There are certain vehicles where the condition seems to be downright respectable and the issues fairly minor, but it still doesn’t stop a seller from deciding to part ways. We’ve all been there – the car or truck in question is more or less decent, but the love connection just isn’t there. You can even shower it with cash and it still doesn’t persuade you to keep it; in some cases, it may make the vehicle somewhat repugnant. The 1980 Porsche 928 shown here on craigslist looks quite clean with beautiful black paint and a claimed $11,000 in maintenance performed in the past year, and the seller is asking $15,450.
I’ve noticed on a general level that the 928 seems to have difficulty remaining in long-term ownership. It’s fairly rare that you find a 928 up for sale with the words “Original owner” included in the description. The vibe I get from people who own or have owned one is that the maintenance and upkeep required to keep a 928 on the road doesn’t necessarily align with the enjoyment one feels behind the wheel. They were by and larger ordered with automatic transmissions, as this car is, which also limits the fun factor of a car clearly intended to be a grand tourer. As an earlier model, this 928 has the classic “phone dial” wheels.
The 928’s automatic transmission wasn’t exactly the epitome of engineering for a sports car like this; in general, it seems to be fairly lazy-shifting and a box that doesn’t like to be hurried. However, given how many of them are still out there with presumably original gearboxes installed, the automatic must have been somewhat over-engineered. Other details you’ll notice in this interior photo include a crack-free dashboard, an original steering wheel in very nice shape, and factory floor mats. The seller notes that the miles are original – safely under 50,000 – which helps explain the tidy condition throughout the cabin.
The liquid-cooled V8 generated a healthy 231 horsepower and 265 lb.-ft. of torque. The seller doesn’t specify what the recent spend of $11,000 in maintenance included, but it would presumably include a must-do timing belt job along with tensioners, water pump, thermostat, and a few other “while you’re in there” jobs. The seller notes that the “….radio, heater controls, and door locks” don’t work but no other issues are mentioned. Almost $16,000 for an earlier 928 is a strong ask, especially if not a manual transmission example, but the seller’s car does seem better than most. Thanks to Barn Finds reader Tony P. for the find.
That 11k just spent is a good reason not to buy these cars.
Very easy to do with these! Porsche parts and mechanics, even independents, are notoriously expensive. That’s why if you commit to owing a classic Porsche, you also need to commit to as much DIY as you can.
They spent $11K and the radio, heater, etc still don’t work?! I’m guessing a lot of other things don’t work either.
Very good.
With the gearshift lever in P and the oil pressure very high, I believe the engine is in very good health.
Always think about the movie “risky business “ when I see these as it seemed like an awesome out of reach car back in 83 when I was 12 years old. I always check them out when they come up on this site thinking I can afford one now but I have a strict no European car’s policy and a Porsche has to be a stick.
There are so many great movie lines, but there are three that always stick out in my memory and make me laugh. One was from the ”ODD COUPLE”. Oscar Madison to Felix Ungar. “I TOLD YOU 157 TIMES, I HATE LITTLE NOTES ON MY PILLOW. SO WHAT DO I FIND THIS MORNING? A LITTLE NOTE: “WE’RE ALL OUT OF CORNFLAKES, F.U.”. IT TOOK ME THREE HOURS TO FIGURE OUT ‘F.U.’ STOOD FOR FELIX UNGER. IN THE MOVIE ‘RISKY BUSINESS, THE TOM CRUISE CHARTER ‘JOEL GOODSEN’ IS FREAKING OUT AS HIS FATHER’S 1983 PORSCHE 928 SITS ON THE BACK OF A FLATBED LEAKING WATER AND LIVE AND DEAD FISH ALL OVER THE SHOP FLOOR OF A PORSCHE DEALERSHIP AFTER JOEL DUMPED THE PORSCHE INTO LAKE MICHIGAN. AT THAT POINT THE SERVICE MANAGER WALKS OVER WITH A REPAIR ESTIMATE AND ASKS “SO WHO’S THE U-BOAT COMMANDER?” AND FINALLY MY ALL TIME FAVORITE, “MY COUSIN VINNY”. JOE PESCI, AS VINCENT LAGUARDIA GAMBINI IS QUESTIONING MR.TIPTON ON THE STAND AND ASKS (AS HE BEGINS TO MAKE HIS CASE OF THE SIMILARITIES BETWEEN A 1964 BUICK SKYLARK CONVERTIBLE AND A 1963 PONTIAC TEMPEST-WHO LATER ON IS GREATLY EXPANDED ON BY, MARISA TOMEI AS MONA LISA VITO.) “SO MR.TIPTON, IS IT POSSIBLE THE TWO YOUTS”-TO WHICH FRED GWYNNE AS JUDGE CHAMBERLAIN HALLER INTERJECTS “THE TWO WHAT ?”- TO WHICH VINNIE REPLIES- “WHAT?”, TO WHICH CHAMBERLAIN ASKS “DID YOU SAY YOUTS? ” TO WHICH VINNIE REPLIES, “YEA THE TWO YOUTS”, TO WHICH JUDGE CHAMBERLAIN REPLIES “WHAT’S A YOUT?”
Thanks for sharing. I hope you feel better now.
A 1980 US auto is pretty low on the 928 food chain. This one is a sun roof and rub strip delete car which ups the desirability a bit. Original radio and uncracked dash are also big pluses. With a 928 you have to buy the interior. They might have been exotics 45 years ago but these early models are not that difficult to work on. I don’t think the seller is too far off with his ask.
Owning one of these is the best basis for sharing comments! I had a red manual 1984 which I loved. There is always a fair amount of uneducated chat about reliability and costs of upkeep – believe me these are identical for a 911 (or a 924 etc.): Porsche build good cars, and they do indeed cost more than a Ugo to maintain. But they are very reliable. And I outgunned many a hot hatch with the 928, and it was unparalleled on country roads with sweeping corners. If I repeat the experience it would be with an example like this one which looks good.
I had a similar car – a red ‘83 with a manual transmission – and had a similar experience. I had one temp sensor go bad, which prevented it from starting. It was a tow to the dealer and $250 fix. Otherwise, it was a completely trouble free 2 years of enjoyable fun as a daily driver!