95993RS

OK so I am wanting to get into a 928 as I really like the looks!
The question is do I go for an 81 ROW automatic in ArrowBlau that will need a total restoration including paint and interior and likely an "freshen up" mechanically
or do I buy a 93 928 GTS 5 Speed?
Tell me I am crazy for thinking of buying the restoration 81 ROW


Here are the two candidates

Ed Scherer

Yes, definitely crazy.

karl ruiter

If the '81 is an S you will likely have trouble with smogging it due to no EGR valve. Other than that, it just depends on you. I have a nice '93 GTS, but just before I bought it I was looking at a $100 '78 basket case. I like the GTS, but somehow the project cars really call to me. You should be looking to get into a (major project) early non euro S car for under a grand and you will be looking at spending another 4 or 5 bringing it up to nice condition. Even at $5K or so the money you put into the early car is probably just gone, while a reasonable GTS (30k?) might gain in value enough to cover a small amount of work.

95993RS

It currently is sitting non-op status in California with the Blue plated.
I have seen this car around over the years locally here in San Luis Obispo and have lusted over it as well
I stumbled across it just a few weeks ago and now really having to hardest time deciding between the two….

SiFi1886

GTS all day long

rnixon

Me too. Finding the "right" one is difficult.
Many would say that the 5 speed GTS is the ultimate 928.

The 81 auto is going to be a lot of time not driving and won't be the same car in the end - getting more power is difficult in California (which I would want). The GTS (no comment on that one) may well have its own issues (my research pointed me towards a '91 S4), but has much more power and that manual 'box.

If that GTS had a black interior, I'd have seriously considered it. I don't have that much free time though, and, whilst I enjoy mechanical work, I'd want the balance more towards driving

snoz

Yep. Crazy is just the starting point. After you make the choice, start buying parts, and working on it, is when things get really out of hand.

Alan

Crazy - you are totally nuts - if you can afford the GTS buy it - the '81 may cost you as much in the end to have great condition car - worth far less, and anyway less good (comparison is a GTS!) , and there will be lots & lots of delayed gratification (so not much driving...).

You will still have plenty of work to do on the '93 (trust me, you will find things that need doing, find things you want to do - then imagine things to do...)

Alan

PS My GTS was in pretty good shape when I got it ~14 year ago - I have been working on various things on on it ever since - it's always been a daily driver though... almost every day for the last 14 years...

James Bailey

You can not imagine, How long it will take how much it will cost and how totally underwhelming approaching embarrassing the performance of an old 81 automatic actually is. Then when done it STILL will not be a low miles original car so have little value.
This would be like putting one foot on top of the other so you could shoot yourself in BOTH feet at once. Just remember your feelings for the 1981 are based of never having even driven it just lusting about how you THINK it might be....totally irrational.

DougM

Buy the GTS as a driver and the early car to tinker with over time if you have room. I think that blue car is only a few grand.

the flyin' scotsman

Porsche made significant steps between the different 928 models ending with the ultimate; the GTS.

Even the '93 will require work and ongoing maintenance to retain its astounding position within the marque.

Im only slightly biased

syoo8

Yes, you are completely crazy. Trying to bring the OB to anywhere near the GTS's condition will cost you TENS of thousands of dollars, and you will be left with a slow, high-mileage car.

danglerb

If you are crazy the good news you have come to the right place.

The only really crazy thing is not doing what you want that you can do. What do you want to end up with, and what do you like about the process?

BTW I looked at a nice restoration project last week, coming along nicely about $80k in.

BTW II Neither of those cars suits me. Early cars need a 5 spd for much fun, CI$ can be a smog nightmare, GTS has more weight and torque and a big premium for a 5 spd, so I would edge toward an automatic to cruise in a big boat like that.

LT Texan

Buy the 5 speed. Always buy the 5 speed.

syoo8

Is this a binary choice? There are quite a few 928s on the market in any given month...

Everyone on Rennlist always says: 'buy the best car you can afford.' I think that is the rule of thumb here.