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1983 928S- any experiences from owners here?

cncrd

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I'm giving serious thought to buying an '83 928S as a third car. Just for fun, because I've always wanted one since I was a kid. The particular one I'm looking at has under 60k miles on and is mechanically in very good condition, has pretty much every single service and repair record, and most importantly is a 5-speed manual transmission.

I've talked pretty extensively to the local Porsche dealership about it, and to several friends/owners who belong to various Porsche clubs. I'm asking here because I seem to be getting one of two answers from everyone I've spoken to: either "I love it, it's been perfect and the best car I've ever owned, never a problem" or "I had to sell one child and one kidney every month to keep it running". Nothing in the middle.

Any owners here willing to share thoughts?
 

Robertito

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I don't own one, but I recall Road & Track recommending the Mercedes-sourced automatic, as it was in keeping with the sporting nature of the car, and clutch replacements for the 5-speed are legendarily expensive.
 

roycel

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As Porsche's flagship from the 80's/ early 90's, I'd think that car is very complicated. All 928s had V8's, so that just leads me to believe in the complexity in the car. Like any other car, I wouldn't consider buying it unless I got a PPI (pre-purchase inspection) first. Bring it with the current owner to a Porsche specialist. You'll pay a couple hundred dollars. They'll check all the parts, tell you what likely will need to be fixed soon, tell you if the car has been in an accident, etc. They'll also do a leakdown/ compression test of the cylinders. I paid for PPI's when I was searching for a mechanically sound e30 M3. Anyway, I do not own a Porsche, but I love 80's and 90's cars. I'm on the Porsche and BMW messageboards a lot. -I'm looking for a 2002 911 to daily drive. They apparently are reliable and a well sorted one is good for 150k miles. Go to Rennlist.com and read up for a solid week. There are buyer's guides for every model. I'm a engineer, and I like taking things apart so I don't mind the risks of an older car. If you're not that kind of guy and you have limited funds, I might stay away. Otherwise, for a car that old, hope for the best, plan for worst. btw. what's your opinion of BMW's e24 M6? It was BMW answer to the 928. I have a 635csi (standard engine). Here's a 635: http://bigcoupe.com/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?t=14306
 

cncrd

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Thanks for both of the responses.

We have an '08 911 currently (she gets to drive it most of the time, unfortunately), so I'm at least familiar with the maintenance issues and other quirks of "normal" Porsches, which have been few and far between so far- it's actually been the most trouble-free car I've ever owned, even ranking ahead of the Audis I was defending in another thread. The 928 is new territory though. I did call the dealership who sold us the 911 to set up an inspection, and discovered that the salesman who helped us collects 928s, so I'm feeling pretty good about having him go through it.

My GF's mother is in her mid-70s now, and somewhat eccentric, but still has her '87 635 sitting in the garage out in Long Beach. I have wanted that car for years. It's nothing like as fast as the M-powered one of course, and is an auto, but it's got something like 30k miles on it and has literally been driven into LA maybe once every two months for 25 years, and that's it. Such a waste. The few times I've been in it, it's been a great cruiser for hitting the highways in California, and I think the E24 body is still a beautiful design. It always gets compliments from the 40-somethings in their new M3s, mostly along the lines of "I always wanted one of those when I was a kid". We drove it down to Coronado and back a few years ago, and it was a beautiful highway ride. Not so much on the curves, but as a true GT it was fabulous, and a lot of fun.
 

impolyt_one

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I almost got one of those pre-revision 928's when I was 16, local lemon lot had one for like $1500 and it was a real dog. I figured I'd drive it until it broke and then figure what to do with it from there, but I bought an E30 325i instead (this was the mid-90's, so the E30 hype hadn't taken off yet - they were just an 'old' looking 3 series back then, when the E36 was nice and new looking)... Could never imagine wanting a 928 now. I'd definitely f with a 944 turbo, a 968, a 6-series, an E28 5er, a W124 coupe, but a 928 would be low on the list.
 

impolyt_one

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Originally Posted by roycel
I'm looking for a 2002 911 to daily drive. They apparently are reliable and a well sorted one is good for 150k miles.

is this true? I've toyed with the idea of getting a 996, but...
 

MrGoodBytes

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I am a lover of the 928's and its between that or the 914's as far as what I would pick up (sorry but I like the oddballs... and the cheap entry points and something I wouldn't feel bad about bastardizing). I see so many of the 928s in my area but the thing that scares the crap out of me, is every one of them, I see spare parts in the back seats of the cars. I doubt the 928s are going to be all that collectible and I'd worry about sourcing a lot of the parts now or down the road. if your hands off and want something that will hold its value, I'd go older. http://bringatrailer.com/2011/02/21/...6-porsche-912/ http://bringatrailer.com/2011/01/29/...7-porsche-911/
 

roycel

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In regards to the reliability of 996s... The 996 911 was introduced in '99 as porsche's first water cooled 911s. The first couple years had two potentially catastrophic issues, but Porsche resolved those problems. You can get those issues taken care of, but it'll cost a couple of grand. It's a labor intensive repair. B/c the 996 had the same looking front end as the cheaper boxster, and b/c they really were the first mass produced 911, they are the cheapest modern 911s out there. There are some okay-sorted examples out there for $15k and up. The most desirable newer model is the 993, produced between '93 and '98 (?). You cannot find them for less than $20k. A lower mileage (<70k) example should go for around $30k. The purchase price and the maintenance costs (they take 16 quarts of oil!!!) are the reasons I cannot buy one of these. Plus... if you ask me, these cars should be strict weekend drivers. I already feel pretty bad about driving my M3 ~20k miles a year. I know I would feel much worse with a 993. Anyway. man I love cars way too much. Here's a thread about high mileage 996s was started a few days ago. The posters may be a little biased, but there are so many high-mileage examples out there. You have to figure they can hold up just fine. http://forums.rennlist.com/rennforum...different.html aight. back to work...
 

roycel

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BTW cncrd: I say you go for the 928. Take your time though and find a well sorted one. edit: One more thing worth mentioning that should be applicable to a 928 in your state is the lower insurance. My insurance on my 635 as a 2nd car is $18/mo. with full coverage. 5k miles per a year limit. It is registered as a classic and is eligible, because it is >25 years of age. I smooth talked my insurer b/c they also required that the car be rare and original (the e24 isn't rare imho) and be part of in a car show or parade. I had entered it into my company's annual car show, so I have pictures for proof. My company is pretty big... After I restore the mechanicals and interior, I will try and turbo it with one of these kits: http://www.millerperformancecars.com...category_id=10 '08 911 eh? Very nice car!
 

themidship22

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Originally Posted by impolyt_one
I almost got one of those pre-revision 928's when I was 16, local lemon lot had one for like $1500 and it was a real dog. I figured I'd drive it until it broke and then figure what to do with it from there, but I bought an E30 325i instead (this was the mid-90's, so the E30 hype hadn't taken off yet - they were just an 'old' looking 3 series back then, when the E36 was nice and new looking)... Could never imagine wanting a 928 now. I'd definitely f with a 944 turbo, a 968, a 6-series, an E28 5er, a W124 coupe, but a 928 would be low on the list.

Can I just say you have impeccable taste in cars. I have own(ed) or lust for all of the cars you listed. I like your style my friend.
 

epb

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Originally Posted by cncrd
Any owners here willing to share thoughts?

3shot1110057699.jpg


The above picture is my previous Porsche collection - a 911, 944, and 928S, all the 1983 model year, all Guards Red with black interiors. In the time I owned them (about 3 years alternating them as my daily drivers), the 911 needed just maintenance like valve adjustments and oil changes, the 944 oil changes and an alternator replacement, and the 928S needed oil changes and a fuel pump relay.

So I don't think the 928 is a nightmare to run, but there are some caveats - I'd only run a 928 if you can do the work yourself; I couldn't find a competent 928 mechanic in all of Chicago. If you have a 944 or 928 rather than a 911, they simply don't give a damn.

Everyone lives in fear of the timing belts, but it's not as bad as people make it sound. Take care of it regularly and you're fine. If it goes, finding another engine isn't too difficult.

The car has a rep for electrical bugaboos, but really this is mostly a matter of cleaning the contacts and keeping them clean. That was always my first response and the bad relay was my only issue, and that was $47 express shipped.

Parts are actually pretty easy to come by - the low prices on 928s means lots are simply junked after years of neglect, and there are shops that specialize in the other parts. It has parts in common with any other high-end German car from the period. Bad trim is more problematic - good interior parts are getting more scarce all the time.

I prefer tha automatic to the 5-speed, as I find the gearing a little off. The manual needs a more aggressive final drive, imo (I feel the same way about the current M6 with manual - it needs a 3.91 instead of the 3.64 in the SMG, but I digress).

If you can swing it, I recommend going for a 928S4 version (1987+). If I ever do it again, I'd want a 1989 928S4, 911 cab, and 944S2, each in black this time. The 928 really came into its own with the appearance update and the 32-valve engine.
 

turboman808

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Originally Posted by MrGoodBytes
I am a lover of the 928's and its between that or the 914's as far as what I would pick up (sorry but I like the oddballs... and the cheap entry points and something I wouldn't feel bad about bastardizing).

That comment always annoys me. Not to pick on you but I hear this all the time.

You want a cheap 914. You are going to get a *************. I've been around the 914 community for some time and there are 10 new guys that think these are cheap cars every week. They buy a POS and think they are going to build a race car out of it. 9 out of 10 never finish their project.

If you get a base model, no extras, just to drive. If it's it perfect condition your going to spend 15-20k. You want a perfect 914-6 your going to spend 30-50k. You want a 914 GT your going to spend 150-350k. 350k if it has a race history. You want the 916(hardtop 914) half million is the starting point.

Ok enough of my psycho rant.
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You don't like the 944 turbo. I always thought they were prettier then the 928. I know they are expensive to repair but hey it's a porsche.
smile.gif
 

MrGoodBytes

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Originally Posted by turboman808
That comment always annoys me. Not to pick on you but I hear this all the time.

You want a cheap 914. You are going to get a *************. I've been around the 914 community for some time and there are 10 new guys that think these are cheap cars every week. They buy a POS and think they are going to build a race car out of it. 9 out of 10 never finish their project.


there are 2 words I used that should have stuck out: cheap and bastardize. but your seething anger can be kept at bay, I have 2 other cars that need to be finished before I could ever consider destroying another one of your community's cars.
fight[1].gif
 

impolyt_one

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Originally Posted by themidship22
Can I just say you have impeccable taste in cars. I have own(ed) or lust for all of the cars you listed. I like your style my friend.

never stayed in America long enough to do all those cars, but i would've, based on my path, got close to all of them. I would've also probably eventually grown a full mullet, gotten a nice mottled tan Armani DB with huge shoulders and a steel/gold Rolex datejust when those cars came to full bloom and they were ripe for pimpin.
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Sucker for nostalgia.
 

roycel

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hey epb.

How is working on the 928? my DD is my M3, and it's a piece of cake to work on. my level of work includes supercharging my Audi A6. 2 weeks ago I changed my driveshaft carrier bearing and guibo in my 635. It took me and a friend 5 hours. We got stuck on something for 2-3 hours...

Your post is making me think twice about my 635csi project and my 996 911 shopping endeavor.

...and impolyt_one: those cars are all on my list. I go back and forth literally every week. It is very easy to own multiple cars in Arizona.
 

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