LUCKYJACKASS

+1

, keep the original seats. You will love the way they feel when the power comes on...nice and comfortable. Recover them is you need to. You could put a seat cover on it until you get to that.

Just check every electrical system - turn signals, lights, windows, a/c, heat, etc. look under it for leaks after driving it. Smell for oil or fluids burning. Restart it after you drive it and turn it off. typical stuff when buying a used car, just to see what you will have to work on.

Trip..

I guess I don't understand? Did I insult you? I assure that was not my intention.
Thank you for the input. I plan to spend more money over the next few years, but at this point I have a total of 5 grand, and that includes plates and insurance. I expect this to be a running project that will take at least 10 years to complete. Once done, (if ever) it will be the perfect car for me. I really have no way to explain what that is, but everything that I do I will put it up on here to try to show what I have accomplished.
I've already had 17 3rd and 4th gen F-Body cars, it's time to move on to something that doesn't squeak from the factory. I need something a bit more luxurious.

Although, I thank you for the link, that's not a bad car for the money, maybe I'll buy another one. My Son is asking for a 4th gen... So Maybe?

But the 928 is something that will be added to the stable. I have wanted one of these since I was 10.


This is the kind of feedback I'm looking for! Thank You.




I know nobody understands what I'm trying to do, I guess that's because I don't know for sure what car I will be getting. I cannot make a game plan if I have no idea what I'm working with. If I were looking at a shoebox Chevy or a 55-57 Vicky, I wouldn't be asking... I would know what to do. But I'm thinking about getting into the Porsche line and I made a deal with the wife that I would buy a car by the end of summer and only "BUY" the car for less than 5k...

Between my jobs as an auto porter (at 13-16), then as a painter (16-21), then after college I was a Tech (21-33), then after I got tired of being bent over the fender of a car for 10+hours per day... I gave it up and became a Machinist... Any way that you look at it, I can fix just about anything with 4 wheels and make it fantastic when I'm done. If I can't fix something, I make parts to fix what was improperly designed to begin with...

I understand how it appears from everyone else's point of view, most people have no idea what they are doing, but I have to say, I do. Or at least I think I do. lol Granted the 928 is a new field to play in, but it's still a car. Just like the 85+ cars that I have built/restored before... If I can make a 53 Packard Clipper (the entry level Packard) worth 50K, I'm pretty sure I can have some fun with the 928 and make it a bit better than what I started with...

I'm not looking to make money on this one, I'm looking for a car to build for me. Something that I'm going to have for the next 15-20 years. If you want to help, please do so, I'd love to hear your input. But at the same time if you have a problem with me changing things to make them better for me, you probably won't be much help. I mean I'm not planning on turning this 928 into a bastardization like "Corvette Summer" or something similar. I'm just ready to slow down and build something for me. I won't take a rare car and destroy it. But at the same time, I see no reason to spend 500 dollars on a set of seat/seat covers? Why? These seats are heavy and too narrow for my butt. I wasn't trying to convert this car to an American car, I was just saying I have to be able to sit in the thing and be comfortable, while not spending 250-500 for seat covers... Plus there are many more cheap seats that will fit in this car.

Please understand, I'm not trying to upset anyone or make you guys mad. I've lusted after the 928 S bodystyle for the past 20 years and I am finally old enough to afford a version of this car and I would like to buy a POS and build it to the best of my abilities... Preferably I'd like to do this with your help, but I guess I can try to do this on my own. Please understand, I'm not some idiot with a new set of tools. Anything I build, I'm pretty sure you guys would be proud to be seen in. I know how to make a car look good and I too, believe stock looks best, but if it can be improved on cheaply, why not? Ya know!

Landseer

If you want to replace the seats with F-car GM, you still don't get it no matter how much you type.

BTW, I do like that Euro 83. But am not sold on the need to be Euro. The fuel systems are more, not less, complicated. 82,3,4 USA can be found that are in very good shape and shouldn't be overlooked. 84 is a great year. Simple, strong, reliable. Easy to find.

No matter what, best to find one that is still owned by somebody that cared for it and kept it intact.

smudaaar

Trip don't sweat the people on this forum.... You have people posting who have over $100k in 928 cars to people who have $1500 **** boxes. The ****ing cams, heads and intake are worth 1500. I would take the car for a ride and bang up n down through the gears..... If you shut the car off and it doesn't diesel the comp is prob ok. You could search craigslist for parts and prob dig up some seats for cheap here in Michigan. If tHe car is solid I know where you can get a front clip for cheap! I paid 1400 for my euro but it took a year and 3 grand in parts to bring it up to speed. Bring cash and your game face when you look at it. A PPI wont do a lot since you know the car will need $ anyway..... Remember money talks!

Iwanna928

It's close and not a lot of money. You might get really lucky! I would get it if I were you.

Enjoy the process of making her your own.

Euro is a sweet car.

If you pick it up for 2500 you will have 2500 for parts which will go longer than you may think. Call Roger and get new fuel lines, TB & WP, clean all your grounds, get some fuses and relay's and you will be on your way!

I bought mine for 2500. Changed the fuel lines, did the TB & WP, replaced the fuel accumulater and alt and drove her every day dor over a yr brfore she left me hanging with a clutch issue. That was the master and slave.

Not a dad deal at all. The enjoyment of driving her has been worth a 1000 times that!

Erik N

FWIW, I paid $3K back in about '05 for a POS Euro-S. All I wanted was the engine and headlights to put in the '78. Yes, maybe that was too much, and no, it was not a great deal, but I had the money and don't regret it a single bit.

That car's interior looks like it should clean up pretty nicely. The leather dash and conlole look fine. A couple of days spent cleaning and re-dying and it should look great!

And, no offense to Landseer, but he is wrong about the lack of apparent difference between a US powerplant and the Euro. While the US 4.5 pulled like a ox, for sure, the Euro-S 4.7 pounces like a tiger! The camminess adds a whole new dimension to the car.

GlenL

A Euro 5 speed is the best 928. Really is the way it was meant to be.

You won't know the true value until after you've fixed a few things. This means a few thousand in parts and 50 hours of labor.

WyattsRide

Trip,
I can't believe that at the Get Together with the Detroit guys nobody let you take their 928s for a little spin. Just to give you some idea what a good well sorted out Shark feels like. That really surprises me. If it were me, I wouldn't have any problem with letting you drive mine.
I'm not sure if anyone here suggested this to you, but before you get your heart set on this particular 928, I would spend some time driving other for-sale 928's that you can easily drive to see. Even if they are out of your price range. Check CL of surrounding cities in a 100 mile radius of where you live. Right now is the time of year that most will be listed. I think it's very important to have some good comparisons. Good and bad.
In my opinion this 83 is way overpriced at $3800. If after you spend some time looking at others and still want this one, I would offer no more than $2K. If the seller doesn't go for it, move on. There will be others.

Good luck in what ever you decide.

F18Rep

Trip... I have an 83 project similar to your price and budget. Good luck with your project and let us know how it is coming...Bruce




Money will overcome lack of skill, luck and judgment.

Jon B.

^^^Agreed, there are a LOT of cars in the year range you are looking for. I would wait to find one in your budget that looks like it's been better taken care of.

If two other 928 guys from this forum went to look at that car, and obviously passed on it, there is probably a reason.

Jadz928

Yea, it was AO and Dennis... tire kickers

Trip, this one is not doing it for me @ anywhere near $3K - needs to come WAY down.
However, it's local so make the trip, kick some tires, and DRIVE it.

You really need to get some seat time, man.

Story: my dad had pined for a C4 vette for years. He loved how they looked.
I asked if he'd driven one and he said no. For those who know C4's. you know the interior, esp the seat are really bad. Finally got him to sit in one, and that was it, no more C4 for my dad.

What I'm getting at is it is one thing to idealize these cars.... easy to do. I did it too.
It another thing to get behind the wheel and look for a connection with the car, where it really matters.

Landseer

I'm still kicking myself for renegging on the commitment to buy the Smithfield VA '78 project car.

For sub $900 that 5 speed car would have been perfect for me, since I love the repair aspects of the sport. It was / is complete --- I think its going to run really well when C Payne gets the time to work it. But most folks would not have touched it.


My first car was driveable at $4500. About 19 miles after purchase (including the 15 mile ride home) it started to fall apart, overheat, water pump failure, interior falling apart, wires deeply burned in harnesses. I'm going to keep working that one, though.

Wish I'd started with something like the '78.



Which reminds me, Jim, we need to be dialing in on that Petrol Blue car I've been eyeing for the past 4 years nearby.

Jadz928

^^^^
It that the one out Appomattox way?

ender928

I bought mine for 2300 six years ago its an auto but drove well for three years before rennlist. It was in great shape interior wise and just had faded paint. then I parked it when I went to school, big mistake and am now just restoring it.

Trip..

Wow, lots of good opinions here! Keep em coming guys.

I don't know if AO and Dennis were tire kickers necessarily, but if you look at their cars, they are a LOT nicer than this. I think Andrew spent about the same money on his Ipad that I'm planning to spend on a car. I would imagine it would be a big step to go from a blown GT to a beat-up 83 Euro... Just my opinion here...

I'm sure the guys at the get together would've let me go for a ride in their cars, but I never asked anyone. I thought that would be a dick move as seeing how I didn't know anyone. Not to mention, we would have to drive for at least a half hour to get out of traffic. I thought that would be too much to ask for a first time meeting.

I've never heard the dieseling to low compression comparison before, that's a new one. I'll have to keep it in mind.

I didn't think a set of Camaro seats in a 928 would upset the herd like that? Sorry if I offended anyone. I just have a large butt and it doesn't fit well in these narrow seats, I thought a seat made for fat Americans would fit my butt better. One cheek in the seat and one cheek on the center console makes for an uncomfortable ride Folks...

I know there are cheaper cars out there, maybe there's a reason for it? This may be a diamond in the rough, or it could be a turn wrapped in faded silver paint? I don't know, but I intend to find out.

Thanks for the comments guys, I'm still open to suggestions or comments, good or bad.

Trip..