Contemplating 1978 928. 5K???
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Aug 2009
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From: Tucson, AZ
Contemplating 1978 928. 5K???
I'm going to be driving a couple hours tomorrow to look at a 1979 Porsche 928. The owner has had it since 1987 and has made some pretty encouraging claims about the condition of the car.
It is a manual transmission with only 80K or less. I like the sound of that but it has not had a timing belt replacement since 1996 or so, when the car hit 60K. It is also a non-original color. It was originally green but was re-sprayed to guards red. This was done by the original owner, before 1987 and cost him 5K. I know little else about the car, but it seems promising.
He wants 5K for it. I have had difficulty knowing how much the 928s are worth. The prices are always all over the place. If anyone can give me feedback on the info I have, I'd appreciate it
It is a manual transmission with only 80K or less. I like the sound of that but it has not had a timing belt replacement since 1996 or so, when the car hit 60K. It is also a non-original color. It was originally green but was re-sprayed to guards red. This was done by the original owner, before 1987 and cost him 5K. I know little else about the car, but it seems promising.
He wants 5K for it. I have had difficulty knowing how much the 928s are worth. The prices are always all over the place. If anyone can give me feedback on the info I have, I'd appreciate it
Last edited by bowerbird; Jan 19, 2010 at 12:52 AM.
Nordschleife Master
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 9,337
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From: Austin, TX
Prices are all over the place and come down to condition, condition, condition! Show me a super nice 928 (and model year) and I would say it is worth 2X the "normal" selling price of and average 928 of the same year.
As for T-belt... no worries on a 4.5L engine. If it breaks you will have to get the cam timing right again and put a new belt on... no big deal at all! That said, it would SUCK to be in the middle of nowhere and have the belt break and strand you! So, replace the belt, but don't worry to much about it breaking...it won't hurt anything.
It could EASILY be a $5k car... Interior needs to be SUPERIOR and the repaint needs to be AWESOME, but other than that if it seems to run well and in particular if the A/C is working, man I think $5k would be fun times!
As for T-belt... no worries on a 4.5L engine. If it breaks you will have to get the cam timing right again and put a new belt on... no big deal at all! That said, it would SUCK to be in the middle of nowhere and have the belt break and strand you! So, replace the belt, but don't worry to much about it breaking...it won't hurt anything.
It could EASILY be a $5k car... Interior needs to be SUPERIOR and the repaint needs to be AWESOME, but other than that if it seems to run well and in particular if the A/C is working, man I think $5k would be fun times!
Race Director
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 12,162
Likes: 383
From: Johnson City, TN
Not enough info, unfortunately.
Best advice is have another highly knowledgeable 928 person look at it.
You might plan at minimum to take great pictures and post them up here for a quick perusal.
Where roughly is the car located?
Best advice is have another highly knowledgeable 928 person look at it.
You might plan at minimum to take great pictures and post them up here for a quick perusal.
Where roughly is the car located?
Nordschleife Master
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 9,337
Likes: 4
From: Austin, TX
^^^^^
That is true, but many of them probably could have been parts cars more easily than turned back in to nice DD's. I am assuming that this car is ABOVE average and BETTER than DD status, thus $5k might not be a bad buy...
That is true, but many of them probably could have been parts cars more easily than turned back in to nice DD's. I am assuming that this car is ABOVE average and BETTER than DD status, thus $5k might not be a bad buy...
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Nordschleife Master
Joined: Apr 2008
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From: Austin, TX
Then I guess you should question the maintenance of my '94 GTS and my '88 S4...they went 10 and 11 years between T-belt changes... btw, for those that saw them at OCIC, they were a couple of the finest cars there and both were driven in trouble free... I don't think someone not doing a t-belt for awhile has little to do with how the car was handled or treated...
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Racer
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 298
Likes: 23
From: Gainesville, Florida
Just like the Nike' commercial. "Just do it!" I have a 1978, and she loves to be driven. If the maintenance history is weak, like mine was. Start over. Change the oil, drain the tranny, refill with new gear oil, place some new bushing for the shifter, and drive it like it's stolen... Porsche' are designed to be driven! Cannot wait to see pics....
Rennlist Member
Joined: May 2008
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From: 2706 Skyline Drive, Grand Junction CO 81506
I'm going to be driving a couple hours tomorrow to look at a 1979 Porsche 928. The owner has had it since 1987 and has made some pretty encouraging claims about the condition of the car.
It is a manual transmission with only 80K or less. I like the sound of that but it has not had a timing belt replacement since 1996 or so, when the car hit 60K. It is also a non-original color. It was originally green but was re-sprayed to guards red. This was done by the original owner, before 1987 and cost him 5K. I know little else about the car, but it seems promising.
He wants 5K for it. I have had difficulty knowing how much the 928s are worth. The prices are always all over the place. If anyone can give me feedback on the info I have, I'd appreciate it
It is a manual transmission with only 80K or less. I like the sound of that but it has not had a timing belt replacement since 1996 or so, when the car hit 60K. It is also a non-original color. It was originally green but was re-sprayed to guards red. This was done by the original owner, before 1987 and cost him 5K. I know little else about the car, but it seems promising.
He wants 5K for it. I have had difficulty knowing how much the 928s are worth. The prices are always all over the place. If anyone can give me feedback on the info I have, I'd appreciate it
Have a look.
Jerry Feather
Team Owner
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 31,179
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From: Philly PA
take a peek at this gem, it may giver you an idea of what you dont want
5K for an old car thats had a color change is too much IMHO.
Plenty of older cars pop up with original paint and a service history. That also may need some work .
Remember its a better idea to look at a few and drive them, as each car will have slightly different characteristics and you may find a hi mileage car will drive better than some garage queen.
Bottom line dont be in a hurry you will find a nice car 5K can buy a lot of car for a 928 just depends on how far your willing to look
5K for an old car thats had a color change is too much IMHO.
Plenty of older cars pop up with original paint and a service history. That also may need some work .
Remember its a better idea to look at a few and drive them, as each car will have slightly different characteristics and you may find a hi mileage car will drive better than some garage queen.
Bottom line dont be in a hurry you will find a nice car 5K can buy a lot of car for a 928 just depends on how far your willing to look
Pro
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 737
Likes: 0
From: Maryland
Repaints that are not in the original color always worry me... the amount of work requiried to do it right is extensive. You should be able to tell fairly quickly how thorough the work was... just pop the hood. I agree about the interior... it needs to be fantastic.