The ONLY reason why GTS cars are rare is the one simple truth ....only a very few people were willing to BUY one when new. That perhaps by definition means there was little demand. But I agree with Chuck Z. it has all been said before and if someone pays big money for a GTS that is what it is worth.....One need only look at R E appraisals based on comps to realize how little that may mean about the future

 

Someone has to say it...so I'll be the sacrificial lamb...

Because S3s and S4s have more or less the same body shape and more or less the same performance as a GTS (that is, with a few relatively cheap mods), it would seem logical that one would buy a really great condition S4 (or GT) for daily driving and keep the considerably more expensive "collector-car-status-GTS" in the garage and drive it only on special occasions. AKA, garage queen.

Or, more people can forge forward and frequently drive their GTSs, see their numbers diminished even further through attrition, and the remaining GTSs may (or may not?) continue to hold their value for those who like to own true collector cars. Does it make practical or financial sense to buy a GTS? Probably not. You're mostly paying extra for what? A nicer looking clock and a few extra HP? (and a car that sometimes uses more oil, is more difficult to find parts for, etc.)

Would I like a GTS? Absolutely! Will I pay today's going price for that bit of extra pleasure? Not until I win a modest lottery...and I don't buy tickets so that's not going to happen (BTW, the odds are better that some idiot will total your GTS in traffic than of ever winning a lottery).

Frankly, I bought a 1994 968 because it had the GTS-like "hips" and some of the more modern front-engine Porsche creature-comfort features at a considerably less cost. Is it a comparable car to the GTS (or any of the 928s for that matter). Not at all, unfortunately. But it looks cool, it corners great, has a 6-speed and it can still pull an acceptable top end. Torque? Ride comfort? Not comparable.

So for less than the price of a single GTS, I once owned an excellent condition '85S, a low-mile '88 S4, and a wonderful 968.

Just sayin'

H2

 

Part of the reason I sold my GT is very much related to the same issues as buying a collector quality GTS. To truly enjoy the car it needed to be driven to other parts of the country where the roads really allowed the car to stretch its legs. Problem is that the minute you take a show quality car and drive it distances you have to deal with weather, highway debris and other drivers and you increase your risk of damaging the car. To add to this I wasn't able to get agreed value in MA due to the dumb regulations on insurance in this state which meant that if I did damage or total the car I would be out at least $10 - $15K. It just wasn't worth the risk.

So yeah, if you want a car to bring to shows and drive short distances around town a GTS is a great car and will more than likely hold its values.

 

Snapped a couple pictures of a GTS at SITM in June.
Finest pure stock 928 I'd ever seen.
Those that can play at that level, all the power to you!
Different league.

 

My GT was close to the same level as Chuck's car. More miles made it hard to get the paint as perfect as his, lots of light scratches in the clear coat and some minor pitting on the clear coat were the biggest differences. Interior was as good as Chucks.

Chucks GTS is one of maybe four 928's I've seen in that kind of condition. Dave C's GTS is really nice and the Willhoit no sunroof GTS was also really nice.

Kudos to Chuck for driving his GTS more often and not being shy about modifying it (all reversible of course).

 

Yes, yours was, by ALL accounts by every enthusiast that commented, also in that very fine original class!

I think its now in Virginia? Hope to see it.

Part of the beauty of this hobby is the wide range of personal interests served. Some of us rescue the forlorn. Some work in the middle of the market, refresh and drive, yet bring them to show quality. Some head down the performance route, investing money in blowers, turbos or strokers, brakes, all kinds of stuff --- time and money that has to push the upper 5 figures if time was priced for the level of expertise applied. Fun stuff. Love seeing all of them, but especially the finely preserved originals.

 

So this thread's still alive, huh?

How come no discussion about the '93 on Ebay with a recent timing "chain" and a BIN price of $25k?
It's the least expensive GTS I've seen in a while...at least to buy it. Even cheaper than the one that sold at Mecum last month (and now being sold for $40k). What it'll cost to drive it on a regular basis is anyone's guess.

 

Well, you pretty much said it all with the last comment.
Lots of validation would be required on the florida car, wouldn't it?
Begining with end play and branching out from there.
It has to be more than just another used-up used car to have high valuation.
And not have gone through a "history wash".
Then again, I'm not a representative of that high end "market", just an enthusiast. and observer.
My perspective really doesn't count much, frankly.

 

93K Timing chain; now 125K on the car. 4 Owners. Probably looking at $5-10K deferred maintenance.

Also the pix show a lot of rear carpet discoloration...makes me wonder...

Said the belt was changed March 2004 "as far as he knows."

Some set of records...

"I HAVE ALL SERVICE RECORDS"

Definitely a TBF check & TB/WP/MM rubber bits candidate.

 

That truly is the best part of the car hobby. There's really no right or wrong, it just depends on what you want and what you enjoy. I have every intention of getting back into older cars when I have the time and patience for it, for now between the kids, work and house I can barely find the time to keep up with the time needed to keep an older car perfect.....and I'm too **** to not have everything the way I want.

As for the low priced GTS on ebay, it's tough to determine anything from those pictures. I do wonder why the radiator fan and radiator were replaced, maybe an overheating problem related to something else? Certainly warrants asking for receipts and checking the car out in person to verify condition.

 

This has been one of the more enjoyable GTS threads and on that topic, I am SOOO GLAD that Chuck didn't bring his GORGEOUS blue GTS and Afshin didn't bring his former GT car to OCIC in '09 because my '94 GTS would not have been able to compete with either of them...as nice as it is, it isn't as nice as either of those cars!

Also, LOVE the fact that I do have ONE car (BLUE82) that can play in (and probably above) the league that those two gorgeous 928's play in!

Afshin, you need to get you a nice 928, but one that you won't mind really driving hard and enjoying on a regular basis! I agree too, it is nice to see Chuck enjoying that beauty he has!

 

agreed

 

What is a cynic? A man who knows the price of everything and the value of nothing.
Oscar Wilde

 

Thanks Chris. It was in Northern VA from November 2007 until March 2009 covered less than 100 miles while it was there. I'm now the second and fourth owner; fortunate to have it back........

 

Another one- Jagers: http://www.jageng.com/blackpearl.htm Messed with beyond pure stock, but I'd expect well cared for.