Chalkboss

Looks like I fall into the burly simian wielding a stout club. At least not knuckle dragging.

Mongo

I spoke with someone a long time ago who had a GTS. They claimed it feels like a completely different car compared to an S4 or GT. Albeit, of course it was different than a GT since it was an automatic GTS. However, I find it hard to believe that the car feels entirely that different. Powerwise, yes, but handling and overall ride?

GT6ixer

Thanks for all the good input so far. As a 928 admirer from afar for years I am just starting a search for a 928 that's a good fit. I have never been into 911s and always thought the 928 represented a more refined/technological approach to Porsche's sports car designs at the time. I like the idea of a 928 for long road trips and highway cruising. I'd probably never track the car so sounds like the potential of a GT would be lost on me.


I'm drawn to the styling and gadgetry of the GTS, but maybe an S4 is a more practical 928 to live with? Though I've read that the GTS is the quietest in terms of road noise. Is that true? How loud is it inside a 928 at say highway speeds?


The 1986.5 intrigues me as well. Really like the looks and the rubber spoiler to me is the best looking of the rear hatch aero treatments.


Nate

MainePorsche

The only real 'gadgetry' difference from S4 to GTS is the electronic display.
You'd be right in liking the 928 for long road trips - it is absolutely a wonderful true GT class car. The seating and ergonomics are a pleasure. Highway noise I can't speak to - my car sounds and feels great on the road. I will say that my S4 and my 86.5 past hummed deeply at idle - I had care of a 90 GT for months one time and thought it had a very 'throaty' sound and feel to it. You'd be right to intrigued by an 86.5.

Bill Ball

I don't think these model differences matter very much. I do appreciate the digital dash functionality in my 89 and the lack of a bulbous airbag steering wheel (90+) that, strange but true, makes the whole car feel heavier than it is. That's OK, but my main objective in buying a 928 was to find the car in the best condition and that had been very well-maintained, then drive it a lot, and take care of it without obsessing over it. I didn't care too much about anything else (color, options, tranny type). Buying the best car (in terms of condition) I could afford, regardless of model year and other features, has worked well for me. This 27 year old car has been my primary mode of transportation for 17 years and 210K miles. It's been all over under all kinds of conditions and been pushed to its limits over and over, and it still looks and feels remarkably fresh. It's been miles and miles of smiles.

docmirror

Yup, you need an S4. I found the 88 with the 2.20 gears and the fine auto to be the cats-meow for a nice mix of driving perf and comfort. I also had an 86.5 which is lighter and still has gobs of oomph. Wouldn't hesitate to recommend that as well if it hits all your buttons otherwise. I was very happy with my salvage title 86.5 and miss it maybe more than other 928s I had. The 88 S4 is a sweet, low cost option.

928 DesMoines

I prefer 1990 and above because it gives you dual airbags and PSD. Both are very nice features in my opinion. if you like the feel of a manual trans and can score a GT any year (or even a manual s4), you are doing really well, but I really the s4 on the highway....it really is a beautiful smooth car that chews up the miles like nothing else on the road. You are also probably getting the most for your money when you buy an S4 car right now I think all the values might change gears this summer though.

polecat702

I've had 2 S4's, an 87, and the 89 we have now.

Hands down the 89 is our favorite. Both cars had similar options, the 89 has the rear A/C.

We take our 928, on long trips and it never disappoints. Great car, very comfortable. But the best car you can afford!

William A

Lots of great input from very knowledgeable, long term owners here. OP mentioned resale and collectability not high on the priority list. I am one of those that say, "Drive 'em!"


Take the info and run with it. What I mean is drive as many cars as you can. Not just of the different iterations, but of the same as well. Mark Anderson have often discussed over many years how differing condition between cars of the same type make night and day differences.


All of these cars are 20 to almost 40 years old now, and age takes its toll. So I wouldn't worry as much about mileage as I would a well sorted 928.


Lastly, some might call me crazy, but choose a car you love to look at in addition to love to drive. For me, the looks of the car is the final and vital element of the complete ownership experience.

cobalt

As the market changes we seem to be seeing a lot of the same topics being repeated all over again.

I am a long time 911 owner but still a huge fan of the 928. Owning only two but driving many I find the 928 is the more consistent feel across the model line Porsche ever made. There are subtle differences between them but they are all great drivers.

You can't go wrong with any in good mechanical condition. I personally like the wide body cars looks but that is my taste.

PS: I have several friends who own GTS's mostly 93MY cars. Not one of them have oil consumption issues and I have yet to see one that was not blown have any connecting rod issues. My car has 66k miles and it still dynos better than factory numbers on a dynojet. A really enjoyable car to drive. I just put 1000 miles on my car these past two weeks and my dipstick shows the same as it did when I did the oil change two weeks ago. I have never had to add oil to mine even the one time I went 3500 miles between oil changes.

hacker-pschorr

I want to re-do that image to reflect the added heft 928's gained over the years that would paint a slightly different picture

GT6ixer

I completely agree with your point about loving the looks of the car. It would bug me if I got a perfectly sorted example but every time I walked into the garage I wasn't looking at the color combo that I really wanted.

Yeah and too bad I just can't go down to my neighborhood Porsche dealer and go for a bunch of test drives. I suspect through this process I'll be lucky to drive two or three before I pull the trigger. I have a friend who's brother owns one so I'll probably start there.

Tom. M

Stop out at the XXX drive-in in Issaquah on Sunday April 24th. We usually have a big showing of 928's...all years and models....You can at least check them out up close to give you some ideas of the differences between each model...

http://www.pnwr.org/calendar07/displ...16&Window=Same

GT6ixer

Ahh perfect. I'm over in West Seattle and know exactly where the XXX is. I actually was going to start looking for 928 events in the area, so good timing. Thanks for the heads up!

Nate

Rod Handsfield

Wonderful Points. I've had a '91 S4 auto, '88 S4 5 speed and am now in the process of revitalizing an '83 Euro S 5 speed. The '91 was the best of the lot; smooth refined and relatively quiet. The '88 had more of a sporting pretense but was a lot noisier. The '83 Euro is a very different car with manual seats, no cruise control, LSD and a nasty exhaust note - a completely different car - much sportier and RAW by comparison to the S4's.
These cars tend to take over one's automotive/mechanical life - purchase one and the obsession often commences.
My best advice is to purchase a good one (all of mine have had less than 60K miles) and see where it takes you. They are not for everyone and you will know fairly quickly if the 928 disease strikes you. If not, the cost of the adventure is not so dear that fortunes and marriages tend to be lost.