Signalmtb

Great knowledge here and responses. Thanks.

I have never liked or wanted an auto. My first auto wasn't until I was in my thirties. And I fear that settling for an auto 928 will be a big regret. At the same time, I'm a sucker for "better" and so the perceived "better" S4 keeps sucking me in. And then I start going back to thoughts of a 968 or 951 because a MT is much easier to find. I'll be driving on windy mountain roads and some freeways. And I just love the 3 pedals. Realistically, do many 928 owners entertain a manual tranny swap?

SMTCapeCod

Nope.
Not that it never happens, but the cost and sorting factor v. a somewhat longer/expanded search- most opt for the latter course for sure. The autos are good transportation- I have my first 928 auto and one of only a few autos of any type that I've owned, 4x4s notwithstanding. It's liveable, when well-calibrated it is sporting in that it responds promptly to pedal input, to manual shifting (not that it is anything akin to tiptronic, of course) and holds to redline at WOT. Still, were I not stuck in an urban environment, I'd opt for a '85/86/86.5 US 5 speed or 84/85 RoW 5 speed (rarer than S4s...), followed closely by aforementioned high diff ratio S4 manual (or GT- but as you mentioned price point is getting tough to swallow and a driver will burn through some of that premium via depreciation.)

https://rennlist.com/forums/928-foru...l#post10187598

Another tipping point is that the value proposition for supercharging S4s is better, given that the throttle quadrant isn't as much of an obstruction and there are therefore more options on the market.....

GregBBRD

Don't settle. Find the car you want. They are still out there and the prices are not changing as quickly as the 911s skyrocketed.

Wisconsin Joe

^This. Big time.

There are cars out there. You may have to search for a while to find the right one for you.

Make a list of what you need, what you want, what you don't need and what you won't have.
Often the first and last will be mutually excluding (need a 5 speed means won't have an auto).

Start saving money. Start looking. Keep reading these forums and learn about the car.
Often, folks will post cars they find for sale on here.

You may end up travelling for a car. You may need to arrange a "long distance PPI" on one.

None of this is all that unusual. Folks on here will help with looking for a car. Often, someone who posts an ad local to them will be willing to go take a look at it for you (like we need a reason to go look at a car).

Be ready to jump on the right car fast when it pops up.

It's out there somewhere.

Edit to add: The 86 5 speed you mention may well be the car for you. You don't go into any details about it, or what you are looking for in a 928. Or perhaps a 968 or 951 is a better choice. Those are pretty cool cars too (I have a 944). Answering the question: "What do I want in a car?" will give you some direction.

Signalmtb

F/U...well, I did wait and was able to secure exactly what I started out wanting to begin with...a 944 turbo S silberosa. Always had my attention. Maybe one day I'll be able to part a 928GT 5sp next to it.

Dave928S

I hope you meant park!

Wisconsin Joe

Well, that's now two. Another guy had a thread asking questions and ended up with a 996.

Which is fine. The best car for you is the one you want the most. It's not necessarily a 928.
As long as you made the decision based on solid, real, information,; great.

The 951 (944 turbo) is a great car. Enjoy it.

renbry

I've owned my '88 S4 Auto for a few years now and am loving the guts out of the auto transmission. I've never driven a manual 928 but some recent drives have left me thrilled that I can drive the auto in a manual-sort of way. Leaving it in 3rd parks me right in the meaty part of the torque curve and at legal speeds I have gobs of power on tap (4th feels very much an economy/cruising gear)
Taking off with the auto trick (starting in 1st and holding gears as you row up the numbers) makes me want to time my 0-100km/h as it's seriously impressive; but again, leaving in D keeps it tame and docile.

What I've been wondering lately is what are the differences in the 4-speed auto transmissions over the years ? I know the GTS gained a dynamic-kickdown, but I wonder about the gearing etc.

Sorry if it's off-topic, there was some great conversation about transmissions so I thought I'd ask

928 DesMoines

I'm not even close to being as intelligent and technical with the 928 as the rest of the guys that is for sure; so here is my simple analysis:


Get the manual.
That is what you want.
You know it!


Look at your prices, if money is the main factor, then by all means; get the one that makes financial sense to you.


But you KNOW you want the 5 speed.


And if its "more power" you desire; consider air induction! ha ha.


Disclaimer: My 90 is an Auto (and yes, I love it!), but I always wonder what a 5 speed would be like. And if I could afford to support two sharks; I would get another one with a 5 speed! LOL

928 DesMoines

What about this one listed on rennlist?


https://rennlist.com/forums/vehicle-...-12-000-a.html


Looks like a good starting point if its decent.

SMTCapeCod

Prior to 87, autos started in first, 87 up on modest throttle they start in second to alleviate potential stress on drivetrain.

There were some nuances in final drive ratio- google led me to a good old Pirtle resource- thanks, John
http://members.rennlist.com/pirtle/s4atrans.htm

Hilton

I thought that Joe's car was sold a day or so ago? He has a thread going in the 98 forum about it.. think Jeff might have bought it?