WyattsRide

As an "all my life loved the 928" guy who is also looking for his first one, I'm glad to know I'm not the only one who has these feelings as I read the posts here and else-where. At times my confidence and desire is high. I feel I'm not a total butt head and can catch on to things rather well. But, more often my confidence is low and I wonder if I'm way over my head on this venture. Sure $$$ are an issue with me (I don't have a lot of disposable $) but more of an issue to me is "can I wrench this car myself to keep the $$ spent as low as possible?" I've been looking seriously for about 2 months now and I haven't found any that made me want to jump in the cold (shark infested) water. Maybe I'm just finding faults on purpose on these to keep me from jumping in. Maybe I'm just telling myself "keeping looking, a better one will come along". Maybe I should go to therapy. Maybe I am a "butt head"

Bowerbird, how about we start our own club called. CAN I JUST LOOK AT YOUR 928 AND DRIVE IT AROUND ON WEEKENDS, PUT GAS IN IT AND THEN DROP IT BACK OFF IN YOUR GARAGE WHEN I'M DONE CLUB.

fraggle

As boats are holes in water in which you pour money, these cars can be as well.

Note that your data and observations taken from this forum may be a bit skewed. The most frequent enthusiasts and posters here are the same guys who didn't go buy a boxter. They bought a 928 because they wanted one. These are the same guys that are ready and willing to throw down cash, sometimes big cash, do a ton of their own work, even redesign parts. We see semi or full restorations regularly. Hobbies like this rarely have rational looking cash flow.

Rob Edwards

Just for giggles, here's all my costs on the '90 GT since May '06. About $35K or so. You'll note some duplicates of things, that's me breaking stuff or not repairing it right the first time, which happens a lot.

$35K is about what I have into my '08 Honda Odyssey EX-L/RES+NAV. Which would you rather drive?

17,500.00 Purchase WPOJB2924LS860278


202.85 2 Avon M500 P225-50R-16 tires, from Tire Rack
0.60 drain plug seal 900-123-011-00
32.00 air filter
15.00 airpump filter
148.00 tie rods, Lemforder (x2)
30.00 tie rod boots (2)
12.00 A/C belt
12.00 alternator belt
12.00 air pump belt
12.00 power steering belt
5.75 cap for washer filler neck
16.15 shipping for speakers to Simply speakers
11.67 3 Duracell PX625 1.5 V batteries for lighted key heads
75.19 Had rear panel 6.5" speakers re-foamed
40.00 timing belt
319.00 water pump
13.00 water pump bolt and washer set
19.92 tensioner boot
2.35 tensioner boot clamp
11.94 belt tensioner gasket
0.88 tensioner inner piston o-ring
37.24 tensioner arm bushings x2
60.45 tensioner idler
58.85 tensioner main roller
189.73 Lower idler assembly?
0.75 tensioner roller mounting bolt
39.76 tensioner arm pivot pin (AKA shoulder bolt?)
3.12 dipstick seal
208.82 Camshaft Timing Sprocket 85-95 (2)
21.86 front crank seal
67.48 steel oil pump sprocket
22.94 oil pump front seal
17.95 oil pump o-ring
2.69 crank sprocket thrust washer
112.95 crank sprocket
0.69 screw 6 x12
21.00 upper radiator hose
24.30 lower radiator hose
19.44 coolant hose- reservoir to T-stat housing
35.80 coolant hose- T-stat to metal pipe
11.75 thermostat 83oC
11.16 thermostat housing inner seal
3.50 thermostat o-ring
48.58 distributor caps
32.86 distributor rotors
4.72 engine block coolant drain plug seal
1.30 radiator mounting screws Aka pan head or socket screw M8x16
52.28 cam cover gaskets
21.72 cam cover spark plug seals
16.00 fuel filter
9.56 dial gauge indicator extension
279.00 Aluminum front belly pan
2.10 hex head tapping screws 4.8 x 16 for undertray
6.93 speed nuts for undertray
44.68 Two Anchor 2698 motor mounts
-36.18 returned mounts - one was leaking already
23.95 silicon oil pan gasket
62.50 Solid steering rack mounts
104.95 motor mounts
114.20 expansion tank
0.58 tapping screw- 6.3 x 16 PET part #36
18.31 3" long hose from reservoir to left side of metal Y coolant pipe #33 on PET
3.14 expansion tank overflow hose - drains rearward from filler neck (AKA overpressure hose)
4.77 hose clamp - SGT 20- 32/9 - for #33 hose to reservoir and metal Y
hose clamp for reservoir to left radiator side tank overflow line
10.05 3" hose from heater valve to engine block? (connects to 90o angled metal pipe w/ flange) PET #4
1.71 hose clamp - for various heater hoses
28.43 Reservoir
1.24 reservoir cap seal
17.84 hose for reservoir to banjo fitting on PS pump
1.71 upper clamp on reservoir
1.56 lower clamp on PS pump
1.05 copper washers on banjo fitting for above hose (reservoir to pump supply hose)
1.11 copper washers on banjo fitting for metal hose from PS pump to steering rack
7.87 high voltage decal
8.31 firing order decal
31.67 GTS oil pan baffle
40.00 Had 2 front Avon M500 tires mounted and balanced
21.00 Porsche 928 Lock Detail Kit for all 928 models
14.95 Bought smooth FUBA antenna mast
34.50 4 feet of 2.5" hose for alternator cooling (25 + 9.50 shipping)
-200.00 return credit for WP core - 928 Specialists
29.45 *A/C Expansion Valve 86.5-95
23.69 *A/C Receiver Drier 87-92 - Parker W/Sight Glass
17.00 4 - 999.707.247.40
16.50 5 - 999.707.251.40
3.98 928.573.909.02
3.98 928.573.909.02
7.95 *92857390902
1.48 *HXHD BOLT 8X16 for muffler remount
0.40 *LOCK NUT M8 for muffler remount
0.84 *WASHER for muffler remount
3.06 *Hatch - Release **** "INSERT" 84-95
4.50 *Relay - Fuel Pump 85-95 - OEM
0.60 *FUSE PULLER
1.59 *Clutch Inspection Plug 77-95

363.84 front Boge Red vibration dampers
457.86 Rear Boge Red's
31.75 Ordered a PS pump reseal kit from Rennbay
485.00 Received CDR-220 radio and harness from Stefan at SW Stereo

30.90 2 rubber engine intake gaskets (part number
29.66 intake side cover gasket set
7.94 • 2 throttle housing / intake gaskets (part number )
26.77 intake flap actuator
39.70 • 10 rubber pressure rings (AKA thrust rings =seals on the 10 intake mounting bolts)
223.63 idle stabilizer valve (AKA idle speed adjuster) Bosch 0 280 140 515
99.98 knock sensors x2 held by M8x30 bolt
13.64 hose- brake venturi Y to brake booster
21.78 hose right front cam cover to oil filler
24.63 Hose - Left Cam Cover >Right Cam Cover 93-95**
19.56 hose right rear cam cover to right Y at air guide elbow
30.94 hose right Y at air guide elbow to oil fillet
20.34 hose left Y at air guide elbow to brake venturi
39.00 hose left Y at air guide elbow to front of idle stabilizer valve
18.30 hose from side of idle stabilizer valve to throttle body housing
42.50 T-shaped (3-ended) hose throttle body housing to oil filler and evap vent valve
18.10 hose left intake side cover to brake venturi Y
3.90 hose throttle body housing to 5 or 7 way rubber splitter
9.53 5 (or 7 way, on an auto) way splitter at rear of intake- 5 speed
49.97 air guide rubber elbow (between MAF and throttle body)
30.60 small rubber elbows for rigid vacuum line
11.18 rigid vacuum line (2 meters)
2.39 rubber cap for flap actuator bearing
47.68 fuel injector seal kit
9.07 base of oil filler neck gasket
9.26 coolant crossover lateral gaskets
4.86 coolant crossover o-ring
39.87 bulbs for warning (red) portion of digital dash display 12V 1.5W PET #9
42.24 bulbs for regular (amber) portion of digital dash display 12V 1.2W
1.08 underhood bulb 12V 10W
4.50 linolite lamp 12V10 W - interior
6.00 Bulb - SideMarker 77-95, Front Park77-86, Tail 87-95**

40.19 fuel cooler return line
35.80 fuel supply line into fuel cooler
24.91 front injection rail crossover hose
72.80 rear injection rail crossover hose
0.86 washer for the above line to damper
24.00 Spark plugs- Bosch WR7DC (Copper) or DP (Platinum)
25.50 oil filter 928-107-201-05
8.83 Alternator Cowling Gasket 85-95
15.92 Windshield Washer - Intensive Fluid 77-95
133.21 O2 Sensor 87-95
94.99 "Got 4-wheel alignment at Sears. Ride height after getting home:
270.00 ordered front Club Sport springs
391.00 and rear springs
11.16 *Thermostat Housing Inner Seal 84*-95
20.43 *Interior Light - Roof/Hatch 77-95
2.58 *PLASTIC SLEEVE
16.00 *Heater Valve Assembly 77-95
1.38 shift linkage support washers S10 x 16 - need 2 PET #18
3.23 shift linkage compression spring PET #17
99.19 PS fluid cooling line
88.96 rack return line, to cooling line
16.19 exhaust manifold stud locking nuts 8M - 6 of them
3.83 *LINE CLAMP
3.82 P/S cooling line plastic clamps- 2 of them
69.48 angular joint (front shifter cup)- was replaced 12-98 at 69K miles
1.28 shift linkage connecting piece PET #16
57.30 *92860615700 - throttle valve switch
50.00 5 quarts of Redline 75W90 NS for the tranny/diff
51.00 left side door handle
65.00 hood insulation
20.00 upper left window slide
17.00 lower left window slide
3.00 Y-connector for charcoal canister
28.18 Front shock snubbers, 2 of them
22.88 Rear shock snubbers, 2 of them
279.00 Bought a PorKensioner from PorKen
16.92 Front and rear shock upper mount nuts
1.16 front shock piston rod locknut and lower shock thru bolt locknut-
11.06 Supporting washers for the clubsport front suspension
40.76 height adjuster threaded ring-front
1.54 rear shock piston rod locknut
3.68 M14 locknut for rear lower chock thrubolt
2.04 oil cooler grommet
50.14 throttle valve switch
54.48 front shifter ball cup (AKA angular joint)
64.70 rear shifter coupling- bearing body
3.00 4-way vacuum Tee at brake booster
10.74 vacuum check valve at brake booster
20.80 rubber hose- fuel strainer to fuel filter
45.00 engine intake blockoff set
2.90 luminous dots
3.58 window guide tube bushings
81.75 Ordered fuel hose replacment set with 15 mm clamps
114.40 Manual transmission mounts
3.70 gasket for airbox vacuum actuator
47.28 footwell vacuum actuator (yellow line) behind HVAC head
59.72 center nozzle vacuum actuator (comb flap) - orange line
0.26 crush washers for fuel filter
5.64 upper radiator hose clamp at water crossover
5.41 lower radiator hose clamp at T-stat housing
2.85 Y-hose assembly driver\'s side hose clamp
0.98 clamp
1.63 clamp
3.48 hose clamp
2.30 hose clamp
2.14 rubber grommet for brake booster check valve
64.98 sunroof surround gasket- front
37.01 sunroof surround gasket- rear
14.42 passenger side upper window guide
12.14 passenger side lower window guide
171.50 friction plate
513.14 pressure plate
216.48 throwout bearing
10.52 clutch arm ball cup bushing
16.01 pilot bearing
92.14 updated clutch arm
60.71 updated clutch guide tube
145.67 Clutch intermediate shaft
19.92 999 1134 2641 Shaft seal
19.88 928 1111 2702 exhaust flange gaskets
43.54 defroster vacuum actuator (green line)
10.00 airbox vacuum actuator (fresh air/recirc line- blue)
39.60 Bought second expansion valve for rear A/C
19.07 Sent LH brain to Louie Ott to exchange for a GT EPROM and a tiled LH brain
495.00 Price for above
26.22 Sent MAF to Kevin Farrell at Injection Labs for refurb
155.00 Price for above
26.22 Sent Injectors to WitchHunter for refurb
161.11 Price for above
120.00 Had intake manifold media blasted, powder coated silver and then cleared
195.00 Ordered new compressor suction (low pressure) hose:
175.27 Ordered new compressor to condensor (high pressure) hose:
6.00 radiator cap
65.00 coolant level sensor
31.00 radiator hose- vent to reservoir
total 113.68 with sales tax
190.00 Rear wheel bearings x2
13.55 seat bevel gear
1.50 fuel filter crush washers 12 x 16 (2 of them)
18.30 5 M8x35 exhaust manifold bolts
2.14 1 M8x45 exhaust manifold bolt
5.54 2 left heat shield washers (PET #7)
93.68 ball joint boots
10.04 spark plug wire support -need 1
5.41 left support - need 1 (still have one)
9.68 right support -need 2
1,000.00 Bought set of early 1994 17" Cup I wheels with RDK
445.00 Dropped off CupI rims and center caps at Al Reed-
365.00 Replaced windshield with OEM Sigla glass. Slightly damaged upper driver's side corner molding, passenger wiper grommet now off center.
12.33 bellhousing sealing strip
18.89 transmission front seal
20.88 engine RMS
95.12 clutch master cylinder
16.13 blue hose brake MC to clutch MC
0.00 angled pipe- blue hose to clutch M/C
30.34 front brake pad wear sensor
28.98 rear brake pad wear sensor
161.70 cam chain tensioner repair kit
190.11 Hall sensor
11.68 large front brake pad damper
14.48 small front brake pad damper
12.68 large rear brake pad damper
22.48 small rear brake pad damper
11.88 Drei bond
17.12 battery holddown clamp
15.13 pan head screw for battery clamp
37.42 Temp II sensor
395.00 Remanufactured TT
300.00 Core charge on TT- splines must be ok for return
75.00 Used central lock/A-C power switch for installing A/F gauge
10.00 Oil drain plug
2.00 2 oil drain plug crush washers
3.23 shift linkage compression spring PET #17 - need 1
376.00 2 Michelin Pilot Sports P225-45R-17 (fronts)
432.00 2 Michelin Pilot Sports P255-40R-17 (fronts)
-300.00 returned old TT for core deposit return
40.00 got used shifter bearing bracket from Tom
4.34 transmission top cover gasket
8.15 tranny selector shaft seal
1.78 differ cover gasket
21.60 shifter input bellows
141.80 Ordered crank position sensor AKA impulse sender
94.99 Adjusted ride height, drove 40 miles, got 4 wheel alignment at Sears
36.50 Footwell Actuator Diaphragn
19.85 Nipponenso 10PA20C shaft seal kit
18.50 Nipponenso 10PA20C gasket kit
19.75 Import o-ring set
112.80 front brake hose need2
69.74 rear brake hose need 2
14.46 shifter frame
57.75 rad bleeder hose pressure switch
193.68 new drier to expansion valve pressure line
2.32 lock nut need 4
35.00 receiver drier
24.91 Ordered correct shaft seal
55.00 Took A/C drier to exp valve pressure line to B+F Auto Air to have new barrier hose installed. Reinstalled back into car with new insulation over repaired segment.
495.00 Rebuilt A/C compressor
39.99 Bought G2 black epoxy brake caliper kit
74.00 Passed Smog,
2.85 Driver's side window triangle thrust wedge
44.40 washer neck
31.32 brake caliper bleeders (pairs, with dust cap)- need 6 (3 pairs)
20.90 brake cylinder paste/sliding lubricant
51.08 36 mm piston front repair kit
60.40 44 mm piston front repair kit
82.60 28 mm piston rear repair kit
82.48 30 mm piston rear repair kit
2.12 GTS rubber front tow lug cap
60.56 bought clutch slave cylinder
35.00 Bought replacement A/c block to compressor mount
139.95 internal fuel pump
19.95 hose from tank to pump M460
3.28 hose clamp internal pump to hose A 18/9
3.49 tank sealing ring
0.40 copper crush washers 12x 16
total with shipping
549.00 front spoiler- black 90-
107.13 clutch flex line
3.32 clutch flex line holders - need 2
55.00 Front brake pad set D939D
45.00 Rear brake pad set D951R
109.00 Rear wheel bearings x1 mailed to Bob's house directly

Fabio421

I doesn't usually take alot of money to keep a 928 running. What happens is that you end up loving the car so much that you end up wanting to improve every little imperfection. Its a 20 - 30 year old car, it's not going to be perfect unless you make it that way. Doing that costs money and time. The key is realizing that there will always be a nicer or faster one out there so there really is no end unless you can be satisfied with what you have.

cali4sun

Hey Rob,

I hope you just had to cut and paste your expenses I got tired scrolling down ... I bought a pretty good 928, and the only thing I did was the TB/Waterpump, and a few other things. I've spent way less on ownership of it than a 89 BMW 325i I once owned. Homework is good on buying 928's, like everyone is saying it's a 20-30 year car for many of us and parts need replacing. I love the car and to me it's worth every penny I put in it.

'89 928S4 GP White/Black
'76 912E Silver/Black sunroof

Objects in mirror are losing

F451

I owned my '85 auto for about 1.5 years, hardly did anything to it besides change the oil. Had one minor no start issue that turned out to be an infamous relay. Easily diagnosed and fixed with a rennlist search. Great car, very cheap to get into, extremely reliable for a car its age, sold it for what I paid for it.

I loved it, but wanted a 5 sp.

F451

Bought my '88 S4 5 sp, and love it. Great car. Bought it basically sight unseen - pics and having a friend look it over and test drive it. Flew out to NJ from Seattle, did some basic checking it out with the help of Capt. Earl in Philly area, drove it home 4000 miles without a hitch.

What a great car!

Now I'm catching up on deferred maint on a 22 year old car. Basic things that any 22 yr old car would need. The $ is adding up, but I knew what I was in for when I bought this particular 928. So far, no surprises, and I've actually been amazed at how well it runs considering all of the differed maint (knock on wood).

If the car blows up tomorrow, no regrets.

F451

Also, keep in mind, if you buy wisely and decide you don't like or want the 928 anymore, you should be able to sell it for close to what you paid for it - again, if you buy wisely.

In the grand scheme of things, its not really all that important a decision, is it? Its just a car. If it doesn't work out, get rid of it and move on.

Last thing you want to is to be an old grumpy man bemoaning the fact that you never owned the car you always really wanted.

On the other hand, if you're a worrier, or carry regrets, an old car might not be the best purchase for you.

Sailmed

The majority of post are either...
Help - I have no idea what is wrong with my car....
Written by someone who just bought one.

I just fixed something simple and thought I'd point it out...
Written by someone who has owned one a while.

Should this have cost me this much?
Written by someone who puts a screwdriver in one hand, and a hole in the other.

I just dumped a matress full of dead presidents into my new boosting system.
Written by someone you can't slap the grin off his face.

Very seldom do we post...
I love my 928 - it is the cheapest, best performance, fastest sports car I can buy for the money.....
Because we are out beating the flock out of them.

Shop wisely!
Every 928 I have purchased needs the same $800 treatment - refresh the intake - replace the belts, all hoses, brake pads, and add new tires WYAI - and every one has proved to be the most reliable car I've owned.
Some I have bought into knowing they need suspension work and whatever - but buy accordingly - the biggest trick is a thorough PPI before letting the money change hands.
.
1978 Euro 5 spd - "the kids car" - a REAL "OB" - $1,000 initial investment - $800 immediately to change all belts, hoses, and add new tires.... still running fantastic - with a teen ager behind the wheel!
1985 Euro 5 spd - $3,016 and the same immediate $800... still running perfect, turn the key and drive into the triple digits daily.
Laughing every time I leave a Vette, MB, or BMW going "what was that"..

And other assorted 928's.... Simply buy wisely.

Now what I "choose" to invest in further is completely different... Brakes, powder coat, leather interior, etc., is just like any car, Harley, or sailboat I've ever owned - we make them our own personal money pit....
You cannot take the same amount of money and buy into anywhere near the same quality of sports car - anywhere!

bowerbird

This has all helped quite a bit. I think others considering 928s will benefit from the discussion here. I for one am going to continue searching for a nice specimen.

dr bob

Think of your future 928 as a $75k car that's depreciated a lot because of age and possible neglect. And fear to a certain extent. How much depreciation? Depends on how old and how much needs to be done to bring it to acceptable condition. "Acceptable" condition is a personal issue, and your level may be different from mine. So your 'bring it' costs will adjust. How the car has aged will play a role too. Sitting next to the barn for five years is way different from living in a climate-controlled garage for the same period.


So shop carefully, looking for that car that sat in the climate controlled garage all its life, perfectly maintained by a dedicated factory-trained tech and engineer, owned by an enthusiast who believes that no expense or effort is too much for the car. Discount where your proposed purchase doesn't quite match up with the above description. Unfortunately we seldom get to discount dollar for dollar, instead settling for a fraction of that. The difference is charged against our 'enthusiast' budget. Or maybe it's added to the bill at the shrink. Or both.

-----

Thinking seriously of a 928? Get together with 928 owners in your area abd get an idea what you are looking at. Plus judge the level of mutual suppport available, and see if that fits with your plans for ownership. A get together is easy, usually for the cost of beer and snacks on a nice day. When you find a candidate car, get those new friends to help you evaluate it. Rennlist members manage to rip apart cars for sale, finding every fault and more, so ypou'll get an idea what you are getting in to before you open the wallet.

There's a whole thread at the top about 'before your first post', a thread that includes lots of very important tips for potential owners. I'll remind you of a few good ones-- The cheapest car you find can easily turn out to be the most expensive. Conversely, spending well up fron on a good well-sorted and well-maintained example often results in a low cost of ownership. Fancy wheels are the LAST thing to put in your first-year expenses budget. Get it sorted and reliable, --then-- add the fancier stuff. Thses are great cars and can be a great deal if you get the right car. No matter what though, your purchase costs are just the tip of a sending iceberg.

linderpat

PerryS4 is selling a very nice, well sorted car for a good price.

GlenL

Bowerbird:

It was the first Wednesday of the month. Those were Civil Defense sirens. You can go about your business. Move along.

bowerbird

Roger that.

bowerbird

Quick question if there are still embers burning in this thread...Is the "Euro model" a concern as far as rarity/ emissions/ repair cost? There is a 83 Euro I'm considering but don't know too much about the difference and any special issues it may have.