Michael, thank you for sharing these recent deals. So often, when this caliber of car sells, we never know the sales price unless it sold by auction.

Chuck, your buyer description fits what I expected. In addition, my assumption on those who buy the nicest examples but don't participate in Rennlist is that they must own too many vehicles to be fully engaged in the community for any one of them. For this owner, it would be a car they've wanted but a relatively minor piece in their collection. Otherwise, I would expect them see them on Rennlist unless they are an older owner who maybe hasn't embraced the internet. RL offers much more than just DIY tips for owner maintained cars.

 

Really? Please elaborate....

 

I can speak for myself on my Porsche "enjoyment". I definitely do not drive my car(s) hard - I still enjoy the heck out of going for rides. My car is not a daily and probably will do less than 2000 miles a year - I still enjoy the heck out of it!

I clean my car non-stop. I 'find' things to do and clean just because I love the heck out of the car.


We all love our vehicles for different reasons. One of my most beloved moments is when I open the garage door and see that 928 sitting there. Nothing beats that!

 

We get enjoyment out of them in different ways, you enjoyed yours in a different way than I do mine.

While I do not understand the "Waxer" camp, I do not have to, and Mikes prices sure bear it out that if you do not drive the cars they are worth more money.

That is where we differ on thoughts about what the fun part is, and I will not go into it again, much to your delight I am sure.

 

Yes, I like to keep my cars clean and shined up so they can be appreciated that way too, but if you don't drive them what good are they? Yes I can elaborate, by driving hard I mean driving them the way they were designed to be driven, being high speed cruisers, accelerating through the gears as fast as the 928 will go, that's my definition of what a 928 driving experience is meant to be. Any cruising much under triple digits is boring in the 928, whether its an automatic or a 5speed. I like the automatics for convenience in driving but there is no comparison to a 5spd for all out fun driving, but everybody has their own preferences. These cars are so capable, they are rarely driven to their full potential.

 

They are rarely driven at any speed over the limit.

That is one thing I respect about the 928 crowd, they have the restraint to just drive a little under the limit and look good.

 

You know me man, and you know what a stickler I am about obeying all the traffic laws.

I have to wonder about these folks that drive fast, take risks, hell some are so proud they make movies and post online about it, that is the part I do not understand.

 

yeAaahh baaaaaby! You go Michael!


I'm not a trained actor. I'm also not Michael Wilhoit and I haven't even played him on TV. However, I have done post-purchase inspections on a few of MW's former cars and have done wrenching on several super-low mile 928s (mostly GTSs and a GT and an S4 here and there.) Also, Afshin said my "GTS is really nice and the Willhoit no sunroof GTS was also really nice." So, since I've had both in my garage at the same time (my '94 and the no-sunroof GTS) I feel not only qualified, but somehow compeled to answer (several ounces of rum may also have something to do with that compulsive feeling though...)

What do they look like? Like normal folks. People. Humans. No green skin. Men though. In fact all of the low-mile GTS owners I've met look more normal than ChuckZ? Go figure.

More 928 than just Porsche.

They are folks that drive them on special or well-plannined occasions. And, when they do drive them, they want everything to be perfect. They drive them 1000 or 1500 miles per year. They drive them once or twice per year. Think of something you really like that you only get to do once or twice a year and maybe that's the right mindset...

My age. So... In between young and old? Clutch knee still works? Old enough to have had to work long-enough and hard-enough that they know exactly how hard and long they've had to work to make the bucks that they spent on a 928? I've met none who were lottery winners or trust fund babies, if that answers your question.

None two I've met are alike. No visual stereotypes need apply for 928 ownership.

That is exactly right. Folks on rennlist (with some exceptions (e.g. ChuckZ, Afshin, etc.)) for the most part do not have the same mental context as the folks that buy Michael's cars. And the reverse is also true. Rennlist folks tend to emphasize mechanical fitness and under-the-hood correctness (except for those rennlist few that seem to equate duct tape, barbed wire, and Chinese knock-off parts with under-the-hood correctness) while MW's crew are more-concerned with interior and exterior fit-and-finish and documented treatment.

Which group is right? One's right mathematically while the other's right economically.

Now figure that one out while I pour some more rum...

 

Pretty solid **** for a guy into his rum.

 

I agree.

 

Hey, each to their own, but I'm willing to bet in the past 10 years I've had more fun driving my 928's than 99% of the people on here, and those are 928 experiences etched in your memory to make you grin widely! Diversity is what makes the world go round, now isn't it?

 

I got my GTS from Mr. Willhoit. It wasn't a super low miler at 46,000, but it was a GTS 5 speed with a very unique color combo and typical of a Willhoit car in well maintained show car condition.



I was looking at the market to see what a Sport Chrono Package BoxsterS or 911 Cab was going for. I had previously owned a 90 928 GT so on a whim I included 928's in my "What are they going for now" searches. That's when I ran across Michael's cars.com add for the 94 Iris Blue/classic grey GTS. Not surprisingly it was listed for as much as the much newer Boxsters and 911's.

After a few days I called Michael and asked if he would take $25K for the car. He politely said "Sure, as a downpayment". We both laughed and he went on to tell me all the particulars about the car. He was not pushy or high pressure, just informative. i didn't buy the car. However, for the next two weeks I tired to talk myself out of buying the car. I asked around and did searches finding nothing I could use as and excuse to not buy the car. In the end I decided a GTS in that color combo would likely not be available for purchase again and that would be the GTS to get if I was ever going to get one.

i called Michael back and we settled on a price we were both happy with. And I must say that Michael went more out of his way to make me a happy customer after the deal was done than anyone else has ever done pre-purchase. I was very anxious because I bought the car without ever seeing or driving the car in person. I was NOT disappointed and highly recommend his services.

As far as GTS owners go, it is my 3rd year this past July and the clock now shows 62,000 miles. Thats about 5500 miles a year, about half my yearly driving. The last two years I've been working from home so my yearly mileage does not include a work commute. I do take the car to local Porsche drives, tours, dinners, breakfasts, car shows, and yes, autocross and track events. I enjoy the heck out of the car. I haven't gotten first place an any of the car shows yet (I do have several 2nd places), but I do often set Fast Lap of the Day or FTD at local autocrosses. That reminds me, I need to call and get a room for Third Coast.

 

JWise..thanks for a VERY good question...The statement I here in almost every 928 sale is " I HAVE WANTED ONE SINCE THE FIRST DAY I SAW ONE,BUT COULDN'T AFFORD IT,BUT NOW I CAN !!!!!! Or,"MY DAD HAD ONE WHEN I WAS YOUNGER,NOW IT'S MY TURN !~! In any case, it is the "LOVE" of the 928,whether it is the looks,performance or just wants that keeps people coming back to these pieces of Porsche history !! The buyers are all kinds,shapes and influence !! The supper high $$$ GTS's($114k) usually go to people who have a collection of cars and the last of the GTS 5 speeds is a "MUST" on their bucket list..(my guy now has 2 of them).Other sales seem to be people who do well,who buy them and drive them only on special ocasions knowing that their investment is secure by keeping the condition like new and miles low as possible !! Then the sales of 50k mile cars and up seem to go to enthusists who love to drive and use their cars every chance they get !! This "IS" what makes the "WORLD" go round !! Sooooooooooooooo James and Chuck Z are both pretty close on actually !! I'm just very lucky to see all of this "FIRST HAND" by doing what I do !! Buttttttttttttttttttt remember, "THIS" car saved my life June 5th,1981 sooooooooooooo I have a very "PERSONAL" passion for this vehicle !!..And as of late,I have reflected on this, and how the 928 would be my "SIGNATURE" car after 36 years in the Pre-owned Porsche business !! Who would ever of thought ?? Such is life,and life is a game and I'm right in there !!!! Thanks to allllllllllllllllllll of you..Best..MBW

 

Michael, THANKS for being here and THANKS for sharing!

Cheers, Jim & Sue

 

PWI! The wisdom shines through my friend!