928 DesMoines

New MAF: 250 bucks


New Timing Belt/Water Pump: 500 bucks (or more)


Turning heads at every light, then chirping next to a mustang: Priceless.

Tom in Austin

"The point of my first post was simply to ask, what's the cheapest modern car that is in any sense close?"

Maybe BMW 8-series from the mid-90s? They were contemporaries of the GTS, rare & beautiful with ambitious electronics/features and surprisingly inexpensive now. Like, for instance, http://www.ebay.com/itm/BMW-8-Series...m=221876126437

928 DesMoines

I think I understand the original question. My first thought was "miata", but that is more like the 944. For the 928, I think the best comparison as far as "bang for buck" is the Nissan 350ZX. Yes, it is only a two seater, but that is one hell of a car for 15 - 25 Grand. it is right in the 928 Price range and it delivers power and pinache, especially the convertable. Oh, and reliability. That motor is bullet proof from what i understand. Don't see many on the road, not sure why.

Yep, my vote is the 350Z. Its the sweet spot.

All that being said, I think the 928 has more long term collectability and "exotic" factor. It was the "super car" of it's generation. I remember standing at the magazine rack and eagerly searching the "Dupont Registry" for the 928. I was also in love with the Lotus Esprit back then. Who knows, I might own one of them some day (like a 1995 model year). The newer V8 Lotus Esprit are exotic like in comparison to the 928, but still command a premium price (less than the GTS, but more than the S4). They were produced up until 2004. So they might also compare.

Runner up mention: 2010 (or close year) Camaro. You can probably get a 6 speed manual for under 20g with decent miles in most cities. They are over 300 horses and have about the same amount of grocery space. But, there are too many on the road right now so are "disqualified".

Just my opinion of course.

sstrickstein

My next would be a Mercedes Benz CL500 or CL55. Checks most of the boxes. Or a SL500. Or even a CLS500 which now are coming down in price to reasonable.

STRIKEMASTER

One criteria I would add: It must be 'owner friendly'-- you can do most of the work needed on it yourself. AND RARE. The truth is that they don't make cars like 928s anymore. New cars are designed so you CAN'T work on them yourself, that's how dealers really make their money. Plus, they want to 'RENT' you a car, not sell you one. I went to the Philadelphia Auto Show this year and found out that the cars I like, I can't afford and the ones I can afford are JUNK. Plastic, over complicated, computer powered everything and not 'owner friendly'. (I have never had a computer that at some point didn't crash). I didn't see anything that I feel would still be running 20-30 years 'down the road'. SO, I think I'll keep the 'NOT FOR SALE' sign on my '83 Euro-S 5 speed. First, I would need to find another '83 Euro-S 5 speed for sale. Then I'd have to make enough selling mine to buy another, and keep about $20K in my pocket. " If you have to ask the price, you can't afford it". If you lease a Porsche, can you still join the "Porsche Owner's Club' or do you have to join the 'Porsche Renter's Club'?? LOL

safulop

Yes as a matter of fact, when my first attempt to get a 928 failed, I almost spent $15K on a 2005 model 350Z. I do like those. But I really needed the 4 seats. Not to mention that a 350Z is still a completely different animal. And since California is different from Iowa, they are really dime-a-dozen around here. Still even with the new generation.

I also like the suggestion about the BMW 850. I'd consider owning one of those, I used to love them back in the day.

safulop

So what are the values on those?

soltino

All 928s are priceless, just as a true love soul mate is. (:

Tino

cnpapa24

Most classic cars trade at some percentage of their contemporaries. When Daytona prices move, Ghibli prices will follow over time. Boxer prices move, so will Countach.

The answer for the 928 is that the earlier ones (78-86) will eventually follow the 308 and later cars, the 328s. Ferraris tend to lead the appreciation curve, so it may take some time before the Porsches follow. 308 values have about doubled and in some instances more than doubled in the last 18 months.

As the 928s come into their own era of collectibility, I would not be surprised to see them more or less follow the 308/328 market at about half the values for 5 speed cars in similar condition. In the earlier cars, 78s and 86 will lead the pack, much like the 76/77 (non fiberglass) and 85s (first and last year) do in the 308 market.

Maintenance costs are likely higher on the 308 and this will not be as much of a concern on the 928 as the become collectible, assuming they are well sorted. You will see a lot of the buyers may already own a 3X8 or deciding between the two.

I would guess that auto cars will trade for roughly 1/3 less than 5 speed cars.

Of course the lower the miles, the more original, the more the value will increase. Higher mile cars with significant needs will likely not see the same appreciation as the well sorted cars.

So with strong 2 condition early steel 308s selling in the $110-120k, I would expect the 78 928 5 speeds to be $55-60k for similar condition if they are not already there and likely close the gap a bit more. Special colors will also yield more. Super low mile cars of course are a different equation.

With a strong 2 condition 85 QV in the $75-90k range, I would expect late 86 cars in the $37.5-45k range. Again, super low mile cars are a different equation.

You can likely follow the same values with S4s and GTs vs 328s. GTS closer to 328 values because of their rarity.

This is my two cents and believe that it is only a matter of time whether this is something we want or not.

curt_928

There is absolutely no similarity whatsoever between the 928 market and the 3xx Ferrari market. None whatsoever.

3xx Ferrari's are well Ferrari's. When you drive them down the road people look and say "wow look a Ferrari". When you drive the 928 they say "that's an interesting car.. what is that?" The 308 is proverbial Magnum PI Ferrari. it in a way is like the 911. It defined the brand. The 928 is the failed successor to the 911. Completely different cars and awareness in the public eye. What held the 3xx series back for the longest time was the retro styling and the mediocre performance. Now its a gateway into the classic Ferrari ownership experience. What brought it and the other cars upward was the booming investment market and the Ferrari brand. That and Dino's are unavailable to "that buyer".

The 928 needs a successor by Porsche to get awareness up. If I really want a 928 GTS I can buy the blue one for under $45k. The wilhoit and the black 94' are still sitting. If there REALLY was a market for them they would have moved by now. Different cars, different buyers IMHO..

linderpat

Apparently you don't get out much, nor do you follow trends. The 928 is every bit as iconic as the 308 from a brand standpoint; everyone who knows Magnum drove a 308 also knows Risky Biz Joel drove a 928 and Tony Montana drove a 928. The market is starting to wake up judging by the wide variation in pricing going on now. I also know that certain models are commanding top dollar, and I see (as I am very plugged in to the car community) that there is tremendous interest in the 928 by younger buyers - guys in their 30s. And they don't know that the shark was a $5k car a few years ago. They just know that it is a decent value now when compared to the Diabalo or the 308/328/348 F cars.
You are wrong about the Wilhoit cars sitting. He is getting his top dollar for these cars; it may take a bit, because it takes a certain buyer to buy one. Also, the $45K blue GTS you may be referring to is a title rebuild car (if it is the one on ebay). That's big change for such a car, and further indication of overall values starting to seriously rise. If there were no title issues, you couldn't touch it for $45K.
Also, to address an earlier post of your in the thread regarding whether the 928 is or isn't a sports car, and stating that a Boxster is and a shark isn't, I beg to disagree. I sold my Boxster S, and my 78 5 speed is far more raw and sportier than the Boxster was. The 928 is a superb GT class sports car, that really wakes up when you push it, as a proper sports car should.

Cole

I agree with the Aston Martin comparison, but the Vantage isn't a 928 equal at all. While it might not be important to YOU, the difference between 2 and 4 seaters is a huge defining characteristic in a car. It's not just about the LxWxH numbers, its about the character and intent of the car.

The Vantage is a Sports car. The DB9 is the 4 seater GT car. The DB9 is probably going to be the closest modern car in over all character and intended purpose/quality to the 928.

A DB9 is in the $225K ish price range. If you inflate out the last years of the 928 to modern dollars the 928 comes out in the same market niche

Driving a DB9 actually feels a bit like a modern 928 too







As to what a 928 "should be worth". Personally I think they should be right up there with the best 911s. $30-150K depending on the example

linderpat

.^^^This. I think Cole is spot on.

cnpapa24

You are correct. Enthusiasts all know what a 928 is and the interest is growing steadily as the earliest variant approaches 40 years old. Many enthusiasts and collectors like cars from many different Marques and often like variety. As some are priced out of 308s and the like, 928s start to look very attractive from a bang per buck perspective. Styling, performance, drivability, comfort, is all there. Others are just looking to add to their stable and don't mind paying up for top cars.

soltino

I'll go further by saying that the 928 will be worth more than ANY comparable Porsche. Maybe not in our lifetime but eventually and forever after.

Tino