S4drifter

I am completely new to this forum and the p-car world. I am looking at buying my first p-car and came across an 89 928 GT for sale. I am looking for a weekend/DE car and have limited mechanical ability.

1.) Is this a desireable year/model. It has impressive power, but I do not know these cars well enough to determine if it is a problem year/model. 2.) How is it on the track? I would love to hear some impressions. 3.) I hear they are VERY expensive to fix. Is this true? Am I better off with a 951?

Any help/guidance/suggestions would be appreciated.
(to avoid confusion, the S4 in my handle refers to my Audi)

GRGGOODSPEED

The GT is one to have!
Great car, Have one who know's 928's to look at it.
Even if you have to pay for it.
How much for the car?
Good luck!!!!

S4drifter

56k miles $23k

BrianG

Definitely have a knowledgable 928'er do the PPI. These are sophisticated and complex cars. When you get a good one, they are a pleasure to own and drive. If you get a troublesome one, they can be a HUGE money pit!!

DG84S

An '89GT (actually any year 928) is a great car if it has been well-maintained by previous owners. Have a knowledgeable 928 person determine its health before buying. An abused 928 can become an expensive restoration project. Are you willing to buy the shop manuals and tools and learn to handle minor repairs and maintenance? If not, I suggest you budget $1000 - $2000 annually for maintenance and ask local 928 owners for a shop recommendation. I hope the '89GT checks out OK and you buy it and you love it as much as I love my '84S. Welcome to Rennlist (becoming a Rennlist member is highly recommended).

MikeN

While a well maintained '89 GT is a great and probably very reliable car, I have to ask........why are you looking at either the 928 or 951 after the statement:

"I am looking for a weekend/DE car and have limited mechanical ability. "

Neither would be a really good choice if you don't love what either car can do and put up with fixing it yourself if it does break. Just want to make sure you are ready for it and don't start dumping on it the minute something goes wrong.......

Jim bailey - 928 International

The GT is a great weekend car ...not so great for D E .....because it weighs too much and if you do spin the engine hard and corner hard it sooner or later will have rod bearing failure on 2 and 6 . I have lost track of the number of GT cars to have blown their engines at D E events some have done it TWICE !! If you plan to run with the Porsche Club you will find that the rules by which they operate are not 928 friendly and the car will not be competive in any of the various classes . Any modifications bump you up to run with other more modified cars still with less weight and wider rims . The GT is truely a super car 100 mph 1/4 mile , 165-170 top speed . . It is now a 14 year old car . You should also confirm that it is a GT only 5 speeds were GT , BUT not all 5 speeds in 1989 are a GT .

S4drifter

I am willing to do the work. My question is how much skill do I need to keep it running. I do not know how to rebuild a transmission, drop an engine or replace a clutch. I CAN do routine maintenance. I would like to set my expectations before getting into it.

Chris

Its an interesting question, but although the 928 looks daunting to work on to start with after a while you will find most of it is well within the competant DIYer. With a few web links/pages, Rennlist and the use of the manuals you'll find someone else has been there before you and documented it.

If you are lucky and live near to other 928owners you may find you have enthusiastic volunteer help. Comes in handy if you are doing engine mounts etc ... A lot of people can't rebuild a transmission but you can save plenty of $$ by removing and reinstalling yourself. Also if well looked after gearbox and engine internals are pretty robust, note Jim's rod bearing warning though.

Replacing the clutch on a 928 is about as easy as a clutch job can be.

With a 14 year old car you are likely to find yourself replacing rubber and gaskets to begin with unless it has been really well maintained. Its all the little bits that make the difference in the performance and take all the time to do.

89GT is one of the great models, if you get it look after it well !

Doesn't Chuck have history on most of the 89GT's ???

Chris

ErnestSw

The 89 GT is certainly worth $23K with low miles like the one you're considering. There are very few of us who would tackle a transmission or drop an engine.
I think it would be a good DE car, but NOT if you're trying to be competitive or trying to take it to its limits. DE, in my mind, is an educational event, not a race. The plearure in the car, for me, is understanding its handling limits and driving it QUICKLY and smoothly.
This is the first car that I've really worked on myself. I've done the intake powder coating and the timing belt and neither job was easy, but both were very satisfying. You'll find a community of 928 owners ready to help you when you need them, both on the Rennlist and locally.

MikeN

Actually I find my GT pretty easy to work on compared to most other cars, but this is because I'm on my third 928 now and know it pretty well with all the good help here and available on the web. Having said that though, parts are pretty expensive and while most 928 parts are pretty stout, rebuilding a transmission is or could be considered routine maintenance for a 15-20 year old car........no matter how many miles are on it.......especially one that goes to some DEs. It's not that you WILL have to spend thousands of dollars on the car......but you SHOULD be prepared to if necessary.......all part of 928 ownership.......kinda a love 'em or leave 'em type of ownership.

S4drifter

Thank's everyone for the advice. I am very excited to see If I can negotiate this deal. I'll keep you posted.

Red UFO

I'd get it if you have the money and baby the thing like the millennium falcon.

Paul D

S4 -

If I had to rreplace my current 928 with another one it would definately be the '89 GT. I just love the look of the Club Sport rims (very rare option only available on the '89 GT) and the 5 speeds of fun. Get a pre purchase inspection and if it checks out make an offer. 1-2K per year maintainence is very reasonable for this supercar. Good luck!

Dennis K

An '89 GT w/ 56k miles for $23k? That sounds familiar. Is it this car?

Previous Rennlist message thread

Hope this helps.