Discussion
I'm on my second manual 981 Boxster S and it's probably the perfect summer car. But earlier in the year I added a lovely low miles 1992 BMW E32 730i to my small collection and it's actually become my daily driver since I work from home and don't do a ton of miles. And it's made me realise that there's no reason an older car shouldn't be reliable if you look after it and drive it regularly.
My first introduction to the world of Porsche was my 20-year-older half brother, who had a 944S2 and still owns the 968 he bought in 1991. As a teenager at the time, I was completely enamoured and promised myself I'd get one of my own one day. The same brother bought me a Scalextric set when I was a whippersnapper and the cars in the set were the Porsche 928. As me move closer to the EV era, it occurs to me that I've never owned a V8, and I still have that front-engined Porsche itch to scratch. Maybe kill two birds with one stone with a 928?
So I've been brushing up on my 928 knowledge, reading whatever I can find and watching every 928 video and I think I have a fair idea of what changes happened with what year. I really love the original body shape but I don't want to buy a car just for that. I would definitely prefer a manual, so I've been looking at 1990s 928GTs. But I don't know anyone personally who's owned a 928 and I've never driven one either. I'm guessing it might feel a bit like a BMW 850Ci to drive? I don't have a specific budget but I think I ought to be able to get something nice for around £20k. But I don't know these cars inside out and I'm sure there are plenty of gotchas to watch out for. I'm looking for a car I can drive regularly so it won't be a garage queen but I'd like some semblance of reliability and don't really want a project car. I'm also not buying as an investment - if I were I'd be putting that money towards something else. I placed a bid on this one sight unseen, but as I wasn't able to view the car in person I didn't feel comfortable with bidding above the budget I'd set in my mind for that car:
https://www.historics.co.uk/buying/auctions/2021-1...
Can you recommend any buying guides or other resources which would help me choose a nice example and avoid any pitfalls? Do you know any nice manual cars for sale for around the price I'm looking to pay? And advice much appreciated.
Thanks!
My first introduction to the world of Porsche was my 20-year-older half brother, who had a 944S2 and still owns the 968 he bought in 1991. As a teenager at the time, I was completely enamoured and promised myself I'd get one of my own one day. The same brother bought me a Scalextric set when I was a whippersnapper and the cars in the set were the Porsche 928. As me move closer to the EV era, it occurs to me that I've never owned a V8, and I still have that front-engined Porsche itch to scratch. Maybe kill two birds with one stone with a 928?
So I've been brushing up on my 928 knowledge, reading whatever I can find and watching every 928 video and I think I have a fair idea of what changes happened with what year. I really love the original body shape but I don't want to buy a car just for that. I would definitely prefer a manual, so I've been looking at 1990s 928GTs. But I don't know anyone personally who's owned a 928 and I've never driven one either. I'm guessing it might feel a bit like a BMW 850Ci to drive? I don't have a specific budget but I think I ought to be able to get something nice for around £20k. But I don't know these cars inside out and I'm sure there are plenty of gotchas to watch out for. I'm looking for a car I can drive regularly so it won't be a garage queen but I'd like some semblance of reliability and don't really want a project car. I'm also not buying as an investment - if I were I'd be putting that money towards something else. I placed a bid on this one sight unseen, but as I wasn't able to view the car in person I didn't feel comfortable with bidding above the budget I'd set in my mind for that car:
https://www.historics.co.uk/buying/auctions/2021-1...
Can you recommend any buying guides or other resources which would help me choose a nice example and avoid any pitfalls? Do you know any nice manual cars for sale for around the price I'm looking to pay? And advice much appreciated.
Thanks!
Edited by LunarOne on Monday 6th December 01:31
I've got an 89' GT. Owned it for around 12 years. Previous owner had it around the same time and it has been used properly by the both of us so has high mileage. They are overengineered and solid.
The GT features higher lift camshafts and a host of other mods that differentiate it from the standard S4's and they are rare with only 225 RHD cars listed for the UK.
It's my 3rd 928, I previously owned an 83 series 1 and an S4 - both which were automatics. They are true GT cars and if you have ever heard of Clarkson's story about his father on his deathbed; I had the same in my car and have amazing memories, hence why it's hard to part with.
Sadly I put it away in a shipping container for 5 years and it's been waiting for remedial work since and I cannot get a slot until the end of January next year. I'm expecting to throw another £5k at it before it hits the market but true low mileage cars go for around £50-70k and its a driver not a trailer queen. It will have around £40k in the history file before it goes and I've added £10k to that but its always been over-serviced. I'm looking forward to getting it finished - again. So I can decide to sell it then change my mind
The GT features higher lift camshafts and a host of other mods that differentiate it from the standard S4's and they are rare with only 225 RHD cars listed for the UK.
It's my 3rd 928, I previously owned an 83 series 1 and an S4 - both which were automatics. They are true GT cars and if you have ever heard of Clarkson's story about his father on his deathbed; I had the same in my car and have amazing memories, hence why it's hard to part with.
Sadly I put it away in a shipping container for 5 years and it's been waiting for remedial work since and I cannot get a slot until the end of January next year. I'm expecting to throw another £5k at it before it hits the market but true low mileage cars go for around £50-70k and its a driver not a trailer queen. It will have around £40k in the history file before it goes and I've added £10k to that but its always been over-serviced. I'm looking forward to getting it finished - again. So I can decide to sell it then change my mind
I ran a 928 GT as my daily drive over 20 years ago. Superb car, as mentioned by previous poster. Mine was utterly faultless - totally reliable and also quite practical. Anyone over the age of 10 wouldn't want to sit in the back for long though.
Downside: it really does like a drink. I never once saw more than 18mpg out of it. Traffic policing wasn't as stringent as it is today, and I saw single figure mpg at times.
Ultimately I replaced mine with a 944 Turbo. It would be a hard choice between them if I was to go back to one or the other, but I think the 928 would win just for the engine. Maybe.
Downside: it really does like a drink. I never once saw more than 18mpg out of it. Traffic policing wasn't as stringent as it is today, and I saw single figure mpg at times.
Ultimately I replaced mine with a 944 Turbo. It would be a hard choice between them if I was to go back to one or the other, but I think the 928 would win just for the engine. Maybe.
julian987R said:
Stating the obvious but a manual commands between 10-15K above an automatic…circa £30k. Therefore, hate to say it, but your budget is a bit low in my opinion.
Thanks Julian! Sounds like I should have kept bidding! As I said my budget really isn't a budget - just a guideline of where I thought prices were. The manual isn't absolutely essential but the 730i is the first automatic I've owned and while it's very big and comfy and relaxing, I do like to do my own gear changing, plus it gives more opportunity for playing the engine like a musical instrument! And as I build my collection of cars, I'd like to focus on manual cars as gears won't be a thing in the EV age and I'll miss my gears as much as a tuneful engine.LunarOne said:
Do you know any nice manual cars for sale for around the price I'm looking to pay? And advice much appreciated.
Dunno about budget, but a friend of mine's uncle was a few years ago building a collection of GTs - he had a blue and a red, and was looking for a white. He brought them along to our Goodwood Charity Days two years running - one of them won 'Best in show' IIRC.Time has moved on, and in the summer when I last chatted about it, I think the uncle was going to move them on.
These are good ones though, so won't be cheap.
I'll ask him anyway - don't get your hopes up though... they may be gone already.
Orangecurry said:
LunarOne said:
Do you know any nice manual cars for sale for around the price I'm looking to pay? And advice much appreciated.
Dunno about budget, but a friend of mine's uncle was a few years ago building a collection of GTs - he had a blue and a red, and was looking for a white. He brought them along to our Goodwood Charity Days two years running - one of them won 'Best in show' IIRC.Time has moved on, and in the summer when I last chatted about it, I think the uncle was going to move them on.
These are good ones though, so won't be cheap.
I'll ask him anyway - don't get your hopes up though... they may be gone already.
LunarOne said:
I'm on my second manual 981 Boxster S and it's probably the perfect summer car. But earlier in the year I added a lovely low miles 1992 BMW E32 730i to my small collection and it's actually become my daily driver since I work from home and don't do a ton of miles. And it's made me realise that there's no reason an older car shouldn't be reliable if you look after it and drive it regularly.
My first introduction to the world of Porsche was my 20-year-older half brother, who had a 944S2 and still owns the 968 he bought in 1991. As a teenager at the time, I was completely enamoured and promised myself I'd get one of my own one day. The same brother bought me a Scalextric set when I was a whippersnapper and the cars in the set were the Porsche 928. As me move closer to the EV era, it occurs to me that I've never owned a V8, and I still have that front-engined Porsche itch to scratch. Maybe kill two birds with one stone with a 928?
So I've been brushing up on my 928 knowledge, reading whatever I can find and watching every 928 video and I think I have a fair idea of what changes happened with what year. I really love the original body shape but I don't want to buy a car just for that. I would definitely prefer a manual, so I've been looking at 1990s 928GTs. But I don't know anyone personally who's owned a 928 and I've never driven one either. I'm guessing it might feel a bit like a BMW 850Ci to drive? I don't have a specific budget but I think I ought to be able to get something nice for around £20k. But I don't know these cars inside out and I'm sure there are plenty of gotchas to watch out for. I'm looking for a car I can drive regularly so it won't be a garage queen but I'd like some semblance of reliability and don't really want a project car. I'm also not buying as an investment - if I were I'd be putting that money towards something else. I placed a bid on this one sight unseen, but as I wasn't able to view the car in person I didn't feel comfortable with bidding above the budget I'd set in my mind for that car:
https://www.historics.co.uk/buying/auctions/2021-1...
Can you recommend any buying guides or other resources which would help me choose a nice example and avoid any pitfalls? Do you know any nice manual cars for sale for around the price I'm looking to pay? And advice much appreciated.
Thanks!
This is a great read and will save you £££ in guiding you in the right direction.My first introduction to the world of Porsche was my 20-year-older half brother, who had a 944S2 and still owns the 968 he bought in 1991. As a teenager at the time, I was completely enamoured and promised myself I'd get one of my own one day. The same brother bought me a Scalextric set when I was a whippersnapper and the cars in the set were the Porsche 928. As me move closer to the EV era, it occurs to me that I've never owned a V8, and I still have that front-engined Porsche itch to scratch. Maybe kill two birds with one stone with a 928?
So I've been brushing up on my 928 knowledge, reading whatever I can find and watching every 928 video and I think I have a fair idea of what changes happened with what year. I really love the original body shape but I don't want to buy a car just for that. I would definitely prefer a manual, so I've been looking at 1990s 928GTs. But I don't know anyone personally who's owned a 928 and I've never driven one either. I'm guessing it might feel a bit like a BMW 850Ci to drive? I don't have a specific budget but I think I ought to be able to get something nice for around £20k. But I don't know these cars inside out and I'm sure there are plenty of gotchas to watch out for. I'm looking for a car I can drive regularly so it won't be a garage queen but I'd like some semblance of reliability and don't really want a project car. I'm also not buying as an investment - if I were I'd be putting that money towards something else. I placed a bid on this one sight unseen, but as I wasn't able to view the car in person I didn't feel comfortable with bidding above the budget I'd set in my mind for that car:
https://www.historics.co.uk/buying/auctions/2021-1...
Can you recommend any buying guides or other resources which would help me choose a nice example and avoid any pitfalls? Do you know any nice manual cars for sale for around the price I'm looking to pay? And advice much appreciated.
Thanks!
Edited by LunarOne on Monday 6th December 01:31
https://www.waterstones.com/book/porsche-928/david...
MPG is around 25 on a run which surprised me.
Worth renewing the Bosch relays as a precaution. Many electrical gremlins are due to 30 year old relays. Shock !
Replace and relax.
Great engineering, dynamics and comfort.
Both LSD and PSD do their job well, and if you get one with PSD it's the same unit that sits in the 959.
Plus you have a thumping V8 soundtrack.
Great cars. Did 35k miles in a S4 and a GTS as daily drivers in 2004/5.
Most common electrical problems are caused by poor grounds / old fuses rather than relays but easy to fix.
Thrust bearing / flex plate can be an issue on autos if not checked / adjusted by someone who knows what to look for (eg Paul Anderson in Stroud).
HVAC issues common too. I fixed my air con in the GTS but it took some work.
Overall very reliable and superb cruisers. And look uber cool these days. And Rennlist is a fantastic resource for info.
Most common electrical problems are caused by poor grounds / old fuses rather than relays but easy to fix.
Thrust bearing / flex plate can be an issue on autos if not checked / adjusted by someone who knows what to look for (eg Paul Anderson in Stroud).
HVAC issues common too. I fixed my air con in the GTS but it took some work.
Overall very reliable and superb cruisers. And look uber cool these days. And Rennlist is a fantastic resource for info.
sparta6 said:
This is a great read and will save you £££ in guiding you in the right direction.
https://www.waterstones.com/book/porsche-928/david...
MPG is around 25 on a run which surprised me.
Worth renewing the Bosch relays as a precaution. Many electrical gremlins are due to 30 year old relays. Shock !
Replace and relax.
Great engineering, dynamics and comfort.
Both LSD and PSD do their job well, and if you get one with PSD it's the same unit that sits in the 959.
Plus you have a thumping V8 soundtrack.
My first Boxster didn't have an LSD but my current one does, and it makes a night and day difference when driving fast on switchback bends. Do not all 928s have an LSD?https://www.waterstones.com/book/porsche-928/david...
MPG is around 25 on a run which surprised me.
Worth renewing the Bosch relays as a precaution. Many electrical gremlins are due to 30 year old relays. Shock !
Replace and relax.
Great engineering, dynamics and comfort.
Both LSD and PSD do their job well, and if you get one with PSD it's the same unit that sits in the 959.
Plus you have a thumping V8 soundtrack.
I get less than 24mpg on average in my Boxster, and about 22mpg in the 730i so I'd be surprised if a 928 in my hands got anywhere near 25mpg even on a run. But I'm not looking for economy as I only do one or two long road trips a year, and none in 2020 and 2021! Usually I head down to the South of France via the Alps or the Pyrenees and I'm not sure the French are too friendly to older cars - especially in the cities. But I expect the UK will be just as bad soon. London already is!
I've bought that book you recommended - thanks for the tip!
Discombobulate said:
Great cars. Did 35k miles in a S4 and a GTS as daily drivers in 2004/5.
Most common electrical problems are caused by poor grounds / old fuses rather than relays but easy to fix.
Thrust bearing / flex plate can be an issue on autos if not checked / adjusted by someone who knows what to look for (eg Paul Anderson in Stroud).
HVAC issues common too. I fixed my air con in the GTS but it took some work.
Overall very reliable and superb cruisers. And look uber cool these days. And Rennlist is a fantastic resource for info.
Thanks! I'm not averse to having to spend time and money on a car to keep it in top condition - that's part of the fun for me. Electrical gremlins are not usually too much of an issue for me as long as spares are available. I managed a B-grade at A-level electronics back in the early 90s so I know my way around a test light, multimeter and oscilloscope. And I'm fairly handy with a spanner too. It's just interiors and bodywork and paint that give me shivers down my spine - I'd have to get a professional involved!Most common electrical problems are caused by poor grounds / old fuses rather than relays but easy to fix.
Thrust bearing / flex plate can be an issue on autos if not checked / adjusted by someone who knows what to look for (eg Paul Anderson in Stroud).
HVAC issues common too. I fixed my air con in the GTS but it took some work.
Overall very reliable and superb cruisers. And look uber cool these days. And Rennlist is a fantastic resource for info.
LunarOne said:
Thanks! I'm not averse to having to spend time and money on a car to keep it in top condition - that's part of the fun for me. Electrical gremlins are not usually too much of an issue for me as long as spares are available. I managed a B-grade at A-level electronics back in the early 90s so I know my way around a test light, multimeter and oscilloscope. And I'm fairly handy with a spanner too. It's just interiors and bodywork and paint that give me shivers down my spine - I'd have to get a professional involved!
Then your first job should be to get a diagram (eg from Rennlist) of all the car’s ground points and clean them up. Then replace all fuses. An easy hour or two that will reap great dividends. Enjoy 
I did 20k miles in a S2 5spd as my only car in 2003-2004. Then I did another 60k miles in a GT between 2004 and 2007. I now have a GTS 5-spd and a GTS 5-spd race car.
I have also driven quite a lot an 8-series that belonged to a friend. The latter is a pure GT - there is no sportiness in it all. Looks superb, but its design is cashing checks that the drivetrain/chassis cannot honour. The 928 on the other hand is a perfect blend of sports and GT abilities.
Don’t buy a project. Simple as that. I have restored my GTS to factory fresh condition and I am 90% done restoring to a factory fresh condition a complete and running 2-owners 928S4 5spd which was always serviced at one and the same OPC from 1989 until parked up in 2006. Both have been “interesting” projects - financially, logistically and time scale wise. Spend the money on a car which has had money and love recently.
I have also driven quite a lot an 8-series that belonged to a friend. The latter is a pure GT - there is no sportiness in it all. Looks superb, but its design is cashing checks that the drivetrain/chassis cannot honour. The 928 on the other hand is a perfect blend of sports and GT abilities.
Don’t buy a project. Simple as that. I have restored my GTS to factory fresh condition and I am 90% done restoring to a factory fresh condition a complete and running 2-owners 928S4 5spd which was always serviced at one and the same OPC from 1989 until parked up in 2006. Both have been “interesting” projects - financially, logistically and time scale wise. Spend the money on a car which has had money and love recently.
Cheburator mk2 said:
I did 20k miles in a S2 5spd as my only car in 2003-2004. Then I did another 60k miles in a GT between 2004 and 2007. I now have a GTS 5-spd and a GTS 5-spd race car.
I have also driven quite a lot an 8-series that belonged to a friend. The latter is a pure GT - there is no sportiness in it all. Looks superb, but its design is cashing checks that the drivetrain/chassis cannot honour. The 928 on the other hand is a perfect blend of sports and GT abilities.
Don’t buy a project. Simple as that. I have restored my GTS to factory fresh condition and I am 90% done restoring to a factory fresh condition a complete and running 2-owners 928S4 5spd which was always serviced at one and the same OPC from 1989 until parked up in 2006. Both have been “interesting” projects - financially, logistically and time scale wise. Spend the money on a car which has had money and love recently.
Thanks for your thoughts. I'm definitely not looking for a project car, but I don't mind if there are niggly issues that need fixing. Just this evening my 730i has developed a new fault - the blower will only run at full speed or not at all. It's a common fault that will likely require the "sword" repairing, probably by fitting some new MOSFETs as I don't think you can buy the parts new.I have also driven quite a lot an 8-series that belonged to a friend. The latter is a pure GT - there is no sportiness in it all. Looks superb, but its design is cashing checks that the drivetrain/chassis cannot honour. The 928 on the other hand is a perfect blend of sports and GT abilities.
Don’t buy a project. Simple as that. I have restored my GTS to factory fresh condition and I am 90% done restoring to a factory fresh condition a complete and running 2-owners 928S4 5spd which was always serviced at one and the same OPC from 1989 until parked up in 2006. Both have been “interesting” projects - financially, logistically and time scale wise. Spend the money on a car which has had money and love recently.
I have a 1989 S4 that's just turned 180k, largely original, and I put about 5k miles a year on it, in all weathers. Try that in a Ferrari 328 or XJS!
Concur with other comments on practicality. I've done five or six continental trips and you get 23-24 mpg pretty easily without going daft, it isn't much thirstier than an E30 320i I had, though worse round town cold.
There's just no comparison with an 8 series, it's a much, much better handling car (though I do love the look of the BM
Go for it!
Concur with other comments on practicality. I've done five or six continental trips and you get 23-24 mpg pretty easily without going daft, it isn't much thirstier than an E30 320i I had, though worse round town cold.
There's just no comparison with an 8 series, it's a much, much better handling car (though I do love the look of the BM
Go for it!
LunarOne said:
julian987R said:
Stating the obvious but a manual commands between 10-15K above an automatic…circa £30k. Therefore, hate to say it, but your budget is a bit low in my opinion.
Thanks Julian! Sounds like I should have kept bidding! As I said my budget really isn't a budget - just a guideline of where I thought prices were. The manual isn't absolutely essential but the 730i is the first automatic I've owned and while it's very big and comfy and relaxing, I do like to do my own gear changing, plus it gives more opportunity for playing the engine like a musical instrument! And as I build my collection of cars, I'd like to focus on manual cars as gears won't be a thing in the EV age and I'll miss my gears as much as a tuneful engine.https://www.carandclassic.co.uk/car/C1129910
thats as good as it gets right there.
This is a well known car on the 928 forum. Very well loved.
https://www.928.org.uk/articles/782-for-sale-porsc...
I just did a 400 mile run in mine over the weekend. Never missed a beat.
Averaged around 23mpg, but you don't buy one for the economy.
A hugely underrated car.
Keep on top of general maintenance and drive it often and it will run forever.
People think they are lardy but the handling and 50/50 balance makes them quite agile.
I will post a list of 928 books and links tomorrow.
Here's mine,waiting for a pint of unleaded.
https://www.928.org.uk/articles/782-for-sale-porsc...
I just did a 400 mile run in mine over the weekend. Never missed a beat.
Averaged around 23mpg, but you don't buy one for the economy.
A hugely underrated car.
Keep on top of general maintenance and drive it often and it will run forever.
People think they are lardy but the handling and 50/50 balance makes them quite agile.
I will post a list of 928 books and links tomorrow.
Here's mine,waiting for a pint of unleaded.
Edited by Castrol for a knave on Monday 6th December 22:59
Castrol for a knave said:
This is a well known car on the 928 forum. Very well loved.
https://www.928.org.uk/articles/782-for-sale-porsc...
is that the polite way to say 'rust bucket' as going by the advert pics its a money pit that one. https://www.928.org.uk/articles/782-for-sale-porsc...
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