Nicole,

Never replaced a plug wire on one of my cars and never felt the need to do so... I can go out to the garage right now and take anyone of them to the track w/o any concern too! That said, if I was going to be totally **** about the whole thing two of them would have had VERY EXPENSIVE transmission repairs. They are leaking (though not to a HUGE degree) and the fix is a $1000 part and $1500 worth of labor... PASS! For now I don't even have to top them up but every 10k+ miles so I will just buy a whole lot of rags and transmission fluid for $2500 on each of the cars!

That does not keep them from being driven or even driven on track (both have been) and certainly does not bother me a bit...

I did mention that tires, brakes, rotors, and other WEAR items don't count in this assessment because they would have to be replaced on ANY car being considered. I am talking about stuff like transmissions, engine rebuilds, A/C woes, steering racks and the like... In that I have not spent $12k on 12 years of owning (and driving regularly, though NOT as DD's) my 7 928's...

YMMV!

 

 

Someone is about to get their cherry popped without vaseline.

 

Caymans,
I just purchased my third 928 this summer. I flew to Texas and drove it home to find the right car. Be patient and buy a car with a notable and reliable history (probably best found here on this forum) otherwise...Beware! My car came with $21,000 in maintenance reciepts/records spent over just the last 6 years. Those 6 yrs and $21k could be yours if you don't buy right. I'd say buy from an enthusiast or beware.

 

Sterling never has to do maintenance because every time the car needs an oil change or something like that he pulls the motor and the trans to upgrade them and then he repaints the car and replaces the interior for good measure! Sterlings car is ALWAYS NEW! I love it man!

 

 

I really appreciate everyone's posts. There seem to be a few serious, serious misconceptions though.

I haven't ignored anything, eug. I've read all these posts with great interest and respect. Just because I don't immediately drop the cars that I'm looking at for one that someone offers here doesn't mean I'm ignoring anyone. It means I'm being cautious. Caution is best for someone in my position. You'll notice that I haven't bought the cars I originally posted about.

Then there were a lot of other posts about people regarding how much money they've spent on their cars and then asserting that I'm expecting to spend none. Nothing could be further from the truth. If I thought I could just drop coin on one of these things and then put nothing but gas into it for the next 5 years, I would have bought that full European leather black/tan 5-speed beauty or the Utah concourse recently on eBay.

The whole reason I am even considering an $8K car is because I'm EXPECTING to have to put money into it over the coming years and I figure I'd be better off with a low starting price. I've been reading this board for a month and zero-effort is the last thing I'm expecting. Even if I buy from someone on this list, it would be foolish for me to expect a maintenance-free vehicle.

David, that's a beautiful ride, but a black interior is a step above burgundy for me, unless it's black on the outside, too. Ideally, I'd like a tan interior which both of the ones I'm looking at are. Gray or linen interiors might work for me, too.

Actually, I got the PPI on the gray/tan one today and it's got lot's of leaks and other minor problems in addition to the cosmetic and A/C problems. Here was the one I was considering: http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eB...m=160288638126 So I'm passing on this one.

I'm still 50/50 on the other one. Like I said, for $3.1K I can start using it as an occassional driver. Winter is coming so even though it's Atlanta, I won't need the A/C running immediately (how much did we decide A/C repair will be? $1800? $3000? $5000?)

If I put $3-4K a year into it over the next few years, won't it turn out to be a decent driver? No, I'm not a wrench. I can and will do small interior stuff, but I'm not getting near the powertrain.

David and Ice: did your red sharks start out perfect? Is it really just obsession that compels you to fix up these cars and sell them at an overall loss?

I understand if it is. That's why I might be close to making a "mistake" on the 87. I want to walk into my garage and see the shark-eyes looking up at me asking "Where we goin', boss?"

 

ummm....How many porsches have you owned?

 

Ok, I guess from your stance it's ZERO. 928 ownership is not for the faint hearted. Think...boat ownership, it's in the same league.

 

Interesting thread........

Caymans, I got outbid earlier on the grey/tan 928 you speak of but it did not meet reserve. Got an email today for a 2nd chance offer, was considering but given the discussion will let it pass.

David, your car is looking good. The red color should validate all the mid life crisis comments I would get too....still thinking.

 

I want to clarify. My posts might seem anti-928. But, far from it. They're like bad women, everyone warns you...but..you ask for her phone # anyway.

 

I remember how happy I was to sell my boat......

 

So you deduced that from my stance? And not the way I titled this thread?

Not helpful. Everyone (including me) in this support group, er, uh, I mean forum, already knows that. I can be faint of heart as long as I'm not faint of wallet.

 

catscan, if you want the PPI, just call me. 404-509-5416.

 

Caymans since your not interested in turning wrenches under the hood it would be imperative for you to purchase a car that has already been sorted,

By sorted I mean the engine bay looks like new, the intake and cam covers have been reconditioned, and the intake and all of its associated parts have been replaced, the TB /WP has been done the rack is leak free, the power steering system has a fresh set of hoses the resivour has been replaced the motor mounts are fresh, and the OPG replaced.
The torque tube has been over hauled the Auto Trans has had the front pump O ring seal replaced , The shocks are new or low milage, the tires are in good condition and the paint looks nice as well as the interior being clean and tidy,
Not to mention the A/C system working properly......... If all of these conditions are not met then your basically going to open up a can of worms thats eventually going to dry out your wallet.
It boils down to this most of the 928 owneres on this board can and do lift wrenches to continue with the maint of these machines, and once they are fixed they will usually last a very long time and provide lots of enjoyment, Its just better to be able to use the car instead of always having to fix something else............. Another way to look at it is to buy a car that has had a lot of owners, that way every one of them has had a chance to pour the cash into the machine and eventually the car should be fixed enough to drive.. There is no free ticket, but since your researching these would be my suggestions