Teach me about 968’s
 

I’ve been looking for an auto convertible for wife and I. A 968 popped up locally. 100k on car. Looks in good shape, haven’t driven.
Any thoughts on 968 appreciated.
Thanks.

Nice cars. Timing belts must be maintained or kerblammo. Also when a belt change is performed, have them look at the tensioner and its mounting to be sure the hole in the block isn't out of round.

This^

Truly wonderful cars to drive.
Excellent driving dynamics.

Asking prices are pretty high here.

always loved the 968

possible cheaper alternative: e36m3, as always most entusiests are looking for tin top 3 pedal. Its hard to find these in decent condition. However they made a lot of auto convertabls as well should be able to find a really nice one for reasonable.

968s are a car many Porsche people have never seen. They are fairly rare. Expect a lot of "what is that" questions from other people.

A 3.0 16valve engine with good torque . Also an interference engine so timing belt upkeep is a must . Fact: every cabriolet started off as a coupe and shipped to another country ( Sweden I think ) to be modified . In my opinion great cars that are under appreciated .

If looking for an auto, have you looked at Boxster or 911 with a PDK? Much more engaging driving experience than previous generation auto boxes. Not sure what the price differential is between a 968 and 987 or 997. I do think the 968 looks great and have heard good things about how they drive.

I have 996 C4S manual that I need to get rid of. Great car but trying to get wife more involved.
Thanks all

I had a 1998 993 C2S .. Now I have a 968. The 993 had terrible gearing the 968 much better Its a keeper

Timing belt tensioners are NLA.
Many have air bag faults. And it's expensive to fix.


I love mine.

Convertible, auto is key.

Do not tow a hot tub with it.

You might want to head over to the 968 forum on Rennlist.

That said, I love my 968. It's a manual coupe with RS Barn chip and catback exhaust, Konis, cross brace, and 18-inch Carrera III wheels. It handles well enough for an amateur like me. I have no experience with a convertible auto, but my understanding is the auto reduces the fun factor. Also, I think the convertible mechanisms are not super reliable but are easily put up or down manually.

Feel free to PM.

it would seem obvious to me that a cheaper, much more modern 986 would be a better choice.

and i was a 944 turbo owner.

I like the rear lines on the cabriolet. Would like a 968 cab w/a removable hardtop matching the lines of the 968 soft top.

Isn't a 968 just a well sorted 944?

Yes.
Very well sorted.

Thanks for the chuckle. . .

https://www.foxnews.com/auto/porsche-driver-ticketed-towing-hot-tub

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1675112158.jpg

944/968 isnt a bad car ... its just not as good as a much more modern 986. semi trailing arms and all.

What do people do if the tensioner breaks? I presume there are creative repairs.

I had 986S. Great car but I like the uniqueness of the 968. I never see them.

By the time the 968 was introduced in the early '90s, the Dollar/Deutsche Mark ratio made it a very expensive car in the U.S.

Head removal, replace valves and valve guides as required. Inspect/replace cams. Inspect/replace pistons, rods, bearings.

When I had my 944 S2 and followed these things more closely, most people this happened to only had to replace valves.


The creative repair is LS swap.

Wasn’t that a Pelican?

Anyways, I had a late 944S2.
It was a good car. Engine was surprisingly smooth.
Never learned to love it, though.

For preventive maintenance or if Mr. Piston meets Mr. Valve, what’s the answer to the NLA tensioners?

The event occurred in Woodstock CA.

I wonder how many 968s there are in Canada.

Tensioners may be available again. Has a 944 part number but Sunset shows it fits a 92-95 968.

Need to take space out of the link below

https://www.sunset porscheparts.com/oem-parts/porsche-engine-timing-chain-tensioner-94410520101

This, we have been to events where people asked if it was a new model :rolleyes:
They truly are a great car, as pointed out, the torque of a 911SC, almost the same HP as the 86 944 Turbo and one of the lowest production numbered models to come out of Porsche.
I would love to have another one.
And a very good driving car as well. And yes, I have 1st hand experience and a soft spot for them.

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1675131268.jpg
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I had a 1987 944S which also was a 16 valve engine . Good torque and handling . A great daily driver with good storage capacity under the rear hatch . Unfortunately mine fell victim of a snapped timing belt ☹️ .

Byron, that coupe looks great. It says badass with the stance and wheels.

Not sure what this means. I just did a TB job. Hole in the block isn't out of round?