Newbie starting to get the Shark bug...
06-04-2014, 10:45 PM
#31
Burning Brakes
After a month of reading this forum, I decided I wanted an 86.5 and bought a beater for <4000. I did the absolutely obligatory maintenance immediately (TB, WP, fuel lines) and it has been my DD ever since, @ ~11K miles/yr. Between yearly oil changes it uses <1 cup of oil, it has never broken down, I take it on long trips without qualms (and that kind of statement is called hubris- I know, I know...), and so far I have put >60K miles on it. I told myself if I drove it over 50K and still liked it, I would restore it (to a 99% functional level, less on the cosmetics). I started that last year with a suspension refurb, next A/C, next may be engine out (I don't think you can address wire harnesses and general problems without doing that).
I bought it because of all the usual reasons, plus I really like mechanical work and have a decent, but small, collection of tools and shop equipment. I am posting this because although I do not disagree with any of the comments above, they pretty much don't apply to me. I think my story (and there are a bunch of us here I believe) is the other side of the coin, if you will. I love driving this thing (in my grandfatherly way), I am delighted with its engineering (mostly), so in sum, it gives me a hell of a lot of pleasure. To each his own, YMMV, and in any case, good luck!
I bought it because of all the usual reasons, plus I really like mechanical work and have a decent, but small, collection of tools and shop equipment. I am posting this because although I do not disagree with any of the comments above, they pretty much don't apply to me. I think my story (and there are a bunch of us here I believe) is the other side of the coin, if you will. I love driving this thing (in my grandfatherly way), I am delighted with its engineering (mostly), so in sum, it gives me a hell of a lot of pleasure. To each his own, YMMV, and in any case, good luck!
I have an 1987 and went on one of my first BRP parkway rides with Martin and some other local rennlisters. The complete tb wp, ps amd oil pump front main seal were completed, but not top end.
Martin's car made the run, but I had to turn back and ride home in limp mode because of some bad wires plug wires. about 375.00 for the good ones.
If you can work on the cars and have the manuals and the listers here you can sort through most things.
Getting one to look good from 2 feet will cost $$$$$$ and take some tools with you when you ride.
here are some pics of that journey Mine is the one with the hood up.
Martins is the Black one on the end of the line up
Note it's great listers under my hood trying to sort out the problem. great group of guys on this forum.
06-05-2014, 10:23 AM
#32
Rennlist Member
Thread Starter
Sadly, that car (the eBay car a few posts up) is an automatic. I really can't bring myself to buy a "fun" car with an auto. :-(
06-05-2014, 10:29 AM
#33
Rennlist Member
Thread Starter
All of this...both the positives and negatives...make a lot of sense and give me some things to think about. To answer the question of priorities, my tops would be the mechanicals. If it's running decently well, and ideally has had a lot of the key items serviced semi-recently, then i can live with a bit of a ratty or not-completely-functional interior, or some less-than-ideal paint. I definitely don't want a car that doesn't run when I get it, but if it runs well, and I take care of whatever basic safety or car health type issues remain up front, the rest of it I can take my time with.
I do know someone who does good paint work/body work and if I do some of the up-front prepwork myself, it will not be unreasonably expensive. So there's that.
I do know someone who does good paint work/body work and if I do some of the up-front prepwork myself, it will not be unreasonably expensive. So there's that.
06-05-2014, 11:05 AM
#34
Instructor
Join Date: Jun 2012
Location: Lancaster CA
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I don't want to encourage bad behavior...but I bought my 928 a couple years ago as a stupid kid that didn't know anything about porsches of and kind. The car had been sitting and unable to sell because of a timing belt issue. It had no records of any kind. Two years later, I couldn't be happier with my decision to buy it.
06-05-2014, 11:31 AM
#36
Instructor
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M Requin - I pretty much broke every rule in the book! But it has worked out great for me so far. I've worked on the car as I've been able to and it has been great 
06-05-2014, 11:33 AM
#37
Electron Wrangler
Lifetime Rennlist
Member
Lifetime Rennlist
Member
Unfortunately this is rarely actually feasible for most...
Unless your standards are quite low - returning a ratty looking older car to very good condition (not concours, but like a nicely maintained model of the same age) is a huge amount of work and a very very considerable expense... (likely easily eclipsing the cost of the car!)
Unless you can live long term with such a car with just minor improvements that are fairly simple to do - I'd caution against thinking it can all just be fixed up later. It may indeed be a case of magical thinking.
When you add up interior parts, seats, carpet, paint, exterior trim, electricals etc the complexity, time and costs spiral out of all reasonableness
Far far better to find one where the original equipment is still in excellent shape OR someone has attended to the details already (and is taking that loss in the sale...).
Pay More => Spend Less... (+) - and sometimes if you wait for a good one - you don't even need to pay more...
Alan
Unless your standards are quite low - returning a ratty looking older car to very good condition (not concours, but like a nicely maintained model of the same age) is a huge amount of work and a very very considerable expense... (likely easily eclipsing the cost of the car!)
Unless you can live long term with such a car with just minor improvements that are fairly simple to do - I'd caution against thinking it can all just be fixed up later. It may indeed be a case of magical thinking.
When you add up interior parts, seats, carpet, paint, exterior trim, electricals etc the complexity, time and costs spiral out of all reasonableness
Far far better to find one where the original equipment is still in excellent shape OR someone has attended to the details already (and is taking that loss in the sale...).
Pay More => Spend Less... (+
) - and sometimes if you wait for a good one - you don't even need to pay more...Alan
06-05-2014, 12:06 PM
#38
Nordschleife Master
Unfortunately this is rarely actually feasible for most...
Unless your standards are quite low - returning a ratty looking older car to very good condition (not concours, but like a nicely maintained model of the same age) is a huge amount of work and a very very considerable expense... (likely easily eclipsing the cost of the car!)
Unless you can live long term with such a car with just minor improvements that are fairly simple to do - I'd caution against thinking it can all just be fixed up later. It may indeed be a case of magical thinking.
When you add up interior parts, seats, carpet, paint, exterior trim, electricals etc the complexity, time and costs spiral out of all reasonableness
Far far better to find one where the original equipment is still in excellent shape OR someone has attended to the details already (and is taking that loss in the sale...).
Pay More => Spend Less...
Alan
Unless your standards are quite low - returning a ratty looking older car to very good condition (not concours, but like a nicely maintained model of the same age) is a huge amount of work and a very very considerable expense... (likely easily eclipsing the cost of the car!)
Unless you can live long term with such a car with just minor improvements that are fairly simple to do - I'd caution against thinking it can all just be fixed up later. It may indeed be a case of magical thinking.
When you add up interior parts, seats, carpet, paint, exterior trim, electricals etc the complexity, time and costs spiral out of all reasonableness
Far far better to find one where the original equipment is still in excellent shape OR someone has attended to the details already (and is taking that loss in the sale...).
Pay More => Spend Less...
Alan
You may have in your mind an agenda for what and when you will address 'basic car health type' issues. You might find these surprisingly (to you) complex, time consuming, expensive, and fraught with obstacles. These would just be the 'knowns'. Throw an unexpected 'health' issue in the mix and you'll find your in the tall grass quickly. Owning and preserving this car well is not for the faint of heart - start with good substrate - it will be like having a longer runway on a clear day when the cargo hold is full. Best Wishes.
06-05-2014, 12:34 PM
#39
I like that comment, costs spiraling out of reasonableness.
I'm living in that world right now.
My CEO asked me what I was doing car restoration wise since he is an exotic car aficionado (that means he has an unlimited budget for cars).
I told him I was turning a $5000 car into a $20000 car that was worth maybe $12000 on a great day.
Oh well everything is new or rebuilt and I hope to keep it for a while and enjoy the ride.
I'm living in that world right now.
My CEO asked me what I was doing car restoration wise since he is an exotic car aficionado (that means he has an unlimited budget for cars).
I told him I was turning a $5000 car into a $20000 car that was worth maybe $12000 on a great day.
Oh well everything is new or rebuilt and I hope to keep it for a while and enjoy the ride.
06-05-2014, 01:51 PM
#40
Rennlist Member
All of this...both the positives and negatives...make a lot of sense and give me some things to think about. To answer the question of priorities, my tops would be the mechanicals. If it's running decently well, and ideally has had a lot of the key items serviced semi-recently, then i can live with a bit of a ratty or not-completely-functional interior, or some less-than-ideal paint. I definitely don't want a car that doesn't run when I get it, but if it runs well, and I take care of whatever basic safety or car health type issues remain up front, the rest of it I can take my time with.
I do know someone who does good paint work/body work and if I do some of the up-front prepwork myself, it will not be unreasonably expensive. So there's that.
I do know someone who does good paint work/body work and if I do some of the up-front prepwork myself, it will not be unreasonably expensive. So there's that.
First, I think these early cars ('78/'79) are now starting to become more sought after, which means that getting one now, even if in sort of bad shape (not a junk yard dog, just to be clear) makes sense for someone who is looking for a non daily driver hobby fixer upper with decent bones - SO LONG AS THE PRICE IS RIGHT FOR THE CAR. This car may fit the bill (but not at the apparent price - more on that later).
Clearly, the odometer does not work. No way does that car have the shown mileage, more like double or triple. If it is all there, and if it does run, then it may be a good platform to start a renovation to nice daily driver status (shows okay on weekend local car shows, etc). Big question to answer first is was it in a wreck - it has US spec fenders on a Euro car. (it also has incorrect flat dish wheels and front spoiler, but those are not a big deal). If it was wrecked, then be very careful and have it gone through by a known 928 expert before buying.
Looking at the pictures, I am a bit worried about the pascha seats. This car has a great color combination, and I love that pascha. It may not be easily fixed based upon where the tears are, however. The dash is easily remedied as is most of the other stuff inside (it just takes money, and if you are not in a hurry, can be done over a number of years as budget allows). You should consult with Rob Budd (a rennlist vendor for 928 interior work - a true master), and get his thoughts.
To me, you sound like you have done considerable homework and are not jumping into this blind. I think a fair price for the car as it sits and looks in the pictures (and assuming no serious wreck damage) is the $3K range, more if indeed it does run. At that level, there is little downside for a person with his /her own wrenching skills. Get it, fix it, and if you like it, restore it over time. Do it right and you will have a very fun driver that looks great and may even be worth something at some point.
My $.02.
06-05-2014, 11:58 PM
#41
Advanced
Options:
1) Pay good money and find the best example
2) Buy a project and live the challenge of bringing it back to life
There seems to be a lot more candidates for sale in the second category. It is also the path I am going to chose for the challenge. I think this also makes this community pretty interesting compared to other Porsches.
If you want a manual research the synchro issues so you know there could be $2500 to spend for good shifts. I also suggest browsing costs of parts of 928s.
If you chose a project I would at least get what you want for color and spec since you will have significant investment in time into it.
1) Pay good money and find the best example
2) Buy a project and live the challenge of bringing it back to life
There seems to be a lot more candidates for sale in the second category. It is also the path I am going to chose for the challenge. I think this also makes this community pretty interesting compared to other Porsches.
If you want a manual research the synchro issues so you know there could be $2500 to spend for good shifts. I also suggest browsing costs of parts of 928s.
If you chose a project I would at least get what you want for color and spec since you will have significant investment in time into it.
06-06-2014, 12:11 AM
#42
Rennlist Member
Accuracy: Give me one for free and I'll invest what's needed and sell it for half.
If you're willing, I salute you and help every step of the way.
Let's ROCK!
If you're willing, I salute you and help every step of the way.
Let's ROCK!