Advice on potential 1991 S4 purchase
#1
Advice on potential 1991 S4 purchase
I'm new to the forum, been lurking and reading for several months while looking for a 928 to buy. I've driven several and have decided I like the later model automatic S4 best, looked at one this weekend, and welcome your thoughts.
It is a 91, metallic gray with gray interior. 91,500 miles. Records all the way back to the original purchase, including window sticker, owners manual, filled out and stamped service booklet by Porsche dealer, plus records after that. In the last two years, in which he's driven about 17,000 miles, the current owner has repaired/replaced quite a bit - timing belt and tensioner, (WP was replaced at 65,000 miles along with radiator hoses), distributor caps and rotors, Beru wire set, fuel filter, air filter, rebuilt LH brain, rear CV and boot, brake pads front and rear, torque tube rebuilt and new TC bearings, endplay checked when TT was out - < .1mm, hood and hatch struts, battery, brake system flushed, PSD repaired and wheel well liner replaced, coolant flushed and new thermostat, AC converted to 134, new Michelin Pilot Sport A/S tires. It starts and idles well, shifts smoothly through all gears (auto), accelerates well. Tracks perfectly straight. Everything works electrically except the passenger side mirror remote. Spare tire, tool kit, rear hatch cover is all there. 17" turbo twist wheels.
It is driven regularly and stored in a garage. Paint is good except for the clear coat on the sunroof. Drivers seat has wear on the bolster, otherwise good, passenger and rear seats are perfect. Carpets are good.
Seller is asking $15,000. If PPI checks out, this seems like a fair price from what I've seen, which has been lots of cars that need work. Thoughts?
It is a 91, metallic gray with gray interior. 91,500 miles. Records all the way back to the original purchase, including window sticker, owners manual, filled out and stamped service booklet by Porsche dealer, plus records after that. In the last two years, in which he's driven about 17,000 miles, the current owner has repaired/replaced quite a bit - timing belt and tensioner, (WP was replaced at 65,000 miles along with radiator hoses), distributor caps and rotors, Beru wire set, fuel filter, air filter, rebuilt LH brain, rear CV and boot, brake pads front and rear, torque tube rebuilt and new TC bearings, endplay checked when TT was out - < .1mm, hood and hatch struts, battery, brake system flushed, PSD repaired and wheel well liner replaced, coolant flushed and new thermostat, AC converted to 134, new Michelin Pilot Sport A/S tires. It starts and idles well, shifts smoothly through all gears (auto), accelerates well. Tracks perfectly straight. Everything works electrically except the passenger side mirror remote. Spare tire, tool kit, rear hatch cover is all there. 17" turbo twist wheels.
It is driven regularly and stored in a garage. Paint is good except for the clear coat on the sunroof. Drivers seat has wear on the bolster, otherwise good, passenger and rear seats are perfect. Carpets are good.
Seller is asking $15,000. If PPI checks out, this seems like a fair price from what I've seen, which has been lots of cars that need work. Thoughts?
#2
Not the sharpest tool in the shed
Rennlist Member
Rennlist Member
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 8,856
Likes: 335
From: Chandler, AZ, USA, Earth, Milky Way Galaxy
Anyone who has paid to replace one of those fragile rear wheel well liners has been paying attention to the maintenance needs of the car. If the PPI checks out well and the paint and interior are in very good shape and to your liking, I'd say buy it.
I think the market for a car like this is is closer to $12k right now. There have been some incredible examples of Rlist enthusiast cars that have been sold/stolen near or less than this price. Be sure the PPI is performed by a 928 knowledgeable technician.
Good luck. Patience is your best friend right now if you are hot on having a 928. Great cars/deals come up every 1-2 months in this forum.
Where are you located? May be near someone here who can help you check the car over.
I think the market for a car like this is is closer to $12k right now. There have been some incredible examples of Rlist enthusiast cars that have been sold/stolen near or less than this price. Be sure the PPI is performed by a 928 knowledgeable technician.
Good luck. Patience is your best friend right now if you are hot on having a 928. Great cars/deals come up every 1-2 months in this forum.
Where are you located? May be near someone here who can help you check the car over.
#5
Basically I agree with BMWmac; P/S hoses to/from res are almost always leaking by this time. The other major item that isn't necessarily pending, but in the future, is pan gasket and MM (usually done together). Sounds like you wouldn't have to put anything in it soon. The price might be a little high, but the history carries some peace of mind and might be worth it to a buyer, who doesn't want to crawl under it right away.
Trending Topics
#8
Not the sharpest tool in the shed
Rennlist Member
Rennlist Member
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 8,856
Likes: 335
From: Chandler, AZ, USA, Earth, Milky Way Galaxy
Is Nicole selling her car? If this is it, buy it for the asking price knowing this is a very well maintained car by a most enthusiastic participant here on this forum.
#9
Addict
Lifetime Rennlist
Member
Lifetime Rennlist
Member
Joined: Jun 2000
Posts: 40,449
Likes: 98
From: Insane Diego, California
#13
Beachcomber: thanks for the clarification. I'm glad Nicole is not selling hers. I really didn't mean to start a rumor but the description sounded kinda like hers. It was kind of a question and a statement at the same time. If you can get a good PPI from someone on that '91, do it soon and hopefully you will have found a nice vehical at what I would consider a very fair price. If you do not buy it, please PM me with the information on it as I might be interested. Thanks.
#14
Cottage Industry Sponsor
Lifetime Rennlist
Member
Lifetime Rennlist
Member
Joined: Oct 2001
Posts: 25,784
Likes: 150
From: Silly Valley, CA
Thanks for the endorsements! But my car is not currently offered for sale - at least not for the price mentioned above. As they say: 'everything is for sale, if the price is right'...
BTW: My 928 does have turbo twists - see link in my signature. It has a few other nice touches as well...
beachcomber: Is this car an ex-California car that is now in Florida?
Given all the work that was put into it, and that it is a 1991 model, I would consider this a great deal. Barring any major issues (e.g. thrust bearing tolerance or failure), I would buy this car. A proper PPI is mandatory, though.
It's a great color combination, and the 91 model has most of the upgrades of the GTS, except the extra power, wider rear fenders, and reflective strip. The 91 models are a bit quieter inside, and have more power assist (providing the rack hasn't been replaced with a generic rebuilt).
Best of luck!
BTW: My 928 does have turbo twists - see link in my signature. It has a few other nice touches as well...
beachcomber: Is this car an ex-California car that is now in Florida?
Given all the work that was put into it, and that it is a 1991 model, I would consider this a great deal. Barring any major issues (e.g. thrust bearing tolerance or failure), I would buy this car. A proper PPI is mandatory, though.
It's a great color combination, and the 91 model has most of the upgrades of the GTS, except the extra power, wider rear fenders, and reflective strip. The 91 models are a bit quieter inside, and have more power assist (providing the rack hasn't been replaced with a generic rebuilt).
Best of luck!
#15
In this market $15K of an S4 is high. My experience in what a 928 wants and what they are willing to take have no relation to each other. A good price for the car described is $10K. Figure on putting $5K in the car the first year.
Over the years I have found shop PPI's to be worthless. Some find serious problems that are not serious and others - even top shops commonly miss the body work repairs.
Here is a link to a PPI you can do yourself. The more you can find wrong with the car then greater a deal you can get on the car.
http://www.kondratyev.com/porsche/ppi/ppi.htm
Look also at the things that have been done and start to ask why. The more a car is messed with the greater the chance something going wrong. This might be a great car and do not let my words discourage you. But have enough in reserve for the worst. If it does not need it you are ahead of the game.
Over the years I have found shop PPI's to be worthless. Some find serious problems that are not serious and others - even top shops commonly miss the body work repairs.
Here is a link to a PPI you can do yourself. The more you can find wrong with the car then greater a deal you can get on the car.
http://www.kondratyev.com/porsche/ppi/ppi.htm
Look also at the things that have been done and start to ask why. The more a car is messed with the greater the chance something going wrong. This might be a great car and do not let my words discourage you. But have enough in reserve for the worst. If it does not need it you are ahead of the game.