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I am curious as to the list's opinion on an '86 928 with 122k miles, that I have been offered for $1,100. It is an '86 automatic, guards red w/ black interior standard 928. The problem is that when I first saw it 10 years ago it was a sweet car. The owner lost interest and parked it about that time, and it has sat outside under a tarp since. It is showing signs of serious neglect, and I'm sure needs a ton of work.
Part of me thinks it is best to pass on it, wait a bit, and find a better model, but the other part really wants to bring it back. I have a soft spot for wayward/neglected vehicles. I have brought back and rebuilt a few vintage motorcycles, and am currently finishing up a 50's Chrysler. Never a more complex vehicle like a 928.
I'll add, as a child of the 80's, posters of the 928 were plastered on my walls, so much of this may be nostalgia. The only Porches' I've been in are my fathers old 914 and a friends 944, both fun but without much grunt.
I'm thinking this might be a fun long term project, just a bit concerned it might be too far gone. I know this isn't much to go on, but thought I'd start looking into what these need when left to sit.
If you turn your own tools buy it work on it until you find another that requires less work, they all require work, get one driving continue to work on the other.
lol jees I bought one exactly like that grey '86.5 that 6 years earlier did some work on. Other that the repaint it has turned out to be a very nice car. (money was involved)
Thanks for the quick replies. I will try to get the full VIN and decode it.
To answer questions. I do much of my own work, but consider myself a basic/hobby mechanic. I have been able to bring similar vehicles back to the road and driveable, but quickly learned how much better they can run when a trained technician gets their hands on them. I just love working on older vehicles.
It hasn't been run in many years, and the tires are flat, any gas left in it is pretty bad I'm sure. The owner is moving and wants it gone. They were offered the same from a parts breaker, so told me if I were interested, to let then know and come get it for the same.
I currently have a newer '07 Mustang and my grandfathers MGB for sporty cars, so I'm in no need of rushing to get it on the road, I'm just thinking it might make a nice long term dream car project. That said, I'm always a bit cautious about purchases.
Post pictures and the VIN, but based on the info you've given I'd recommend against buying a non-running S3 that's been sitting for so long and stored so poorly just based on the cost of parts needed to get the engine back to don't catch fire or crash valves into pistons running status. That said there is parts value at that price if it's an 86.5 (last 4 digits of VIN >999) and you can easily recoup the cost if you decide it's too far gone once you start peeling the onion or better yet use it as a donor to help you rehab a car that has at least one of good paint / interior / engine.
You have been watching that car for years.
Quit looking for affirmation of what your heart is already telling you.
Buy it!!
Very little risk at 1100. If you buy it and find that it is beyond saving, You can triple your 1100 investment selling parts alone.
Just go buy the thing, you have been driving by it for years, wondering how it has been doing under that tarp.....
Get the mice and old gas out, then see what ya got.
If you can make it better before selling it on, you'll be a hero to us. You'll need garage space, time and some money. Your nostalgia will help. Much of the needed expertise can come from this forum.
If you find yourself buying a blue tarp for it, sell it immediately.
sounded like you were describing my car and purchase to the letter. 86 red auto 123K,stored 7-9 years but I paid 2k. I think I might have about 1K in parts in it but feel I could get almost double that with a little more detailing work if I were to consider getting rid of it.
pic from when I picked it up.
I bought two neglected 928s. I paid 800 for the first non runner and 650 for my 79. Both were well worth it for a variety of reasons. I wound up choosing the 79 as the project with the 81 becoming a donor.
It's a ton of work and a ton of money. Would I do it again? Probably not, as I get older, I am less and less inclined to want to work my butt off. That's not to say I don't enjoy it but I would spend 4500 and get a better start on it all. Yes, it would still need work but at least I wouldn't be doing it all at once.
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Worth buying neglected 928
