scargo70

Planning on getting a 928 and am wondering the if a early (78 or 79) is worth the trouble vs a later model. I do love the purity, phone dial rims and funky interior of a early car but wondering if the mechanical/electric issues are worth it.
Any input is welcome.
thanks

jleidel

The "issues" you're probably referring to are present in all classic cars. Its really a function of how well the previous owner cared for the car. The earlier L-Jet and CIS cars are reasonably simple [electrically]. The 16v cars are non interference, so hosing a timing belt usually won't blow up an entire engine.

...on the other hand, the later cars have more options and [in some cases...] more amenities.

cold_beer839

Th early cars with phone dials and Pascha interior are timeless. Not sure about the mechanicals though. Rixter would be a good one to hear from on this, because he owns both an S4 and an early '79 (maybe technically a '78).

I can't complain about my GTS since it is up to date on all it's maintainence, but if they fall behind it can get expensive.

I guess the key is to find one that was cared for and maintained well, regardless of year model.

IcemanG17

In terms of operating expenses....all 928's are pretty close....perhaps the early cars are slightly cheaper...

It all comes down to which design appeals the most to YOU..from your post I would say the early cars do....Having owned a 79-84-88-89.... I have found pros-cons of each generation.....I do like the simplicity of the early cars and the way they drive...since they are lighter & you really can feel it....

sweet928

I've owned two flawless S4's before I picked up my OB (79). It truly brings me more joy then I remember with my S4's. First it's a classic, with Historic plates and cheap to insure. I mean 250 a year cheap. 2nd it's non interference -- so it will never kill itself if a timing belt failure occurs. Lastly it just feels faster then it is and hence I can have more fun driving slower then I think I am going. Don't get me wrong, ANY 928 is great and some say buy the newest model you can afford, But the simple OB, no ABS, sunroof, power seat motors, air bags, etc, etc, etc, to worry about is unique in all the right ways. Some basic mods and these cars come alive. A really, really clean, well maintained early car is still silly cheap compared to everything else in auto fun land. My opinion is a 928 is the cheapest supercar on earth and the OB is the best bang for the buck of the sub set of a sub set....I started looking for a GTS and stumbled on my OB last year and bought it on the spot with no plan to buy an early model at all. It was love at first sight. Today I had to go to the ATM 5 minutes away and came back an hour later. I just couldn't stop driving her.

scargo70

I have a basis for the earlier cars since I believe that they drive more sporty while the later cars are true GT cars. As for amenities, the only think i really care for is a functioning AC. Besides autotrader and Ebay, where is a good place to look for a car?

Marine Blue

As others have mentioned, finding a car with a complete maintenance history is critical.

If you find both cars with similar maintenance history and overall condition then it comes down to preference and how much you want to spend.

Good luck with the search!

Iwanna928

Have you looked on the boards for a car? If you do a search you will see there are some available here! Ebay, Craigslist, Autotrader.............just keep looking.

928's are awesome cars at a awesome value. Figure out what you like and track one down.

Older model's rule though

Jim Devine

http://sfbay.craigslist.org/eby/cto/1863031193.html

Know nothing about it- just saw the ad

James Bailey

ALL 928s are now OLD CARS some just older than others. Also they are all experienced , interesting things have happened to many. In my opinion ,the GT is the most sporty of all the 928s. S-4 5 speed a close second, then 4.7 euro S , GTS , 85-86 ? , 78-84 5 speed ..... automatics have no reason to live

danglerb

I'm not sure if I have ever seen a really nice 78/79 for sale in the last few years. Some have been remarkable for there age, but with an early car I think if you want a NICE 928 you should plan on doing a fairly complete restoration. That kind of makes a newer model much more practical, since cars in very nice condition show up a couple times a year and on moderately insane prices, which are still much less than restoration.

I think the 85/86 cars, both US and Euro, are a sweet spot for a 5 spd 928.

jeff spahn

Wow, hate to see what expensive plates are. My plates are $50/year for my 90 S4.

cali4sun

It's all about personal preference. I like the latter years S4,GT, GTS's.. Many here are passionate with the early models years....Do you homework with whatever you pick and choose wisely there are many examples available....

'89 S4 GP White/Black
'76 912e Silver/Black

Daniel Dudley

I like the 80 model year for an early stick, the 84 for an auto. 86.5 cars are very nice with a chip, and I would also agree that the GT is a sporty car

16 valve cars are better balanced and lighter.

Iwanna928

I do not think the plates are 250 but his annual insurance is 250. A OB with headers and cams will keep up with a lot of the other newer models, I was dead even on a 50mph roll with a GTS to 120-130 and edged him out on the second race by 1/2 a car legnth. I seemed to pull on all of the S4's so do not underestimate the performance of an OB. I Haven't even done anything to the heads yet!

Find what you like and you will be happy. If you are like me and plan to hold on to her forever you will end up doing evrything to it eventually, that's the fun in my eye's!