decisions
02-21-2016, 01:30 PM
#16
Nordschleife Master
Wow. That's in nice shape.
Paint doesn't look all that bad.
Dash might be savable. Can't quite tell from the pics. rest of the interior looks pretty nice (that saves a ton of cash right there).
Engine work is mostly work. Keep in mind that an 83 is non-interference. If the belt breaks, the engine stops. No big deal. Usually, the belt goes because something else goes (water pump more often than not).
That looks like a great place to start. Not perfect, but none of them are (at least not until you want to pay top dollar).
Paint doesn't look all that bad.
Dash might be savable. Can't quite tell from the pics. rest of the interior looks pretty nice (that saves a ton of cash right there).
Engine work is mostly work. Keep in mind that an 83 is non-interference. If the belt breaks, the engine stops. No big deal. Usually, the belt goes because something else goes (water pump more often than not).
That looks like a great place to start. Not perfect, but none of them are (at least not until you want to pay top dollar).
02-21-2016, 01:41 PM
#17
Rennlist Member
Holy crap! That's much nicer than I thought it would be. KEEP IT! I have an 83 and it is a great car, Simpler to work on than newer versions and just as unique. Very comfortable and dependable.
02-21-2016, 02:17 PM
#19
Welcome! Your car looks very nice. I agree with wpgshark on the paint, good detailers can work miracles. Interior and paint look much better than most given the age, and you know who the owner was and it's history! (look around the site...that petrol blue one going to France for instance will give you an idea what some of the neglected OB's look like today). Prices on 928's have hit bottom, and are maybe rising a little....but not like 911's.
You have a conundrum that most car owners face. You will NEVER sell the car for the amount of money you put into it (even my new Honda will sell for less than I paid for it, especially if you include the cost of maintenance). I bought an 88 S4 in worse shape than yours and fixed it up. Your WP/TB might be done in a few months given you have a non-inference engine, others like fuel line replacement might be something you might want done sooner (car-B-Q pics are so sad). My car is really fun to drive and gets lots of compliments. For me, its a fun good-weather daily driver, and its a Porsche 928...a car I never dreamed I would own. A 928 is not an investment that will make you money...neither will boats, girlfriends/wives, children...but all of these things a lot of people have because they bring them joy.
My advice...fix the things that need fixing (you could easily drop $5k right there so be careful), have it running well and you could sell it for $10 to 15K+. Sell it if you are really cash strapped....there are lots of folks on this forum who would buy it. But if it's running well and fixed....why not just drive the hell out of it! That's what I would do.
You have a conundrum that most car owners face. You will NEVER sell the car for the amount of money you put into it (even my new Honda will sell for less than I paid for it, especially if you include the cost of maintenance). I bought an 88 S4 in worse shape than yours and fixed it up. Your WP/TB might be done in a few months given you have a non-inference engine, others like fuel line replacement might be something you might want done sooner (car-B-Q pics are so sad). My car is really fun to drive and gets lots of compliments. For me, its a fun good-weather daily driver, and its a Porsche 928...a car I never dreamed I would own. A 928 is not an investment that will make you money...neither will boats, girlfriends/wives, children...but all of these things a lot of people have because they bring them joy.
My advice...fix the things that need fixing (you could easily drop $5k right there so be careful), have it running well and you could sell it for $10 to 15K+. Sell it if you are really cash strapped....there are lots of folks on this forum who would buy it. But if it's running well and fixed....why not just drive the hell out of it! That's what I would do.
02-21-2016, 03:26 PM
#20
Nice looking car, and the interior is in pretty nice shape for its age. Throw a new leather dash in there...and it would be done (according to what can be seen in pictures).
I'd replace all of the rubber fuel lines under the hood and drive it for a while.
Congratulations, on your new ride and welcome to the 928 world.
Brian.
I'd replace all of the rubber fuel lines under the hood and drive it for a while.
Congratulations, on your new ride and welcome to the 928 world.
Brian.
02-21-2016, 03:30 PM
#21
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Very nice! I would definitely keep it. Paint has not look as badly as you mentioned. These cars are not getting any more common, so if you are into driving something unique, then you can't do any better than a 928, with a well known history (1 owner from a relative).
Congratulations! Let us know how you progress.
Congratulations! Let us know how you progress.
02-21-2016, 08:23 PM
#22
Rennlist Member
Let me guess: The "Porsche Expert" is willing to help you and buy the car. LOL.
KEEP IT!!
KEEP IT!!
02-22-2016, 08:29 AM
#25
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Thank you all for your input. All positive remarks!
I own other cars ,66 Vette, 53 Jag xk120 undergoing a complete restoration. Years ago my father had a 944 which I drove to Wisconsin . it was the most comfortable car on a long trip I have ever experienced. Averaged 63 mph including stops for gas , It was great! The 928 is solidly built for a 80's car and I like the room and the sound of the v8.
At this point I am thinking to do the timing belt etc. run the car and see how it goes.
The mechanical work should be done whether I sell it or not.
The engine makes a whirring sound , Sounds like a cogged belt or a pulley. Not a high pitched sound
Belt has not been changed since 1989 and the car sat for awhile. Any advise on this whirring sound? Belts, pulleys, fan,?
I own other cars ,66 Vette, 53 Jag xk120 undergoing a complete restoration. Years ago my father had a 944 which I drove to Wisconsin . it was the most comfortable car on a long trip I have ever experienced. Averaged 63 mph including stops for gas , It was great! The 928 is solidly built for a 80's car and I like the room and the sound of the v8.
At this point I am thinking to do the timing belt etc. run the car and see how it goes.
The mechanical work should be done whether I sell it or not.
The engine makes a whirring sound , Sounds like a cogged belt or a pulley. Not a high pitched sound
Belt has not been changed since 1989 and the car sat for awhile. Any advise on this whirring sound? Belts, pulleys, fan,?
02-23-2016, 05:14 PM
#26
Rennlist Member
Welcome! That is a nice looking 928 in a great color combo. It looks unmolested, which is rare and a great place to start. Selling it to buy another will leave you with the same (or more) work in front of you. As others have said, take care of any safety issues and drive it a bit, then decide on investing in the cosmetics.
Where in MA are you? There is a great group of 928ers in the Boston area lurking in the shadows, always looking for an excuse to get our cars together.
If you thought the 944 was a great road trip machine, you will love the 928.
Where in MA are you? There is a great group of 928ers in the Boston area lurking in the shadows, always looking for an excuse to get our cars together.
If you thought the 944 was a great road trip machine, you will love the 928.
02-23-2016, 09:12 PM
#28
I'll leave it to the good mechanics here to advise you on what to fix at first. I suspect their priority will be to fix things that can do major damage. For example, new fuel lines before new timing belt. Once you have done the essentials, I encourage you to drive it a lot to see how much you come to love it. Then decide on the rest of the "investment".
I have a 1981. I was amazed at how well it handled the first time I joined a 928 group for some "spirited driving" through twisty rural roads. It has now been driven to all 3 coasts and has amazed me as an interstate cruiser.
I own a 1967 Corvette 327 , my third. I love the looks of it and the straight line acceleration is fun. But is incredibly primitive compared to my 928 in handling and comfort.
My guess is that your 928 will soon be the favorite in your "fun car" collection and you will be happy to spend what it takes to make you even happier. Notice that I used the word "spend" instead of the word "invest" .
Brad
I have a 1981. I was amazed at how well it handled the first time I joined a 928 group for some "spirited driving" through twisty rural roads. It has now been driven to all 3 coasts and has amazed me as an interstate cruiser.
I own a 1967 Corvette 327 , my third. I love the looks of it and the straight line acceleration is fun. But is incredibly primitive compared to my 928 in handling and comfort.
My guess is that your 928 will soon be the favorite in your "fun car" collection and you will be happy to spend what it takes to make you even happier. Notice that I used the word "spend" instead of the word "invest" .
Brad
02-23-2016, 09:50 PM
#29
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I live in Pembroke Ma . I would love for someone local with experience in 928's to see my car and shoot the breeze. I have diagnosed that the whirring noise is a torque tube bearing , thinking this should be my first priority.
anybody have service manuals for sale at a reasonable price?
every time I look at this car I just want to fix it and make it right . I have enough to do with other car projects but my gut is telling me to go one step at a time a end up with a real nice driver.
anybody have service manuals for sale at a reasonable price?
every time I look at this car I just want to fix it and make it right . I have enough to do with other car projects but my gut is telling me to go one step at a time a end up with a real nice driver.
