Kinda like buying her a trip for 2 to vegas when you are the one who likes to gamble, wouldn't you say Keith?

 

The newer the better, although a SUPER well maintained and coddled older one can break that rule. 90 is the first year for airbags, if that matters to you. However, these cars are remarkably safe in accidents regardless of year. These cars have a deserved reputation for being cantankerous due to their complex engineering. So, you buy the best one you can find and afford, but then you also need to be a bit lucky to get a reliable one, like I have. If you start looking, allow youself 6 months to learn more about these cars and watch a whole bunch of them move through eBay and other sources so you get a good feel for the market. The right car will come along at some point after that.

 

OT- Hmm, I recognize this behavior. Mine was a Christmas.
At least he asks to drive it!

A very nice thing to have with the car you finally buy is a folder of all service records and parts purchases. There are a few crucial things that every 928 owner must do at regularly scheduled intervals.

 

Ah, Karen, so women do it too! I feel MUCH better now!

 

One question I have is, has she ever driven one? What cars has she driven or drives now? The 928 can feel a bit big and heavy for those used to smaller cars, like a 911. I would find one in your area and have her drive it and see what she thinks.

Your in luck about wanting a automatic since there are plenty of them around. As others have already said, get the newest and best maintained example you can find. There were some nice changes made to 1989 S4s that made them a bit more peppy for around town driving and some consider these as a special model. Then there are the 1990 and up to include GTS versions that many consider the pinnacle of the 928 experience.

No doubt about the 928 being plusher and feeling of a newer design even against 911s of the same year. My wife really enjoys the grunt of the V8 and the big brakes of her 1989 928S4. So much so that she is willing for me to restore it starting with a new paint job than to get rid of it and get something else. She also likes the exclusivity of the 928 since other high line models, Mercedes, BMWs, Lexus, etc., tend to blend in with all the rest in our town. You don't see yourself coming and going much in a 928.

As with any other used Porsche, and maybe a bit more than some, you will have to maintain it properly. If you are not going to wrench on the car you should have a trusted mechanic who knows 928s at the ready. These cars are complex, but as you know the Rennlist is a fantastic resource and many of the possible problems that will come up have already been gone through by people here. There is also a 928 Owners Club that you can join and dedicated 928 vendors that can enhance your 928 experience. Some would call us fanatical in our love of the 928 and they would be right!

Good luck and let us know what you come up with,
Constantine

 

Now that is funny!!!

But then he would have to drive it all by himself...

 

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jack Riffle

I don't know, 4 women may push me right over the edge!

Watch that first step, Jack...it's a doozy!


Hi lfe132, wow, your wife is going to love you. As another female 928 owner, I agree with the other ladies here that the 928 is a great chick car. I see many happy days in your future if you go with this plan.

I've had my own now for about 8 months, and even though at first I didn't think I would care that I had one for myself, and even though it's not perfect, I find now that I could never give it up. It makes me feel like a million bucks whenever I drive it. It doesn't hurt that it's a gift from my husband, and a visible manifestation of his labor of love for me every time I get to drive it, because he does all of the work to make Twister what she is and keep her running fast and furious. It's the gift that keeps on giving!

 

My wife very much enjoyed her 928 for several years liked the sound of the exhaust as she accelerated through all 5 gears. When I got it for her I made a point to replace all the hoses belts battery etc. to make it as reliable as possible knowing that if it stranded her two times she would never want to drive it again.... Ultimately the need for a larger vehicles and a bad knee put her into a Grand Cherokee. The 1987 > is the most car for the money. Give me a call if you have any questions click into our store below as well.

 

lfe32--

There are more than a casual few 928's around in SoCal. SoCal is a big place too. Are you anywhere near Los Angeles? If so a casual test drive for you/her may be arranged.

On a purchase--

Most (especially me...) advise that you spend well on your initial purchase, for the best condition/bast maintained/lowest miles example. Same advice that 911 owners share with new lookers. Especially when reliability is paramount. My level of tolerance for stupid-stuff issues is not as high as many other's, and my wife's is non-existent to the point where she likes her Toyota dealer and buys a new car when the factory warranty runs out on the old one. Most cars that survive PPI well will have a list of things that need attention; some are immediate needs, some could be deferred except you want the car perfect very soon after you buy it. After looking at several cars for others, I've fixed on a baseline $5k number for bringing a well-used car up to reliable baseline standards. Find a car where all of that has been done recently, and ypu'll be dollars and time ahead of course.

---

There's a Very Nice, low-mile S4 available in the area here, blue with (IIRC) grey interior. Auto, very low miles, SoCal car all it's life and climate-controlled storage. Recent full mech maintenance by a premier 928 wrench pretty much cleared all the PPI issues list completely. Owner wants a 993TT now and doesn't have enough garage space. Low $20's ask. If I needed another one, this would be in my garage the same afternoon. Post or PM if you have an interest, and perhaps the seller will respond to your thread here too.

 

I would just suggest preparing your wife that there may be a breaking in period following the purchase. This would be to sort out the left over issues that you have "inherited" from previous owners. I purchased mine in San Francisco, then drove it (4k miles) home to Maryland, without incident. Very lucky by anyones standards, though. Crank Position sensor required replacing within 100 miles of arriving home. I further found that vacuum lines and fuel lines were in gross need of replacement. Not to knock the P.O., who had done a plethora of other heavy duty things. That's the essence of it...you will be taking hand-off of the maintenance baton. Do you work on cars? Ownership is not as expensive as you've been told. Do you not work on cars? Ownership may be more expensive than you've been told, and don't let anyone but a qualified 928 mechanic work on it. BTW: these are the coolest bang for buck that you can imagine, if you're a technophile.

Mike

 

Oh....more BTW: listen to Dr Bob

 

if you are in socal, ck w/greg brown at precision mtr werks for a PPI or a line on any well maintained sharks. IMO, he's one of the top 928 wrenches in socal and can help steer you clear from a purchase disaster...

http://www.precisionmtrwerks.com/

happy hunting

 

Wow. Thanks everyone for the responses. Looks like I have some homework to do, but I kind of figured that anyways.
Karen, in response to your earlier post; I love my 911. One of the best cars I've ever owned.

 

Budget $10k and below, 1986.5 and down. Budget $10k > $20k, 1987-1991. Budget > $20k, 1993 and up. I was in the same market a while back, and we looked at 1987-1991 for my wife. I like the 87/88 and the 90/91 for the digital dash and airbags. Purchase price is only entry to the club. Budget for mx too, these cars are getting old(I know you understand that).

MUST have the thrust bearing play checked(I didn't find that in the newby posts in the sticky area).

 

My two cents. I think that a pristine 84 automatic is a great car and a great deal. Easier to find good 87 and up cars though.