danglerb

Nice cars are being sold, why are you focusing on ones with lots of expensive repairs? Driving 500 or even 3000 miles to pick one up is MUCH cheaper than buying a local money pit.

I don't trust old repairs. Many shops have no clue about working on a 928, even shops with Porsche in the name, so when I see a car with lots of money spent on it, but not driven, does that really sound like the repairs went well?

shmark

You will spend the money anyway, either in maintenance or in the purchase price, and it's usually much cheaper in the purchase price...unless your name is Firemed. It's better to buy a car with good cosmetics and maintenance that runs and drives very well. Then spend more money on it!

utjmac

I've had such trouble finding both a clean interior AND significant maintenance history. This one has both, and is still under 100k miles. On to that, I'm fine with traveling for cars, just hadn't seen one like I like with a clean history. Lot's of repairs and little driving sounds like a garage queen for the most part. I've talked with the two owners that represent 95% of the driving, and feel comfortable with both. They both just want to see it on the road again.

Personally, I'd rather find a discounted porsche with maint history, do a large service on it, fuel pump, water pump, timing belts and water pump, and know I can drive her for a while. Shes got good brakes and rotors, decent tires, cup1 knockoffs. A good buffing and the paint will come back to 80% life, but I'll probably pull some strings to get a repaint in a few years. Assuming the PPI doesn't reveal a engine problem that the current owner would have to have just flat out lied about, I think it's a good deal to have an 86 928S for under $5000 with a fresh major service.

Maybe not a "Firemed" deal, but my perspective so far is that it's heading in the right direction. Thank you all for the excellent feedback and help.

Here's a pic of her heading to the PPI, I should hear more on Monday.

John

jpNcos

I think you have found a good one. Good luck with it and keep us posted.

Rocinante

It looks like the 80 "Euro" that utjmac first saw in 2009 has resurfaced in the Atlanta area, which I took for a test drive: http://atlanta.craigslist.org/atl/cto/5623576286.html

medipedicman

What were your thoughts after driving the car?

Rocinante

Car was already warmed up when I got there, so I couldn't start it from cold.

I had to go early in the morning as the car has no working A/C (missing many components). Since it is so hot here now, we had the windows down so it was hard to check for strange noises (extra loud as it has no cats). Brakes were good but squealed a bit when we got going. Steering was solid with little play. Ride was okay, but to me it felt a bit tired. Tranny seemed to shift less smooth than i thought it should - no banging or slamming, but you could feel the shifts (maybe its the mounts as he said they need changing). Owner is advertising it as 247 horses, but I think quite a few of them must have drowned in the Chatahoochee. He also stated that he didn't think the engine had been changed previously, but the fuel injection system had been updated at some point. Ultimately, I got scared off by the frame repair weld in the front wheel well, the dripping fluid from the tranny, and the cost of interior and paint repairs - and especially with what I read in this thread.

If you have any further questions, let me know. Otherwise Rich at 928 Garage can tell you more as he has worked on this car.

medipedicman

Thanks Ron. It has been listed for sale for some time. I have always been curious about it. Bill should have my 79 ready soon enough but I was briefly in the market this spring and like most of us, always browse Craigslist for any bottom feeding opportunities.

Rocinante

So what do you think? An 80 euro frame repaired project car with a replaced non Euro engine...what is it good for? I don't think it's fair to make it a parts car, it will cost a boatload of cash to bring it back to original condition, and it would take a lot to turn it into a track car.

No matter how I slice and dice the numbers, I can't make the numbers add up. For me, it defies basic economics.

medipedicman

For half of his asking price it would make a fun driver. Drive her for all she has then make a decision at the next major service. If it was a 5 speed it might drive up the cost to $3500 and still be a good deal for someone. They are rarely good investments, just a fun hobby.

Rocinante

...and hey! You' re not a "bottom feeder", you are a "value investor"

Rocinante

BTW, what was being done to your '78 at 928 garage, if I may be so bold as to ask?

mj1pate

It's not like what you think. I drove my 86.5 home to Maryland from the SF Bay Area without incident, but it was still a 20 year old when I bought it 10 years ago. If your car has any of the original PS pump lines, fuel lines, fuel pressure regulator/damper devices, crank/cam position sensors, temp sensors, fuel pump , filter, plug wires, coils.... They ALL need to go. I've endured the painful experience of watching my 928 towed.
And you mentioned the timing belt, water pump, tensioner, brakes. Also include the oil pan gasket, valve cover gaskets and motor mounts.
That's a lot of labor. Find one that has had all the above done already. It should all have been done by now.
Oh, and then there's the unexpected stuff. My 928 demanded electrical work last year that turned into a major refresh (2 months downtime). Much better for it now. the lesson I've come face to face with is that 30 years old is old. The electrical system is particularly fragile. You've got to have the usual refresh behind you because by now you have to deal with stuff out on the margin.

medipedicman

It is the black 79 on the lift. Rebuilt Euro S engine being installed. BTW, it is a 5 speed and I prefer them. Don't let anyone scare you off of the 5 speed if that is your preference. I have owned several and while some MY may be "better" than others if it is properly serviced and maintained you will have years of fun driving your very own race car.

rlich8

Please walk away from this car, it is a nightmare waiting to be experienced if all you want is a nice driver to expect minor/easy repairs and service based repairs from.

This is a full on basket case and should probably be a parts car. Go out and find something nicer. It is not a Euro -- the Euro cars were on CIS K Jet and there would be a WUR present roughly where there is a fuel pressure regulator. This is a 4.5L motor not a 4.7L. This car will be tens of thousands of dollars to make proper and right and it'll only be worth $8 or 10k in the end anyways.

Find yourself a well maintained driver that doesn't need an interior and has a proper motor.