I thought it was "buy the best car sitting right there". Dammit, I always screw up the details.

 

You don't have to decide between these 2 examples, look at what Tim just purchased for $7k!! https://rennlist.com/forums/928-foru...f-porsche.html

I get wanting to restore an early car, i used to be that way too.
It's a PITA though. Shooting both feet at once sums it up.
Keep looking, the right one's out there waiting.

 

I had an 82 5M that I eventually changed for a 93 GTS auto. The difference is astounding, day and night.
The GTS will still need work but it is leaps and bound ahead, far more useable, let alone better as a DD.
You'd be crazy to let a GTS go for an OB 928.

 

Two elder black ladies are at a studio getting their picture taken together. One looks to the other and asks what is taking so long. The second lady says he trying to focus. The first lady replies, "Bofus?"

If you are having that much trouble..choose both.

 

GTS. The 81 will cost more, take a lot of time to restore, and when it's done it'll be worth a third of the GTS.

 

I'm biased toward the 81 auto .

But if you can afford the repair cost and deferred maintenance on the GTS, get it. The manuals on the GTS are much better than they were in OB's and are much more valuable.

The OB at best will be worth 12K, while a GTS that is up on its maintenance could be worth over 40K.

You will probably end up changing fuel lines and doing a WP/TB job. Check for built up carbon on the pistons as GTS love to drink oil, especially when revved.

If it has caked up carbon, upgrade the oiling system a la Gregg Brown to help fix it.

 

"This would be like putting one foot on top of the other so you could shoot yourself in BOTH feet at once." LOL!!!!!

I hear you on the blue car, it will be a long project and will probably be an underwhelming performer in the end - but hey if you WANT to do that then do it - the GTS will be really great, comfortable, fast and generally very kick ***.

Josh

 

Buy both. Put the blue one aside and in a couple years you can sell it to Kevin. He's got a thing for blue basket case OBs, but he'll need to finish the junkyard save he's working on now.

 

GTS, without a doubt ...

 

Buy the GTS.

If you feel the need for another project after the GTS is up to standards, go drive a nice example of whatever version you are considering. You'll then know what to expect when you are done with the project. Hold the example up next to the project car, and make a list of all the things that obviously need attention. Figure out the costs in both time and moneys. Multiply by 3.1417, and you'll be in the ballpark. Ask how much to buy the nice example for cash. !!!Is that all?!! Drive away in the GTS. Seriously.


The market value of early cars is at a serious low right now. Prime examples exist, do and should sell for a serious premium. Neglected cars tend to be neglected through and through, and so need recovery and restoration through and through. Discounting your labor time to zero, you can roll through the 928 International or 928 Specialists online stores to start with, and see how much the car will chew through just on rubber, brakes, suspension and drivetrain maintenance parts to bring it to safe driveable condition. If a car needs to be painted professionally to anything close to original quality, that service alone will cost multiples of the car's market value when done.

There are more than a few stories here of cars that were bought cheap and only took a little effort and investment to be made into OK drivers. There are multiples of those stories from other owners who dreamed the dream before a snap-back to reality. Those cars were sold cheap to others who only took a little effort and time...

Need a safe reliable car for moving the kids to school, one that won't need to be parked in the caddy's lot at the CC? Buy the best example you can afford. Buy the best example you can afford. Buy the best example you can afford. Repeat after me...

 

I am going to look at the GTS Thursday or Friday this week
Thanks for all the replies!

 

GTS is the clear winner here.

As a side note, i generally take on board Mr Bailey's wisdom when its offered, but i am going to have to try REALLY hard to be totally underwhelmed, approaching embarrassed, next time i'm out in my old 82.

Cheers,

 

With a GTS, get an expert PPI before you talk money.

 

You have a 5 speed so much more fun and feels faster Just saying if a person has only LOOKED at a 928 and never driven one their expectations tend to be much higher than the reality.
Still fun cars just far, far from being a "supercar ". Should you wish to be humbled just pick a race with a new base model plain Jane 6 cylinder automatic Mustang (rental car ?) ....that should do it !

 

Yep... you're crazy.

Crazy to think that the OB will be anywhere near a GTS by any measurable criteria when finished.

Crazy to think of either car without a PPI.

And this coming from an equally crazy 928 fan... no PPI, lots of $$ in repairs & mods, not valued at nearly as much $$.

But I am still crazy about it!