Porsche 928 Values Rise As Collectors Re-Discover This Engineering Masterpiece

From time to time, someone visits a Porsche 928 chat forum asking about its resale value. This should come as no surprise since this car exudes 70s charm (especially early models with those sweet rear lamps and pioneering pop-up headlights).

Grand tourers also boast authentic 170 MPH performance while remaining practical enough for daily use.

Originality

Porsche has long been recognized for producing iconic performance cars, like the 911. Yet its other products often get forgotten; for example, the 928. This luxury grand tourer combined power and poise of a sports car with refinement and comfort of sedan – an innovative vehicle way ahead of its time.

In 1971, Porsche unveiled their inaugural front-engined car: the 928. Although they had previously focused on producing rear-engined 911s, this time around they wanted something different with their flagship model being front-engined – something engineers believed would provide greater appeal for potential buyers than rear-engine designs such as 911s.

When the Porsche 928 first debuted, it generated widespread praise. Rare and desirable when new, posters of it could often be found adorning teenage boys’ bedroom walls. A true engineering marvel that revolutionized its lineup as well as heralded in V8 power and Weissach multi-link rear suspension.

By the late 1990s, popularity for the Porsche 928 had begun to wane and sales had significantly declined; nevertheless, its charm still endured today; many enthusiasts considered it classic while it remains an affordable way to experience all that Porsche has to offer.

Conditions and originality can both play an integral part in determining the value of a Porsche 928, such as its condition and originality. Ideally, an ideal Porsche should be in excellent condition with all factory parts intact and low mileage for increased resale value.

Even though the Porsche 928 was immensely popular when first released, its growing number of issues make owning and maintaining one more complex than anticipated. Therefore, it is vital that potential purchasers understand these factors before purchasing one.

Condition

The 928 was from its launch a highly advanced precision-engineered car capable of surpassing UK legal speed limits – its performance depended on flawless component functioning; therefore it pays to purchase and maintain one well.

No matter if you’re purchasing an early S model, manual five-speed or GTS it is crucial to consider its maintenance history. Although some dealers and sellers overegg this point some 928s in reasonable condition should have been used regularly rather than left sitting idle in a garage as this will increase wear on certain components over time, leading to potential gremlins emerging and eventually increasing costs for repairs and maintenance costs.

Even well-kept 928s require regular detailed servicing in order to preserve their value and reliability. Be sure the correct oil has been used (Porsche recommends changing every 5000 miles), that its coolant meets internal aluminium corrosion prevention standards, and all hoses have been checked for damage. Consider visiting a certified Porsche specialist to observe your car under its own power while listening for any strange noises or vibrations.

Conditions are essential when considering the aesthetic value of a Porsche 928, with buyers willing to pay more for an example in desirable colours like Guards Red or Black. Buyers should look for an unblemished example with perfect panel fitment, straight chassis and tidy engine bay; also look out for well-presented interior and any matching wheels – these qualities should all make up a desirable package for buyers.

Before purchasing, it’s worthwhile investing around PS50 in an HPI check to assess if there is outstanding finance or history of written off vehicles, and establish mileage history. This step becomes even more crucial if importing one from outside the UK as inspection by an approved UK mechanic will need to occur before you can import and make road worthy for importation purposes. Likewise, vehicles with multiple plates or number plate changes should be avoided to minimise risks and costs involved with importation and registration requirements.

Provenance

Porsche first revealed the 928 in 1977 as a bold statement of intent; their goal was to expand their line beyond and even replace the 911. Although that plan ultimately fell through, its groundbreaking features such as front-mounted engines, 2+2 seating arrangements and multi-link rear axle system made the 928 an icon in its own right; winning Car of the Year for 1978; with its 300bhp engine still making it an incredible sports car!

After years of declining sales, the 928 has begun to stabilize at its high-end market position and better examples have seen their value go up accordingly. Although not an inexpensive car to own, there can still be bargains out there if you take your time searching out all available examples.

If you plan on investing big money in a 928, ensure it is in excellent condition with full provenance – this will protect your investment. Furthermore, having it serviced regularly by an established specialist could also prove advantageous.

An original and fully restored 928 will command a premium, particularly if it’s manual transmission, but don’t write off an auto box example just because they don’t offer manual driving experiences – V8 engines are perfectly suited to them, offering relaxing driving experiences.

Optional features on a 928 can have an impactful effect on its value; whether or not they matter to you will depend on whether or not you pay more. For example, you could want a GT with M Motorsport package, or manual S4. More desirable features such as sunroof and leather seats might attract buyers more readily.

Last but certainly not least is to avoid cars that have been altered or modified in any way – for example if a Porsche 928 has been fitted with a supercharger it probably shouldn’t be purchased. Furthermore, it would be wise to avoid cars used for track days or racing as this could significantly decrease their values.

Mileage

At launch, the 928 may have fallen behind its iconic sibling 911 in terms of sales; but soon after it earned an admirer base all its own. Thanks to its combination of exhilarating performance and luxurious amenities, it soon established itself as a grand touring icon that proved reliable over time – as collectors rediscover this engineering marvel, values have seen exponential growth.

While some might perceive the Porsche 928 as an overly luxurious car, its big V8 and flexible drivetrain have been carefully refined over the years to deliver incredible speed and driving pleasure. Furthermore, chassis and suspension modifications provide agile handling while offering comfortable ride quality making this an easy car to live with.

Since 1978, Porsche 928s have amassed impressive mileages. Indeed, it isn’t unusual to find one with over 100,000 miles on its odometer! No surprise there as their long model-year run and variety of trim levels offer enthusiasts numerous options.

However, most 928s don’t reflect real-world driving conditions or mileage driven over time accurately; rather some owners intentionally racked up high mileages in order to assess durability or simply because they like how the big GT handles and looks.

Some owners have also chosen a manual transmission while others prefer an auto ‘box. 80% of cars built during the first generation were fitted with an automatic transmission.

Even with these caveats, it’s important to remember that a carefully maintained 928 can easily cover 100,000 miles or more without major issues. But it is advisable to regularly inspect it for signs of rust and wear-and-tear as these can quickly turn into costly repairs, making the car unattractive to prospective buyers. Therefore, having a pre-purchase inspection by an independent technician may give a clearer insight into its true condition as well as help determine its fair market value.

P

The Porsche 928 Top Speed

An engine is an intricate system composed of many gears and shafts humming away harmoniously in concert.

For a car that was in production from 1977 to 1995, the Jaguar E-type is fast and powerful. At its peak performance it could reach 60 miles per hour in 7.6 seconds while also boasting a top speed of 160 miles per hour.

Power

The Porsche 928 represented an attempt at merging the power, poise, and handling of true sports car with the refinement and equipment found in luxury sedans. While resembling its compact predecessor 911 in size and handling characteristics, its larger dimensions made life easier for rear seat passengers and provided more storage capacity for luggage.

The initial generation 928 debuted in 1978 and featured a water-cooled, single overhead cam all-alloy V8 rated at 240 horsepower with Bosch fuel injection. This engine drove either five-speed manual or three-speed automatic transmission to drive its rear wheels – its transaxle was located far back so as to maintain equal front/rear weight distribution.

This balanced layout allowed the 928 to be more comfortable than most sports cars of its day while remaining quick and straightforward to drive, reaching 100 mph from rest within seven seconds and topping 220 mph as its top speed.

In 1980 (North American model year 1983), Porsche introduced their revised 928 S model. The engine featured in this vehicle produced 297 horsepower thanks to larger valves, lighter tappets, and smaller diameter exhaust valves – creating an improved 10.0:1 compression ratio as well.

The front-wheel-drive Porsche 928 could easily be towed, making it suitable for rallying and motorsport events. Drivers looking for additional power could upgrade with the Competition Group option that included front spoiler, 16″ flat disc brakes, and sport seats – however this was only available during its initial three years of existence in North America.

In 1987, Porsche unveiled their 928S4 with its newly designed dual-overhead camshaft 5.0-liter engine capable of running on lower octane fuel while producing 221 horsepower. Furthermore, this version could also be ordered with four-piston front callipers for quicker stopping power. A more rounded shape was adopted exterior-wise while rear spoilers had been moved closer to hinges for easier operation; plus in 1988 there was even a Club Sport variant which could shed up to 100kg (220lb).

Weight

Few cars possess as much power and versatility as the Porsche 928. Although originally meant to replace its sibling 911, this front-engine V8 sports coupe quickly established an identity all its own and eventually outlived it.

At first glance, it can be hard to comprehend that such an elegant vehicle could contain such intricate engineering systems hidden away beneath its skin. From its engine to the massive rear axle, everything inside this stunning automobile contains hardware.

The Porsche 928 used a front-mounted, water-cooled V8 that powered its rear wheels. Originally it displaced 4.5 liters and featured single overhead camshafts; in North America however, smog equipment limited output to 219 horsepower (237 kW; 222 PS).

This car packs an immense amount of power into its short wheelbase chassis. As it was front-engined, its weight distribution could compromise adhesion between tires. But engineers came up with a trick to counter this effect; double wishbone suspension on each of its front wheels meant any movement one side caused would move the other as compensation for this effect.

Just that is only the start of Porsche designers’ complexity-laden work on this vehicle. The rear suspension utilizes an identical system, yet with more complex links that enable different ride heights and traction control settings to allow for comfortable highway use or racetrack performance.

A key factor that prevents the 928 from being an overly heavy and underpowered vehicle is that it comes equipped with modern safety features. This includes airbags, passenger side curtain airbag, and antilock brakes – all essential elements in today’s grand tourers.

One of the hallmarks of Porsche 928 ownership is its ease of driving. Even with all of its impressive machinery under the hood, getting this car moving and keeping pace with traffic on the freeway shouldn’t be difficult despite all of its weight. Some owners even claim that they get close to 20 mpg during normal driving which is remarkable considering such high performance capabilities are involved.

Transmission

The 928 was designed as a grand tourer, taking aim directly at Ferrari’s rear-engined 365 GT4 and other GT cars. With its transaxle design and 50/50 weight distribution, making the 928 much easier and more enjoyable than its counterpart, the difficult 911.

This car featured large windows and a low roofline, with access to its trunk through a hatchback – giving it an extremely distinctive and more dramatic look than the conventional Porsche 911. Furthermore, it was unique at its time as being equipped with pop-up headlamps resembling exposed heads when turned on; when ignition was switched on however they rose just like those found on Lamborghinis Miura.

At its launch, the car was available with either a five-speed dog leg manual transmission or Mercedes-Benz three speed automatic with four speeds in North America and later other markets. Over 80 percent of cars sold had automatic transmission; manuals may be desirable among collectors but the big V8 makes an autobox ideal. Still offering impressive acceleration.

An impeccable 928 can cost well over $100,000 in mint condition, although prices will depend on its model year and condition. Early models requiring restoration tend to be less costly while rarer examples can reach close to $200,000.

As the 928 was basically unchanged for 18 years, its engine, suspension and interior all received numerous upgrades. One notable development was the introduction of a more powerful V8 engine known as the 928 GTS in 1993; its displacement increased from 5.0 to 5.4 liters while also boasting more advanced four valves per cylinder technology.

The GTS featured a more powerful brake system and more comfortable ride and handling setup that made it a true road-going supercar. Production of this model lasted until 1995 when it was replaced by the even more powerful 928 Turbo. It featured larger engines with more powerful performance as well as exotic paint colors and interior modifications that enhanced racing capabilities.

Brakes

The Porsche 928 was one of the fastest cars of its time. Capable of reaching top speeds of 218 mph on open highway driving conditions and with an incredible 0-60 time of less than six seconds; additionally it could pull 0.83g cornering force.

The car’s large-displacement engine enabled it to reach such high speeds, but required much space under its hood for hardware like battery, muffler, spare tire well and transmission – leaving little space for front suspension which caused its front to drop very low causing severe body shake and poor handling.

Porsche engineers attempted to address this by decreasing the size of the motor for increased fuel economy. They initially considered switching out for a smaller 3.3 L, 180 horsepower engine but decided against this approach due to fears it could compromise its sporting/grand tourer reputation.

At its heart, performance was what set this car apart from others in its class. Competitors like BMW M6 were found, yet unlike them it offered 2-door model which helped increase buyer appeal and broaden appeal across an incredibly broad spectrum.

At the tail-end of its production run, Porsche upgraded the 928. It did this by replacing S4 and GT models with an enhanced GTS variant with larger brakes and an engine featuring four valves-per-cylinder heads – something neither S4 or GT models could do.

The GTS was more costly than previous GT and S4 models, which hindered sales. A combination of its more expensive price, new engine specifications and upgraded brakes also contributed to it costing over $100,000 when fully equipped – something which adversely impacted sales despite still being an extremely capable machine. Perhaps that is why its production was discontinued after only 407 examples had been sold.

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