Alan

Try to decide what body style you want - its mainly a matter of taste - it didn't really change that much. Drive both manual and auto - its really the only way to figure it out, get what you want or you will regret it later - this is likely to be a car you will want to keep - so make sure you can live with it long term. This applies to color in/out too... conditon too you know what you want...

Then look for the best car you can find that matches your wants... it may take a while but there are only a few really rare combo's.
Take a little time if you need to - I spent almost 4 years looking for my GTS but usually witin a year there will be many many cars - be willing to go where the cars are - for the cost of maintenance finding a good one is worth some travel expense.

Always inspect in person - always get a professional independant PPI... you may regret not doing either of these.

For me the answer is a manual GTS in black/black - no regrets -you?

Alan

LUCKe27

Thanks for the advice. All the possibilities can be overwhelming, but I'll keep pressing ahead .

F451

I'm a 5 sp guy. Bought an auto '85. It's a great car. Really surprised me how well it performed. But it was an auto. The whole time I owned it, I was wishing it was a 5 sp.

Bought a 5 sp, sold the auto. Holy cow, what a difference. I LOVE the 5 sp!

It's like owning a completely different car, which it si.

I can see why folks love the auto's but they are not for me. And I hear all the time how an auto can shift faster then a 5 sp. Not really factor for me whether that is true or not.

I want the car to do what I want, when I want it. I don't want to wait for the auto tranny to decide what it wants to do. Manually trannies always feel more directly connected and I much prefer that style of driving.

If you want a 5 sp, wait for the right one. There are plenty out there.

Panzer9

Word to ya *****

Shane

However I have two 5 speeds, and I'm still looking to replace my auto. I really REALLY miss having an auto 928. I love shifting my manual ones and tearing up the backroads in WA, but when I want to head up your way or down towards Porken, or just travel somewhere... I prefer the auto every time!!

Go figure! But I'm still not giving up my manual 928s.

Mogans

I've had two 928's, both manual, both great, wouldn't have one the other way. Unless you're dead set on an automatic, I think you should get a manual. The chances of buying the manual and later wishing for an automatic are pretty small, IMHO. On the other hand, if you were to buy the auto I think it's a pretty good bet that after a while you'd be wondering if you'd made the right choice.

SteveG

I have both. The comment about autos being lesser is misinformaion. the auto shifts hard, as in tight. I can chirp the tires on the auto into second and I love 5-speeds.

The real issue is whether it will be a daily driver and city traffic. You have mail.

Bret928

Personally I like manuals. Autos are great for Sedans, Trucks, Minivans & SUVs intended for family kid hauling. But there's nothing like a manual to get the true feel of a vehicle no matter what it is.

Something else that you need to consider is that while this may or may not be true for later autos, in 0-60 testing - the early 3 speeds autos were a good second off of the manual’s times.

89 928 turbo

There sure is a lot of love for the manuals vs auto....

I use mine as a daily driver, but also do some track days, and drivers tours that are terrifyingly fun trips, I liked the newer styling ques on the body and anticipated that a car that was 5-10 years newer, simply would have less issues and have found that to be kind of true...the basic stuff we all run into is on this 928 timeline in space somewhere....not if it fails, just when.

I would go for the newest car that you can afford. Look at the performance enhancements on the new vs old

89's - 325 hp crank
newer - 345
older - 270 or so

It seems like after we get them, the first thing we do is start to fiddle to get a few more ponies here and there and some RMB/crossovers maybe chips, and if you get addicted you can chase serious hp gains with SC or Turbo solutions. ....if that's your ilk, by the newest car in the absolute best condition, your going to end up replacing lots of small parts, vacuum lines, hoses, gaskets, etc, etc., and then your off upgrading suspension and braking capacity to handle the HP's.

I have discovered that I like to have both hands on the wheel when I am hitting turn 1 at 140+, or am pushing 2.5 times the posted "recommended" speed limit on mountain curves with no guard rails...still I am deeply impressed with some of my other friends who manage all that with one hand on the wheel, the other shifting and yet the other (??) calling out incoming traffic on a two way while videoing the trip.

but I may just be a girlie mann........

whatever you get, do your best to get it well inspected, I think we must have some 10 point lists around here somewhere......and the advise about keeping a few thousand lying around that the wife isn't aware of is a pretty good idea.

89 928 Guards Red Turbo ........automatic

JT

F451

I haven't studied this thread in detail, but I'm not sure anyone has said auto's are "lesser".

What I've understood in this thread, and what I'm trying to say, is that for me, a manual tranny is more "fun", especially in a sports/GT car.

The original poster said: "(1) Normally I would want a 5-speed sports car..."

So I think its appropriate for the folks that prefer 5 sps, that have also owned, and/or driven the autos, to offer up their opinions on the matter.

Probably goes without saying, but its all a matter of personal preferences. I think that's what people are offering up as opinions. Seems all good to me.

Perhaps it should be added: "take a test ride in both if you're on the fence". "If" being the key word.

Bret928

I got the impression our friend was asking the question mainly because the bulk of the 928s out there are autos. Not because he was on the fence as to what to chose. Probably looking for reinforcement for holding off on buying if his true preference is for a manual and/or reasons why an auto wouldn't be such a bad thing if that’s all he could find.

Ether way he’ll still be ma member of the club.

Hows that for being PC.

telidor99

Good to see more folks from Atlanta sharing my passion!
I am up in woodstock.

Charley B

It really isn't that improtant which transmission your first 928 has. You will buy a second one, and that's when you will make sure it is exactly what you want.

Jim bailey - 928 International

It is a bit like getting married , be sure it is really what you want , try not to compromise too much , decide if it is what you can live with , and be sure to get a good test drive ... It can a big investment of time, energy, emotion, and money .

rixter

I own multiple of both, I've been a manual tranny guy my whole life.. to be honest I prefer the S4 autos over the early 5spd .. the 5spd is great if I'm going places where I can let go and enjoy actually shifting thru gears, but for any real amount of time in town forget it, give me the auto.. shifting thru the gears gives a great thrill and I can just put it in D if I get stuck in traffic
I do suggest you drive both a manual and a later 4 spd auto (preferably S4)and compare them
as Jim noted above, these cars can take a good amount of time/energy/$$$... deciding half way thru it's wrong for you could cost you