928 GTS auto - good daily driver?
Discussion
I am thinking of getting an early 90's example, about 80k miles, well-maintained ane regularly driven. About £15k. Would it make a reliable daily driver? I realise fuel costs are likely to be fairly high, but I just dont want to be left stranded one day. 
Also, would an excellent late-70's 928 (at £10k) hold its value better than the later GTS?
Thanks in advance for all input!
Also, would an excellent late-70's 928 (at £10k) hold its value better than the later GTS?
Thanks in advance for all input!
I use mine as an only car and have done for 5 years. I commute by bike. Just done a Euro road trip. Did 2500 miles in 10 days. It was superb. Couldn't have thought of a better car to do it in.
Very practical car, hatch back and can fit my bike in at the weekend. Couple that with a glorious NASCAR soundtrack.
Go for it.
Very practical car, hatch back and can fit my bike in at the weekend. Couple that with a glorious NASCAR soundtrack.
Go for it.
Any car can leave you stranded, even a brand new premium brand one!
With any old car you need to expect the odd breakdown (always carry a decent coat as it is always raining when they do)
We had breakdowns in both our cars recently;
My old 24 year old, 230,000 mile 944 Turbo lost a crank sensor that cost £340 to replace (its first breakdown in 3 years and 36k miles)
My Wife's 6 year old, 80,000 mile 535D threw some of its little turbo into its big one.....if it wasn't for the warranty we estimate a bill of £3-4,000!!!
Just done the first 2,000 miles in my 968 so we will see how reliable that is in comparison.
My advise is go for it, keep a very watchful eye on the fluids as they speak volumes, and opening the bonnet every week to do that will give you very early warning of anything else leaking/fraying/disconnecting/etc
Enjoy the attention that driving a bit of classic Pork gives you
With any old car you need to expect the odd breakdown (always carry a decent coat as it is always raining when they do)
We had breakdowns in both our cars recently;
My old 24 year old, 230,000 mile 944 Turbo lost a crank sensor that cost £340 to replace (its first breakdown in 3 years and 36k miles)
My Wife's 6 year old, 80,000 mile 535D threw some of its little turbo into its big one.....if it wasn't for the warranty we estimate a bill of £3-4,000!!!
Just done the first 2,000 miles in my 968 so we will see how reliable that is in comparison.
My advise is go for it, keep a very watchful eye on the fluids as they speak volumes, and opening the bonnet every week to do that will give you very early warning of anything else leaking/fraying/disconnecting/etc
Enjoy the attention that driving a bit of classic Pork gives you
nice choice if you service it and replace whats needed, that's what they were designed for and they were pretty good at it.
whatever you choose it may have only done 80k miles but it will still be 20yrs old and parts need replacing far more than a newer car due to age. not much is big budget if its in good condition and avoids anything major but 10k is easy enough to spend.
the older 16v could be viewed as under powered but are a cleaner design, the 32v got power and bloat in equal measure.
only thing i notice is auto box has no o/d so cruising is quite high rpm compared to modern cars but does it nicely in the power band and sounds great.
good luck
whatever you choose it may have only done 80k miles but it will still be 20yrs old and parts need replacing far more than a newer car due to age. not much is big budget if its in good condition and avoids anything major but 10k is easy enough to spend.
the older 16v could be viewed as under powered but are a cleaner design, the 32v got power and bloat in equal measure.
only thing i notice is auto box has no o/d so cruising is quite high rpm compared to modern cars but does it nicely in the power band and sounds great.
good luck
daddyov8 said:
only thing i notice is auto box has no o/d so cruising is quite high rpm compared to modern cars but does it nicely in the power band and sounds great.
Really? Just tonight I was thinking how low it was at about 85 ish! Just over 3000 rpm? Will check it next time out.Mind you, I have no experience of modern cars to compare it with.
A great every day car. Only 18 mpg though but plenty of smiles!
wax lyrical said:
I am thinking of getting an early 90's example, about 80k miles, well-maintained ane regularly driven. About £15k. Would it make a reliable daily driver? I realise fuel costs are likely to be fairly high, but I just dont want to be left stranded one day.
Also, would an excellent late-70's 928 (at £10k) hold its value better than the later GTS?
Thanks in advance for all input!
I used my S2 Auto as a daily in Central London for 2yrs and 20k miles. Absolutely no problems whatsoever. A well looked after 928 is as reliable as any car. My E61 M5 has thrown in more fault codes in 7k miles than my race 928 ever did in hundreds of miles at the Ring....Also, would an excellent late-70's 928 (at £10k) hold its value better than the later GTS?
Thanks in advance for all input!
Thanks for all the input so far guys - very much appreciated!
As I would prefer something not SO old, I will probably go for an early 90's S4 auto rather than a GTS auto as dealers seem to be asking crazy prices for the GTS.
Anything I need to be particularly wary of when choosing an S4?? I am torn between Grand Prix White and Black (but yes, I know - I need to stop being a girl and make sure I buy on condition from an enthusiast rather than according to how pretty it looks)!
As I would prefer something not SO old, I will probably go for an early 90's S4 auto rather than a GTS auto as dealers seem to be asking crazy prices for the GTS.
Anything I need to be particularly wary of when choosing an S4?? I am torn between Grand Prix White and Black (but yes, I know - I need to stop being a girl and make sure I buy on condition from an enthusiast rather than according to how pretty it looks)!
Get yourself on the 928.org.uk mailing list. Very helpful guys. Also Rennlist.
I'd buy privately from an enthusiast rather than a dealer. You should be able to pick up a really good S4 auto for £7-9k and a GTS for £12-15k.
There is a procedure called the "flex plate check" which is essential on any automatic 928. If you buy one and the owner does not know what this is, have it done at a reputable indy (Porsche has never acknowledged the problem) such as GT One, RGA Porsche in Vauxhall, people like that. If buying a car that has not had it done, it should be ok if it runs well at time of purchase but beware of any car that stalls when hot.
Timing belt and water pump must be replaced every 4 years. Keep an eye on fluids. The engines are good for 250,000 miles plus if looked after, without a rebuild.
Great cars! I'm about to put my 79 manual up for sale.
Joel
I'd buy privately from an enthusiast rather than a dealer. You should be able to pick up a really good S4 auto for £7-9k and a GTS for £12-15k.
There is a procedure called the "flex plate check" which is essential on any automatic 928. If you buy one and the owner does not know what this is, have it done at a reputable indy (Porsche has never acknowledged the problem) such as GT One, RGA Porsche in Vauxhall, people like that. If buying a car that has not had it done, it should be ok if it runs well at time of purchase but beware of any car that stalls when hot.
Timing belt and water pump must be replaced every 4 years. Keep an eye on fluids. The engines are good for 250,000 miles plus if looked after, without a rebuild.
Great cars! I'm about to put my 79 manual up for sale.
Joel
Every now and then I am tempted by one of these and I go looking in the classifieds. Unfortunately for me it would HAVE to be a late spec manual which seem to either be very rare or usually hugely overpriced by "speciliast dealers"
I have read that some of the electrics can be a bit iffy but the engine should be pretty much bombproof.
I have read that some of the electrics can be a bit iffy but the engine should be pretty much bombproof.
Edited by Guvernator on Thursday 21st June 16:27
We've had a couple owners relate their real life positive experiences. Why do they have a reputation for being expensive to run then? Do they have some big expensive bits that can go wrong? I've heard the engines are pretty reliable but they can have issues with oil starvation and a rebuild or new engine is mucho bucks! What are the main weak points for the 928 which has lead to this reputation?
If you want a flavour of what goes wrong, subscribe to the 928 uk mailing list. Obviously that gets used by people to ask questions when things go wrong, but it would give you an idea.
928s are getting long in the tooth and do have issues. The price is attractive but the running costs are very likely to be pretty high in comparison. So you have to buy really well (colour is the lowest criteria on the list!) and be lucky. Buy badly and it'll cost.
Bert
928s are getting long in the tooth and do have issues. The price is attractive but the running costs are very likely to be pretty high in comparison. So you have to buy really well (colour is the lowest criteria on the list!) and be lucky. Buy badly and it'll cost.
Bert
Guvernator said:
We've had a couple owners relate their real life positive experiences. Why do they have a reputation for being expensive to run then? Do they have some big expensive bits that can go wrong? I've heard the engines are pretty reliable but they can have issues with oil starvation and a rebuild or new engine is mucho bucks! What are the main weak points for the 928 which has lead to this reputation?
Oil starvation not an issue unless racing them!Engines go forever - 250,000 miles easily achievable. Main issue is thrust bearing in autos - requires regular adjustment of flex plate at services. If it goes = new engine. Other major risk is poorly adjusted / old cambelt as have interference valves and will mean top end rebuild.
Common problems = leaking air con, broken door straps, leaks in HVAC system, sticky heater valves, electrical earth issues (mainly in cars that have not been used, broken window switches, sticky idle valve and faulty ECU (rebuild around #500).
Other than that, one of the most reliable Porsches out there. Just complex
BertBert said:
If you want a flavour of what goes wrong, subscribe to the 928 uk mailing list. Obviously that gets used by people to ask questions when things go wrong, but it would give you an idea.
928s are getting long in the tooth and do have issues. The price is attractive but the running costs are very likely to be pretty high in comparison. So you have to buy really well (colour is the lowest criteria on the list!) and be lucky. Buy badly and it'll cost.
Bert
I currently drive a BMW 335i which if internet rumours are to be believed also has its fair share of problems despite being a modern car although I haven't had any issues yet (touch wood :-)) and while it is a supremely competent motor, it just lacks that elusive drama\soul which is why I often have a hankering for cars like the 928.928s are getting long in the tooth and do have issues. The price is attractive but the running costs are very likely to be pretty high in comparison. So you have to buy really well (colour is the lowest criteria on the list!) and be lucky. Buy badly and it'll cost.
Bert
Unfortunately all of the cars that interest me, TVR, 928 etc all have somewhat of a reputation for being costly to run. I don't expect to run any car on a shoestring budget but the thought that at any moment, you could be hit with a 4-5 figure repair bill has put me off till now although I have come very close a few time. Perhaps I just need to MTFU as they say in PH vernacular.
Guvernator said:
I currently drive a BMW 335i which if internet rumours are to be believed also has its fair share of problems despite being a modern car although I haven't had any issues yet (touch wood :-)) and while it is a supremely competent motor, it just lacks that elusive drama\soul which is why I often have a hankering for cars like the 928.
Unfortunately all of the cars that interest me, TVR, 928 etc all have somewhat of a reputation for being costly to run. I don't expect to run any car on a shoestring budget but the thought that at any moment, you could be hit with a 4-5 figure repair bill has put me off till now although I have come very close a few time. Perhaps I just need to MTFU as they say in PH vernacular.
To give some perspective on running costs. I've just been through my receipts over the last 5 years of ownership and excluding fuel and insurance I've paid out approx £2,500 p/a.Unfortunately all of the cars that interest me, TVR, 928 etc all have somewhat of a reputation for being costly to run. I don't expect to run any car on a shoestring budget but the thought that at any moment, you could be hit with a 4-5 figure repair bill has put me off till now although I have come very close a few time. Perhaps I just need to MTFU as they say in PH vernacular.
That includes several sets of tyres, brake pads/discs too. I recently had a large service at Paul Anderson's to prep it for the Euro trip I did (the GTS was superb during the trip too), which included replacing A/C condenser, Engine mounts, 2 new fronts and realigned (WIM did alignment 2 years ago but did it wrong, for S4 not for GTS so front camber was out), sump gasket, knock sensor, new leads/coils/plugs (was still on originals) and a few other minor bits and bobs. Most of this was pointed out to me when I had the cambelt done earlier this year. (If I'd taken it to my previous NW London indie I would have paid almost double)
It's been an expensive year for sure, but last few years not too bad, so evens out in the end.
Reliability wise I've not had anything major, odd flat battery over winter if car left unused for more than 10 days or so. Had a hole in a manifold a few years ago but picked up one second hand for reasonable cash and had it fixed.
The other think to thing about is depreciation with a GTS...there isn't much really, perhaps they will start to appreciate one day
jodypress said:
The other think to thing about is depreciation with a GTS...there isn't much really, perhaps they will start to appreciate one day
The 928 for some reason does seem to be the unloved stepchild in the Porsche family. Not sure why a similiar 911 of the same vintage is often worth twice as much or more? I can see the appeal of the motorsport derived 911's for collectors but even standard Carrera's seem to retain better value, not really sure why as I'd say a 928 is a better car when compared to a same period 911? I'd go so far as to the the 928 is unvervalued at present.Gassing Station | Porsche General | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff