928 DesMoines

I say keep looking. Don't "settle". Any 928 you buy will need maintenance no matter how well kept the car is, it is just the nature of these cars. So believe me, you are going to get to know your car quickly no matter the condition. If wrenching is something you love, then you will be DIY in no time.
And I am with you on "prefer something interesting". The early 928s really have some unique styling features. When I was shopping for my car, I narrowed it down to either an 89 or higher model; or an early model with a pasha interior. I ended up with a well sorted 1990 S4. But I still drool over the older cars like that brown 81 on ebay right now.

docmirror

ding,ding,ding.

You're buying a vintage Porsche for mostly pleasure and enjoyment. Get what you want, the diff in mileage and mx(presumed) is of minor importance. Since you're in TX, the 928 capitol of the world you're in good hands for help and tools for most jobs on the car. Color, int, options you prefer and let the rest work itself out over the next year.

Wisconsin Joe

How many have you looked at and considered so far?

If these are the first two, you may want to keep looking.

If you've looked at a bunch and narrowed it down to these two, I'd choose the (supposedly) lower mileage one.
Keep in mind that the odo gear is virtually guaranteed to have broken at some point. If it wasn't fixed right away, there will be more miles on it than is shown.

There are other hints to the true mileage that are there if you know what to look for. Pedal wear is a really good one.

For the other one, as was noted, who did the work is as important (maybe more) than what was done.

But in the end, it's a toy. You are not buying it because you need it (well, maybe), you are buying it because you want it.

So get the one that you like the most. Get the one that makes you smile the most when you think about it or look at a pic. And if either of these doesn't do that (because of interior color), find another.

A friend was looking for a "summer toy" and asked for my help. We went and looked at a few different cars. She wanted a convertible, but was willing to settle for something else. The one she really liked (Mini S vert) was a bit more than she had budgeted (not more than she could afford, just more than she had planned on). The other 2 she mostly liked were hardtops.
We sat down to dinner after going and looking and discussed what we had looked at.
My basic statement was:
"It's a toy. You are getting it because you want one. You have to ask which one will make you happy. You have to ask yourself when you come out of work after a hard day and see it sitting in the parking lot waiting to take you home, which one will make you smile? And what are you willing to pay for that?"
She got the S vert. She also did a bit of homework and came to the conclusion that one would hold its value better (hadn't seen salt, she stores it in the winter and doesn't put too many miles on it).

James Bailey

Unlike getting married......buy one you really want do not settle for the first one that says yes.

dr bob

So make a list of the things you require, deal-breaker things. Might be colors or something similar. In Dwayne's case for instance he was making non-sunroof a requirement because of he's tall, and at least initially only S4+ cars because he would only need to know one engine family.

After that pass/fail screening list, follow Doc's and Wisconsin Joe's advice to look at more cars, and make written list of what you want, with a score/weighting value assigned to each one. Each car youok at is "scored" after the initial pass-fail test, based on your weighted wants list.

Expand your search area beyond your immediate area. The perfect car for you may be a hundred or a thousand miles away. Mine was in Denver and came home to the L.A. area. You have a pretty extensive supportt network here; Armed with a good PPI list and your scoresheets, your initial screening will be narrowed down even if the car isn't local to you.

And FWIW, I have looked at some light gray and some linen interiors that are spectacular. Much more refined than the common black insides. The can-can red assualts my senses, and would look out of place in my black car. "Refined" is what I was looking for, rather than "sporty" etc. As Doc suggests, get something that spins your prop when you see it. There will be times when you might not think well of the car (when something isn't going well), and the charm you love will save it from the auction block.

On maintenance history: My car came to me at 22k and almost 9 years old. With a couple inches of dealer-only receipts. Seemingly the Holy Grail car. Digging through that pile of receipts was a clinic. Beyond normal services, there were way too many AC services done for instance. One might ASSume that receipts from the dealer mean that the problems were solved. Not so! The good receipts document its winter and then long-term storage conditions, normal/expected maintenance and services. So look at maintenance and repiar documentation carefully, with a jaundiced eye and an overview look at the work done, when and by whom it was done, and whether it had to be redone. And at your PPI, pay attention to the work done to verify that is is still OK.

docmirror

Written lists? Sheeee-it. What's the fun in that? Find a shiny bauble that spins your prop and throw caution to the wind!

BTW, I was piggy backing on Hack's advice. He was in first with the sentiment, I just came in with some violent agreement.

docmirror

When I bought my 911 lawn mower, I'd been shopping for about 2 years on and off. After so long a time, I almost, almost settled for a silver 996 that had all the features I wanted, but I HATE black and despise silver cars. So - I gave a big sigh, and waited, and waited but finally a red aero 996 came along close to me, and I bought it sight unseen. I'm soooooooo glad I waited for what I really wanted, and on that happy note, I'm gonna hop in and go for a drive on the perfect day.

Saucy

Thanks guys. You are right on and I shouldn't have to settle for a "meh" interior. This will definitely be a "toy" used on clear sky days and will be pampered in the garage near my beer fridge.

I have the list in my head, but it wouldn't take much for me to put it in excel, especially since I am a spreadsheet monkey by day.

michael

SteveG

One eyeball test for "maintenance" is did they do the fuel lines?

I can't add anything to the advise given except that a black interior will remain boring unless you start adding rootwood inlays.

Gary Knox

The color of the seats/side upholstery etc. is easy to change, and can be done well for about $200. As long as you don't need to change the color of the dash, it really is an easy job, requiring only your labor.
I've done it several times. IF you decide you want to do it, I'll provide you a procedure that will give great and long lasting appearance/performance.

pnambic

Just wanted to say, "this site is awesome".
You're a great group of enthusiasts and us newbies appreciate it.

antlee928

ok, you're odd. ;-) LOL

Saucy

Just returned from a test drive of the "limited maintenance" vehicle.

The exterior color is amazing and I looked hard for rust or bubbling in the typical areas. Interior color is ok (not as bad as I thought), seats are in great shape, though one of the rear seats had a portion replaced incorrectly before the current owner purchased the car.

The test drive was great, it was smooth and took off like a rocket on the freeway. That being said, it definitely needs new rubber all around and a top end refresh...the coating on intake was cracked...and the cam covers looked rough. AC was converted to R-134a and was cold...a plus in Houston.

I will have a discussion with the boss tonight...

michael

928 DesMoines

Awesome!! Excited to see what you get!