928 crash/repaired question... - would you buy?

[danielw]

Finally, I have decided to say goodbye to my pretty good (reliable etc.) 944S2 and find a 928GT instead. I have looked at and driven a couple and I have found one as follows.

Things I am OK about include:
- 1992 (badged as an S4 although engine/chassis numbers confirm it's a GT)
- LHD (import from Germany in 1997),
- 150,000km
- Reasonable history (from 2000), new clutch, tyres,
- "Titled owner" - who apparently spent $$$$s on it.
- Vendor happy for it to be checked thoroughly by JZ Machtech.
- Clean, solid etc, drives well.
- Vendor will take my 944S2 at a reasonable price.
- Electrical trickery seems to work (see below).

Things that are not so good:
1) After being imported it had a BIG front end accident. Would this put you off?
2) No A/C compressor (new ones are £1300)
3) Airbags not replaced after crash.
4) Gauges / dials still in German & KM
5) Digital display reports - Tyre monitor not working, airbag problems.
6) 50mm Rust bubble on front wing...
7) Didnt notice that the cam belts & chains have been replaced recently.

Overall the vendor wants around £7,500 for it. I would appreciate your thoughts about:
- Should the crash/damange put me off?
- Generally does this seem like a 928 to be wary of? I guess that it could easily require a few thousand to fix the things that I know about... Maybe a car costing a little more would be better?

[danielw]

Thanks for your replies guys, in the end I did walk away.

I called one of the independent garages that had serviced the car (from the history) and they remembered it and warned me off (lots of DIY maintenance as well as anything else).

The vendor reduced the price (down to £6k) but I want a straight one, and UK spec too. Shame really, as getting rid of my 944S2 at the same time would have been too easy.