idf

Folks, I need your help and advice.

My car arrived today, I went for a 20 min drive and got home 3 hours later.

I was promised a car that was mechanically stable and I think I have anything but.

The seller claimed it had a battery drain, well the car arrived in the evening and I took it out for a drive and after 20 mins everything started to go dim and I realized she was running out of power. It stopped on me.

I suspect I have a bad alternator, not a drain at all.

Second, there is very little clutch left, it only grabs at the very top. Worse still, the gears crunch like a bowl of granola in 2nd and 3rd and if I recall in 4th as well. Seems like synchrnos.

The engine seems rough. It seems underpowered. I wonder if I can judge this with the alternator problem. I will reserve judgement, I wonder if you guys might know.

Next, the tach doesnt seem to rev properly, may be related to the alternator, again, I will reserve judgement.

Also, the brakes, they seem vague, is this just compared to a modern car? It doesnt seem to stop very well, I wonder if thats just me?

There seem to be more problems, I wont list everything I noticed. The real worry for me is a transmission problem.

Should I go ahead an open an ebay claim on it? I am new to this, but this certainly not the car I anticipated getting. I can really use a hand here working out what I should do.

928mac

Pictures and what you paid would be a start.
I have never bought a car and would never buy much more off of e-bay.
I've been burned before.

jeff spahn

I hope you had a PPI done. I bought my car off eBay from a former Rennlister. I couldn't be happier. Of course, I had Greg Brown do the PPI. . . .

idf

Paid $5k - '82 928

I dont want to post a pic since the seller is likely a member here

I did some research and everyone told me they have an extensive policy for lemons

idf

I dont know how I could do that from 2,000 miles away.

Ethre

My 82 stops quite nicely for a 3000 lb car.

If the seller is a member here than posting some pictures/information regarding the vehicle may lead you to discover some history on it. This could help give you a better basis to review it.

MainePorsche

A Pre Purchase Inspection is moot now. You need to have a Post Purchase Inspection done if any matters with eBay and the seller are in your future

Help us help you.

idf

OK, I will trust your judgement... here is the car.

Also, I want to note that I contacted another buyer that bought a car off of him and he reported back to me disappointment that there were a number of issues not disclosed.

LeRox

I understand how one would feel uncomfortable to have a long distance ppi done from someone they do not know due to the possibly or losing the sale to the ppi'er and their bloodless shark feeding zombies associate's...

i don't have data to back up how long distance ppi's and new ownership happiness ends but 928 ppi'ers have a hard opinion on these cars even though they LOVE them.

hopefully you'll have a happy ending....

Alan

It certainly looks like $5K (or more - how is interior?)...but:

Get a test/recharge on the battery - test the alternator - just see what voltage it has at cold idle at the front jump post? that will tell you.

Running at reduced voltage may make the car run like crap - just start over and see what you have.

Brakes on any 928 should be better than most similar cars - (even new basic ones)

My GTS out brakes anything else I have ever driven

Alan

Bill Ball

WHO has a policy for lemons? eBay? Old cars are not covered, and the damage threshold per component eliminates most coverage anyway. Quoting from eBay:

The following are some examples of situations are that NOT protected by VPP:

Vehicle Condition
1.Any damage on vehicles 10 years old or older
2.Regular maintenance and fluid levels.
3.Normal wear and tear, including but not limited to belts, hoses, tires, brakes, bushings, joints, spark plugs and wires, interior features, minor dents, paint chips and scratches.
4.Certain components - Damage to any component other than the engine, transmission, frame or body, including but not limited to the vehicle's interior, exhaust, air conditioner, electrical, suspension, cooling system, turbo charger, fuel system, differential, clutch/torque converter, and/or pollution control devices.
5.Damage threshold - Damage to an eligible component that does not exceed $1,000 (or $1,500 for boats, buses, commercial trucks, RVs and campers).
6.Damage after purchase - Damage or loss arising during shipping or otherwise after purchase.
7.Cosmetic damage, such as paint or external surface rust.
8.Unverifiable damage.

A PPI is essential. Ebay is a great place to buy cars. I bought mine there, but I flew in to check it out before any money changed hands.

Anyway, the car looks sharp. It's yours now, so fix it up. Sounds like a voltage regulator and brush unit for the alternator (not very expensive or hard to fix) and then probably a lot of deferred maintenance (ignition components, brake fluid flush, pads, rotors if thinner than spec, etc., etc.) should get it back to running right.

idf

Not sure which way to interpret that :-)


Understood. If its just an alternator, then I hope the engine feels good afterwards.

This doesnt. My current car is an Audi A8 which stops very nicely. I am just wondering if maybe I am not used to it. They dont feel reassuring, that I can tell you.

...

My biggest concern of all right now is this transmission. These crunching gears sound very, very $.

idf

Damage as mentioned above is not related to drivetrain. I understand that they must disclose core mechanical issues regardless of the age of the car.

I am very concerned about these crunching gears.

h011yw00d

Whew.. Good lookin' car. Take it to an auto parts place and have them check the alternator. Fix that and see what else it affects.

Tranny could get pricey.

Mrmerlin

yep you could be 10,000 away from a 5,000 dollar car.
It does look good in the pictures,
Remember you bought a super car at a bargain , set aside 5K and start working.
you will find lots of little things that need to be fixed do all of them with your 5K ,
then you will have a terrific car,
plus its a 5 speed.

From your posting I would not have driven the car till i did some basic checking,
since you knew it had elex issues
IE charging system test with a muti meter, battery terminal cleaning CE panel inspection and so on ignition wires arcing, clutch fluid level
Good luck with your restoration the body looks great