Friday, January 09, 2009 - 07:57 pm, by: Mike Beck(Gold_40gt)
Let's discuss the Porsche 928 V8 and the 968 I4.
So who's driven these cars? Anyone here owned either of them - had friends with some, heard stories about problems they have and good things about them?
Seems to be a few people have looked into getting a 928 but gone for a Soarer, being that they are the cheaper alternative, and well less Teutonic... a whole different game.
Of course if your realistic about these cars, its more logical to opt for the later models, at least the late 80's early 90's were they have the best engines, performance and appearance. (The early 928's weren't a lot too look at really)
Speaking of the old 928 models, in the 1970's / early 80's now they are just too old unless you really wanted to take on a restoration project with big dollars.
Around the 1990 mark they seem to be the most desirable (obviously ), from my observations most good ones seem to be around the 20-30k bracket which is quite good value. There are other European options around, like the fantastic MB SL 500 and various BMW's... but these are a little more interesting.
What a car! 23 Grand is not really a lot for a timeless classic like these. And this is a decent model with the 5L V8.. They just have the history and further engineering within them the Soarers can never match, I mean it's a Porsche not a Toyota.
The 968's are also equally as appealing, obviously a more simple car being a 4 Cylinder, but still pack a good punch with around 240BHP.. Impressive for a 4 Cylinder of that generation. Though the 8's always have that HUGE edge over a 4 Cylinder where they are far more appealing, In my mind anyway.
Friday, January 09, 2009 - 08:24 pm, by: David Vaughan(Davidv)
My experience is this, Mike.
Around 2003-2004 I drove a 1984 928, having every intention of buying one as my personal mid-life crisis car, this being before Peter Burrett had shown me the single-turbo Soarer he bought shortly after.
I should warn you that I like the 928 shape, even from the 70s when it was introduced, and I liked the idea of owning a Porsche of any age so I was biassed in its favour.
It sucked. That was even before I drove a Soarer.
I was struck by four things, all of which were highlighted more glaringly by the later experience of driving a Soarer V8.
Suspension was like a rock and ride was crap. Grip on a Canberra roundabout seemed OK but very stiff in the steering, without useful feedback to the driver. The air suspension Soarer may be regarded by some as a blancmange barge but for cornering prowess I would put it (on its firm setting) up against the old Porsche without a qualm.
Compared with an average sedan I was pursuing, acceleration was non-existent. I attribute this in part to the ancient 3 sp gearbox and in part to the fact the engine was a 70s design not hacking it thirty years later, despite improvements up to the mid-80s. Nominal power was near 180 KW and actual probably 100 (not at the wheels).
The car was as noisy as all ••••• Very loud with minimal sound deadening and, no, it was not an exciting engine sound but more mechanical rubbish.
There was not much equipment in the car in the way of doo-dads.
One other point: the 1984 928 was listed at $24,000 whereas I bought my 1994 Soarer, superior in every possible respect, for $20,000 in the same period.
Do you know, I would still quite like to own some Porsche or other? Clearly, I am a total sucker. It will not be any 928 though, not any more.
Mike Beck Goo Roo New Zealand Soarer Limited UZZ31 V8
Friday, January 09, 2009 - 10:24 pm, by: Mike Beck(Gold_40gt)
Hmmmm thats fascinating David, strange I was almost expecting points like you brought up.
They have always been a car I've been interested in, and would look to buying in a couple of years.
But as you say, this one you tried surely had its flaws - and in a way I'm not surprised, I've heard the early models were not too good, and the cheaper they were the worse they usually are, definitely not a car you would want to cut costs on.
It might pay to join up to some NZ Porsche clubs (if there are any) and have a chat with some owners of 928's to see what they have to say from their experiences.
I wouldn't be surprised if they are a car I would just avoid completely after seeing and trying one in the flesh - like many, I tend to make up in my mind what I expect it would be like to drive and if it does not end up being what I though prior then it would be quite a let down.
Really I'm tossing up between car ideas for a couple of years down the track, gain ideas for something more prestigious out of Europe - sure the maintenance costs are higher etc, but those are weak excuses if your passionate about cars I say do whatever!
Thinking about similar class vehicles, the R129 SL 500's have always been just as appealing, if not more so than the 928's. They are quite different of course - but I would imagine the SL's are a much wiser choice in a way - Much better than the 8 Series from BMW for that matter, I've looked into them and they seem a little too much of a headache problem wise and even when working well, not much more than a cruiser - great looking though.
The Soarer still takes the cake on a number of levels above these cars, but I'm always thinking what could be next in store.... When I was new to the idea of buying a Soarer, I looked around all over the net for a year prior to make sure I was not getting into a problem so it pays to research well in advance, worked out great for me.
Friday, January 09, 2009 - 10:55 pm, by: David Vaughan(Davidv)
I met a bloke in 1999 who had a ten-year old 944. He loved it and swore by it as a great drive and cheap to maintain. That is my nearest other acquaintance with a Porsche.
Friday, January 09, 2009 - 11:23 pm, by: James Cahir(James987)
A Porsche 928 is on my to-own list When I was in college, I knew a guy whose boss gave him a 928 in exchange for working part time for a year. Not a bad deal at all, so he was the only guy in college with a Porsche!
Take a look on Carsales, there is a 928 that was delivered brand new to Kerry Stokes on the late 80's.
Saturday, January 10, 2009 - 08:59 am, by: Matthew Sharpe(Madmatt)
An aquantance of mine has the 5 litre 928. Nice looking car (only porsche I'd say that about!) but sluggish for a big engine. Recon my 3 lire soarer is probably just as quick in real world driving. Also interior is cramped and poorly layed out.
Saturday, January 10, 2009 - 10:04 pm, by: Rainer Fritzsche(Ryner)
The 928 was one of my dream cars (had a poster on my wall as a kid)......until I could afford and hence drove one a couple of years back. First one was a series one 4.5l. A couple of months later I drove a late model S4 5 litre. Absolutely gorgeous shape, but the driving leaves a lot to be desired. The auto box is horrible. - It starts in 2nd unless you floor it, or the car has the fix the enthusiasts use to make it start off in 1st. Haven't driven a manual one, but reports say its a little clunky unless the complicated gear mechanisms (the manual box is in the back, like the auto) have good bushes and is in good shape. - Any decent 30 series Soarer would out drive a 928. The TT I had, and my current VVTi turbo soarer would seriously embarrass a 928 performance wise.
Mike Beck Goo Roo New Zealand Soarer Limited UZZ31 V8
Saturday, January 10, 2009 - 11:34 pm, by: Mike Beck(Gold_40gt)
Thats quite sad really,
Seem to sound like one of those typical 'poster' supercars which once you get into, are not quite what you hoped they would be like.
My guess is they would only be enjoyable and worth having if you could get the top model, a GTS 5.4L manual of the last year, but they would be costing a fortune. Then again, these cars are a 1970's design so of course they won't be a good as something out of the 90's...
Once again it really shows how good the Soarers are, yes they might be a Toyota but they are much more than that. Goes to show the badge is not exactly everything! Just a shame they are getting TOO cheap now days... Why can't they hold their value like the deserve!
Sunday, January 11, 2009 - 06:39 am, by: Ben Kelly(Ace)
Ive driven a 928 factory manual that i was looking at buying. I have to tell you it was pretty fast. I recall the visibility wasnt that great and there was long clutch travel which wasnt exactly sporty. The plastic interior wasnt holding up too well either. Another problem is the small sunroof which doesnt appeal to me. Dont agree with the negative comments about the engine though, these things sound fantastic. A friend of mine owned an older 928.Two negative things happened: 1. on a particularly hot day he parked the car in full sunlight which had a very strange affect on the leather interior. It shrank and warped and became pretty much ruined. 2. an engine fire started while driving. he jumped out of the car and within two minutes the whole car was virtually melted. (apparently some older ones have substandard fuel lines).
however he was still so keen on them he went out and bought an s4.
Mike Beck Goo Roo New Zealand Soarer Limited UZZ31 V8
Sunday, January 11, 2009 - 05:58 pm, by: Mike Beck(Gold_40gt)
Matthew Sharpe wrote on Saturday, January 10, 2009 - 08:59 am:
Recon my 3 lire soarer is probably just as quick in real world driving. Also interior is cramped and poorly layed out.
I've heard for the size of their motor they do perform rather poorly. On that note, theres nothing wrong with a 3.0GT, remember I cracked a 16.0 flat time in mine this time last year - Quite reasonable for a 1,600kg car with a 225BHP 3.0 liter engine.
Would be embarrassing being in a 4.5-5.0L V8 928 doing a time like that, but factoring how old they are its not uncommon for cars of this type to loose power, slowing them down.
Ben Kelly wrote on Sunday, January 11, 2009 - 06:39 am:
Ive driven a 928 factory manual that i was looking at buying. I have to tell you it was pretty fast. I recall the visibility wasnt that great and there was long clutch travel which wasnt exactly sporty. The plastic interior wasn't holding up too well either.
Sounds very much a typical 70's / 80's car.
Again it seems clear to be serious with one of these 928's you need to get a rather new top model. Unless you had bucket loads to throw at an older model to bring it back - strictly a project car.
Something I would still look into when the time comes, definitely worth trying out for sure - but I wouldn't hold my breath on being blown away by one... especially being used to the quality of the Soarers for all these years.
Mike Beck Goo Roo New Zealand Soarer Limited UZZ31 V8
Sunday, January 11, 2009 - 09:18 pm, by: Mike Beck(Gold_40gt)
What about the 968's? Anyone experience that model?
In a way I suppose they would be more developed being out of the 80's than the 928... They are essentially a modernized 944 for the 90's - I have heard good and bad things about those ones. Not quite as many negative traits as the 928's though...
Great looking car in my opinion, and different from the bunch being a powerful 4 cylinder.
Tuesday, January 20, 2009 - 02:39 pm, by: Robert Day(Lexsmaz)
I used to work on Porsches years ago but can't comment on the 968 they weren't around then, but certainly the water cooled Porsche's 928 & 944 were suprising high maintenance, 928 being the worst, cam gears wore, water pump's leaked, all the front oil seals commonly leaked, hard on disc's etc, nothing major really but more than other car's i had worked on previously .. I also got to drive a 928, 911 & 944 in semi anger around Sandown in the very early 90's, the 944 turbo & 944 S2 model being the best of the lot, quite a suprising car to drive hard ...
Tuesday, January 27, 2009 - 01:16 pm, by: Gary Poloskei(Mikrucio)
just buy a Series IV/V RX7. Similar shape (infact better shape) much better car, cheaper parts and 13B's go HARD with minimal effort. AND they come in a convertible!
Previous
), from my observations most good ones seem to be around the 20-30k bracket which is quite good value. There are other European options around, like the fantastic MB SL 500 and various BMW's... but these are a little more interesting. 
When I was in college, I knew a guy whose boss gave him a 928 in exchange for working part time for a year. Not a bad deal at all, so he was the only guy in college with a Porsche! 
A pity. 
