Am I crazy?
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Joined: Feb 2004
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From: Creston, CA
Am I crazy?
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
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
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Joined: Jan 2003
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From: Honolulu and sometimes L.A.
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.
Thread Starter
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Joined: Feb 2004
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From: Creston, CA
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….
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….
Burning Brakes
Joined: Aug 2012
Posts: 757
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From: Los Altos, CA
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
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
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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...
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...
Last edited by Alan; Feb 10, 2014 at 11:15 PM.
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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.
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.
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Joined: Oct 2004
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From: Southern Alberta, Canada
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
Even the '93 will require work and ongoing maintenance to retain its astounding position within the marque.
Im only slightly biased
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 946
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From: Columbia, MO / San Luis Obispo, CA
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.
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Joined: Oct 2006
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From: Orange, Cal
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
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
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.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 946
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From: Columbia, MO / San Luis Obispo, CA
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.
Everyone on Rennlist always says: 'buy the best car you can afford.' I think that is the rule of thumb here.