GT6ixer

So if you set aside the difference in acquisition cost, maintenance costs, future collectablity, etc, which is the best car? As a car guy but a relative newb to the 928 world I always assumed the GTS was the best of the breed based on it being last in the evolutionary line. But maybe it isn't? I realize this is completely subjective but I'm curious to hear from owners of each model and especially those of you that have owned two or all three models at some point.

James Bailey

it is not a simple answer.... however you can make a strong case that the 1989 GT was overall the best iteration....the GTS 5.4 engines tend to have oil consumption issues and early versions came with weak connecting rods.
When it comes to collecting and NOT driving, two very different criteria, most tend to go with the GTS because it is rare and the last version.....so whether you are keeping, trading, or driving will all have different answers.

S4ordie

91 GT. The best of the 89 GT with more amenities. Some don't like the PSD on the 91 GT, but I found it most helpful. Others could claim the early 87-89 S4 5 Speeds with higer gear sets and LSD are the best car. Very subjective.

James Bailey

The C S wheels used on the 89 only GT are the "best" wheels....lightest, strongest (forged), and most expensive ! The GT camshafts are a plus along with higher RPM rev limiter and the 2;75 ratio rear gear ratios make it the hotrod Personally I dislike airbags unless they happen to save your life but all too often a minor deployment is enough to kill the car..... Since I like to steer with the throttle I prefer a conventional limited slip (shimmed up tight) so PSD is not a plus for me Like I said no simple question.

MFranke

I have S4 and a GT. I can't speak to the GTS from an owner point of view. For me my GT is best for weekend romps while S4 is best for commute and long trip comfort. I'm very fond of the S4 for its reliability and comfort as a daily driver, it's use for me since 1993.

My GT is a 91, so it is a pretty smooth ride, with good sound insulation and great feeling power and acceleration. For long highway trips though, while smooth, the engine is not as relaxing to me as my lower geared S4s. The S4s have gobs of power too, but in a different way.

GT and S4 are both great. Depends on what you want to use it for.

What I read about GTS engine oil and temperature issues gives me pause as a buyer. However GTS is the best looking to me by far.

jcorenman

Like Dan said, it is subjective. We've got one of each, all 5-speeds (a personal preference). We've had the S4 since new and have thoroughly enjoyed it. It is fast, comfortable, and happy to do long trips.

The GT is a bit more "edgy", more so with some mods by the PO's, and with some work that we've had done-- more power, geared lower, a bit louder. But still very comfortable for long trips (100K miles in the last 8 years) and a blast in the mountains. More of a tiger than a princess.

The thing to remember about the GTS is that they only made hundreds, not thousands, so they are all special. The best are worth a lot now, and will continue to be rare. But you face a dilemma: Preserve it and save the value, or drive it and enjoy it.

My first choice as a driver would be a GT, but they didn't make a lot of those either so finding a good one is not all that easy.
Good hunting!

ThetaTau87

What amenities does the '91 GT have that the '89 (or '90) GT don't?

I like the GT best, but mainly because I could never afford a GTS and the GT came standard with all the key options that are must haves for my ideal 928 (5-speed, LSD, sport suspension). Never having owned or driven a GTS and having very little driving time in S4s I can't have a truly informed opinion which is best. From what I've read the GT is the best balance of power and handling. The S4 has lower power band and taller final drive ratio for a great low RPM cruiser and highway hauler. The GTS has more power, but also a lot more weight and focuses more on luxury than handling. The GT seems to be the Goldilocks between them.

For me '89 is the best year for the 928. It has the digital dash and no airbags so it has the very handy under dash storage shelves. Also mechanical LSD vs PSD.

The '89 GT also had a few things that were not included on the later GTs, rolled rear fender lips, 17mm rear wheel spacers, forged Club Sport wheels.

I count myself very lucky to own an '89 GT and even more lucky to have paid at the low end of S4 money to buy it. It currently has a GTS rear bumper cover that I will be changing back to the S4/GT cover because I like the earlier style better. In the future I plan to change to GTS mirrors as I feel they fit the overall shape of the 928 better than flag mirrors.

docmirror

The 'best' car is the one you own. I've had a GT, S4 and driven a couple of GTS. You really can't go wrong with any of them. For simplicity, and ease of use I would get the S4 and be a happy clam. If you like to row, get one with a 5 speed and maybe put some tighter shocks on it.

The GT is quite a bit more raw, even though the chassis is almost identical. With the slight extra HP/torque, and the higher gearing it'll do a few things the S4 won't but you won't find those things until you wind it out on the track. The 90GT started with the PSD unit replacing the LSD and with the active traction control on rear wheels it'll make a difference on the track, or very spirited highway driving. Otherwise, you'll never know it's down there.

The GTS is more of a collector, and not so much as a driver, although plenty of owners drive them regularly. I can't see the price value of the GTS over a decent S4. There are a few more HP, and a bit more weight. If you want a GTS, nothing else will do. If you don't have to have it, get the S4 and get about 90% of the performance and experience of the GT or GTS.

RKD in OKC

Had a 90GT, have a 94GTS 5spd. Like the GTS better except for one thing. Going really fast on the highway in the GT when lifting off the accelerator it slowed much quicker.

This is mainly because of driving style. On the highway cars usually travel in groups with gaps between those groups. When in a group work through the group only slightly faster than the group being careful to not tailgate or cut anyone off. Attracts less negative attention that may result in a cell phone call to police. Then when through the traffic and in a gap, open it up until the next group then slow down and politely work through again.

When approaching the next group in the GT all that needed to be done was lifting off the accelerator. The GTS coasts more and requires using the brakes to decelerate as quickly. Using the brakes you not only had to actually move your foot from the accelerator to the brakes, the brake lights announce to everyone that is behind you that you are slowing down to pass traffic. Not moving from the accelerator pedal or worrying about the brake lights made driving fast more relaxing.

As and example was going 160 on a completely deserted highway on a Sunday afternoon. Noticing how the handling felt like I was only going 70, but the scenery was going by really fast. Even changed lanes a few times, very confidence building. As I was doing this my Valentine1 went off, beeeeeeep, and stopped. I immediately lifted in surprise, but didn't touch the brakes. In only few seconds the V1 came back on, Beeeep, beep beep beep beep. Looked down and in the few seconds I had slowed to only 100. Figured I was caught put my foot back down and kept it on 100 for a while. Never saw a patrol car and patrol cars at the next exit so cranked it back up. I imagine I was gotten the first time and when the officer saw 160 on radar he didn't believe it and cycled is radar off and back on and hit me again. In that short time, without brake lights I had slowed from 160 to 100. Maybe that was acceptable for a long stretch of highway with no traffic, don't know, but never saw him.

Oh yeah, the 90GT also had the best sound with the stock exhaust H-pipe, Cats, Resonators, and an RMB. It was just some how musical and would make the hair stand up on the back of my neck.

Part of the joy of having a 5 speed over an automatic is listening to the revs going up through the gears and listening for it to rev a bit higher before picking up the next gear. I've had passengers actually stop talking to listen while accelerating up thru the gears look over and see a smile almost as big as mine, in both cars.

My personal feeling is that you don't hurt the value of a car by driving it IF you keep it in top condition and take care of every niggly little thing as a true enthusiast. Where the only evidence of the miles is the odometer itself and is a point of pride of ownership.

928cs

It's really subjective. What is the use intended?

worf928

Will someone post the results of a search so that the OP can read through the 57-zillion pages of discussion on this topic? (I'd do it but I'm not at my desktop...)

'89GT with extended hub steering option is the best driver unless you have only one leg like Roger.

Cheburator

A GTS 5-spd with GT cams or even better Lizzard's cams is a beast... Oh, I have one

bureau13

Obligatory "Screw all that new-fangled stuff, what you really want is the 5-speed '86.5..."

ROG100

A GTS with GT+ cams, Colin's vacuum system, larger throttle body, 24Lb injectors, X pipe with Lomas exhaust fully tuned by Colin Jensan and coupled to the awesome automatic RogerBox takes some beating for POWER!!!!

Tom in Austin

Here's a clever picture someone created in the past ;-)