87 S4 Purchase
Thread Starter
Cruisin'
Joined: Sep 2012
Posts: 9
Likes: 0
From: Utah
It's like we all say, the deferred mx tells the story. This example is a good teaching moment for new 928 buyers. When the car will not run, someone asks $6k for it, thinking it's a $110 fix. The final repair bill just to make it move under it's own power is prolly over $1000. Now, it's running, but the AC won't work. Well, it left the factory with a working AC and that's something that most of us would require in a touring car. Again, the seller thinks it's only a $80 part away from working perfectly. The reality is that to get the 928 AC working right usually again comes in near $1000. The head unit has to be modified, the leaks need to be addressed, new compressor, dryer, maybe the blower resistors, front fans and controller, then fill it with R-12, or go for the conversion and spend as much or more.
That's why these cars need to be in the hands of DIY kind of people. Greg could fix all the stuff on a 928, but the final price would be so high as to make it a waste of time and money. It'll never recover the market value.
I love buying up these old, neglected cars. They usually have good 'bones' to start with, but need a lot of small love in many different areas. Once you do all that work, you've got a nicely sorted semi-vintage, almost super car. The key is to buy it right. Even at $7k, unless every bit of labor is done by the new owner, it quickly gets way too expensive to bother with. And Greg will quickly tell you that we absolutely shouldn't be working on our own cars, cause all we do is screw them up worse!
That's why these cars need to be in the hands of DIY kind of people. Greg could fix all the stuff on a 928, but the final price would be so high as to make it a waste of time and money. It'll never recover the market value.
I love buying up these old, neglected cars. They usually have good 'bones' to start with, but need a lot of small love in many different areas. Once you do all that work, you've got a nicely sorted semi-vintage, almost super car. The key is to buy it right. Even at $7k, unless every bit of labor is done by the new owner, it quickly gets way too expensive to bother with. And Greg will quickly tell you that we absolutely shouldn't be working on our own cars, cause all we do is screw them up worse!
I did most of the work on my 944 myself but not sure how much I would do on this. My wife says she would like me to have a hobby but I don't think she realizes what this could entail.
Thanks everyone, I really appreciate the advice.
Thread Starter
Cruisin'
Joined: Sep 2012
Posts: 9
Likes: 0
From: Utah
P.S. My goal want to drive it as much as possible, but it would be an extra car so I wouldn't be dependent on it. But I am still questioning whether I have the necessary time to devote to it, so will likely have to abandon the idea.
Thread Starter
Cruisin'
Joined: Sep 2012
Posts: 9
Likes: 0
From: Utah
I spoke with Motorsport today. Apparently they do a lot of work with 928's; I didn't realize that. They are the ones who fixed this particular car and he said he would buy it himself if it had a manual trans. Assuming no TBF his estimate to get it up to speed was exactly what I was guessing. So next steps are show the car to my wife, see if he will come down $1000 or $1500, followed by a PPI.
Shameful Thread Killer
Rennlist Member
Rennlist Member
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 19,886
Likes: 151
From: Rep of Texas, N NM, Rockies, SoCal
$5k is still a lot for a non-running 87, although it does have potential. If the color and features are what you want, and you're ready to dig in a get a bit dirty and learn, we love to see resurection deals work out. Roger down here in TX can supply anything you need, and there's a lot of good talent around to guide you through the rough spots. Budget about $3-5k getting it back nice and you could have a decent if not perfect S4 in the garage.
Three Wheelin'
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 1,748
Likes: 357
From: St. Augustine, FL
FWIW, I bought my 1990 928S4 a few years ago for $6,700. It was running and had almost 20 years of receipts, including a $20K receipt for the Engine Rebuild following a Thrust Bearing Failure!
Since then, I've still put a bunch of parts into the car and done all labor on my own (with my kids). I have a car that is going from average (when bought) to good (now) to great (hopefully within a couple of years) but I also have a car that may not be a reflection of the market value with what I've put into it.
I'm okay with that.... make sure you (and your wife) are, too!
Oh, and if you've not been into cars, clear with your wife that you are going to spend time working on this one, etc...
I once had a wife and an S4, and then I had just a wife, and now I have just an S4
Since then, I've still put a bunch of parts into the car and done all labor on my own (with my kids). I have a car that is going from average (when bought) to good (now) to great (hopefully within a couple of years) but I also have a car that may not be a reflection of the market value with what I've put into it.
I'm okay with that.... make sure you (and your wife) are, too!
Oh, and if you've not been into cars, clear with your wife that you are going to spend time working on this one, etc...
I once had a wife and an S4, and then I had just a wife, and now I have just an S4
Thread Starter
Cruisin'
Joined: Sep 2012
Posts: 9
Likes: 0
From: Utah
Thanks everyone. Seems like you got a pretty good deal, jej3. My target was to get a decent running car for $10k total, and Motorsport seemed to think that was a decent price but maybe it's too much. Don't see too many S4's for sale around here.
