one will ever see. So, I understand ones love for an automobile. But there is a difference in showering a very expensive car with detailing/maintenace, where the cost of these things is small in proportion to the auto's value.

When you buy a car for $5000...putting on nice tires can run 20% the value of the car. In that scenario, it makes less sense. I have done this many times, and learned that it just doesn't make sense in the long run...

I do enjoy working on my own cars, have a lift, etc. Sometimes its more fun than driving it. But as you get older, have kids, time just becomes scarce...

michaelathome

Maybe talk to Bill,

I know that his '87 was for sale at one time. Maybe it still is. That is unless you have your heart set on an OB.

https://rennlist.com/forums/928-forum/336795-for-sale-my-87-s4-a-t-77k-miles-13-500-a.html

and

https://rennlist.com/forums/for-sale-ads-member-to-member-fs-wtb-free/336791-1987-928-s4-a-t-77k-miles-13-500-a.html

Michael

bpu699

Pardon my ignorance, what is an "OB"?

Jim bailey - 928 International

In some ways buying used cars is a game of musical chairs it all depends on who owns it when the music stops...

michaelathome

"Old Boy" or "Old Body" have heard both.