that car that the OP is looking at is a POS . You clearly need to spend more time looking, you will find a better car without damage in better condition.
DS fender and hood have been replaced with a black hood and fender from another car, there is a good chance of subframe damage as it was hit in the front, the front bumper shocks are collapsed, some cheesy paint job as well.
Tell you what give me the car your looking for and I will get it for you, and go through it.
10,500 will work for me and you will have a much nicer car than this one.
Here are some pictures of my last car 86.5 it was a really nice car and well sorted, the new owner got a good one

 

John, I'm a dabbler.
Stan really knows what he's talking about.
He's serious, BTW, in sourcing a car for you, I strongly suspect.

 

Your correct sir

 

I wouldn't go as far as a POS, BUT the asking price is extremly high. If the previous damage is only cometic, this is a good project car for around $2500 not $13K.

 

PM Sent, and yes, definitely interested.

 

Don't be too quick to discount the automatics in these cars.
They are heavy Mercedes sedan units, reliable.
If the motor is running tuned right and the kickdown cable set right (10 minute job) they are lots of fun.

Furthermore, the 16V cars are a heck of a lot of fun and a lot less hassle. I've been juggling 2 32v automatics, a 16V auto and a 16V 5 speed this year. The 32V cars are much more complicated from a maintenance/sorting-out perspective. 5 speed is great for real twisty roads and steep roads. Auto is not bad either if you manually downshift. All good experiences.

 

Honestly, I'm not sure. I test drove an '83 auto. From a dead stop, frankly, the car was a dog. I'm also looking for a different driving experience. I've been driving nothing but automatics for 25 years.

 

For 13K you can buy a decent S4. For around 9 to 10K a nice sorted out 85-86 32 valve like the one Stan had. I liked the automatic on my S4 and Johns GTS, I didn't like the 80 euro manual so much and I'm a big fan of manual cars. I hate automatics, but I like it on the S4, never drove a manual 32 valve tough, maybe different experience than the Euro. The 83 you tested, with a good maintained motor should have like 180 to 200 to the rear wheels. 32 valve cars do any where from 270 to 300 on the rear wheels, most will do around 275 for S4s.

If you want a manual, get manual, get what you want. There have been a couple of 5 speed 87-88 S4s with higher than 100K miles that were priced at around 8K, so good manual shifter 928 deals are out there, just take your time don't rush, you can get a bad one easily if not careful like the one you posted.

 

Here are some deals from here you might be interested, they are all manual.

https://rennlist.com/forums/928-foru...ics-added.html

https://rennlist.com/forums/928-foru...-for-sale.html

I bought my 88 Automatic back in 09 thinking I will never find a S4 manual for 12K or under, I was wrong because some will just over price their car to the roof when they put it up for sale, couldn't find a 87-88 manual under 18K on auto trader and on eBay the reserves were high, didn't know about rennlist. Just saying if you look here and search and ask for what you are looking for with your price range, you can find a good manual, don't need to get an Auto if you really want a manual, manuals will be a little easier to sell at the right price since they are more rare in case you decide to switch to Auto, and there are plenty of Automatics out there.

 

John, you are looking at a very questionable car for top dollar. This is not the kind of market where that is necessary. If you take advantage of the knowledge of someone like Stan (MrMerlin) and find a well sorted example, you will thank yourself, and him, for years to come.

Good luck on the hunt. Make it count.

 

Thank god someone just came out and said it - was reading my way through this thread wondering why everyone was just sort of humming and hawing.

That $10.5k car is about $15k from being a $10k car.

The 87 5-speed S4 linked above that Abby is advertising on behalf of a friend who can no longer drive it is a great price, and would be my pick of the current crop of cars advertised by forum regulars.

 

[QUOTE=Xlot;7208073]Thank god someone just came out and said it - was reading my way through this thread wondering why everyone was just sort of humming and hawing.

That $10.5k car is about $15k from being a $10k car.


Good point.

Of course we were 20 posts in before we got a price point.
Trying to teach a man to fish, bro.

 

Also, IMNMMHO(In My Now Much More Humble Opinion), I was afflicted a bit with a case of "buck fever". At the time I test drove the car, I really liked it, but still didn't make an offer, because I knew that even though I may have liked the ride, I needed someone with more expertise, and more importantly, more detachment. That's why the mechanic's PPI is so important. These posts did save me having to go through a rather expensive learning process.

Anyway, getting back on the horse:

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Two-O...item19b91184c4

Opinions?

 

John I would consider the red car Abby is selling, its a good starting point i would still figure sinking about 4 grand into it to make it well sorted, HVAC pods and AC and PS issues plus anything else,
if the intake refresh has not been done then figure about 2500.00 for that alone, includes powdercoat of cam covers and intake.plus the long list of parts that are replaced TPS , Knock sensors, ICV,Flappy pod, gaskets, hall sensor, CPS, possibly timing chan tensioner pads and chains

 

The Black 85 on Ebay is also a nice car, I would still figure your gonna sink about 3K into it possibly to refresh the TBelt and clutch Hydraulics, and HVAC pods