Ten years from now...
the 928 values, Greg Gray

Response from John D.
About 6 months ago I went shopping for another 928, decided that the S2 is the pick of the older models (budget did not run to a late model car, but even if I had the budget I am not sure they make good sense as an investment proposition). I viewed and drove quite a few cars most of which were either beyond being worth putting the effort and dollars into saving even if they were still good drivers.

Feel free to challenge any of what I am saying, I'd like to be proven wrong .

1. For just about anything (not just cars) the values slowly decrease, and it is usually decades before a younger generation appreciates the remaining examples of (car/house/any antique you can think of). A problem for the 928 is that it had a very long production run and quite frankly there's not much difference between the first 928 and the last one. Why would anyone pay much for an early somewhat restored 928 when they can get a later model for the same $?
   
   
2. On the plus side, I really don't think many punters realize how much work is needed to restore or just keep these things going. I had one already and I didn't. All those good ideas that Porsche shoved under it's bonnet ......
   
   
3. I think that the 928's major problem is that it is somewhat of an orphan, i.e. it sits outside the Porsche family, every other Porsche model is/was primarily a sports car first - often a very uncompromising sports car, whereas the 928 is a GT. It has more in common with Maserati or Aston or some some Ferraris.
   
   Do I have time for a short story? Why not.
   
   

   When people ask me to explain where the 928 fits into the scheme of things my answer is - imagine that Porsche was a family, a very sporty family. The 928 was the older son who was expected to grow up and take over the family business, but when he reached his late teens it became apparent that he was not anywhere near as sporty as the rest of the family and eventually he took the hint and buggered off to the Antipedes where he made a comfortable but unspectacular life for himself. Occasionally he turns up at family events, somewhat to the embarrassment of the rest of the family who don't quite know how to relate to him.

4. What's needed, and is most likely to happen, is for Porsche to bring out a "new" 928, i.e. a 2 + 2, 2 door model using the Panamera parts. That will instantly reconnect the 928 to the Porsche family, and give its values a real kick upwards.


5. Now here's a real problem coming at us - in the future who is going to buy my car? I bet that most people reading this have some familiarity with working on cars, I grew up playing around with old cars (mostly doing more harm than good), who does that now? The kids these days are into computers and Facebook. I can't see many of them taking on a high maintenance sports car.

   The cars we see in the motoring mags etc. selling for outrageous sums seem to be getting bought by punters with big budgets, more as an investment than as a mechanical hobby. When it goes wrong call the mechanic.

6. in this country select old Fords and Holdens have appreciated significantly, but they are part of the Aussie culture. The 928 is definitely not part of the Aussie culture.

Actually I don't think its part of any countries culture, even Germany. And that folks might be our biggest problem. - John D. '84 S2 Still 20 odd known issues either WIP or waiting for attention.

Back to Greg's article...