eugkim

I'm sure to take the plunge into 928 ownership soon. I've loved the car since I was a kid, now finally willing to consider a coupe as a fun car (still with the abilty to transport my 3 boys).

While I'd love to buy a car that I can drive home and not worry about, I may end up buying one that needs some work (a/c, timing belt, hoses) as well as touch up for small areas of pitting/corrosion or rust. Also, the car has been painted in the past (front/rear quarter panels, new aftermarket wing).

My question - in a car like this, will restoring to "as new" make a difference? Clearly the fact that body work has been done always raises a red flag, but, if done well, will it affect the value of the car? Can a car with a moderate degree of paint be considered "concours?"

I may end up either waiting or sucking it up and spending the extra $ for something pristine.

sty3x

I'm pretty sure if you have CTT you can find a decent 928 and with some work you can have a really nice one =) Do you have any you have mind years or so?

eugkim

I'm not sure what you're asking. If it's the years I'm considering, mostly targeting the S4 or GT. I'm partial to a 5 speed, but they seem few and far between.

shaynes

I totally restored an 86.5 shark, it is in the September issue of Excellence I have received offers almost 3 times book value, yet it still won't recoup cost.. if that is what you are getting at.. but I love it, and would do it again.

SteveG

How fast are the kids growing? i.e., how long will the two smallest fit in the back?

I don't know what "difference" you mean. If it is re-sale value, forget it, you won't get back in dollars what you put into it in dollars AND time. If you are referring to personal enjoyment, only you can judge that. What I am going to quote is actually kinda moot, and obvious, but you don't say what your budget is. "Buy the best you can afford" If you enjoy wrenching, do it, but how much free time do you have w/3 kids?? Either way, keep some cash in reserve. A car with deferred maintance probably has some surprises unless you really trust the history. I'm still finding small surprises on the '85 that I've had since 2002.

Mike Frye

That's true, and you also can't rule out 'gremlins'. Sometimes I go to Steve's house and rewire the CE panel in his '85 while he's asleep.

Abby Normal

Buy one that doesn't need restored because there are some really pristine examples out there if you are patient and selective. A friend of mine recently bought a showroom example and it stold the show at the recent get together in Atlanta.

SteveG

Did you cut the wires to my seat back motor?

DonS

Yes, a good/great paint job will bring the car value up to -book- value if everything else is top notch.

If the (high-quality) paint shop does all the work you'll need an $8-10k paint job for 'concours'. Pull all the panels and bits yourself and re-assembly maybe 1/3 that.

Unless you find an pristine example with less than 10k mileage (i.e., never driven) you'll never get any $$$ back that you'll put in.

Stock phrase - "So far I've invested/dumped $25k into it to get a GREAT $10k car."

But we're all addicts anyway, so who cares?

Marine Blue

IMHO if you want to customize a shark and you have a unique paint color and options that you would like to add then a fixer upper makes a great deal of sense. If your goal is to restore one to original condition (as it came from the factory) yet it has a questionable past the odds are it won't be worth nearly as much as an original car in similar condition.

The beauty of PCA Concours is that they have many classes you can enter and they don't dock you for originality in some of these classes. You can always enter and win if your workmanship is as good as factory and the cars condition/cleanliness meets concours expectations.

If the car is strictly for your own enjoyment and $$ is not a concern (which is the way it should be) then go for what you can afford. Realize a fixer upper usually costs much more than the equivalent shark with everything done already.

Good luck with the search and enjoy the ride.

Fabio421

Stay away from 928's. If you insist on one, I have an 84 928s for sale.

Buy a Geo Metro, thats what all the cool kids are buying nowadays. http://1989geometro.com/ Just make sure you get the LS "sport" model. They have 4 cylinders instead of 3.

IcemanG17

In general the cost of restoring a 928 to pristine condition is far beyond its market value....even in scenarios when the car is "free"....of course it all depends on the individual 928.... Some are well under $10k......but will cost another $10k to make "nice"...then be worth $15k....

However in the big picture 928 ownership is fairly inexpensive.....due to lower depreciation vs a comparable new car...... unless you get really unlucky and pay someone else to do turn the wrenches...

Bottom line is does the car make you smile when you look at and drive it....if it does...buy it!! :>)

powpowj

Before I knew of renlist i thought mine was nice. I've owned it for 3 years , its a 89s4 just needed tires to drive My choice has ben to keep up with mechanics I'd rather be safe at speeds than looking good while driving Now 4tires 600$ timing belt and gears 700$ a rear wing a replacement rim, new radio wheel alignment a x-pipe and now 2 knock sensors$$$ Ive seen alot of nice looking cars but they are problems waiting to happen If you buy an s4 at least you can hook it up to a computer and tell you whats wrong. Get records and a ppi

DonS

Thank you for the endorsement!
But the xFi gets 50+MPG out of those three cylinders and a 0-60 under two minutes! Get an xFi then upgrade everything to the Suzuki Swift components.

Hans S

My best advise is before buying your potential car and if you don't have the required knowledge take it to a good porsche dealer or specialist and have it checked, that won't cost you a fortune and you won't regret it.

I wasn't that smart, I fall in love with the 928 when I was a child and I found a 1994 GTS two years ago (in Oman, where I work) for just below 10K USD, which I though was a good price, the bodywork and the interior needed some work, it was driving very well when I tested it..... not knowing that the engine would blow up after 3 months............. and I need to tell trying to find a 928GTS engine is near to impossible, so it took me over 9 months to locate one (brand new never used, 0 kilometers, from a friendly porsche specialist in the Netherlands), with that a lot of other parts got replaced, because everytome you will find a new little suprise.

I looked up my total spending so far is apr 28.000 USD (engine, parts, new interior leather upholstery, carpets, repainting etc. etc.) + 10.000 = 38.000 USD.

The car looks and drives as new....... but it requires deep pockets.... so be carefull before you start a commitment there is no way back

I still love my 928 and yes I will never get the investment back but everytime I drive it it puts a smile on my face.....