1988 Porsche 928 S4 from North America - Comments

One parking lamp is out, and was when I bought it. Getting serviced by the local Porsche dealership, so will see if my purchase was a good one. I am just thrilled to have a car of this caliber, and couldn't wait to tell all about it!

My fear when picking it up was driving it home 125 miles, through New York City (unavoidable). With stop-and-go traffic, I was concerned the car would overheat, or something would break down, and leave me stranded. It didn't. In fact, the longer I drove it, the more comfortable I became with my purchase.

I have never owned a sports car before taking possession of the 928 S4--always owned Hondas and Toyotas, and certainly have been pleased with their reliability. But I'm a big boy now, 39 years old, and wanted a big boy toy. The car is immaculate outside—showroom quality. Inside it's in very good-to-excellent condition, with only some dashboard cracking preventing it from being excellent. It has 64,000 miles on it, and the timing belt was changed by the previous owner at 50,000. It appears the prior owner used it as a secondary or even tertiary car, and took tremendous care of it.

Based upon the gauges while in use, the engine is sound. Oil pressure redlines when gas is given, and the thermostat works perfectly. The engine rumbles (and always puts a grin on my face) ; the accelerator pedal—though a bit stiff—causes the car to jump to attention when depressed at 60 MPH. It's not the quickest car in the world, but above 60 MPH, it's a beast. It absolutely rockets from 60 to 85, and the V-8 snaps to when the tachometer hits 3000. It does not like running at anything less than 60 MPH, and the engine seems to grin at higher speeds. Good luck finding anything else on the road that can stick by its back bumper when you hit the accelerator on the highway.

Cornering is outstanding. The car does not dip at all around mild-to-sharp corners. I was amazed by it. Because the body's in great condition, it's a real head-turner, especially to those 35 years or older. The car's lines are gorgeous and classy. Pending my sprint to dealership for a check-up, I feel like I made a great value purchase.

The only problem I am faced with is its actual use. I cannot drive it to work, because I fear dings and scratches from those who do not appreciate an 18 year old car maintaining its showroom appearance. Additionally I own one of perhaps three Porsches in my town, and not only will it attract attention, it probably will attract the unwanted kind. And lastly, I kind of don’t want to use up the miles that are left in the car—I want to keep it young forever. Maybe it parallels life; we all want to remain young forever and anon. In any event, even for the short time I’ve had it, I love this car.

"My fear when picking it up was driving it home 125 miles, through New York City (unavoidable). With stop-and-go traffic, I was concerned the car would overheat, or something would break down, and leave me stranded. It didn't."

- Your main worry while in nyc shouldn't have been that. Your main worry while in nyc should have been staying alive!

Well, I didn't see any broken-down, stripped cars on the sides of the roads, which is something I recall seeing with relative frequency in NYC. I have gone into the city only twice in the last 10 years, and that's two times too many. I abhor traffic and the city, but I have to say that it has become cleaner, though in my estimation its road are still unmanagable.

Sounds like the original poster bought what in the car show circuit is known as a trailer queen. Porsches are meant to be driven, which is why a lot of people use them for commuter cars around here.

My recommendation is for hiim to join a Porsche club and talk to other owners. Once he hears of their experiences and how their cars aren't keyed everytime they go to the mall (a fear I once had with my first BMW) he should loosen up.

It sounds like this is a dream situation, hope it doesn't break. I've considered for several years to buy one of these, but I've never really found any that fits my specifications. There are many cheap ones around that I would'nt touch with a pole since they are driven to the ground. The worst ones are the 'restored' ones with a shiny appearance, but that are rotten to the core. Does it have service records? I mean Porsche service bills are steep and many secondary owners never bothered to service these cars properly. Any hidden rust under all that shiny paint? Or that slighly smoking engine, what are the actual mileage on this car you say?

Buying old Porches like this is a risky sport and it's easy to get stinged.

I've considered a couple a examples that are low mileage, with know history and in documented good condition. But they are priced astronomically for a 15 year old car. I mean I can get a near new S2000 (which I bought) for the same money and they are also great drivers car. I wish you good luck with one of the greatest cars ever built. Hope it will service you flawlessly.

I have many of the service records, but not all. The car was owned by one person, and two dealers. It appears from CARFAX that the dealers put only about 600 combined miles on it.

I am taking it to the Porsche dealership this week so they can check everything out (gulp!). My father, who I consider pretty wise, only saw pictures of it. He and I went together to pick it up, and he was blown away. He's a difficult man to impress, but he was all superlatives after driving it home.

He purchased a tired 1983 back in 1993. He had some issues, including being stranded, so his skepticism, while warranted, were a little exaggerated. Again, though, he was effusive in his praise, feeling that I "done good."

We'll see, though. The Porsche dealership may see it very differently. And my bank account may quickly dwindle.

Thanks for all your comments and observations!

-Dan.

Perhaps it is a bit of a trailer queen. But conversing with other 928 S4 adherents, my fears are well founded. The car can be a money pit. I will post what the mechanic's findings are in a few days, and then you can attach whatever label you choose.

Fearing respect from others is not being overly cautious, at least not in America. While I will not make this a forum on mass-market psychology, I definitely believe there is little respect paid to the infinite care some take as their responsibility after a big-ticket purchase. If kids and adults can't maintain their credit, what makes you think they will watch how wide their doors swing when rushing into the mall to make another high-interest credit card purchase at the mall?

Short-sightedness is blindness where I come from.

Just make sure the Porsche dealer has had/now has NO relationship with this car whatsoever. They will "hide things" if they think you'll come back to have the car serviced there.

My wife and I went to see a 928 S4 for sale and ended up buying it like small children after a candy. Some issues (have to crawl under the car and changed all lubricating fluids and found leaks) with some leaks (1/2 teaspoon after a long hard drive), radiator under high pressure (fixed by myself), weeping ATF from power steering pump (soon be repaired by a mechanic if not, myself. Even with these challenges, my wife and I still like the car, specially when we have to cruise to the ROCKIES (Jasper, Alberta, Canada) about 3 hours drive from our home in Edmonton. All of the comments, like head turner, perma-grin inducer, and also makes your heart-beat slightly faster. Over all, we like it!!! Good Luck to other owners!!!

Congrats on the purchase and I commend you for keeping the car in good condition and not wasting the car's life commuting. Save the car for fun driving! Road trips, cruise nights, going out on the town. Nothing is worse than walking out to your car in a parking lot to find it has been hit by some a**hole who left no note. I say keep it in the garage! Drive a Honda to work/grocery store.