KEL-J

Not looking for specifics, just want a range of what a nice sub 40K mile blk/tan 88 S4 manual trans car should sell for??
Serviced 2years ago (timing/water pump)

Marine Blue

$18K if it's in good condition and mechanically up to date.

For reference I just sold my 87 S4 with 52K on the clock for slightly less than this. Good luck!

RyanPerrella

if you love the car i would go to $20, if not more

5 speed S4's in great condition are tough to come by

Marine Blue

Ryan is right, the price I listed is a starting point. I sold my car at that price because I had another on the way and my wife wouldn't have been happy to give up a garage spot with the new baby and all.

shmark

Yes but remember Afshin's definition of "good condition" is white-glove concours for most folks.

dnwong

How much difference would an automatic be? Less I guess.

Art_Z

automatics tend to be cheaper because they are much more plentiful. Regardless of transmission, overall condition, service history and mileage will probably be the major cost components, as well as the motivation of the seller.

I paid $18k for my auto 87 S4, a bit on the high side, but it had 61k miles, good service records, great condition both inside and out and came with a limited warranty and it was the color I wanted.

you can easily find cheap 928s, but by the time you are done sinking in $s for the neglected maintenance items, you're looking at a $15k to $20k car.

VehiGAZ

Under 40k miles is unusually low, and that's a popular model, so I would say the car should sell for over $20k (FWIW).

Stromius

I don't think I'd let me 5 speed go for less than $20k now that 1) I found THE year/color and 2) how hard it would be to find another 5 speed. Even then, I'd be hard pressed to let it go....too fun to drive.

F451

Ha ha...the only way I would let my 5 sp go is if I was willing keep the sale funds secure, and to be prepared for a long wait while I looked for another 5 sp!

My dream 928:
86.5, 5 sp, rub strip delete, sunroof delete, white on black.

AO

I paid $15k for a 126k mile 1991 GT (5-speed). It WAS NOT a bargain. I should have paid $25k for a lower mile car in hindsight and enjoyed driving it more.

Ispeed

The value is all in the condition and maintenance history. For an S4, you are looking at these things to be at the end of their natural lifespan (plus many more small things):
LH brain rebuild ($660)
shocks, springs, alignment ($800-1500)
motor mounts/pan gasket (value $800)
radiator ($900)
top of engine re-seal of intake and valve covers plus powdercoat, new knock sensors etc while in there. (value $2k+)
rebuild half shafts with new boots and grease (d.i.y. $100)
steering rack rebuild ($450+ labor)
brake rotors/pads (many still on original rotors that should be replaced) ($600 in parts, d.i.y.)
a/c service and maybe a change to 134 ($0-1000)
timing belt/waterpump usually needing to be re-done (and new cam sprockets by 100k or so) (value $1500)
just to mention a few........

When you look at the maintenance records with the car, if any of this stuff has been done it will be saving you money.
Most owners do not do PREVENTATIVE MAINTENANCE, only psychos like us. They only fix what is obviously broken, and do not notice failed motor mounts and blown shocks. They usually know how to wash and wax and show a clean car.
Happy Hunting, and look for maintenance records.

mj1pate

All good points. The above edited quote is what was left to me to do after my purchase, after the PO had begun the extensive process of refresh, on a car without maintenance history. Not listed above is the cost of a basic tune up with qualifying wires and distr caps ($$). I got lucky. My 86.5 automatic is so far untouched by reliability, or thrust bearing and torque tube issues (not of concern to 5 sp owners). But 5 sp owners must also be wary of clutch and synchro conditions ($$$$). These repairs can be wallet wrinching experiences even for DIYers.


Mike

Dean_Fuller

I my opinion a 20 year old car with 40000 miles tells me very little as to if it is what you think it is. By that I mean TB, all seals, all wear items used or not will need to be replaced. In almost all cases letting a car sit is worse for It than driving it on a regular schedule. I would be much more interested in condition and maintenance records that mileage. IMO.. I have an almost BRAND new full set of tires I took of a 69000 mile 80 model that will head for the re cycler ...just dry rotted because of none use.

dprantl

I also do not understand why people think a 20 year old car with less than 50k miles automatically must be a good buy. I usually try to buy my cars with just over 100k miles with service records indicating that all the maintenance and repairs have been made upto that point. That way I know the car has been driven regularly and that it's good for another 100k miles. It has not failed me yet in 10 years. The 200k+ GT I just bought is a bit of an exception, but I compiled it's history from rennlist

Dan
'91 928GT S/C