My car arrived, this may go very badly
04-27-2012, 08:26 AM
#46
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I completely disagree with that assessment. You could buy my old 86.5 for under $12k and it needs very little (it is written up on this board a few months ago and still for sale in Montana afaik). No deferred maintanence at all on it. There are many cars out there like it too. I do agree that I would not expect to get a well sorted example for $5k however.
04-27-2012, 08:45 AM
#47
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Ken Mull in southern CT does tranny rebuilds and is very reasonable. You drop the car off to him and pick it up done. He really knows what he's doing.
Kennethmull@sbcglobal.net
(203) 910-1050
Almost every pre-85 manual 928 needs new synchros... Regardless of mileage.
Kennethmull@sbcglobal.net
(203) 910-1050
Almost every pre-85 manual 928 needs new synchros... Regardless of mileage.
04-27-2012, 08:46 AM
#48
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A $5k 1982 5-speed 928 is going to be one of the following:
> good to very good mechanically and a little rough to look at
> good to very good aesthetically and have some mechanical problems
> good to very good in both areas but sold at an unadvertised estate sale in an empty room
> good to very good mechanically and a little rough to look at
> good to very good aesthetically and have some mechanical problems
> good to very good in both areas but sold at an unadvertised estate sale in an empty room
The car looks very good cosmetically and that's a HUGE plus. Seriously most of the DIY guys on here would pick it up for that in a heartbeat knowing full well that the entire engine, trans and running gear could require major work. As Stan (MrMerlin) said, it's a 5-speed too, which is another plus. Cosmetics on a 30 year old car can be expensive and most cars of that vintage have some issues in that department.
I don't think you're going to get any satisfaction out of the seller or eBay on this if it runs at all, which apparently it does or at least did when you got it.
It all depends on what you really want. If you wanted a 928, you got one for (what looks like) a good price for what you got, but it will require some work. I'd take JHowell37 up on his offer and let him go over it with you. He won't BS you and he knows his stuff.
Then you can decide if this is the car for you or if you want to pass it along (should be able to get close to what you paid just based on the appearance of the car if you ask me).
It all depends on what you really want. If you wanted a 928, you got one for (what looks like) a good price for what you got, but it will require some work. I'd take JHowell37 up on his offer and let him go over it with you. He won't BS you and he knows his stuff.
Then you can decide if this is the car for you or if you want to pass it along (should be able to get close to what you paid just based on the appearance of the car if you ask me).
If I do choose to sell it I would replace it with something I can be sure works the way I want.
04-27-2012, 09:41 AM
#49
Administrator - "Tyson"
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As for the transmission......I'm not excusing the seller but it has become commonplace for people to accept that all 78-84 928's have crunchy transmissions due to poorly designed synchros. I 100% disagree with this, but search around and you will see post after post of people saying: "Oh they all do that...." Well, neither of mine do.
This is because people refuse to learn how to properly adjust the double disc clutch in the early cars, mechanics at dealerships are not excluded from this either.
This leads to premature synchro damage that people pass off as being "normal".
Again, not excusing the seller for not disclosing this. Just pointing out this is somewhat commonplace in the 928 world.
It pisses the hell out of me but it is what it is.
The brakes on the 78-82 cars are pathetic too, I upgraded my 81 to S spec and my 79 came with S4 brakes. They probably haven't been bled in a while so that couldn't hurt.
What do you want out of this? A refund? Money to fix the car from the seller? I can guarantee you the second option is not going to happen and a full refund is very unlikely. At this point best to cut your losses, do some research on how to get the car up to 100% and enjoy what looks like a very nice 928.
Lesson be learned, a $250+ PPI before buying would have prevented all of this.
04-27-2012, 10:27 AM
#50
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04-27-2012, 10:37 AM
#51
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Ken Mull in southern CT does tranny rebuilds and is very reasonable. You drop the car off to him and pick it up done. He really knows what he's doing.
Kennethmull@sbcglobal.net
(203) 910-1050
Almost every pre-85 manual 928 needs new synchros... Regardless of mileage.
Kennethmull@sbcglobal.net
(203) 910-1050
Almost every pre-85 manual 928 needs new synchros... Regardless of mileage.
Good luck!
04-27-2012, 10:38 AM
#52
This is a perfect example how why you must get a PPI on any 30 year old super car. It looks to me a like a $5k car and with any car you buy for $5k you will be dumping an equal amount in to get it up to a safe/good driver.
I've not seen this car before, at least in person, but it does look like one that has been posted here a few times. Get the alternator fixed and then go drive it. The gearbox might just need a good gear oil put in and a few weeks to work its self out.
I've not seen this car before, at least in person, but it does look like one that has been posted here a few times. Get the alternator fixed and then go drive it. The gearbox might just need a good gear oil put in and a few weeks to work its self out.
04-27-2012, 10:43 AM
#53
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Not according to Greg Brown:
https://rennlist.com/forums/928-foru...ml#post8040780
Borg Warner = 85+ transmissions
https://rennlist.com/forums/928-foru...ml#post8040780
You/anyone can use whatever gearbox design they choose. I'm just saying that everyone is always bad mouthing the early gearboxes...and I happen to think they work really well. The design of the syncro allows much faster gear changes than the Borg Warner style syncro, without grinding. As a matter of fact, the less time the hub touches the syncro, the happier the syncro is. That is not the case, with the Borg Warner design.
04-27-2012, 10:53 AM
#54
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This is a perfect example how why you must get a PPI on any 30 year old super car. It looks to me a like a $5k car and with any car you buy for $5k you will be dumping an equal amount in to get it up to a safe/good driver.
I've not seen this car before, at least in person, but it does look like one that has been posted here a few times. Get the alternator fixed and then go drive it. The gearbox might just need a good gear oil put in and a few weeks to work its self out.
I've not seen this car before, at least in person, but it does look like one that has been posted here a few times. Get the alternator fixed and then go drive it. The gearbox might just need a good gear oil put in and a few weeks to work its self out.
04-27-2012, 10:54 AM
#55
Nordschleife Master
I see lots of people not helping. "Pour in money and time and you'll be as happy as I am." Yeah, that's me too but the OP wants information.
Reiterating and reinforcing...
The clutch tends to drag and then the synchros in the transmission (pre-85) get worn out. Especially 1st and 2nd gears. It has a clear case of that.
The alternator could be a few things. All low-buck fixes for the car. Ya never know if that just crapped on you.
The brakes should be better than they sound. New pads and a bleed and it'll feel and stop nicely.
The underpowered engine might be doing its best and just disappointing you. That car has around 220 HP and might feel sluggish compared to a more recent car. My suggestion there is to get it running and drive it. The car may have sat unused for a while. Throw some Techron or Seafoam in the next tankful and it might perk up.
I think your case against the seller is based on the bad transmission. No way to miss that on a test drive. That's a $1500+ job depending on who does what to it.
Best of luck.
Reiterating and reinforcing...
The clutch tends to drag and then the synchros in the transmission (pre-85) get worn out. Especially 1st and 2nd gears. It has a clear case of that.
The alternator could be a few things. All low-buck fixes for the car. Ya never know if that just crapped on you.
The brakes should be better than they sound. New pads and a bleed and it'll feel and stop nicely.
The underpowered engine might be doing its best and just disappointing you. That car has around 220 HP and might feel sluggish compared to a more recent car. My suggestion there is to get it running and drive it. The car may have sat unused for a while. Throw some Techron or Seafoam in the next tankful and it might perk up.
I think your case against the seller is based on the bad transmission. No way to miss that on a test drive. That's a $1500+ job depending on who does what to it.
Best of luck.
04-27-2012, 10:55 AM
#56
Drifting
The good part here is that this is not "transportation". I don't know your reasons for buying this, if you read RL you would have known you would have plenty of issues with a car at this price and also that anything pre-85 is not going to run like a bat out of hell.
One look at the interior and I wonder why anyone, especially someone used to an A8, would think this is anything but a project. People who think these cars are low budget or cheap to own are out to lunch. That all being said, if you want to learn, you can and a lot of good tips have already been given.
The bright side - you have the early seats that can be made real purdy
One look at the interior and I wonder why anyone, especially someone used to an A8, would think this is anything but a project. People who think these cars are low budget or cheap to own are out to lunch. That all being said, if you want to learn, you can and a lot of good tips have already been given.
The bright side - you have the early seats that can be made real purdy
04-27-2012, 11:13 AM
#57
Rennlist Member
This is heartening. I am not prepared to give up after 1 day. I sent him a PM, but if I need to do major work I probably wont have the stamina for it. I wanted to buy a car that was mechanically sorted knowing that was where the spend would be.
If I do choose to sell it I would replace it with something I can be sure works the way I want.
If I do choose to sell it I would replace it with something I can be sure works the way I want.
04-27-2012, 11:17 AM
#58
Race Car
This is a perfect example how why you must get a PPI on any 30 year old super car. It looks to me a like a $5k car and with any car you buy for $5k you will be dumping an equal amount in to get it up to a safe/good driver.
I've not seen this car before, at least in person, but it does look like one that has been posted here a few times. Get the alternator fixed and then go drive it. The gearbox might just need a good gear oil put in and a few weeks to work its self out.
I've not seen this car before, at least in person, but it does look like one that has been posted here a few times. Get the alternator fixed and then go drive it. The gearbox might just need a good gear oil put in and a few weeks to work its self out.
If you want to buy, get a PPI.
04-27-2012, 11:22 AM
#60
Racer
Sounds a little like Buyers Remorse
IDF,
I can totally relate. I have been where you are. His ad was somewhat misleading. I sort of think after buying mine on E-bay that almost any car bought there may have a misleading ad and that is why it is on E-bay. The owner knows there are issues that they hope won't be discovered until the car is long gone. I bought a "completely restored" 928 with "one issue", only to discover the oil and brake fluid hadn't been changed in 4 years It had bald tires in the front. I had to spend $ 1100 just to feel safe driving it home from Florida to Texas. Then I had to do some items on it when I got it back. I paid a lot more than $5000 and expected a perfect car so I was disappointed and felt like I had been mislead. As far as it feeling slow. It is slower than many cars. There are some things you can do to fix that. Search the forums on modifications. The good news is you can sort out the items over time and then you have the pride of knowing that you sorted them out. Find a good 928 mechanic and have him help make a plan. You only paid $5000 for a really cool car that needs some sorting out. There was one on sale for $12,000 here in Dallas that someone bought that was not worth what you paid. So don't fret over the mistakes we both made. Make a plan to fix it. Fix the safety items first and start driving it. Then you have a really cool car for not that much money. Plug into the local owners group and they will help you with stuff. They will really surprise you. Also buy parts from Roger at 928'sRus. He really knows the cars and will help you make the right decisions.
I can totally relate. I have been where you are. His ad was somewhat misleading. I sort of think after buying mine on E-bay that almost any car bought there may have a misleading ad and that is why it is on E-bay. The owner knows there are issues that they hope won't be discovered until the car is long gone. I bought a "completely restored" 928 with "one issue", only to discover the oil and brake fluid hadn't been changed in 4 years It had bald tires in the front. I had to spend $ 1100 just to feel safe driving it home from Florida to Texas. Then I had to do some items on it when I got it back. I paid a lot more than $5000 and expected a perfect car so I was disappointed and felt like I had been mislead. As far as it feeling slow. It is slower than many cars. There are some things you can do to fix that. Search the forums on modifications. The good news is you can sort out the items over time and then you have the pride of knowing that you sorted them out. Find a good 928 mechanic and have him help make a plan. You only paid $5000 for a really cool car that needs some sorting out. There was one on sale for $12,000 here in Dallas that someone bought that was not worth what you paid. So don't fret over the mistakes we both made. Make a plan to fix it. Fix the safety items first and start driving it. Then you have a really cool car for not that much money. Plug into the local owners group and they will help you with stuff. They will really surprise you. Also buy parts from Roger at 928'sRus. He really knows the cars and will help you make the right decisions.