The car designed to replace the 911 is now available for roughly the same price as a well-optioned Toyota Camry. The Porsche 928 is arguably the greatest car to ever fail at its primary mission. Conceived in the 1970s as the successor to the then-aging 911, it was supposed to lead Porsche into a brave new future of front-engined grand tourers. What happened instead was that the 911 refused to die, the 928 eventually faded away, and now – in one of life's wonderful ironies – you can pick up a usable example of this once-flagship Porsche for less than $30,000.It's an automotive bargain hiding in plain sight. A V8-powered, German-engineered grand tourer with pop-up headlights, futuristic styling, and enough luxury to make a Mercedes owner jealous, all for the price of a sensible family sedan. But should you actually buy one? Let's dive into the story of Porsche's grand experiment to find out. How The Porsche 928 Almost Changed Automotive History The story of the 928 begins in the early 1970s, when Porsche found itself in a bit of a predicament. The 911, with its rear-mounted, air-cooled engine, was increasingly looking like an automotive dinosaur in an era of tightening emissions and safety regulations. Porsche's leadership, particularly Ernst Fuhrmann (then CEO), believed the 911's days were numbered and that the company needed a more modern flagship to survive.What they came up with was genuinely revolutionary for Porsche at the time – a front-engined, water-cooled V8 grand tourer with 2+2 seating and enough luxury to compete with the best from Mercedes-Benz. This was Porsche's first clean-sheet design, as the 911 had evolved from the 356, which itself was based on Volkswagen mechanicals. When the 928 debuted in 1977, it was unlike anything Porsche had ever built. The sleek, rounded body featured aluminum doors, hood, and front fenders to keep weight down. The 4.5-liter V8 produced 240 horsepower – respectable for the era – and was paired with either a five-speed manual or a three-speed automatic transmission. Most impressively, it featured a revolutionary "Weissach Axle" rear suspension that provided exceptional stability during cornering. The automotive press was immediately smitten. The 928 won the prestigious European Car of the Year award in 1978 – the first and only sports car ever to do so. It was praised for its refinement, performance, and innovative design. Porsche was so confident in the 928's success that they had already begun winding down development of the 911. And then something unexpected happened. The 911 continued to sell, while the 928 struggled to find its audience. Porsche purists rejected this front-engined interloper, and luxury buyers weren't entirely convinced by the Porsche badge. The 928 was caught in a no-man's land – too comfort-oriented for hardcore Porsche enthusiasts, and not established enough to lure buyers away from Mercedes and BMW.What saved the 911 from extinction was, ironically, a former Coca-Cola executive. Peter Schutz became CEO of Porsche in 1981 and famously walked into engineering director Helmuth Bott's office to find a chart on the wall showing development timelines for Porsche's models. The 911's line abruptly ended in 1981, while the 928 and 944 continued far into the future. Schutz picked up a marker and extended the 911's line off the chart and onto the wall, effectively saving the iconic sports car from extinction with a single gesture. Why The Porsche 928 Deserves A Second Look Today Despite failing in its mission to replace the 911, the 928 evolved into an exceptional grand tourer during its 18-year production run. The final iteration, the 928 GTS produced from 1992 to 1995, featured a 5.4-liter V8 producing 345 horsepower and could hit 60 mph in 5.5 seconds on its way to a top speed of 166 mph – figures that remain respectable even by today's standards.Throughout its life, the 928 saw continuous improvements. The early 4.5-liter cars gave way to the more powerful 928 S with a 4.7-liter engine, followed by the 928 S4 with a 5.0-liter V8, the sportier 928 GT, and finally the ultimate 928 GTS. Each version brought more power, better handling, and increased refinement. What makes the 928 particularly appealing today is its unique position in the collector car market. While early models can be had for as little as $20,000 (for a 1982 model), pristine examples of the final GTS version have sold for over $400,000. That's an enormous spread, meaning there's a 928 for almost every budget – as long as you're prepared for the inevitable maintenance costs that come with any vintage Porsche.The driving experience is unlike any other Porsche. The 928 doesn't have the raw, connected feel of a 911; instead, it offers a sublime blend of performance and comfort that makes it the perfect vehicle for high-speed, long-distance travel. It's the kind of car that you could drive 500 miles in a day and step out feeling refreshed rather than beaten up – a proper grand tourer in every sense. Jeremy Clarkson famously drove a 928 GT flat-out to see his dying father in hospital, later praising the car's ability to remain composed at high speed. It's this combination of performance and usability that defines the 928 experience – a proper GT car that just happens to wear a Porsche badge. Inside, the 928 features one of the most distinctive cockpit designs of its era. The instrument cluster moves with the steering wheel when you adjust it, ensuring perfect visibility of the gauges regardless of your driving position. The seats are supportive yet comfortable for long journeys, and the overall build quality is typical German excellence. Is the 928 perfect? Of course not. Early models suffer from electrical gremlins that will have you questioning your life choices, and parts can be both expensive and difficult to find. The timing belt needs changing every 30,000 miles or so, which is a major job on this engine. And God help you if the automatic transmission decides to call it quits. But these concerns are offset by the fact that you're getting a genuine piece of Porsche history for the price of a modern economy car. The 928 represents a fascinating "what if" moment for Porsche – a glimpse into an alternate timeline where the company pivoted away from the 911 and toward front-engined grand tourers. For the enthusiast on a budget looking for something truly special, the 928 offers a unique proposition – V8 power, Porsche engineering, and head-turning looks for roughly the same money as a five-year-old Toyota. It's a car that makes you look like you have far more money than you actually do, especially to those who don't know cars well enough to realize that it's a 30+ year old design. And there's something wonderfully satisfying about driving a car that was supposed to kill off the 911 but failed. It's the automotive equivalent of the villain who turns out to be more interesting than the hero – the one you can't help but root for despite knowing they're doomed to failure. So if you're in the market for something different, something with character and history, and something that won't break the bank (at least initially), the Porsche 928 deserves your attention. Just make sure you find a good mechanic first.
