dcdude

Was reading Anderson's market wrap up on 928s in Excellence. Got me thinking (bad idea) Lead me to Autotrader. Lots of nice 928s, many with very low miles, some with original "rich guy" owners.

I assume the first few model year, sub-$10K cars are out, but are there any particular model years that represent something close to a good "value," where if you find a nice one, impeccably maintained, it can give reliable service like we receive from our 911s when driven occasionally? (my 993 isn't going anywhere)

Or, are all 928s just time bombs full of myriad electrical gremlins just waiting to $uck you dry and I should have the sense to take my hand off a hot stove?

Marv

"Or, are all 928s just time bombs..."

That's my understanding of it, but why not ask the 928 group?

SeanR

I helped you out a bit.

https://rennlist.com/forums/928-forum/470567-this-993-guy-needs-some-advice.html

AOW162435

I'd have no issues parking a '95 GTS next to my Dung Beetle.


Andreas

993Maineiac

Shark owners I know routinely love their cars. The swear it is the best road car ever made and that with normal preventative maintainance they are bulletproof.

plastex

I've had 4 911's 70T,76 2.7Turbo, 95'-993, and have an 01' 996 now. I also have an 83 928 that I bought because I always loved the look of them.

I would never buy a 928 over a 911. The 911's are way more dependable, and seem more simple in design. Every time I turn around there is some relay/vacuum problem with these cars.

Don't say I didn't warn you.

Oscar,
Akron, Ohio

Garth S

I will always have a 928 ( and a 993! ) .... and have had at least one since '85: the one I prefer is the '80 5-sp below, which has become the 'keeper': the 16v engine, while less powerful than the S4/GT 32v, is a sweeter reving and non-interference unit. The chassis is lighter, and very ameniable to suspension and brake updates that improve the handling dramatically.
I've had S4's, and think they are great, albeit a bit more complex and costly to service .... not an issue here as I've been tearing other guys 928's apart for many years: most often, they even get back together enough to drive away
IMHO, as justifibly legendary is the build quality of the 993 - the 928 is even better; however, it can take a ton of money to put one right that has issues. This is where a critical PPI is mandatory .... from someone who knows 928's.

My car has been bullet proof - I've spent more on Chevy or Ford trucks.

Marine Blue

Like any high performance machine, if the cars do not have proper maintenance history and are not cared for they will be unreliable money pits. 928's are no exception although I will say that there are probably more 928's which have fallen into the hands of owners that do not understand regular maintenance. The same general rule for 993's "buy the best you can afford" also applies to 928's.

Do your homework, get a PPI and you will not be disappointed. The 928 group here on Rennlist is also probably one of the best as far as helping out fellow owners.

Good luck on your search.

TRINITONY

Two years ago my co-worker bought a sweet red 928, nice rims, blah blah blah. Spent a bunch of money at local dealer to get everything up to par. Couple months later, KABOOM, BAM, SLAM..- engine took a crap, bigass hole in it..WTF.. So he spent the next year rebuilding a sourced block, putting everything back to new. Lots of headaches getting parts from Germany etc, plus alot of 4 x 8 pieces when it came to rings etc.... Car went back on the road this past spring me thinks and running like a champ.

Well after enjoyin it for the summer, a whinning sound surface after some spirited driving. EEK...transmission woes, new one will be on order soon.

Plus there were some electical gremlins etc..

Very nice cars, wont want to own one though.

TRINITONY

from rubber bullets...

ROG100

I own more 928's than I remember and all are far superior to any 911 derivative I have driven IMOO.
Year on year the 928 is a far better car mechanically and as you know was the only true Porsche designed from the ground up.
I am not saying this to flame the 911 as that car is a marvelous car in its own niche. Its just that the 928 starts where the 911 leaves off. My opinion I know.
I have never had a 928 let me down. Its the most reliable type of car I have ever owned. Never owned a 911 so can't comment. If you do not have any wrenching ability and need to rely on the local Porsche dealer forget it as your pockets are not deep enough for the rip off.
Find a local 928 savvy mechanic and your will be in hog heaven.
Don't knock the 928 until you have driven one and ingnore the comments from people who have not.
Its the best kept secret on the planet bar non.
Roger

SteveG

Probably need to drive one. It might be worth your trip to 928 Specialists' (928gt.com) Sharks in the Mountains in the spring, somewhere in the mts of western NC. You will see +/- 50 of them and catch a ride I bet.

blitz928

I have had 7 Porsches in my life my favorite being an 89 928gt, 2nd was my 95 993 C2.

You will enjoy a 928 immensely. Remember that low mileage means very little on these cars. Maintenance is the most important thing. Usually a car owned by a rennlister is a good idea. Tons of good cars out there, patience will be rewarded, though.

worf928

The essential problem - IMO - with the 928 and the basis of all 928 "stories" is that PAG did not get fully behind the car, market it, and build it in numbers. As a result, nearly all Porsche techs never do the same job twice on a 928. They don't like working on them. They don't make any money working on them. So they don't give a **** about working on them.

Until PorscheFans came around in the mid-90s, if you took your 928 to a dealer or an independent "911 shop" there was a 9/10 chance of getting a car back in worse shape than when you dropped it off. That's the root cause of all '928 time bomb' stories. The more a 928 has been 'dealer maintained' the more remedial work is required. Whereas a 17-year old example that's only had fluid changes is better starting place because nothing has been eff'd up by thoughtless monkeys.

There are exceptions. There are a tiny handful of gray-haired Porsche techs that work on enough 928s to not screw them up to the point of self-destruction. But, you have to find one. Or become one.

sty3x

Are you an original rich guy owner of your 993??