how many 928s are left in the world?
10-12-2009, 08:08 PM
#63
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How many cyls have to fire to count as "running" ? Lol!
Actually, I'm posting because my car has had very little parts failure for a 24 yr old car. I drive it regularly, and am usually on it pretty hard, and I do track days when I can. So far, the only things that actually failed have been the water pump and the power steering pump. Couple relays. Fuel pump. Lots of rear tires....In fact, it just passed Ca smog test, by a mile..
So, I am in the group that says these cars are pretty reliable- I think many get destroyed by people who buy them and don't understand them, and/or can't afford to fix whatever may go wrong....
But, I still find the that the enjoyment of driving it never goes away..
Actually, I'm posting because my car has had very little parts failure for a 24 yr old car. I drive it regularly, and am usually on it pretty hard, and I do track days when I can. So far, the only things that actually failed have been the water pump and the power steering pump. Couple relays. Fuel pump. Lots of rear tires....In fact, it just passed Ca smog test, by a mile..
So, I am in the group that says these cars are pretty reliable- I think many get destroyed by people who buy them and don't understand them, and/or can't afford to fix whatever may go wrong....
But, I still find the that the enjoyment of driving it never goes away..
10-12-2009, 08:40 PM
#64
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It is fair to say that they are going to either be expensive to maintain, or you will need to learn how to do it yourself.When I decided to buy one I actually considered the fact that I would have to do my own repairs as a positive factor, since I felt it would allow me to really stretch my own abilities as a mechanic. I have done quite a few repairs over the last six years, and while I have a profound appreciation for the beauty of the engeneering, they are a tad complicated. I am currently procrastinating on the leaking cam tower gasket right now. 
10-12-2009, 10:17 PM
#65
Rennlist Member
A few minutes ago we were watching TV.
Its raining. Show pauses. We hear 928 car alarm horn blaring. Get up to check it out and it stops on its own (either its been 10 minutes else its just regained its mind on its own).
Of course, 3 of them are sitting in the driveway. Can't figure out which one did it. The fun never stops.
Its raining. Show pauses. We hear 928 car alarm horn blaring. Get up to check it out and it stops on its own (either its been 10 minutes else its just regained its mind on its own).
Of course, 3 of them are sitting in the driveway. Can't figure out which one did it. The fun never stops.
10-12-2009, 10:42 PM
#66
It is fair to say that they are going to either be expensive to maintain, or you will need to learn how to do it yourself.When I decided to buy one I actually considered the fact that I would have to do my own repairs as a positive factor, since I felt it would allow me to really stretch my own abilities as a mechanic. I have done quite a few repairs over the last six years, and while I have a profound appreciation for the beauty of the engeneering, they are a tad complicated. I am currently procrastinating on the leaking cam tower gasket right now.
My next project is finally replacing the motor mounts I've been procrastinating on, and an intake refresh...ever seen a Honda with 8 gaskets and 8 rubber couplers for a simple intake plenum? I think Porsche was trying to be complicated just for complication's sake, but that spider sure does look cool. I think I'll start around November as a birthday present to myself. And don't put that cam tower job off too long. I did, and it finally starting pouring over the exhaust and I couldn't ignore it any more. PS lines decided to join the party and leak too, so it was a ball of fun to replace all that.
10-12-2009, 11:30 PM
#67
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Most 928 comparos of the day were with Aston, Jags and Ferraris and it performed very well.
As to how many are around agreed as their value fell they became available to those who didn't have the means or expertise to maintain. Now there's quite a few enthusiasts groups that hopefully will keep the current numbers street worthy
10-13-2009, 01:18 AM
#68
Burning Brakes
These problems, especially the interior complaints, are not unique to the 928 when compared to the rest of the Porsche line from that era.
I'll still take a cracked pod and a warped dash over the CRX looking interior in the NSX. It's the only reason why my father (a former 928 owner) never bought one.
I'll still take a cracked pod and a warped dash over the CRX looking interior in the NSX. It's the only reason why my father (a former 928 owner) never bought one.
http://www.carandclassic.co.uk/car/C105544# and this one only listed 2000 to 2009
So to say that the 928 only needs to have all the scheduled maintenances done is not telling the whole story. In fact, when I was going through my training in 1994, a colleague's husband had a 1986 928s that he bought brand new and had been always garage and maintained by the book. I drooled over his car all day long and he was the one that cautioned me that I should be willing to spend significant money for the many extra repairs on top of the scheduled ones. Well, he was loaded but I am not. I wanted a 928 really badly then but I was not able to spend that kind of money. My mechanic told me the same thing and this is someone that has worked on 928 since day one. So I found an excellent 1987 S4 recently with very good maintenance record plus a bunch of extra repairs of something that should have lasted. Bottomline is that I love the 928 since being a kid and I finally am a little more comfortable to spend and allot the money for the 928 experience. I have been telling people that one of the biggest reasons that I like the NSX so much is its 928 clone interior. I don't see how the NSX interior could be described as "CRX looking." And that's the "ONLY REASON" why your father never bought one!?
Steve
10-13-2009, 02:44 AM
#69
Rennlist Member
Steve,
I'm sorry that you haven't had better luck with your 928. But a "sample of one" is just that, a single data point with an unknown history.
We've another single data point to offer: 21.9 years of ownership (birthday next month), daily driver for the first few years then mostly weekends, then 5000 miles to SATL and S'fest last summer with an oil change and wax for prep.
It hasn't been without unscheduled maintenance: We've had to replace a steering rack and an O2 sensor, a couple of aircon o-rings, and replace some fuel lines. Motor mounts are pending, and we've also done a few upgrades (clutch, x-pipe, PK'snr).
Nothing seemed major at the time, maybe we're just delusional. And certainly keeping in a garage has helped. But if you are going to spend that much for a car, why wouldn't you take care of it and park it indoors?
I'm sorry that you haven't had better luck with your 928. But a "sample of one" is just that, a single data point with an unknown history.
We've another single data point to offer: 21.9 years of ownership (birthday next month), daily driver for the first few years then mostly weekends, then 5000 miles to SATL and S'fest last summer with an oil change and wax for prep.
It hasn't been without unscheduled maintenance: We've had to replace a steering rack and an O2 sensor, a couple of aircon o-rings, and replace some fuel lines. Motor mounts are pending, and we've also done a few upgrades (clutch, x-pipe, PK'snr).
Nothing seemed major at the time, maybe we're just delusional. And certainly keeping in a garage has helped. But if you are going to spend that much for a car, why wouldn't you take care of it and park it indoors?
10-13-2009, 03:48 AM
#70
Burning Brakes
I have six, 5 roadworthy one smashed good 3 are plated and driving reliably the fourth should be on the road in the spring no date for the fifth yet its pretty rough my friend up north has 2 more and i know of another 6 or so around town here.
Paul
London Ontario Canada
Paul
London Ontario Canada
10-13-2009, 09:40 AM
#71
I am not going to try to convince anyone but I am just stating my view on the 928's reliability. I have seen well maintained 928 with all the scheduled services done but they also have numerous unscheduled/unexpected repairs hence my statement. A typical "well maintained" 928 has a log that looks like this:
http://www.carandclassic.co.uk/car/C105544# and this one only listed 2000 to 2009
So to say that the 928 only needs to have all the scheduled maintenances done is not telling the whole story. In fact, when I was going through my training in 1994, a colleague's husband had a 1986 928s that he bought brand new and had been always garage and maintained by the book. I drooled over his car all day long and he was the one that cautioned me that I should be willing to spend significant money for the many extra repairs on top of the scheduled ones. Well, he was loaded but I am not. I wanted a 928 really badly then but I was not able to spend that kind of money. My mechanic told me the same thing and this is someone that has worked on 928 since day one. So I found an excellent 1987 S4 recently with very good maintenance record plus a bunch of extra repairs of something that should have lasted. Bottomline is that I love the 928 since being a kid and I finally am a little more comfortable to spend and allot the money for the 928 experience. I have been telling people that one of the biggest reasons that I like the NSX so much is its 928 clone interior. I don't see how the NSX interior could be described as "CRX looking." And that's the "ONLY REASON" why your father never bought one!?
Steve
http://www.carandclassic.co.uk/car/C105544# and this one only listed 2000 to 2009
So to say that the 928 only needs to have all the scheduled maintenances done is not telling the whole story. In fact, when I was going through my training in 1994, a colleague's husband had a 1986 928s that he bought brand new and had been always garage and maintained by the book. I drooled over his car all day long and he was the one that cautioned me that I should be willing to spend significant money for the many extra repairs on top of the scheduled ones. Well, he was loaded but I am not. I wanted a 928 really badly then but I was not able to spend that kind of money. My mechanic told me the same thing and this is someone that has worked on 928 since day one. So I found an excellent 1987 S4 recently with very good maintenance record plus a bunch of extra repairs of something that should have lasted. Bottomline is that I love the 928 since being a kid and I finally am a little more comfortable to spend and allot the money for the 928 experience. I have been telling people that one of the biggest reasons that I like the NSX so much is its 928 clone interior. I don't see how the NSX interior could be described as "CRX looking." And that's the "ONLY REASON" why your father never bought one!?
Steve
10-13-2009, 10:54 AM
#72
Rest in Peace
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I really do not think they are really that complex, at least not by todays standards.
You do not have to have a ten grand scan tool just to start to look for problems, the repair manuals are very good compared to some makes.
You can get parts at the part level, not just at the assembly level like so many modern cars.
We see it all the time on other makes, one little plastic part is broken and you have to buy the whole unit, kind of like the insert in the hatch on the 928's, but on just about any part of the car.
So many of the newer cars are just either reprogram or replace with a known good unit and reprogram.
No testing, just replace this 2,000 dollar part and see if it fixes it, if not ,go to the next step, nothing in the repair information about how to check actual values.
It is frustrating sometimes.
You do not have to have a ten grand scan tool just to start to look for problems, the repair manuals are very good compared to some makes.
You can get parts at the part level, not just at the assembly level like so many modern cars.
We see it all the time on other makes, one little plastic part is broken and you have to buy the whole unit, kind of like the insert in the hatch on the 928's, but on just about any part of the car.
So many of the newer cars are just either reprogram or replace with a known good unit and reprogram.
No testing, just replace this 2,000 dollar part and see if it fixes it, if not ,go to the next step, nothing in the repair information about how to check actual values.
It is frustrating sometimes.
10-13-2009, 05:01 PM
#73
Nordschleife Master
Our situation is improving, people writing manuals, people making new parts. After 30 years our community is getting stronger.
Doesn't anybody notice that despite all the rhetoric, many people here are buying 2nd, 3rd, 4th, 5th etc. 928's. Just how F'ing bad can it be?
Doesn't anybody notice that despite all the rhetoric, many people here are buying 2nd, 3rd, 4th, 5th etc. 928's. Just how F'ing bad can it be?
10-13-2009, 05:35 PM
#74
Nordschleife Master
I have two, neither of which is on the road --- yet.