Investor interest is growing in a number of Porsche 928 variations, particularly the GT and GTS models. And that shouldn’t be shocking. They were one of the rarest variations and the most potent. The fact that these are also the most expensive models shouldn’t come as a surprise to you, though. When making investments in the classic automobile market, this happens frequently. And for that reason, we went with the S4 version.
A Porsche 928 is an expensive investment, so if you ever come across one, give it a very, very wide berth. You should, as usual, conduct thorough study before making an investment in any vehicle. The fine people at Porsche Club Great Britain have a fantastic page covering the dos and don’ts of purchasing a 928. Of course, if anything appears too good to be true, it probably is.
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Take into account
Amazingly priced, the XJ-S in V12 form was initially a terrific all-arounder but only marginally improved over time while the 928 significantly improved. The greatest foes are rust and carelessness.
Excellent construction quality, a selection of V8 engines ranging in size from 3.8 to 5.6 liters, and a wonderful, roomy cruiser, but the handling falls short of a 928. Beware of pricing for parts and localized but inaccessible decay.
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The only 928s with potential as a long-term investment are the late 1970s models, which are currently by far the rarest. Compared to modern standards, they are not exceptionally quick, but they are the easiest and least expensive to operate.
After a few more years, a 1980s S or S2 still has a certain allure due to the egg-shaped rear end of the original vehicle. The S4 is the most cost-effective option among the restyled vehicles since its engine is indestructible, whereas the GTS is the most extreme and priciest to repair because to its special brakes and engine.
Although a 928 may not immediately come to mind when thinking about track work, several have been disassembled and prepared for track days and even competition use. Back when it was relatively simple to get a cheap copy and turn it into a race vehicle, it was less common nowadays due to rising prices and rarity.
You can still locate the rare track car for a fair price, but we would suggest caution unless it has been prepared (or at least carefully inspected) by a credible Porsche expert.
The Porsche 928 S4 with the middle child is still reasonably priced.
The Porsche 928 S4 is an automobile that was available from 1987 to 1991. At first glance, you might not necessarily anticipate a devoted, strong friend to cut such a dashing figure in the mountains. 320 horsepower is generated by the powerful 5-liter V8’s four-valve technology. It received a new front part, popularly known as the Sharknose. The 928 doesn’t appear outdated even today. The fact that this car is nearly 35 years old is astounding. However, it was frequently disregarded in its role as a bridge between the original 1970s design and the 928 GT and GTS of the late 1990s. However, the 928 is arguably the greatest Gran Turismo of its era.
When the 928 GT was introduced in 1989, Porsche seized the chance to sell the S4 differently by using its exceptional GT capabilities. The 928 S4 was no longer offered with a manual transmission after that point. This is likely a further factor in the S4’s current low retail cost. The GT and GTS variants are currently in the upper five-figure price range, but the S4 is still reasonably accessible for less than half that. Even with a 4-speed automatic, the S4 looks wonderful when used as a touring car amid the epidemic comeback of solo travel. The driving dynamics are almost equal to those of the GT. And let’s face it, who could withstand this front?
Budget and upkeep
The financial rabbit hole on the 928 can be long and black, and you MUST be prepared for it in advance, I can tell you as a guy who has a soft spot for old MOPARS. As a result, a basic rule of thumb is to treble your budget after determining it. Not only is that not a typo, it also applies to both new construction and planned, preventive maintenance. Thank goodness I put this idea into practice with my car, and let’s just say it didn’t let me down. I started out by purchasing the best car I could afford. It was beautifully painted, had a gorgeous interior, and 98 percent of the systems worked as they should. While the previous owner did his best to maintain the car, there were still some things that were either done wrong or neglected because of a lack of knowledge and/or resources.
The truth is that a lot of the work wasn’t done in accordance with 928 professional standards. To make the car suitable for regular driving, there were a lot of worn parts and some shortcuts that needed to be fixed. That implies that it had to hold up to a day spent in traffic with the A/C on. The electronics, switches, and lighting had to be fully functional. It needed to be dead-nuts dependable, free of squeaks and rattles, and capable of being used to its utmost performance capacity.
There are some things that even the best PPI (pre-purchase examination) won’t find on a car like the 928. More importantly, many of those problems might not become apparent until you really begin driving the car—I’m not talking about the occasional 10-mile trip to Cars and Coffee. It takes miles—thousands and thousands of miles—to sort through every old car. Whoever is in disagreement simply hasn’t built or restored a car before. (Recommendation: Having Hagerty Plus Roadside Assistance is a wise move at this time. Wink-wink.)
All Porsche 928s, regardless of year, require certain repairs. Keep in mind that the oldest 928 is approaching 40 years old, and even the youngest is more over two decades old. Every five years or 60,000 miles, components like the timing belt and water pump must be replaced. Then there are numerous vacuum lines, difficult-to-find cam pulleys, tensioners, gaskets, switches, and those finicky wire harnesses that deteriorate over time. This is not to indicate that these items cannot be located; rather, as a potential owner, you must realize that repairing and/or maintaining a 928 requires more work than simply visiting your neighborhood NAPA. Keep in mind that this is a German grand touring automobile, and that some of the costs you deal with may reflect this. You shouldn’t buy one if it lacks the necessary papers, which includes a record of its previous maintenance history.
Is buying a Porsche 928 wise?
There are still some fantastic Porsche 928s out there, but you will have to look harder than ever to find a nice one due to decades of neglect brought on by high maintenance costs, poor valuations, and frugal owners.
High-end vehicles, which are constantly in demand, have probably been taken better care of but might cost significantly more.
- A properly maintained 928 should be dependable and worry-free, offering tremendous rewards while being a relaxing tourer.
- Most problems can be fixed by specialists, and they frequently cost less than you might anticipate.
- The cost of repairing past damage can be much higher than the classic’s overall value.
Are Porsche 928 repairs expensive?
Cost of servicing and maintaining a Porsche 928. Porsche 928s have a yearly maintenance fee of $765. Costs for repairs and upkeep vary depending on factors including age, mileage, location, and shop.
Can you trust a Porsche 944?
I truly wish I had known this before purchasing the 944, though. This vehicle might not be for you if you’re searching for ridiculous power increases. The one problem I’ve encountered with the 944 is that getting the engine to produce more power is an extremely expensive endeavor that, in most situations, yields little in the way of benefits. Can the 944 engines be turbocharged and supercharged? Yes. Will the price be higher than the value? 100%.
The LS V8 swap is the most popular choice because it is the simplest way to generate a significant amount of power and because it weighs about the same as the stock engine, maintaining balance and weight distribution is not disrupted. Having said that, this car serves other purposes in addition to power. The 944 was created with the experience of the driver in mind and offers just the appropriate amount of power to allow you to have a great time without getting into any difficulty. Because the car is so predictable, you may enjoy testing both your own limits and those of the other drivers without much concern for risk.
That’s all, then! I realize that’s a lot of information, but the point of my article was to share what I wish someone had told me before I made the decision. However, despite my own 944 being a project for the past two years, I have never looked back, and whenever I drive it, it gives me a feeling that I haven’t been able to replicate. As long as you perform routine maintenance and don’t cut corners, these cars can and will be highly dependable. There has never been a better moment to purchase and enjoy yourself an affordable route into vintage Porsche ownership because the 944 has also increased in value extremely swiftly in recent years. Who doesn’t appreciate pop-up headlights, after all? Gratitude for reading! For more, follow us on Facebook and Twitter. If you have any recommendations that you believe we have overlooked, please post them in the comments box below, and we will review them.
Are Porsche 928s uncommon?
When discussing grand tourers, Porsche may not be the first brand that comes to mind, yet the German manufacturer once produced one of the most stylish GTs. I’m referring to the 928, a 2+2 V8 coupe that was produced from 1977 to 1995.
The 928, which was once Porsche’s top model, had numerous alterations over time. Despite being produced for 17 years, just 61,000 of this unique grand tourer were made. However, the 928 is a more reasonably priced collectible than the vintage 911. Like this 1984 928 S, which is offered for for $25,000 and has excellent interior and exterior aesthetics.
This is an early variant made to U.S. specifications because the 928 S was released in North America in 1983. Since Porsche launched the larger 5.0-liter engine for 1985, this is the last year for American vehicles equipped with the 4.7-liter V8. With 234 horsepower, it can reach a top speed of 146 mph. The 928 S was the quickest street-legal production car sold in the United States in 1984, albeit it may not sound all that spectacular now.
Apart from the engine, this stylish two-door is painted Guards Red. Not only is it one of Porsche’s most recognizable hues, but it also looks great on the wedge-shaped grand tourer. The interior is covered in leather, and everything appears to be in fantastic shape, including the trim, carpeting, and hide. Guards Red exterior paint and brown leather inside are uncommon for the 928.
The automobile has recently had maintenance, and it now has brand-new engine belts, a new alternator, as well as all new seals and bearings. Given that this Porsche is 37 years old, the odometer reads 76,488 miles (123,095 km), which isn’t that many mileage. Given the near-mint state of this automobile, the folks at Garage Kept Motors are selling it for for $24,900, which is a great deal.
It’s also inexpensive when compared to 911 vehicles from the same era, which today can sell for more than $40,000 in comparable condition. If you’re considering an investment, the 928 S is undoubtedly an excellent choice. Prices won’t necessarily soar to new heights right once, but the 928 is steadily increasing in value. Of course, it is a much more useful alternative than calling 911. That is, assuming you won’t convert it into a garage queen.