Advice on Possible 928 Purchase
05-29-2014, 10:38 AM
#31
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Hi! My name is Wally, and I too suffer from an all-too-common, incurable disease - after a self-diagnosis, I had to come up with a name...
"Sow's Ear Syndrome" - being incapable of seeing some poor, neglected vehicle and thinking, "I could get that running and fixed-up in just a couple of days..."
"Sow's Ear Syndrome" - being incapable of seeing some poor, neglected vehicle and thinking, "I could get that running and fixed-up in just a couple of days..."
05-29-2014, 12:28 PM
#32
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Hi! My name is Wally, and I too suffer from an all-too-common, incurable disease - after a self-diagnosis, I had to come up with a name...
"Sow's Ear Syndrome" - being incapable of seeing some poor, neglected vehicle and thinking, "I could get that running and fixed-up in just a couple of days..."
"Sow's Ear Syndrome" - being incapable of seeing some poor, neglected vehicle and thinking, "I could get that running and fixed-up in just a couple of days..."
I will have to say that this 928 is in better overall condition than some others that I have revived so it does have that going for it.
05-29-2014, 04:07 PM
#34
Nordschleife Master
Well, to add a bit to what the rest have said (mostly repeat though), this is not worth 3k. You can buy a lot of 82 (or any later 16v) for that.
It's also probably not a Euro. No turn signals on fenders behind tire. Post the VIN & someone will check it for you. US VIN would be "WP0JB0...", Euro would be "WP0ZZZ..." I think so anyway.
Interior looks nice, paint looks pretty nice (I agree that the "928S" on back isn't right).
Motor may or may not be fixable. If it's sat that long, it's going to need a full refresh. At least the coolant has been drained, so it hasn't been there to turn acidic and eat away the block & heads.
If all the missing parts are there (cam covers, intake tubes, radiator, oil cooler lines, and a lot more) then maybe $1500.
As others have suggested, make a list of what it's going to need for a full intake refresh, new fuel lines and tank, full TB/WP and get parts costs.
Then take that list and what you are willing to pay in cash and go talk to the guy.
Give him a "take it or leave it" offer, show him what it's going to cost you to get it going, show him what running ones are going for and see what he says.
If he says no, give it a week and call him back. Offer exact same amount, tell him this is your offer and this will be the last time you call.
If he doesn't take it, keep looking.
This one has potential, but that potential goes in both directions. Could be a gem, could be a turd.
It's also probably not a Euro. No turn signals on fenders behind tire. Post the VIN & someone will check it for you. US VIN would be "WP0JB0...", Euro would be "WP0ZZZ..." I think so anyway.
Interior looks nice, paint looks pretty nice (I agree that the "928S" on back isn't right).
Motor may or may not be fixable. If it's sat that long, it's going to need a full refresh. At least the coolant has been drained, so it hasn't been there to turn acidic and eat away the block & heads.
If all the missing parts are there (cam covers, intake tubes, radiator, oil cooler lines, and a lot more) then maybe $1500.
As others have suggested, make a list of what it's going to need for a full intake refresh, new fuel lines and tank, full TB/WP and get parts costs.
Then take that list and what you are willing to pay in cash and go talk to the guy.
Give him a "take it or leave it" offer, show him what it's going to cost you to get it going, show him what running ones are going for and see what he says.
If he says no, give it a week and call him back. Offer exact same amount, tell him this is your offer and this will be the last time you call.
If he doesn't take it, keep looking.
This one has potential, but that potential goes in both directions. Could be a gem, could be a turd.
05-29-2014, 04:19 PM
#35
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05-29-2014, 07:29 PM
#36
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If you were looking for a parts/project car I think I'd probably buy it, but you need to be happy with its performance. The pre-85 cars were a bit sluggish (and I'm certain you'll find many folks who'll be happy to tell you the '85-'86 cars were sluggish too
05-30-2014, 01:36 AM
#37
Chronic Tool Dropper
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So here's an interesting accounting method I use when I'm trying to justify an otherwise unreasonable purchase. Start off secure in the knowledge that no 928 (or any other car really) is going to be a good investment.
On --ANY-- used and undermaintained/old/stored 928, you'll be into it at least $5k after purchase just for the parts to bring aging rubber and critical safety things to a state where you might risk driving it somewhere outside your AAA towing contract distance. That covers fuel hoses, brake hoses, coolant hoses, brakes, shocks, tires, belts including timing belt, water pump and the balance of the front-of-engine bits. Plus all the fluids, a battery, and stuff like that. You get to add the replacement fuel tank out of a different budget, though. So right away you are into the car at least $5k plus purchase price. Plus whatever value you put on your own labor to do the work.
You need to allow for a safety cushion for the engine not recovering. The good news is that there are a lot of 4.7L US engines lying around. Some of them are good, many need to be opened and re-gasketed, all with possible cooling jacket damage.
The fuel system on the engine will need attention. It's been sitting for years with old fuel drying up inside and varnishing everything.
Rodents have been living in the engine bay. Electrical work will be needed.
Clutch, center shaft, and gearbox are a crapshoot. No way to tell if they are good or bad. $$factor?
There's certainly more, with AC another certain black hole as a for-instance.
Anyway, once you add up all the known costs plus the contingencies for the unknowns, percentage-wise it's not going to make much differencce at all if your purchase price swings by a thousand dollars either way. That part of the equation will be lost as a rounding error in the recovery budget.
Slide a belt on it and make sure you can rotate the engine by hand. Do a leakdown test on it, That will help you decide if you want to step off into the deep end of the murky green pool.
On --ANY-- used and undermaintained/old/stored 928, you'll be into it at least $5k after purchase just for the parts to bring aging rubber and critical safety things to a state where you might risk driving it somewhere outside your AAA towing contract distance. That covers fuel hoses, brake hoses, coolant hoses, brakes, shocks, tires, belts including timing belt, water pump and the balance of the front-of-engine bits. Plus all the fluids, a battery, and stuff like that. You get to add the replacement fuel tank out of a different budget, though. So right away you are into the car at least $5k plus purchase price. Plus whatever value you put on your own labor to do the work.
You need to allow for a safety cushion for the engine not recovering. The good news is that there are a lot of 4.7L US engines lying around. Some of them are good, many need to be opened and re-gasketed, all with possible cooling jacket damage.
The fuel system on the engine will need attention. It's been sitting for years with old fuel drying up inside and varnishing everything.
Rodents have been living in the engine bay. Electrical work will be needed.
Clutch, center shaft, and gearbox are a crapshoot. No way to tell if they are good or bad. $$factor?
There's certainly more, with AC another certain black hole as a for-instance.
Anyway, once you add up all the known costs plus the contingencies for the unknowns, percentage-wise it's not going to make much differencce at all if your purchase price swings by a thousand dollars either way. That part of the equation will be lost as a rounding error in the recovery budget.
Slide a belt on it and make sure you can rotate the engine by hand. Do a leakdown test on it, That will help you decide if you want to step off into the deep end of the murky green pool.
06-01-2014, 04:12 PM
#38
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I spoke with the owner again and wanted to shoot you guys a quick update since all of you have been a huge help. I can say that you guys are good.
He has all of the parts that came off of the motor but the plastic air ducts need to be replaced. He said that they fell apart years ago.
The owner did have the front seats recovered about 11 years ago. The front seat needed it so he did the passenger seat so they matched. Work was done by a reputable shop here in town.
The body did have a respray around 12 years ago that does have a lifetime warranty on it (not as if that means much). The owner said that there must have been some fender damage before he bought it because there is evidence of some fender work. He said he had it checked out for frame damage and that the frame checked out fine so he went a head and bought it.
So, it seems that unless I could get the car super cheap I may not be owning a 928 just yet.
Thanks for the info and tips so far guys. It has been a huge help.
He has all of the parts that came off of the motor but the plastic air ducts need to be replaced. He said that they fell apart years ago.
The owner did have the front seats recovered about 11 years ago. The front seat needed it so he did the passenger seat so they matched. Work was done by a reputable shop here in town.
The body did have a respray around 12 years ago that does have a lifetime warranty on it (not as if that means much). The owner said that there must have been some fender damage before he bought it because there is evidence of some fender work. He said he had it checked out for frame damage and that the frame checked out fine so he went a head and bought it.
So, it seems that unless I could get the car super cheap I may not be owning a 928 just yet.
Thanks for the info and tips so far guys. It has been a huge help.
Last edited by Bushytea; 06-01-2014 at 07:05 PM.
06-01-2014, 04:38 PM
#39
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They don't really "fall apart", what happens is people try to remove them without removing the engine bay cross brace and they get damaged. As I mentioned, this *can* be a big deal depending on MY. If the car is pre-85 or post 87 you may be able to buy a pair, otherwise they're like buying unicorn horns.
06-01-2014, 06:27 PM
#40
He has all of the parts that came off of the motor but the plastic air ducks need to be replaced. He said that they fell apart years ago.it.
===================================================
Easily repaired with Duck Tape.
tino
===================================================
Easily repaired with Duck Tape.
tino