Hilton

Better to consider what it would be worth with documented and verified replacement/repair of the following items (i.e. all fixed and in proper working order)

1. AC
2. Gearbox syncros
3. Clutch
4. Injectors, fuel distributor, pump, warm up regulator (all critical CIS parts).

Then work backwards from there.

AC will easily be a $2k job if you're paying someone.
A new clutch (if you can even find one lately) is $1.5k, plus labour to fit it.

The work on the gearbox to replace the syncros is a lot of labour - many early cars can get by with trouble getting from first to 2nd, or 2nd to 3rd, especially by changing the fluid. However if they're too worn to be made acceptable by fluid, you're looking at $5k+ to get someone to do the work.

Likewise, sorting out the mechanical fuel injection can easily entail $1k in parts and several hours of labour.

Thats why I don't think a Timing Belt job (IIRC, 11 hours by the book, plus parts) should be much concern.

So.. it comes down to risk. How much do you trust the seller and the documentation trail? Are you prepared for the risk of having to spend on two, three (likely), or four (not uncommon) of the above four items?

At $2.5k for this one I'd say its a fair entry point (not great, just fair). If it was well documented, verified mileage, current registration, regular services and passed a PPI that examined all of the above in addition to the usual tune-up and brakes items, I'd say it was a $9-10k car, maybe more with a serious detailing job.

danglerb

I don't think we share the same view of the 928 marketplace. Each year I see ads etc. for maybe 150 928's, and maybe 15 of them are worth pursuing. The rest need to be ignored, left for somebody else to cry over. If decent is above average I am willing to call this one decent, but at least 50 cars this year will be nicer, and 35 of those are still below my threshold of being worth referring to a friend.

1) Nicer cheaper 928's are available.

2) I don't trust anything the seller has done to be done well, and the list of not done things I suspect is both longer and much more costly than you might imagine. Far beyond your budget at best.

3) After you spend $10k fixing this car, it still won't be a $5k car. Worse I can easily see $5k spent fixing it, but the paint and other low quality fixes deteriorating enough that it actually drops from its current value.

Landseer

Some of us don't use ending value or appreciation as criteria.


For us, the questions are more how much to get the thing reliable and presentable for my purposes?

My experience is that for $5000 total cost, one has to be a bit of a card player, and a fearless mechanic, to buy & repair one to meet reliability and minimum cosmetic standards.

The starting cost & honest assessment of condition before buying are critical success factors. I have my own cues and quirks for making the intitial assessments. My standards are high for reliability (cross country capable, and back) and low for cosmetics (no A/C and hole where radio goes and cracked dash are ok / no big dents or mismatched paint from 20yds)

Whatever you decide on this car, be honest in your assessment of time and cost to make it do what you need it to do.

LT Texan

Yes. On the pod by the key.

LT Texan

Compression tested? Rings are super expensive. About $100 a hole.

Clutch is super expensive too. I'd verify it works smoothly.

As well as transmission shifting. Even when warm, done expect speed shifts.

Other than those (engine, clutch and transmission - haha) you should be good to go!

Do you wrench yourself?

Ah come on, pull the trigger.

Erik N

Again with the comments on spending more money to fix an old car, than could be recouped when sold. Seriously?

Is anyone here actually expecting to make money on our cars?

If so, then they can buy mine... first let me add up 1-1/2" of receipts, plus my labor (say, $100/hour?), plus my profit margin on top.

Invalid argument IMO.

Erik N

OK I just added it up... My car is for sale for:

Jadz928

LOL

www.youvegottobekiddingme.com

sweet928

Just my two cents about buying a 928. It's far from an investment in regard to ROI. It's a major investment in joy of ownership and pleasure of use. In that sense it pays dividends far in excess of the cost to own and maintain. Paying a high price for a mint, well taken care of 928 is my first choice, but I don't think there's anything wrong with buying a car like the one pictured and paying less for it now and more over time.

928's are the deal of all deals, basket cases to garage queens. I really feel like I own a Lamborghini Miura when I drive my OB and would anyone owning a Miura complain about putting 10k or even 20k into one? If you want that red OB -- BUY IT. If you have 20k into it and it's only worth 5k, so be it...Enjoy the ride.

Few great things in life can be so be bought for so little. The 928 is a gift to guys like us because we love them and they cost a pittance to what they are truly worth! Seriously, Hemi Cud'a going for high six figures vs. a 928 for 8k in the same condition?! 928's are FREE as far as I'm concerned!

Landseer

^^^ that's the spirit!

Now if we'd just give each other the parts we need from donor cars for free it would be a very affordable hobby.

LT Texan

oh yeah, to be really picky - why aren't the door lock bezels chrome?

Little things changed along the way, or an accident?

I'd still buy it.

sweet928

Door lock bezels came in chrome? Are you sure that would be OEM? Got a picture of an OEM chrome door Bezel? Or are you kidding?

Randy V

1978.

The only chrome item ever on a 928 - except those ugly US 7" headlight trim rings.

sweet928

Got a picture?

Jadz928

Tool Kit may be chrome, but it may be just Nickle.