In ya'lls opinion, what is the best year model and version as far as horsepower, reliability, and comfort goes? I've seen a couple of 928s around here recently, and they are growing on me. Also, whatwould be reasonable prices to pay for a well sorted car?

 

The 87/88/89 S4's are the easiest to come by as there were more #'s produced.. Best HP of US cars for the money and you don't have to sell your firstborn. If you plan on making mods to the car, same thing. I have seen quite a few US market S4's coming out of Japan recently, has to do with taxation on older cars, you may wanna keep your eyes open for one of those.

85's and 86's are kinda unique in that their intakes and some engine parts are different.

83 and 84 euros are light like most early models but have 300+ HP to get them moving QUICK!

You should be able to pick up an 87-89 S4 for 10k to 15k with some sorting out to be done, sorted 15k to 20k based on 5spd or auto.

There is a LOT of variations in price based on what people are selling and when.

Your location doesn't help you much though with pricing, sorry about that. Go and test drive a few of the locals and post up questions, I am sure that a LOT of people will be glad to help out!

Michael

 

91GT's are the best IMHO. They have almost all the GTS runnung gear except the 5.4L engine but about half the price. Very comfortable, very quiet inside the cab, very reliable (so far).

 

Reliability - all are generally comparable but obviously - as always - newer is slightly better for this. For comfort most are similar - all good. For features the later cars have progressively more. For HP the GTS and GT are best again it was progressively better over time.

The GTS and GT are similar horsepower but different - the GT is a bit more raw and the GTS a bit more subtle. Get the latest model year you can afford.

I'd agree with Andrew a GT (5 speed only) is the best HP for the money. The absolute best would be a GTS but its a lot more for not much more driving experience. Many actually prefer the GT's.

Alan

 

The best 928s were made between 1978 and 1995. All have their pros and cons--as well as fans and detractors--and I don't think anyone can point to a single year as being a dog.

There are nearly as many 85-86s as there are 87-91. The 85-86 are cheaper, but the look is different, so it's a matter of tast. About 83-86 have the small front spoiler and rear lip. 87-91 have a more integrated front fascia and larger rear wing. Personally, I like the older body style and focused my search on the 85-86 models, with a strong desire for an 86.5.

Power between early 32V (85-86) and late 32v (87-91) are similar, and the earlies can be chipped to get close to the level of the lates.

The 86.5 has the old body style, early 32V engine and the newer suspension and brakes of the 87-91.

Matt

 

Get the best condition, best maintained, nicest, newest one you can afford.

 

'86.5 5sp nothin' else compares...

 

86.5's are a great bang for the buck. And I like the older body style they have, as oppossed to the S4 + body style.

My dream 928: 86.5 5sp, lsd, sport seats, side molding delete, sunroof delete.

-Or-

GT with the same basic setup as above.

 

So Ed - the 86.5 is the best... unless you can get a GT?

Remember the original question was "best for HP, comfort & reliability" - not really bang for the buck...

I do agree allowing for the price range of all model years its pretty hard not to take into consideration that trade-off though.

Perhaps 'Whitt' will be unpleasantly surprised how expensive a great condition GTS will be - or surprised what a bargain a well looked after 86.5 could be.

Alan

 

it depends what other features you want/ don't want. I specifically wanted an analog dash and a no airbag car in the S4 trim for the simplicity, the look (I hate digital dashes) and less things to maintain. Steering wheel swap was painless in a non airbag car, and I never cared much for the stock wheel, it was much to large. Also, depending what years you look at in the automatics, you get 3 speed or 4 speed variants, the more desirable beeing the 4 speed.

 

Good point Alan, his criteria is different then mine when it comes to 86.5 vs GT.

As far as his criteria of "best for HP, comfort & reliability", I think you could make a good argument that my prior suggestion of "Get the best condition, best maintained, nicest, newest one you can afford." will satisfy his criteria.

For the 86.5 vs GT issue, I'm not saying the 86.5 is the "best" 928, just saying its the one "I" would like (for various reasons). But if I found a 86.5 and a smililarly optioned GT, it would be a tough decision for me.

 

Euro 86/US 86.5

 

Best 928 is the latest oneyou can afford. Simple as that. Porsche always evolves their cars, they are always getting better.

The best 928 is a 1995 GTS 5 speed if you ask me. These can range from $45-$70K. Thats allot of money so the GT is a nice alternative for about half the cost.

 

+1 and rubstrip delete 5spd

 

Nothing personal intended, but I would rather jump into a volcano or have sex with a porcupine than have a 928 in Honolulu, or Kaneohe, or Wahiawa, or anywhere on Oahu. I speak from experience, believe me. My '86.5 doesn't begin to awaken until 80 mph. Can you spell: l-o-s-e y-o-u-r l-i-c-e-n-s-e in one afternoon? I know things are changing at a breakneck pace over there; why, I even noticed a couple of years ago that the posted limit on one section of "freeway" was now..........60 mph! Whoa! What a rush! If you go any faster you'll fall of the edge of the island.

Well, if you must have one, the '86.5 is my choice, as you can tell. But I put 65,000 miles on my car in five years, and I have another car to drive in town. Try that in Honolulu. Surfing is more fun. And better for you too.

I remember being in a 911 coming towards Honolulu from Makaha on the "freeway" at 135 and thinking to myself "Wasn't that a blue light on top of that car we just passed?" Whoa! That wasn't such a rush. Swim with sharks, go hang gliding, take up dueling with pistols, go fluming, hike over lava, rob from the Bishop Museum. All of those activities will give you less frustration than owning a 928 on Oahu.