1990-1995 Porsche 928: Full Review

Updated: 11/23/08

1990 Porsche 928
1995 Porsche 928
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1990-1995 Porsche 928

  • Price Range:  $9,000 - $21,600
CG Rating

39

out of 100

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Learn about the year-to-year changes and reliability for the 1990-1995 Porsche 928 and our price chart details a range of prices based on vehicle mileage and condition.

Pros

  • Handling/roadholding
  • Acceleration

Cons

  • Price
  • Ride

Vehicle Highlights

First seen at the Geneva (Switzerland) auto show way back in 1977, Porsche's "flagship" model gained dual airbags, a limited-slip rear differential, and a tire-pressure monitor for 1990. This year's change made Porsche the first manufacturer to offer standard airbags for both the driver and the front passenger. Porsche considered the 928 to be its Premier Grand Touring automobile, promoting its exclusive Weissach rear suspension as an enhancement to stability. The luxury/sports 2+2 hatchback coupe was powered by a front-mounted V8 engine, unlike the rear-engined 911 series. With a 5-speed manual transmission, the 5.0-liter, 32-valve dual-cam aluminum-alloy V8 developed 326 horsepower; but with 4-speed automatic, output dipped by 10, to 316 horsepower. Model designations were 928 GT with manual shift, and 928 S4 with automatic. Antilock braking had been standard since 1986. The new limited-slip differential automatically transferred more torque to the wheel with the most traction, based on wheel speed, slippage, and lateral acceleration. The tire-pressure monitor alerted the driver if any tire dropped below a preset level. Standard equipment included automatic climate control, leather power seats with driver's memory, power windows, power door locks, an alarm system, cruise control, sunroof, heated power mirrors, heated windshield-washer nozzles, fold-out door armrests, cassette stereo, and foglights. Forged alloy wheels held 16-inch tires.

Expert Ratings Summary (view detailed report)

Category Porsche 928 Rating
Performance 8
Fuel Economy 2
Ride Quality 2
Steering/Handling/Braking 8
Quietness 2
Controls/Materials 6
Interior Room 5
Room/Comfort (rear) 1
Cargo Capacity 2
Value within Class 3
Total Score: 39
Learn about the year-to-year changes of the 1990-1995 Porsche 928. Get full details of the styling and performance changes throughout the history of the 1990-1995 Porsche 928.

Year to Year Changes


1991 Porsche 928: Not much was new for the 928 in 1991.
1992 Porsche 928: No new 928 coupes went to dealers this year, as Porsche prepared an improved version for '93.
1993 Porsche 928: Porsche enlarged the engine for the 928 coupes this year, changing the model designation to 928 GTS. Displacing 5.4 liters, the new V8 produced 345 horsepower. Larger, wider 17-inch "Turbo-design" wheels and tires were installed, rear fenders were widened, and the rear track width grew by 2.7 inches. Front brakes were enlarged, and the manual transmission gained an oil cooler. A rear wing spoiler could be painted body-color or black, and outside mirrors resembled those installed on the 929 supercar.
1994 Porsche 928: Changes were few for 1994.
1995 Porsche 928: No major changes marked the final versions of the Porsche flagship, and no other V8 model was in the works.

Our road test for the 1990-1995 Porsche 928 includes a full evaluation from the inside out. We've evaluated every aspect of the 1990-1995 Porsche 928 and highlighted the vehicle's performance with pros and cons. Use our comprehensive road test ratings to decide if this generation 1990-1995 Porsche 928 is right for you.

Consumer Guide® Road-Test Evaluation

Buyers of a 928 get to drive the most luxurious Porsche of its time, with the bonus of all the usual performance ingredients that have made the German sports-car maker legendary. In addition, the 928 driver does not have to face the tricky behavior for which the rear-engined 911 series was noted. With its muscular V8 mounted up front, the 928's back end is not nearly as likely to skid sideways in demanding turns, like a 911 might. That doesn't mean a 928 can be driven idly. Porsche has never built boulevard sports cars, remember. Its craftsmen basically build racing cars for competition purposes, and then modify those cars for street use. Therefore, driving skill is needed to take full advantage of the 928's strengths, and do so safely. A session or two at a high-performance school would be a wise investment, in more ways than one. Beyond more controllable road behavior you get considerably more power than a comparable 911, with its flat 6-cylinder engine, would offer. Those extra horses translate to higher top speed and even stronger acceleration. Porsche claimed that a manual-shift 928 GTS would accelerate to 60 mph in 5.5 seconds, and that an automatic transmission knocked only a tenth of a second off that figure. On the down side, most 928 coupes were subject to a federal gas-guzzler tax, so don't expect too much in the way of fuel economy. Then again, so were the 911s. As a bonus, however, the 928's longer wheelbase yields greater space in the back seat than the severely cramped 911. Both cars are 2+2 coupes, though, and not serious 4-seaters.
Value for the Money
Expensive when new (priced at $74,545 in 1990, and reaching past $80,000 over the following years), the 928 remains costly today. Porsche fans may be eager to pay for their pleasures, but the 928 is far from the best used sports-car value.

Expert Ratings Summary

Category Porsche 928 Rating
Performance 8
Fuel Economy 2
Ride Quality 2
Steering/Handling/Braking 8
Quietness 2
Controls/Materials 6
Interior Room 5
Room/Comfort (rear) 1
Cargo Capacity 2
Value within Class 3
Total Score: 39

Each vehicle report contains one rating chart for representative model. Consumer Guide® rates in ten key areas: Performance, Fuel Economy, Ride Comfort, Steering and Handling, Interior Noise, Controls and Materials, Driver Room, Passenger Room, Cargo Capacity, and Insurance Costs. These ratings compare the particular vehicle rated to ALL other vehicles, not a vehicle's standing in a particular class. In the ratings table, "1" is the lowest rating and "10" is the highest rating.
Our reliability study for this generation Porsche 928 includes details on average repair costs, manufacturer recalls, and everything you need to know to gauge the long-term reliability of this generation Porsche 928 .

Trouble Spots

Consumer Guide's® Auto Editors have scoured repair bulletins and questioned mechanics to search for commonly occurring problems for a particular vehicle. In some cases we also give possible manufacturer-suggested solutions. In many instances these trouble spots are Technical Service Bulletins posted by the manufacturer, however, we have our own expert looking at additional vehicle problems.

Air conditioner: The air conditioner stops working because the O-rings leak between the expansion valve and evaporator. (1991-92)

Battery: The battery dies and the alarm system malfunctions if the radio is removed and reinstalled without the frame for the radio touching an insulating strip on the radio. (1990-93)

Battery: The battery can go dead because the switches for the doors and glovebox light may not open fully when the doors are closed. (1992-94)

Tail/brake lights: The fuse for the brake lights and cruise control blows because the wiring harness near the right hinge on the hatch gets chafed. (1991)

Consumer Guide® Estimated Repair Costs

This table lists costs of likely repairs for comparison with other vehicles. The dollar amount includes the cost of the part(s) and labor (based on $50 per hour) for the typical repair without extras or add-ons. Like the pricing information, replacement costs can vary widely depending on region. Expect charges at a new-car dealership to be slightly higher.
Item Name Repair Cost
A/C Compressor $655
Alternator $510
Automatic Transmission or Transaxle $1,300
Brakes $450
Clutch, Pressure Plate, Bearing $850
Constant Velocity Joints $1,345
Exhaust System $825
Radiator $410
Shocks and/or Struts $1,190
Timing Chain or Belt $330
Our price chart for this generation Porsche 928 details a range of prices in year-by-year listings based on vehicle mileage and condition.
Prices Good Average Poor
1995
928 $21,000-23,500 $19,300-21,600 $13,700-15,300
1994
928 $17,000-19,000 $15,600-17,500 $10,900-12,200
1993
928 $13,800-15,500 $12,600-14,100 $8,300-9,300
1991
928 $11,500-12,800 $10,400-11,500 $6,300-7,000
1990
928 $10,000-11,200 $9,000-10,100 $5,300-5,900
This chart details a range of prices in year-by-year listings for vehicles in three condition levels:
Good: a clean low-mileage, solid-running vehicle that needs little or no repair.
Average: a car with normal miles on the odometer, perhaps a few scrapes or dings; engine might need a minor repair or two, but runs acceptably well.
Poor: might have potentially dangerous problems with the engine and/or body, or abnormally high mileage; definitely in need of mechanical attention. Valuations reflect wholesale prices paid by dealers at auction, and retail prices on used-car lots. Each range covers all trim levels and engine types for a vehicle with a typical amount of equipment--usually an automatic transmission, air conditioning, stereo, etc. Fully loaded vehicles may cost more. Average mileage is 12,000 miles per year. Keep in mind that these are guidelines only. Actual selling prices vary- especially from region to region.
Specs for this generation Porsche 928 include everything from fuel mileage to seating capacity to options availability.

Vehicle Dimensions

Specification 2-door coupe
Wheelbase, in. 98.4
Overall Length, in. 178.1
Overall Width, in. 74.4
Overall Height, in. 50.5
Curb Weight, lbs. 3593
Cargo Volume, cu. ft. --
Standard Payload, lbs. --
Fuel Capacity, gals. 22.7
Seating Capacity 4
Front Head Room, in. --
Max. Front Leg Room, in. --
Rear Head Room, in. --
Max. Rear Leg Room, in. --

Specifications Key: NA = not available; "--" = measurement does not exist.

Powertrain Options and Availability

Through 1992, Porsche's 5.0-liter V8 produced 316 horsepower with the 4-speed automatic transmission, or 326 horsepower if equipped with 5-speed manual shift. A 5.4-liter V8 went into 1993 models, developing 345 horsepower.
Engines Size liters /
cu. in		 Horse- power Torque Transmission:
EPA city/hgwy		 Consumer Guide Observed
dohc V8 5.4 / 329 345 369 5-speed manual: 12/19
4-speed automatic: 15/19		 5-speed manual: --
4-speed automatic: --
dohc V8 5.0 / 302 316-326 317 5-speed manual: 13/19
4-speed automatic: 15/19		 5-speed manual: --
4-speed automatic: --

Specifications Key: NA = not available; "--" = measurement does not exist.
Built In:  Germany
Drive Wheels: longitudinal front-engine/rear-wheel drive
Detailed safety information for this generation Porsche 928 include detailed crash test scores from the NHTSA.

NHTSA Crash-Test Results

Vehicle crash test information not available at this time.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) tests a vehicle's worthiness in front- and side-impact collisions and rates its resistance to rollovers. Front-impact crash-test numbers indicate the chance of serious injury: 5 = 10% or less; 4 = 10-20%; 3 = 20-35%; 2 = 35-45%; 1 = More than 45%. Sideimpact crash-test numbers indicate: 5 = 5% or less; 4 = 6-10%; 3 = 11-20%; 2 = 21-25%; 1 = More than 26%. Rollover resistance numbers indicate the chance for rollover when the vehicle leaves the roadway: 5 = Less than 10%; 4 = 10-20%; 3 = 20-30%; 2 = 30-40%; 1 = More than 40%.

Learn about official auto recalls, reliability issues, and vehicle problems for the 1990-1995 Porsche 928 directly from the NHTSA and manufacturers.

NHTSA Recall History

1990: Plastic fuel-gauge mounting nut may crack and allow fuel to leak from tank.
1991: Improperly supported plastic filler piece in automatic transmission can move because of hydraulic pressure in system, preventing kickdown into lower gear.

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