10k: German Camaro: 1986 Porsche 928 S

Introduced to the world in 1978, the Porsche 928 was billed in big lights as the shape of things to come.  The sleek-in-the-front and bulbous-in-the-rear design was penned by Wolfgang Möbius (not of the Möbius strip fame - that would have been much cooler looking car...) and was one of the first cars to offer a polyurethane front bumper to survive the US DOT mandated 5 mph impact requirements.  A V8 up front mated to a transaxle finished the design that was decidedly non-911 and very much a luxury grand tourer.  Find this 1986 Porsche 928S for sale in Staatsburg, NY currently bidding for $7,500 with a few hours to go.

The Porsche 928 was a technological tour-de-force when it debuted in 1977, but the US didn't get a fast version until 1985 when the twin-cam engine was approved for us in the USA.  The 928 is one of those vehicles that gets better with each year, but prices can range from a few grand for a total wreck to in excess of $20k for a good late model GTS.  This one falls somewhere on the lower side, but could be a good deal if the miles are representative of the condition.  Condition means everything to the 928 owner because parts and labor costs for these things can be catastrophic to your backside....err..back-pocket.

The early versions had to make due with 240 horsepower from a SOHC V8, but this 1986 928S is powered by the DOHC 4.7 liter version that makes a proper 288 horsepower.  The German Camaro puts the big V8 very far back in the chassis and is shifted via a rear mounted transaxle - unfortunately a slushbox in this one.

Modern cars have computers that do all manner of adjustments based on mathematical algorithms, but the 928 features a complex relay board setup under the passenger's feet.  Relays on this board can be as simple as ones that turn the fuel pump on when the car is cranking, to the complex (and impossible to buy) kickdown relay...don't ask me what it does and how, just know that 10 years ago they were selling in excess of $250 new and today are obsolete.  It's just one relay, but now you start to understand that just about every major electro-mechanical component on the car has the same level of complexity.  Fixing the headlight raising mechanism can cost as much as a year's supply of mullet dye.

Be warned.  Buy the nicest example of the 928 you can find, or spend your money fixing the bargain you picked up.  tips@dailyturismo.com