-----Original Message-----
From: eds928gt@freewwweb.com [mailto:eds928gt@freewwweb.com]
Sent: Tuesday, July 11, 2000 8:35 AM
To: 928
Subject: [928] Re: Tech Question :

I agree with Walley almost entirely.  The only statement he made that I'd
change is "Bottom line (my opinion): Buy the best looking, best maintained,
latest 928 that you can afford - but put at least 25%, and perhaps as much
as 50% of the price of the car into a maintenance fund."

~ Merry motoring ~




From: Dan [dbrindle@kondratyev.com]
Sent: Tuesday, July 11, 2000 4:19 PM
To: 928
Subject: [928] Best Model

Wally and others,

I have to disagree on the latest year you can afford bit here.  There are
some definite differences in years and the goals that Porsche had in mind.
For example:

The 1978-79 was a great year model - very simple and reliable - easy to work
on and had the CIS injection system.  For someone that wants a great model
with excellent potential for increase in collector value these are the years
to be in.  Also the quality was higher in a lot of areas as they were
limited production.

The 1980-84 - These are junk.  The had improvements yes but at the expense
of complexity and bigger problems. The 3 speed auto is complete junk. The
injection system is no where near as responsive or reliable or easy to
maintain. This system has the history of many voodoo problems including hose
leaks, cold and hot start problems and just plain ugliness.  Porsche also
geared up fro production starting with the 80 and cut corners to reduce
production costs and make the car easier to assemble on the production line.
Just like almost every other car made in these years the 928 suffered from
inferiority.

The 1985-86 -  This was the first 32 Valve and a quantum leap in technology
for the entire car.  While it has some of the electrical problems of the
later cars it is not as complex and can still be worked on by the better
than average mechanic.  The engine is not as accessible as the S4 but it is
simpler in overall design in other areas and retains the classic styling.

The 1987-1989 - From what I read on the list with the voodoo problems on an
S4 I would think twice about having one.  Great cars and great engineering
but now you are talking about having a higher skill set to maintain the car
or even trace out the problems. I am sure there is an S4 somewhere that is
perfect - but I do not know of anyone that has had one.

The 1990-95 - I know nothing of these cars but given the price one will have
to wait a while to get a collectors return on the purchase price.  There
could still be considerable drop in price and equalization of all models
over time - so as with the S4 you are paying a premium.  If I was going to
get a GT I would get the latest one I could find - like in the last 50 - 100
built or even less. The newer the car and lower the mileage the better the
chance for appreciation.

Overall looking at prices and maintenance costs and eventual return on your
investment - I would either buy in the 78-79 class or the 85-86.  If you
want complexity buy the 85-86 - if you want reliability and simplicity as
well as a quick response buy a 78-79 and cherry it out.  It will bring a
good return one day.

On collector value I would suggest that the 928 is just at the point in 5 to
7 years where it will start to put on collector value.  I saw the same thing
with XKE's in 1972-75.  I started to fix up these cars and was selling a
couple a month when I noticed a strange thing.  (Since I was selling parts
too, I often kept in touch with the new owners).  Almost to person people
buying these cars were taking them home and parking them in the garage.
They were no longer first automobiles - there became weekend drivers.
Shortly there after the XKE started to appreciate in price.  Today a good
one goes for 50 to 100K.  Here was a car that was a failure for the
manufacturer, difficult to maintain, misunderstood and butcher by mechanics
everywhere and neglected by owners. Yet it was a world class car both in
performance in its time and even by today's standards and in design.  The
XKE featured many many designs that were later incorporated into the
automotive world. I would suggest that the 928 is headed for the same
destiny.  The XKE's to own - the earliest  - 1961-63,  the 1967 (classic
lines and improved engine and trans), the 1971 6 cylinder (last six cylinder
made), the 1972-74 V12 convertible.  Ones not to own - any 2+2 or any 1968.

Dan Brindle