928 what year to look for?
07-01-2014, 08:28 AM
#31
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07-01-2014, 09:19 AM
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07-01-2014, 11:32 AM
#34
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I've owned two 87 S4's (still got one).. and still prefer my 89 over them, for these reasons:
1. digital dash has better lighting at night
2. the higher-compression engine just feels better (piston change around feb '88)
3. electronic cruise control, not vacuum based (MY88 onwards has this)
Otherwise, there's not much to choose between them.
07-01-2014, 12:11 PM
#35
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I saved this quote from Greg Brown in another thread:
Although the '90 and '91 cars appear to be almost identical....a couple of the "updates" make the '91 very desirable. The airbag update, alone, is 6K worth of parts....which would be no big deal, if the '90 system was good....but as almost anyone "in the business" knows....the '90 system has a very high failure rate.
The second huge update was in the clutches for the PSD system....greatly improved, in '91.
Because of the many problems with the GTS vehicles, I personally consider the 1991 to be the pinnacle of the 928 program. The rear flares are really nice looking on the GTS....but don't make up for the engine problems in these vehicles.
The second huge update was in the clutches for the PSD system....greatly improved, in '91.
Because of the many problems with the GTS vehicles, I personally consider the 1991 to be the pinnacle of the 928 program. The rear flares are really nice looking on the GTS....but don't make up for the engine problems in these vehicles.
07-01-2014, 12:15 PM
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07-01-2014, 12:25 PM
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01-28-2015, 12:54 AM
#38
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Great information
Fun game! Lots of decisions.
1. Decide which body style you like..
78-82 - no spoilers
80-86 - S-style spoilers
87-91 - S4
92-95 - S4 with wider rear wheel arches and a silly red reflector strip
2. Decide how much power/torque you want - the 4.5L and L-jet 4.7L are very down on power compared to Euro S or 32V engines.
3. Decide "auto or manual".
4. Decide which is more important.. driving, or holding value.
After that, you'll have narrowed it down.
The pics of the bunch IMO are:
Early '78 4.5L with no spoilers
US 86.5 32V - the "GTS" of the early body shape, with big brakes
87 to early-88 S4 - good for adding boost, lower compression than later S4
89 5-speed (S4 or GT) - more refined than earlier S4's (more sound insulation), higher compression motor, no airbags, digital dash
91GT - Pinnacle of 5.0L, arguably a stronger motor than the GTS one
94/95 5-speed GTS - will have the best future value, as this was the final variant
For a good list of changes from model year to year see here (this was also copied onto the 928 wikipedia entry)
http://www.landsharkoz.com/evolution.htm
My personal pick of the bunch would be 89GT or maybe 91GT, if I was starting from ground-zero.
Of course, I also require "no sunroof", but at this point, if I was buying over again, I'd just buy the best car I could find then replace the roof panels and headliner to get rid of the sunroof and get back the 2 inches of headroom.
1. Decide which body style you like..
78-82 - no spoilers
80-86 - S-style spoilers
87-91 - S4
92-95 - S4 with wider rear wheel arches and a silly red reflector strip
2. Decide how much power/torque you want - the 4.5L and L-jet 4.7L are very down on power compared to Euro S or 32V engines.
3. Decide "auto or manual".
4. Decide which is more important.. driving, or holding value.
After that, you'll have narrowed it down.
The pics of the bunch IMO are:
Early '78 4.5L with no spoilers
US 86.5 32V - the "GTS" of the early body shape, with big brakes
87 to early-88 S4 - good for adding boost, lower compression than later S4
89 5-speed (S4 or GT) - more refined than earlier S4's (more sound insulation), higher compression motor, no airbags, digital dash
91GT - Pinnacle of 5.0L, arguably a stronger motor than the GTS one
94/95 5-speed GTS - will have the best future value, as this was the final variant
For a good list of changes from model year to year see here (this was also copied onto the 928 wikipedia entry)
http://www.landsharkoz.com/evolution.htm
My personal pick of the bunch would be 89GT or maybe 91GT, if I was starting from ground-zero.
Of course, I also require "no sunroof", but at this point, if I was buying over again, I'd just buy the best car I could find then replace the roof panels and headliner to get rid of the sunroof and get back the 2 inches of headroom.
I am hoping there is a member that has one in decent shape for not a hugh amount of money.
If you dont mnd can you tell me is the ride fairly smooth. I had driven a Carrera S and man it was tough on my back. I am hoping the 928 will be more suited to softer seats etc.
Thanks
Lawrence
01-28-2015, 01:11 AM
#39
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Actually you seldom get what you pay for given that you have no way to determine what you are getting.....and yes a 928 has a better ride than a 911 is also far less sporting and slower on a race track for most. And the required upkeep can be staggering on a car that has been neglected. You have to really, really want one.....
01-28-2015, 01:41 AM
#40
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The 928 is relative to a couch when compared to a 911. Much squishier seats . It makes long drives much less miserable.
If you are looking for a 928 project, look for ones where the fix was simple but the PO threw thousands of $$$ in parts at it, gave up, and is selling it cheap. It means less you will have to worry about and fix.
. It makes long drives much less miserable.If you are looking for a 928 project, look for ones where the fix was simple but the PO threw thousands of $$$ in parts at it, gave up, and is selling it cheap. It means less you will have to worry about and fix.
01-28-2015, 02:35 AM
#41
I have no basis for comparison. Bought my first, a 1981 auto, in September.
I suspect there are far better 928's after reading this forum for a few months. Wish I had another garage space so I could buy one of them. But I can offer these observations:
I love the looks of the OBs. No rub strips and no spoilers. I love the looks of all 928's, but kind of like this clean look better.
It may not be as fast as later 928s, but it is plenty fast for me. It may not handle twisty roads as well as later 928s, but it is the best handling car I've ever owned and can handle them as fast as I want to challenge myself.
It is the best long Interstate cruiser I've ever owned. Way more comfort and ease than a prior Northstar Cadillac sedan, high end Ford Explorer or Dodge Ram for multi-day cruising. That's saying a lot as all three of those were great I-state cruisers if you don't worry about MPG.
I'm over 6'. Having a sun roof isn't bothering me. I'm neutral on this aspect. It fits me fine, but I'll rarely deploy the sunroof.
I would love to be able to drive a 5-speed 928 just for the sheer fun of shifting through the twisties. Sadly, my feet don't feel pedals anymore, so I needed an auto. The 1981 3-speed auto does not make me feel like I have given up a great deal due to my infirmity. I KNOW I would enjoy a manual more, but I can't do that any more. I SUSPECT I'd enjoy later autos more, but my current 3-speed gives me plenty of joy.
If I was shopping for another 928, I don't think I'd be focusing on year or model. #1 would be condition and #2 would be colors.
Brad
I suspect there are far better 928's after reading this forum for a few months. Wish I had another garage space so I could buy one of them. But I can offer these observations:
I love the looks of the OBs. No rub strips and no spoilers. I love the looks of all 928's, but kind of like this clean look better.
It may not be as fast as later 928s, but it is plenty fast for me. It may not handle twisty roads as well as later 928s, but it is the best handling car I've ever owned and can handle them as fast as I want to challenge myself.
It is the best long Interstate cruiser I've ever owned. Way more comfort and ease than a prior Northstar Cadillac sedan, high end Ford Explorer or Dodge Ram for multi-day cruising. That's saying a lot as all three of those were great I-state cruisers if you don't worry about MPG.
I'm over 6'. Having a sun roof isn't bothering me. I'm neutral on this aspect. It fits me fine, but I'll rarely deploy the sunroof.
I would love to be able to drive a 5-speed 928 just for the sheer fun of shifting through the twisties. Sadly, my feet don't feel pedals anymore, so I needed an auto. The 1981 3-speed auto does not make me feel like I have given up a great deal due to my infirmity. I KNOW I would enjoy a manual more, but I can't do that any more. I SUSPECT I'd enjoy later autos more, but my current 3-speed gives me plenty of joy.
If I was shopping for another 928, I don't think I'd be focusing on year or model. #1 would be condition and #2 would be colors.
Brad
01-28-2015, 03:19 AM
#42
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Brad, the 81's really love some extra tire on the front (245's). Believe me, you will be able to keep up with S4's at that point in the twisties.
I have a abused (PO added rub strips after unreported accident damage
) non sunroof ex-chiffon white 81 auto.
To me it is the simplest 928 you can buy as it lacks all of the complex electronics of the later cars and the iffyness of the earlier systems with all of the benefits of both.
Along with bulletproof L-jet injection and a 3 speed trans that takes just about anything you can throw at it, it just feels like there is less to go wrong compared to other years.
I have a abused (PO added rub strips after unreported accident damage
) non sunroof ex-chiffon white 81 auto. To me it is the simplest 928 you can buy as it lacks all of the complex electronics of the later cars and the iffyness of the earlier systems with all of the benefits of both.
Along with bulletproof L-jet injection and a 3 speed trans that takes just about anything you can throw at it, it just feels like there is less to go wrong compared to other years.
01-28-2015, 09:01 AM
#43
I looked and looked.
I liked the "look" of the later years, but the simplicity of the 16v models.
In the end I picked up an '84 S model with an auto.
I drive it for me. I'm not looking for a show car or a racer. Mine is a daily driver, and some of the people here who have seen it will tell you it's "beautiful". (and it make my head swell when they do).
To me the most important thing in a non race car isn't power, it's reliability in a car of this age, so something I can fix with a rock and a blunt stick appeals to me. The 16 v unit is a bit down on power, but it still makes me feel just right out on Country Club road! And if something breaks...even the timing belt, I'll have it fixed by nightfall and drive it to work tomorrow!
I liked the "look" of the later years, but the simplicity of the 16v models.
In the end I picked up an '84 S model with an auto.
I drive it for me. I'm not looking for a show car or a racer. Mine is a daily driver, and some of the people here who have seen it will tell you it's "beautiful". (and it make my head swell when they do).
To me the most important thing in a non race car isn't power, it's reliability in a car of this age, so something I can fix with a rock and a blunt stick appeals to me. The 16 v unit is a bit down on power, but it still makes me feel just right out on Country Club road! And if something breaks...even the timing belt, I'll have it fixed by nightfall and drive it to work tomorrow!
01-28-2015, 12:01 PM
#45
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As for the best years, so far my favorites have been the 86.5 - 88. Outstanding auto trans in these, the ride and comfort are there, it will handle the curves with plenty of finesse and in a bright color they look da-bom. I also like the 78 with phone dials, but that truck-size shifter has got to go.
