Superman928

Hi guys,

I’ve been reading these forums for years and am finally ready to buy my first 928.

I found a local one, but am afraid it may be overpriced. It’s an 81’ automatic with 60k miles and has been meticulously kept with just 2 owners and has a complete history of everything done to it. I’ll have it checked out by a local professional to be sure, but the seller is confident nothing will need to be done to it for years to maintain. I checked it out, the thing looks like it just rolled off the showroom floor. He wants 21K for it and got it for 25 about 4 years ago. Thoughts? Would an automatic in great condition demand that price?

Thanks for reading

GregBBRD

You can't restore one for that....you can't even get close.
You can't get a high quality paint job, replace the rubber, and have a high quality interior done, for that!
Not even sure you can have a high mileage engine rebuilt (one that needs new pistons) for that.

Yeah, there will be people that are appalled that you would spend $21K on an '81 928 (there's examples, out there, that can be bought for less than $1K.....which are $20K away from being a $5K car), but if is as nice as you say....you be the judge.

Billu

So, absolutely perfect inside and out, recent timing belt and water pump?
Could be an ok price, but seems a little high.
No matter how well maintained, a 40 year old car might need occasional fixing.
So, “no maintenance for many years” probably won’t be the case, unless someone like GB went through everything recently.

NoVector

Post some pictures and let the big brains on this board torture it for a while.They'll notice things you've never considered.

Superman928

Hi everyone,

Thank you so much for all your replies. I really do appreciate it.

I’m working on getting some pictures to post. Are there any specific ones I should request?

More history I’ve learned: The car was meticulously went through in 2018 when he bought it but has added less than 500 miles since. An auction house had valued it at that time between 25-35. It was in a showroom for about 13 years before being auctioned off. New water pump has been installed and I’m checking on the timing belt. I’m seeing a lot of nice 928’s go on BaT for less which is why I’m hesitant.

I’ll keep you guys posted! I’m likely buying it and am excited about being part of this community. I’m more than welcome to any more comments! Thanks for reading

Wisconsin Joe

Under hood, including closeups of the front top of the motor and the 14 pin connector; Interior including the dash, instrument cluster, drive's seat (all of it); under the front end (bottom of motor); under the rear end (rear suspension).

It's a bit on the high side, but 60k miles is 'medium low', and if it's in super good shape, them it might be worth it.

Not a super rare or desirable year/model.
Records and condition drive the price.
"Meticulously gone through" is a rather vague statement.

Specifics on what was done, and by whom are necessary.

M. Requin

An important question would be who did the work, and whether receipts are available. "New water pump" could be a real plus or a potential booby trap. This documentation should be available for a car in this putatively good condition.

Jason89s4

Ditto. BTW NoVector is one of the “big brains on this board”
-Jason

SteveG

pics of undercarriage and battery box, engine bay and fuel lines, but if as described those things will have been done. "Full history" is a big plus.

karl ruiter

Certainly that is top dollar for a 60K '81 auto, though he may easily have receipts for more than that, just in the engine work he has done. Let's see some photos, but even without that I can say:
-you can easily spend more that than trying to make an old car nice.
-he (and someday maybe you) might have a hard time trying to move the car at that price.
-make sure you really want an '81 auto. Drive one and make sure you are satisfied with the performance.

Superman928

Hi everyone,

Thanks again for all the help and comments, what a great community. He’s checking on the timing belt. It does have a record of everything that was ever done to it. I’ll reply to you guys tonight in more detail, but thought I’d share the photos I got:

*Removed them, will make an official post when it’s mine. Thanks again everyone!

Ghosteh

It certainly looks good, and I believe the mileage is accurate based on the condition of the interior and the zinc plating under the hood and. If you bought a typical $3k car, you'd certainly have more than $25k getting it in a similar cosmetic condition.
As they said above, if you like the colors and automatic, then it's probably the one for you. And they're not bad; That's a nice looking car! '81 automatic is kinda on the lowest rung of 928 desirability, but most people would take that car in excellent condition over a ratty example in a more desirable configuration or year. I had an '82 auto & it was a great driver, and didn't have some of the complicated systems that the later ones have. Personally, I'd take a nice 928 over a ratty 911, even though it seems EVERYONE values a 911 more.

Others here can confirm, but I just don't think there are many 928s left out there in a similar original, low-mileage condition. If that's what you like, you probably won't find it easy to find a comparable car for a very long time.

Billu

WOW, assuming original everything, that car is amazing.
No rub strips, no sunroof, original radio, great paint, cleaner than clean.
I take back my “a little high” on the price.
This car is great.
PS, $500 deduct for lack of jump post cover

Shawn Stanford

Nice original car. No roof, no rubbies. I could see going $21k on that car if I wanted it. I paid $16k for a beautiful low-mile 951 ten years ago.

Of course, I'm a 928 bottom feeder; I don't think I've spent $21k between all three of my Sharks. But that's me.

danglerb

My first 928 was an 81 AT with just under 60k miles, bought from the best dealer in SoCal for $23k as it came off the first owners 5 year lease. Almost perfect with maybe $3500 spent on tires, shocks, misc when I sold it to Bev hills Porsche for $18,500 and bought a new 944T 5 spd. The trick with the 928 is to know exactly what you want, what things lacking are deal killers, then buy the best example of what you want, as close to what you want as you can find and make it exactly what you want, as soon as you are sure its really what you want.

This is a terrible time to be selling a 928, a touring car when there is no touring, which would make me on the aggressive side regards prices.