sb944

Hi there,

I currently own a 1985 944 na manual, and keep an eye out for prices of Porsche cars for sale in Australia (I live in Sydney). To date nothing has caught my attention too much with some interesting sales, but nothing that's prompted me to enquire any further, until today.

I've seen a 1988 928 S4 for sale in Melbourne (short flight, trip). Here's the details of the sale:
1988 928 S4 Auto
Everything working and maintained
Full service history
300,000 kms
Imported from England
Aus$25,999
3 year warranty

It's those last 4 points that I question.
* Firstly is a 928 that's done 300,000 still worth buying or is it just about ready to retire?
* Secondly should a car imported from the UK be heavily devalued over an Australian delivered car. The has been registered here for 5 years.
* Third $26,000 is around $10,000 below what others sell for on average. One can be picked up for around $31,000 but not usually the better standard ones
* Last the three years warranty is almost a real bonus to me, as it means you don't have to worry about the engine blowing up because of timing belt issues etc.

All this has me thinking. I'm pretty right to up my loan on my current car that much, however I need to know the 300,000 isn't a keep away sign in disguise.

Also if anyone can offer views on whether the step up from a 944 to a 928 is worth it or not I'd like to hear that also. I don't really want an auto, but the 928 S4 auto is about the only car I forgive for being an auto.

Thanks for the time,

Sam.

Kaz

Sam, I have an 88 S4 automatic and it really isn't so bad with the new shifter designed by jager engineering. See <a href="http://www.jageng.com." target="_blank">www.jageng.com.</a> Shifting the car is simple and fun and my unsuspecting friends actually think I do have a tiptronic tranny. Shifter takes all of 10 minutes to install.

How many miles does 300,000 KM's work out to? With proper maintenance the 928 engines are designed to go 300,000 miles between rebuilds and in fact a friend has one, a 79 with 280,000. A leakdown test still showed factory parameters so he had the rest of the car restored.

That full service history if it really is a complete history is a bonus. Long as they're maintained there really shouldn't be any problems. Having never owned a 944, I can't tell you how it'll compare except the obvious. The 928 is heavier but equally well balanced. You'll love the torque and pull of the engine as an 88 can still keep up with many of the newer 993's and 6's out there. It's a very comfortable car to drive daily and excels on long roadtrips.Hope this helps.


K <img src="graemlins/yltype.gif" border="0" alt="[typing]" />

Jerry 87 928S4

300,000 Kilometers is about 186,000 miles. I always hear that the 928s are made to last 200,000 miles and quite a few people seem to have them with 150,000 or so miles.

I think the low price is because of the high miles. I think I would include spending time (Money) on maintenance if you decide to purchase it. You may not have to pay for the engine but then again you may be without the car for awhile.

I agree with the comments on the Automatic. <img src="graemlins/c.gif" border="0" alt="[ouch]" />

adgirl

Sam- 300,000 km sounds like an awful lot to me. If there really are all records, check to make sure that all the usual maintenance has been done regularly (especially the t-belt work every 30,000 miles - dont' know the km equivalent off the top of my head). Can't imagine a really lowered value for a car "born in the UK", but since I live in New York City it's hard to know. I have an '87 928 S4 I bought last year that has been incredibly reliable, but it all depends on how the car was cared for. Good luck, adgirl