Ed Petry

Hi Everyone,
Have the opportunity to buy a 1981 928S 5-speed. The vehicle has not been started in years so major repairs are needed (belts, pulleys, brakes, gas system). I have not seen the car but the seller (whom I trust) says it is in good (not great) shape and is above the strip and sell level. Restorable, in other words. (My friend is a current 928 owner)

I have owned a few P-cars -- 914 ad 944 over the years. This will be my first venture into the higher level car.

My question is -- what do I need to know before looking at or offering on this car? What to look for. What to ask about. What to know about this fine car line. What issues are common (like odometer gear failure on the 944).

Did I mention it is my favorite color Porsche?

White.

Feels like I am walking toward a carpet of banana peels next to the Porsche 928 cliff....lol

Appreciate any and all comments/advice/horror stories.

Thanks in advance.

Ed

Fogey1

Well, that one, for one.

That year is a non-interference engine.

Start by reading the New Visitor thread at top of the forum.

Go to a Buckeye Landsharks meeting.
http://www.928buckeyelandsharks.com/home/contact-us

I don't think '81s were S's yet, though I don't know what the actual non-cosmetic differences would have been:
http://928gt.com/t-928engine.aspx

How are your DIY skills?

Fear not ... fortune favors the brave.

Have fun, they're rewarding cars.

ww

GlenL

Do it!

If the dog house ain't comfortable you can sleep in the car.

AirtekHVAC

Feh, the dog house ain't so bad, as long as you have a 928.

Just dont pay too much. An 81, not solid runner, paint fair, interior fair...

Just to put in perspective, I just paid $ 1,300.00 for a white 82.

oldfrat

Definitely skim your way through the new visitors thread at the top of this forum. You will learn more about buying a 928 there than from any other source. It will help you ask the right questions to your trusted friend -- and here --so you'll have a better idea of the time and money commitment you will need to make to get this car running and looking the way you want. That will help you decide if you want to buy this car or one that has already been brought up to your standards.

Don't feel rushed. Although the cars are not common, there always seem to be several for sale.

I got my first 928 10 months ago, a 1981. I absolutely love the car. It makes me grin on twisty two lanes and make me sigh in comfort on Interstate cruises. There is rarely a day when I take it out when some stranger doesn't comment on it or ask about it. You are looking at the right make and model; just be sure to start with the right car.

Good luck with it!

Brad

Daniel5691

Hi!

Buy it ! ! ! !
I have a 1981 928s and I am the most completely totally useless n00b on this forum.
The experts are great, and are very helpful even with the most painfully simple and obvious questions. The new member thread is a must, buy the CDROM with the full set of workshop manuals, searching Rennlist from GOOGLE is your very best friend,
and plan on lots of frustpensive fun.

Dan

dr bob

After you do all the stuff others have recommended, enlist the aid of a local listmember/owner to go with you. You'll get a taste of what the car should be like from the ride over, and a(nother) set of jaundiced experienced eyes will help you see what you are getting into.

Share a more precise description of where you and the car are located, pop the question for assistance, and you'll be golden.


Last but not least, maintain some perspective as you look at a long-time non-runner. Your friend parked a fabulous car for some fabulous reasons. during it's hibernation period, nothing has improved on the car. As a non-runner, you have no way to check out driveline or brake issues, suspension or engine issues before purchase. Regardless of your faith in the seller, take a few dozen Franklin pills and several grains of salt after looking at it, and see how you feel in the morning. And for that perspective thing, there are running cars avaiable in the few-thousand range. I personally recommend that you buy the lowest-cost car you can find. Often that's the most expensive car to purchase, but the car would then be more of a maintenance and drive project, rather than a blind hipshot restore and hope career. I've looked at some cheap-to-buy cars, and quickly figured out that they were at least another $10k away from being a $5k car (credit to Jim Bailey for that phrase).

Good luck with your quest, and let us know what you decide. Support and networking here is the best of any I've seen, so regardless of what you decide there will be support.

----

I'm not an addict. I can quit any time....
I'm not an addict. I can quit any time....
I'm not an addict. I can quit any time....

Jetdriver69

Just be prepared for the worst and hope for the best.

You never know what maintenance issues may turn up even with a PPI.

You need to ask yourself how far do I want or need to go with this car.

If you don't have a realistic set of goals and a timeframe to accomplish what you want done, it is very easy to get frustrated with the time and money required.

It also helps to have a cooperative significant other that isn't a money tyrant.

10K from being a 5K car, try 20K from being a 10K car if you are lucky.

But as others have said, you will great satisfaction out of saving and driving a a fairly rare, although former supercar that will generate a lot of interest.

Good luck!

Fogey1

+928. This one:
Jim Morehouse PET CD Set
Which can be bought here:
http://my-eshop.us/epages/f9b88284-1...Products/JM-CD

Best $75 you can spend even if you don't buy this particular car.

And it's much, much more than just the Workshop Manuals. Here's more than you'll ever want to know about one of the greatest services one of the members of this community ever did for it. One of the things that makes these cars and this place so special:
https://rennlist.com/forums/tags/morehouse.html

ThetaTau87

My advice for a first time purchase of any model car is always buy the best example you can afford. It's much cheaper to buy a more expensive, well maintained, good running example than fix/restore a cheap one.

With 928s the low buy in price for cars at the bottom end of the market is tempting, but the high cost of parts and shear volume of potential problems with a non-running car will quickly turn that $1500 bargain Porsche into a money pit sucking up far more than the car will ever be worth.

The only time I would go against this advice is if you have lots of intimate knowledge of how to repair/maintain that particular model of car and have a stock pile of parts or if your focus is on the project of restoring the car rather than the most economical way to obtain a reliable car you can enjoy driving.

upstate bob

It helps if it is in the neighborhood as mine was. I dislike dragging cars across the continent.

Ed Petry

well everyone...if your dog has room to share, please let me know as I need a place to stay....lol Seriously, I now own a 1981 928S that has not been started in year (hear anywhere from five to eight). So I am now a member of that club also.

WHOO HOO.

dr bob

I've heard the phrase "Welcome to the asylum!" And think it's appropriate. Just curious if you followed any of the first-timer's advice already shared. Particularly, did you drag another 928 owner along with you when you inspected/bought it?

Or... both feet first, damn the torpedoes and all, hope for the best!

Pictures needed too!

Ed Petry

Hi,
Yes followed the advice as possible. My P-car expert was busy so took picture and good notes. Talked it over and bought it.

To start with I trust the person selling it. He is another P-car expert that has been around the line for decades.

So, the answer is,Yes. Listened to and used the advice of the Rennlist members.

Just sayin'...I kinda want to think it is a case of "DAMN THE TORPEDOES, FULL SPEED AHEAD", anyway. Seems to be somewhat my personality can be at times.