razor928

I have been reading these forums for about 6 months and now ready to pull the trigger on a 928.
I have between 12-15k to spend with maybe 2k to spend after I make the purchase. I have my eye on a 1991 with 55k miles on the clock and it is listed for $15995 is this a fair price and is a 1991 a good year to buy?

Ray

White Lightnin'

If it's a GT (5-speed), then probably fair money -granted the upkeep and condition go hand-in-hand with the low mileage.

If it's an S4 (automatic), it is personal preference -but same comments on condition and upkeep.

Without knowing your location -regional factors also influence price. If it is the white one advertised near Charlotte, NC -I'd offer less.

razor928

It is white and in Portland. It is a auotmatic.

S4ordie

That car has been talked about here previously. It was for sale about six months ago in South San Francisco. I looked at it personally. Looked fine, evidence of some body work on the right rear quarter panel. Has a funky old cell antenna bored through the upper windshield. There is no maintenance history though the auction house that tried to sell it previously said it had been maintained by a local Porsche dealership (Sonnen).

I liked the car but feel without a solid maintenance history it is a significant gamble. $16k for a 91 S4 would be top dollar for a well sorted known car here on Rennlist. Lots of big ifs like Thrust Bearing Failure (TBF) potential. I'd have a very extensive PPI performed before I was ready to put that kind of money down on that car.

GL

Lizard928

Lots of better cars for better money.

There is an 87 5 speed in the seattle area for 7900

Looks to be good with not too much needed.

razor928

I was going to offer 14k dependant on an inspection, see if they would accept that.

S4ordie

With that $14k investment you might only be another $10K away from a $12K car. It looks nice on the web, and pretty good in person but it is a 7 out of 10 without considering potential deferred maint or TBF issues. You have stated you have a set budget to spend on a car. That budget is enough to wait and purchase a well documented, maintained and sorted, car. Other Rennlisters either put their cars up for sale or they come across a local car with good history.

Why the strong interest in this car? I'm not trying to talk you out of buying it just trying to help you understand the risks and $$$ you may have to spend post purchase.

mickster

There are lots of threads on here (and in the Read Me at the top) about how much to budget year 1. Some say $5000 for parts with DIY labor. THen add labor.

The reality is, without any service history, and if you don't plan to do it yourself, you're going to need:

New rubber (regardless of the low mileage): Fuel Lines, Brake Lines, Motor Mounts, Belts (including timing belt), engine seals (front). Possibly radiator hoses; vacuum lines.

New gaskets: valve covers, intake, oil pan

New waterpump (Porsche is $800, excellent aftermarket with modification, $350+)

Suspension bits...

Is this going to be a daily driver/garage queen/race track car/DE days car?

S4ordie is right.

Michael

Hilton

Without seeing pictures, any guesses as to value are pure fantasy.

The asking price is at the top end of the market for an auto S4, and without details demonstrating its exceptionality, the probability is very high that its not worth more than about $10k. 55k miles is no guarantee of condition, either cosmetic or mechanical. The car is still 20 years old.

If you're not doing your own wrenching, you'll more than likely need more like 5-10k maintenance budget for the first year of ownership.

Sounds like you need to meet more Rennlisters, see comparable S4's that are well sorted, and test-drive more cars.

The first 928 purchase is the hard one to get right, not just because of unfamiliarity with the model, but also emotions

zoltan944

your a MIN $3k out buying a car without wp/tb service history. Less if you can do it yourself, but if your new to the 928, can you do it yourself? first thing on these cars is tb/wp maintenance.
at $14k for the car your in it $17k.

mickster

Sounds to me that any high or low mileage car of age needs new motor mounts (and WYAIT, replace the oil pan gasket with a silicone one, and check the bearings).

Michael

AO

Price is highly dependent on condition and deferred maintenance. You can find cars with relatively low entry prices, but you'll have to dump quite a bit into them to get them upto snuff.

Or you can buy one that's upto date for a bit more and have less initial maintenance costs.

It's a spectrum.

The only way to know where a car stands in that spectrum is to do a thorough Pre-purchase inspection.

BTW, I have a nice '87, that has just about all the maintainence upto date. really, just needs a new oil pan gasket and motor mounts. Depending on time, I may just go ahead and tackle this job as this is my project car. Anyway, if you're interested, just click the link in my signature.

Good luck with your search.

blandis

If you have spent 6 months reading and researching.... assuming that what you were doing on RL. Take your time and buy the right car. There are a few on RL for sale that meet your criteria. You have a nice budget at the 12K mark. If you shop, you should be able to buy a decent S4. If that leaves you 3K for maintenance your in pretty good shape.
I would think at 15K you should be able to find a car that has all or most of the big ticket items done. TB/WP, motor mounts, pan gasket, axles, intake ect.....
If you buy a car that needs any of these repairs, my suggestion is to do some research and know what your going to spend to repair.... with a 3K repair budget could go very quickly.

Look at the list of "big" ticket items that have been addressed on this 89:
http://dallas.craigslist.org/dal/cto/1770282057.html

SeanR

I know of two mint S4's here for sale. One '90 black on black auto with 78k for $15ish and an '89 red on tan auto, fully sorted/upgraded for $16ish.

I just need to get pictures of both and put them up here, they are not being advertised yet but can put you in contact with the owners.

auzivision

If you've been reading around here for 6 months, you should know the market fairly well. Sounds like you are sold on the white car in Portland.

PPI and maintenance records are nice to have; short of TBF everything is ‘fixable’. It’s pretty much a given that mechanical system are going to need updating (if not done already), but it’s possible to find interiors and exteriors that don’t and won’t need redoing.

To me getting the right color on the right car (year, transmission, etc) and finding one that you like is most important. Don’t settle or compromise. My advice is make up your mind, pull the trigger, then don't look back and enjoy the ride!