1987 Porsche 928S4 | Retro Review
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The Porsche 928S4 has always been a bucket list car for me although I'm shocked i never knew just how much they cost new -Ben.
Show 618 | Original Recording 3.17.1987
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Tony Montana: How Much?
Car dealer: $43k, fully equipped
Tony: That's all?
Dealer: Machine gun turrets are extra.
Tony: Funny guy.
@@AkeoT9 That's a good idea!
"Satallites for the UFO"
"Plenty of room for golf clubs" i'm no expert but aren't those tennis rackets ?
Even here in former West Germany nobody ever liked this car much and sales were low. Looking back on it from today’s perspective, it is a masterpiece of engineering with an iconic design that was way ahead of its time. I remember that for Ferry Porsche’s 75th birthday in 1984 the company’s gift to him was a special “shooting brake” edition of the 928S with a longer wheelbase and comfortable back seats for two adults. It came in a dark green metallic with a matching green interior. The car looked weird back in the day, but again the engineers were one step ahead. Years later the market would be ready for 4 seater, even 4 door Porsches …
I’m telling you, in 1987 this looks 5 years newer than just about anything on the road.
Which is amazing, considering that it originally came out in 1977.
It looked 15 years newer than anything on the road when it came out in 1977 ha ha
Such a beautiful car
Still turns heads after 25 years.
Over three decades old and still looks fresh a truly timeless design. 145k in 2021 dollars.
Now imagine that a Cadillac Allanté, with about half the power, FWD, a manual top, and a chassis based heavily on the Olds Toronado, cost about the same.
Eh. I think it looks pretty dated. But that’s just me
Much better looking than panamera and technically too cause it had transaxle back in 1977, panamera has tranmission bolted in front, cheap junk.
I had no idea these 928s were so expensive when they were new. Isn’t a new Porsche 911 around 100k?
@@lolcow_presidentyes it's why Porsche was almost out of business less than 10 yrs later. They were still hand building cars In very small volumes and the Deutschmark was very strong to the dollar in those days.
The automatic transmission is the Mercedes 722.3 transmission which was also in the w124,w126, and r107. They are Pretty reliable
Yes they even raced it in the R107 450SLC.
I've had a blue S4 for over a decade now. It's a 4 speed auto. Well balanced. Nice torque from around 30 to 70mph.(in kickdown). Fast steering..Push it hard and you can sense the rear wheel passive steering (Weisach axle). You have to push it hard to make it feel like a go kart but only in absolutely dry weather otherwise it'll spin without warning. Most comfortable seats ever (IMExperience). Loads of feedback through chassis/steering compared to modern cars.
“I’ve got a trig midterm tomorrow, and I’m being chased by Guido the killer pimp.”
That was a 928, not an S4, not even an S.
Sorry , don’t have any movie quotes regarding an S4 , or even an S .
Weird Science maybe ?
@@robertc5200 "I'd like to butter your muffin"
The design of the 928 was so ahead of its time that I'm STILL warming up to it 44 years later. I can only imagine the gasps when it hit the showroom floor in 1977.
Today if you see one on the road it may well have a small block Chevy under the hood.
The way that early interior looked is so crazy, even today it’s an incredibly modern and artful design. With all the panels flat and joined together seamlessly, with not even the speakers being seen (rather they were integrated into the door panel’s flat design leaving just a panel perforated with little holes where the speakers were), that interior showed design aesthetics that only came about with things like the modern Apple computer and the IPhone! AND IT CAME OUT IN THE 1970s!!! Hell even modern Porsche’s don’t incorporate the gauge cluster so that it can move along with the steering column so that the steering wheel doesn’t get in the way of the gauges, even modern Porsches don’t have that! This is honestly Porsche at its very best, and the credit for the interior goes to someone not many people know about named Hans Braun, he was the primary designer behind that interior.
Some Porsche purists might knock its front-engined design (and the design in general), but the 928 is my favorite classic Porsche.
I would have preferred the 944 Turbo
"Motor Week must surely be running out of good 'Retro Reviews' by now..."
MW: "You were saying? Our vault goes deeper than anywhere else on Earth. Have a seat and show some respect youngin' ".
And there's still quite a bit left that hasn't even been digitized yet...
@@Motorweek I only come here to watch the retro reviews as new cars do nothing for me.
@@Motorweek still looking for that Citroen XM grey import review :)
@@dcanmore same as what showed on tv show The Mentalist ?
@@jjs777fzr that was a Citroen DS.
Got a used '83 S model. Manual,dark metallic green with cream interior, and sunroof. Destiny was that it was the exact same car I took pictures of, and dreant about when I was much younger. My exact dream car come true. Aaaand sometimes your heroes are best left alone... :) It was a moneypit, but that I expected. What I didn't expect was that just a very few mechanics know how to properly service them. The nearest official Porsche didn't have a clue... Bright side: it was superfun to drive, and had absolutely comfy seats. Sold it after a few years because I got fed up with sport cars; decided to work less, have more free time, and give what I can to those who really need it. Very happy with my choice.
The '83 was a *turd* compared to this '87 S4.
@@gavinvalentino6002 Too bad my mech (who REALLY could work on those) says the opposite. Yes, the S4 had better handling, but the engine wasn't as torquey, and it was plagued by electronic faults. Numbers on paper don't always tell the whole story...
Anybody with reasonable patience and aptitude can work on a 944 but the 928 is a different beast, and the 32v train here leads to some different parts issues. Still a great car but yeah you need a specialist.
@@fredbobberts5753 Absolutely.
This is honestly my favorite Porsche of all time
The 928S4 gathered dust in the showroom of most Porsche dealers. I know of two East Coast dealers who would pay *100% commission* to any salesperson who could get rid of one. So you came to see the 944? Let me show you the 928S4 instead! Oh, you like the 911 Cabrio? Let me show you the 928S4 instead! Oh, you're just waiting for the service department to finish the oil change on your Vanagon? Here, let me show you the 928S4! Just stopped by to get a sunvisor clip for your Scirocco? Let me show you the 928S4!
Most of them were sold at a loss, and dealers were happy to see them go.
I sold mine in '04 to the owner of the Sbarro pizza chain for 1/3 of what it's worth now, which is beyond the sticker price it had when new.
Such is the case with most high priced foreign cars
I'm supposed to get a 928S4 from a friend's dad for free. He just sent pics. Looks clean. Waiting on an interior picture to know for sure if it's a stick. Paint is faded. I'm super excited.
That free car will be the most expensive you've ever owned, but have fun and learn how to work on it yourself
@@SooperKewl nah, I passed on it. I have enough projects already.
@@PhysifistEngineeringWould have refused the offer from the get go.
315 hp in the 80s was good
Still enough to have fun. People get lost in hp numbers
Very good in the 80s
Terrible in the 70s
Good? It was great. Close to supercars hp of the 80’s.
Been in love with this car since "Weird Science!"
My pops owned 2 of these and one of them was a 928 Strosek RIP pops.
Your dad sounds like he was pretty cool.
@@starkparker16 One of a kind!
i had those on poster when i was a kid black one , my dream car
Glad MW posted this Retro Review from the archives! I'm 6 months in on owning my first 928 S4: a 1988 in GP White with Red leather. Great car so far.
Had this exact car in midnight blue with classic gray interior (more white than silver) i hated this car at first due to all the issues i had(purchased used) i did have a exdended warranty. I then took it to a specialist who kbew about these cars and omg the car was like night and day after..i loved loved loved it..sadly afyer 3 years a cab went through a stop sign and t boned the car tweeking the frame, that was one fun car and did it turn heads..great memories.
It's a better car I think but I like the 944 ...has a more muscular rear...great track day car with an LS in it
@@bilbobaggins4710 i had a 944 as well as a 944 turbo but when you put the proper wheels and a nice tint job on the 928s4 the car was sweet with the power and torq it had and the 928 gts was even nicer.
Thank you for posting this classic review of an amazing car. Was also great to see a reference to Al Holbert’s run making it the quickest production car of the day.
im 61 and I had wanted one of these when i was younger..remember going to used car dealers and sweet talking my way into getting out alone in these behind the wheel...Always took extra concentration to Not mess up the shifts with that weird shift pattern...Yeah, I toodle outta there nice and easy and then do lots of hard launches and pulls when I was around the corner...then of course, i'd toodle back in nice and easy... these were a thrill to row through the gears and hear the 32 valve beast scream to the redline...the ones with auto's felt slow off the line and lacked lowend torque...the power was soft on the bottom and would wind out nicely to a high top end...manual was the way to go with these...they always felt so special when u sat in and drove one... unique and memorable...never owned one sadly and now that they are cheap, its the repair cost that keeps me away.
You can’t afford one we get it. They aren’t a ton in maintenance if you buy a good one. This was one of the most expensive cars to own and still is. Nothing has changed
There was a time when you reached something special in your life and went to a Porsche dealer and bought the pinnacle of series cars. That time is long gone.
The 928 is the only Porsche I have ever wanted.
My dad has one of these but it's a 1989 with more electronics and rear air vents. 125K miles. Finished in the very rare Coral Metallic, only available for that year. Dark brown leather interior. 3 person memory seating. Sunroof. Protected by a cover, it hasn't left the garage or seen the sun in 12 years. Even though it only runs for 10 minutes once every 2-3 years it still starts without any issues but needs new plug wires to stop a misfire.
Your dad should sell it to someone that will care for it.
If he runs (idles) it for 10 minutes every 2-3 years it more likely needs a set of plugs. They will be fowled up from running rich then being shut down over and over. Grab the keys and go and kick its head in, it will come back around!
the risky business porsche!
A wood tennis racket? 2:20 This IS a retro review 👴🏻
Back in the day I was seriously looking to buy an 4 - 5 year old 1985 or so 928. Thought I would go the the library and check out the repair history as I knew and repairs would be expensive. I believed I used the Edmundson LemonAid guide at the very least. Wellll, It was a nightmare of historical and expensive repairs. I kinda go a heads up when I test drove it - the Audio system literally sounded like a tin can/portable pocket radio. I ended up buying a 4 year old MR2 winter stored with less than 25,000 mikes on it. All I did was put Sticky Bridgestone Potenza's, 100% Synthetic oils throughout and a full flow oiled foam air filter - like a motor cycle air filter of the day. Rock solid and unexpected repairs over 5 years was next to nothing.
Pretty sure that 'S4' doesn't stand for "4th Generation", but four valves per cylinder...
I think it must stand for wheels, the car has 4 wheels.
You are correct according to my memory. This was my favorite car when I was a kid.
Its. 4th gen
S4 is 4th gen. S3 was for the US 32v cars in 1985 and 1986 only.
I prefer the first generation car's looks - more so at the rear - especially the original no spoiler, no side protectors, teledial wheel version (in Petroleum Blau... mmm). I always hated the sewer covers.
Yow I have those sewer lids in my 944s and I love them - they are actually good wheels especially once refinished.
@@fredbobberts5753 - functionally they are great wheels - extremely robust. But I don't like their looks on a 928 at all. They look fine on 924s though.
165mph+ in style and comfort back in 1987.
See why we love the ‘80s?
@@stringer-ik1pc LMAO 😂 I have two! What a moron I am...
Stringer you sound like you’ve never owned a car like this. Maybe one day little guy
Man I live in Atlanta and have been hearing motorweek talk about damn robling road track for 30 yrs in savannah ga. I got to get my ass down there and drive my versa around that thing! 😂
Continues to be one of my dream cars
I own 3 and it’s still mine. Will always be.
I always loved the 928’s as a kid growing up in the 80’s
The 928 was my favourite car back then. I'd still like to drive one.
Absolutely amazing the engineering present here. Look at the junk from Detroit at this time. WOW.
You hear that Americans/Canadians?
He is pronouncing 'Porsche' properly...with no silent 'e'.
I've got an early 86, which has the earlier suspension. I would never say it oversteers unless you really provoke it. Beautifully neutral balance. I think they just wanted people to understand that it doesn't handle like the massively front-heavy cars Americans were accustomed to at the time.
I own 3 and you’re right. One of the easiest cars to correct when it gets sideways.
I enjoyed my 1988 928S4 for nearly 12 years. Beautiful car, at home on the highway, and relatively reliable if you keep up with the maintenance.
@@stringer-ik1pc totally agree, junk in the wrong hands, also a money pit. That’s why I have two, an S4 and GT both black.
Stringer, way to comment with zero substance. You’re talking about one of the fastest cars in the world in its time. Your broke ass couldn’t come close to affording one of these lol
That car was way ahead of its time and still holds up well today! Beautiful. 👌🥰👍
I miss my 1990 928 GT with 5-speed. Had it for 15 years. Best all around driving car I have ever experienced. Would do anything you asked of it. But I don't miss the $$ maintenance side.
Love it. Still looks modern and exotic like nothing else on the road.
This is the biggest disappointment I ever owned. I bought it in 1990 and had it for less than a year due to all the problems. I traded it in and got a 1989 Mustang GT.
Hiya. I'm surprised I thought the Porsche was solid reliability back then. What went wrong with your one. Was it brand new?
@Kinky Streets Yes, I gathered that Kinky.
@@ColonelJGHyde
It had a lot of fuel management and electrical gremlins.
@@1madinjun I have owned 3 and they have all been amazing, 928S, 928S4 and 928 GTS, guess you dont now much about finding a good car.
I love when people get cheesed with their 928s, makes it cheap for me to buy! Such an easy car to work on if you have a brain and can read a WSM.
S4 does not mean 4th generation! It stands for 4 valves per cyl. the 4th Gen was the 928GT/GTS.
My dad had an 1989 S4 and it was so smooth at high speeds.
I was a paperboy and a cook at the restaurant I delivered to had one of these and it was the most amazing car I had ever seen in person.
This was my dream car back in college '87-'88 .. still turns heads today
same here
@@stringer-ik1pc so true! Drops jaws when the mechanic’s bill lands too... it ain’t a car for the faint hearted. Only for those who know their engineering and enjoy using their brains. The rest should buy Toyotas (zzzzzzz...) and forget about it.
When I was in college in the early 90s, this law student neighbor of mine got her dad's red '87 928S4 as a gift, and I offered to wax it for her just to be close to that dream car of mine. The Liquid Glass made her car look so gorgeous that she let me drive it on Lincoln Drive in Philly, a windy fast road, and til this day, it's the most memorable "car fan boy" day of my life! 😄
My Lottery Dream GT of the 1980s. I Wish Porsche Bring It Back in 2025.
A friend of mine bought one 8 years ago for $6000... nothing wrong with it and only 32,000 miles... no need to dream. They are not that special anymore.
@@bonzainews cheap to buy....but the parts and repairs...just walk into autozone and ask for old porsche parts...lucky to get them and luckier if u can afford them
A proper 928 is special. Your friend bought a crappy ratted out one, big deal. No restored 928 is going for $6000.
It’s amazing how much you paid for performance in the 80s by modern standards
Ah, brings back memories of the transformers.
Honestly this is my favorite porsche though.
928, my favorite sports car. ❤️
I wanted one since Risky Business:) Getting chased by “Guido the pimp” around Chiraq;)
My 1980s Dream GT Car.
So, I'm talking to my dad discussing our favorite cars we ever had in the family. And not to my surprise we agreed, his 1973 Pontiac Grand Prix & the 928, which I have . We don't say this lightly as we have had some incredible cars between the 2 of us. I think people would appreciate the 928 a lot more if they would stop comparing it to the 911, which really is in a league all in it's own. Always get comments on the car, especial since replacing the manhole cover wheels with the GT's.
the car goes 165 and some complained of the rear spoiler, not only does it look great you'll likely need if you took one to it's limits. excellent video package and presentation. Porsche should always keep a working man's Porsche in the line up and not let it's base model get inflated, the entry level cayman is now 68K Porsche should have a 45k model......working single man that is.
John Davis’ favorite car
For real?
@@jareknowak8712 yes, he mentioned it on a video, and I asked him on a livestream. He said the 928 was the best car he ever tested and his favorite along with his old Corvette.
Pretty cool and unique having the manual transmission set up as “a dog leg” shift pattern (1st gear down and on the left)!!
They still make this car. It's called an AMG GT.
when have they NOT gone to roebling road raceway?
Ya know, I knew of the 928 since I was a kid, I saw it in a lot of car magazines in the 80s....but until quite recently I never knew the headlights actually popped up, lol
The only Porsche's I ever wanted, the 928 and the 911.
One of my childhood dreams. Porsche should make this and the 944 again
Loved this car ever since I saw Tom Cruise wring it out in Risky Business as he got chased by Guido the killer pimp.
She puts tennis rackets in the boot but a big bag on the rear seats :s
*Imagine if Porsche does bring the 928 back with a V8.*
They're too busy making ugly crossovers and electric junk to appease new green dealers.
V8 in 2021? Keep dreaming.
@@JackBandicootsBunker so what only 3 cylinders now and hairdrier motors??
@@V8_screw_electric_cars 3 and 4-cylinders and electric motors. Be grateful there will be 6-cylinder engines. I’m not condoning it, I’m lamenting it. But hey, European Emissions Regulations...
THANKS JOHN!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Woo hoo!!! It came with RADIAL(!) tires in 1987 and counts as a Plus for safety. I think white wall bias ply tires wouldn't be too acceptable.
1987: 5-litre V8, 316 HP in a Porsche that cost the equivalent of about $158K today..
2022, 2.7-litre V6, 325 HP in a Ford pickup truck that cost about $45K today.
We are *definitely* living in a golden age of horsepower.
I appreciate the dainty throws used for the shifter demonstration. For whatever reason, I can't stand seeing the guy with blue blockers and black leather driving gloves slamming through the gears of a PARKED car.
No, the S4 means 4 valves per cylinder. This was the third generation (928, 928S, 928S4, etc.)
If I won the lottery, I'd definitely buy a 928, maybe a weird ugly brown, gold or pea green one. Join the vintage Porsche club and show up to their meets just to troll the air cooled 911 dudes lol. Seriously though the 928 is an absolutely striking piece of design, my best friend's dad had a mid 80's silver 928 as his daily growing up. Didn't realize it was the "Scar Face" Porsche until a few years later.
The 911 guys would want to sit in it - they would have no issue with seeing a good one. The more seventies the paint and interior the better.
I can't be the only one who thinks of Scarface immediately when seeing this car
Lol true. Nice avatar.
Also Tom Cruise in Risky Business.
@@jackchn23 Rebecca DeMornay "so are you ready for me, Ralph"?
Been waiting for this archived video for a LONG TIME to go with my 928 (identical to the test car)
One of my favourite cars of all time! 😎
These cars were beautiful, my 2nd favorite Porsche model after the 959...My best friends dad had a 1978 928 that was Black and he would drive it back and forth between OKC and Tulsa at an average speed of 100 MPH on the Turner Turnpike and it only took 30 minutes to get there. lol
More than $60,000 back then was crazy money. Part of the reason Porsche almost went out of business.
I paid $60k for my first house in 1993. I thought I was in deep deep debt. Today it will get you a truck.
Man those are long shifter throws 😱
so nice, but for me the non-plus-ultra was the "final edition", the 928 GTS....
A sensational car!
Totally gorgeous car. Porsche should remake it.
Yep.
Definitly we need more true coupes.
By true i mean 2 door.
Panamera Coupe or Tycan Coupe - would be great!
Now all the new Porsches are longer and wider like the 928.
0-60 in 6.2 seconds, who was driving this thing Mr. Magoo?
So I’m not the only person who grew up with Mr. Magoo who is still alive? Weird 🤣🤣🤣
Did you not listen? he said the clutch was worn
These cars were heavy, almost 2 tons, lot's of steel in them....
@@plombo5728 Mr Magoo is now in an animated retirement village .
Porsche: Check out this new inflatable bladder for lumbar support!
Toyota: Laughs in Celica, old news bruh
Except John was so over-the-top in his calculated speech, he overcompensates and clearly says "blatter".
@@gavinvalentino6002 hahaha always
My dad used to have one of these, a 89. Sweet car.
All I have to say is, THANKS JOHN!
at 2:20 golf clubs huh, OK?!🤣🤣🤣🤣
Still love in it!!!!
1st gear is down? man, that is a deal breaker
6:20 Nobody would fit in the rear seats John
No telling what Porsche engineers will think up for the 5th generation 928?? ..... Panamera
wow so beautiful and super car👌👌
This Porsche 928 S4 is the official vehicle of feminist lawyer Gloria Allred......hers is black.....she still drives it daily to work....I think she bought it brand new in the early 90s and has driven it all these years....she still drives her Porsche 928 S4 from Malibu to downtown Los Angeles everyday to work....if you drive on highway 1 from Malibu to Santa Monica every morning, you might get lucky and see her zooming by in her 928 S4..old car but she maintains it very well and it looks spotless and beautiful....she also drives a black Lexus LS430 from the early 2000s.....she also has a gray Toyota Landcruiser 200 series that she drives to work when the weather is bad in LA...yes, we fo get crazy rain here in LA too.......
Been looking for this! Thank you
06:53 MotorWeek there never came a fifth generation of the 928.
Sure there was, the GT and that was followed by the GTS
87 iroc-z Camaro 5.7 liter, the Porsche on the top end but I'm taking the iroc-z
What about the 89 Turbo T/A
Radial tires? Wow!
Not a bad looking car so long as the headlights arent up.
I've been in the Auto industry for ever. I spent time in the gray market. Legalizing EU imports, seeing as i came from detroit i gave the Imports american names ,i called this a SS 396 chevelle.
I own one of the gray markets, an 83 928 5 speed with the better Euro engines. That was a good time to import.