pcar928fan

If $10k is all you have to spend and you don't have another $5k waiting to be spent, you shouldn't be looking at S4's...PERIOD... Some of the most expensive 928's out there are those REALLY GREAT BARGAIN'S! As Jim likes to say, "that car is $10k away from being a $5k car!"

mickster

The Tuscon car is a salvage title.

blown 87

I do not think you should look at pretty much any 928 unless you have at least that much to put into it.

Unless you are buying a very well sorted car and/or know how to work on one, it can get expensive in a hurry.

I wonder how many cars, even cars owned by folks here need nothing?

pcar928fan

Greg,
You are absolutely right... ALL of mine need SOMETHING... some just little piddly crap that does not slow me or the car down, but still stuff that could/should be done at some point and others need a lot of things done... the '84 will get its handling issue sorted next week and it will be good to go, but will still have a few little things that COULD be done to it and my S4 needs to have the spare transmission installed...

Oh, BLUE82 needs NOTHING! It is PERFECT in every way, but it only has 3675 miles on it too and Kie had all the belts and hoses done just before I got it...

jcorenman

Smyth, there's a lot of good advice here. As James said, a cheap S4 is a bit of a contradiction- there's going to be an issue somewhere. Maybe poorly advertised (in which case don't ask about it here!), maybe some title issues, maybe some mechanical or body issues.

Which goes back to what you want. If you want a "collectible" for that price then look for the sleepers with only an ad in a local paper. If you want a good driver and don't care about cosmetics then look for body issues that are expensive to fix but maybe you don't care about. If you are a good mechanic then look for a good body and do the mechanical catch-up yourself.

And title issues can be a great thing if you are looking for a good driver. Lots of these cars get totaled because of low values/high parts costs, and then get resurrected with no problems. The tainted title will detract from the price, both buying and selling-- but so what? It can make an otherwise-great car affordable.

However, and this is the big caveat, you need to be prepared to make a move-- a bit like a shark. Jerry is exactly right, good cars won't wait for you to mess around. You need to have cash in your pocket, be knowledgeable about these cars, know how to do your own PPI and have the tools in your pocket to do so. It's all in the new visitor's posts at the top of this index.

The big issue for an auto is TBF, you need to make sure the good price isn't because the motor is toast. That means getting under the car, pop the lower bellhousing cover, check the flex-plate loading and check the crank end-play. If you are away from home you will probably have to take the car to a local mechanic and get it done there, but plan on walking them through it. If buying on eBay, make sure seller agrees to a Post-PI for this issue.

If that sounds like to much trouble then maybe these aren't the right cars. The problem is that for good cars in the lower price brackets, you are competing with folks here who are very knowledgeable and ready to strike when they see the right opportunity. Not the ones that have posted here, but the ones already on their way to snag your car. If you want a good shark, be one.

Marine Blue

I agree with James on this, a $10K S4 will inevitably need at least $5K to get things right. There are some mid 80's 928's available which are ready to drive and they are close to the $10K realm. The Maroon 86 Auto at SITM comes immediately to mind for $12,500.00. That car looked great and most of the mechanicals were done. Have you considered adding a bit to your budget and buying it?

auzivision

TBF can mean two different things... Thrust Bearing Failure or Timing Belt Failure.

Both are really bad... one ruins the heads and the other ruins the block.

Ironically a good engine can be produced from two TBF so long as it one of each.

mickster

No comment.

jcorenman

TBF = thrust bearing failure (Post #27 of the new visitor's thread).

A timing belt failure that has bent the valves is easily diagnosed-- the engine won't run.

A thrust bearing failure is not as easily diagnosed. And some percentage, once diagnosed, simply get put on eBay or Craigslist and turned into a SEP (someone else's problem).

auzivision

That’s the same post that states OB=78 to 80 and we all know that isn’t always universally accepted.

AO

I've got a very nice '87 Auto with 92,xxx miles. $11k. Will be doing timing belt next week (I hope) and then should be ready to go.

See this thread for more details.

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

pcar928fan

Kurt,

You are opening a can of worms here bro! Just stop it now! LOL!

auzivision

Me, stir the pot???? Never, no me!

pcar928fan

Yea, that is what I was thinking! LOL!

Dean_Fuller

With all due respect!
I would NOT ASSUME that a low priced S4 is a sure problem. I will admit I was very lucky when I found my 1989 in March of 2008 on Craigslist in Nashville. Very few service records. I did a quick carfax and found out the car was serviced at the local Porsche dealer in Knoxville where I lived. I went to the dealer with the VIN and they copied off all the service records they had for FREE. 4 years worth. I also before finalizing the deal went to a known 928 wrench and did a quick PPI for $60.00....found nothing major. PS leak, torn CV boot, low trans fluid and pan leak.... I paid $7200.00 for the car and drove it home. The following weeks I did a timing belt job on it myself with about $400 in parts ( most for a PorKen tensioner) and a Trans flush and service for $125 and I was on the road....here are pics of my car at time of purchase.

Interior was missing the shifter and the rear quarters needed recovering.


KEEP THE FAITH>>>KEEP LOOKING and you will find one...just act fast when you do!