yellowline

My dad found an '85 32V 5-speed (guy called it an S4, but it's the old body). 128k miles. Maroon exterior looks good in pics, guy claims the interior is kind of ratty, and one bank of cylinders misses. Has spark. No "bad engine noises," but the guy has no clue what the problem is...claims it could need a DME or a whole new engine (I don't believe that). New clutch and belt.

Guy wants $2500 to come get it. Fair?

What else can I use to push him into buying the car? I know it has 290 hp and the better synchros. Don't just tell me it's "better than a 944."

FlyingDog

It's twice as good as a 944!

Even if the engine is dead, it's not a bad deal. If it has LSD, the tranny is worth close to $2500. Brains plus disassembled engine is another $2500. Anything else would be a bonus.

yellowline

Wow, you guys actually get some money for your parts.

I sold a 944S 16v engine with 60k miles and new clutch for $1000, and even that was a tough sell.

Nice to know the parts are worth $, but I think he'd be buying with the aim of keeping it.

Airflite40

That does sound like a pretty good deal, especially since 5-spd 928s are not common, even better if it doesnt have rubstrips

6mil928

Yea the price of parts is great if your selling and not buying. Jason

Mike Frye

Joel, get off the babysitter...


Sorry, just a little 928 related movie quoting.

Back on topic, I think someone posted that one the other day. It's in NY, right?

I have an '85 5 speed with a trashed interior (hey, it's a work in progress) and I paid more than $2500 for it because the engine ran strong and the tranny was good.

Since then I'd estimate that I've put conservatively 200+ hours into it(?) in a year and at least another 4-5k$. All this without pulling the heads or doing anything on the bottom end except the pan gasket and checking for wear in there. $2500 is a good deal IMO for the platform, but understand that with the vague references about the engine (the craigslist ad was posted here) you're probably in for a rebuilt engine as a worst case scenario.

In addition to that as Jason said, the parts aren't cheap. Tune-up: $600, TB/WP complete: $750?, carpet set is $600+, seat recovery: $1000/pr. The interior panels may have to be replaced or at least recovered.

For a car as I saw it described, you're probably looking at an additional $10k+ in labor and/or parts (depending on how much you can do yourself) before it's a fairly dependable driver.

I considered picking it up as a parts car, but I don't have anywhere to put it (and I don't have $2500 in the Sharkfund right now).

Good luck and keep us posted!

yellowline

Wow, $10k? We do all our own work on the 944, have the factory belt tensioning tool for the 944, are pouring a concrete floor for a new shop today (with a 2-post lift), and he's an electrician by trade. For a car that was deemed a "money pit" 4 years ago by him, he's pretty serious now. I think he's just asking for a 928 at some point.

I'll give out the info if he decides against it, seems like someone here might want it.

As for me, I drive a red early 944. You can call me Jake.

Airflite40

$10k is quite outrageous honestly, unless you have figured an entire trans and engine rebuild.
I doubt the car needs $10k before its a DEPENDABLE DRIVER.

Having owned both a 928 and 924/944, 928s are slightly more complicated, and the parts themselves are slightly more expensive and more parts are required since you have twice the engine.

Other than that, it all depends on what the car needs.

Like I said above, $2500 for an 85 5-spd sounds like a good deal

FlyingDog

All that work might be $10k if you pay a shop to do it or you buy a Champagne interior. If you do your own work, a 928 is no more expensive than a 944 (with the exception of having a few more parts). I gave out the parts prices above as a worst case scenario. If the car turns out to be trashed, it's still worth more than he paid for it. $2500 is a good price for an 85-86 car.

Airflite40

YUP!!!

yellowline

I talked to him about it this morning. He said he's going to wait about a year for a 928, too much on his plate right now. The car would just sit.

Here's the car, if another Rennlister wants it:

http://longisland.craigslist.org/car/461583563.html