Anyone know 968's
 

I've had 911's for years - and know very little about front-engine Porsches. However a mate of mine is selling his very low mileage 968 for very little money and I am sorely tempted.

Are there any horror stories about these cars? Any particular thing to watch out for?

Any and all advice appreciated.

Check the 944/951/968 section of Rennlist. I think they require the same regular maintenance (belts) that 944's require.

FEWC's really can be nice cars. Mine's an exception. LOL

You should post this in the 924/944/968 Forum to get a better response, but, like with most Porsches, as long as it's been kept in good shape it should be fine. The big thing with the Porsche water-cooled 4 cylinders is to be sure the timing belt is within it's service interval of 4 years or 40,000 km, or waterver it is (my motto is change it early, change it often :)).

Otherwise, from what I know, they are quite reliable, fast and comfortable.

Great cars. Gobs of torque, superb handling, contemporary ergonomics. And because they were produced in relatively small numbers, unique.

But because of the small production run, parts are spendy, even for Porsches. $1600 hood, anyone? Normal wear and tune up parts are all readily available, but if you need something odd that is 968 specific, it could prove hard to find.

Go drive it. You won't be dissapointed. You may even find your arm involuntarily reaching for the checkbook.

They're fantastic cars. As mentioned by others, they have the same timing belt setup as the 924/944/951, but that's no big deal if you make sure that yours gets changed/tensioned at the correct intervals.
The 968 has a HUGE displacement for a 4 cylinder car, and it makes torque that would have a 944 owner crying.

Agreed.

Never have owned one, but everything I have read says they are great cars so long as they have been properly kept. Basically, the ultimate of that platform (924-944-968). I seem to remember Anderson (Excellence) saying the last year of production was the best, I'll look that up tonight and re-post if needed.


I have been looking at those too, but couldn't give up the 911 for one :)


-Chris

When I got my 944 I found it so easy to drive that if I had that first I might have *almost* been happy. Then I blew the motor and fixed it myself:

When you remove the engine from a 911 the garage looks like a bloody nose at a football game.

When you remove the engine from a 944 the garage looks like the ER after after a gunfight. With a man eating tiger. And the tiger got a couple of licks in.

Read up on the timing chain and rails, it can get spendy.

How about this one,currently available in New Zealand.
The 'buy now price' is $5313 USD.
Nice colour.

http://www.trademe.co.nz/Trade-Me-Motors/Cars/Porsche/auction-63566905.htm

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1153528121.jpg

Get with Rob Cohen, AKA "jakermc" on this board. One of his "9's" is a 968.

Awesome cars. As has been said - learn to do your own maintanance or you'll pay dearly. 968s are a blast but can be frightfully expensive if you let them be. . .

Why not pick up a "good old" 944 first and learn the ropes. You'll probably appreciate the 968 more going from a 944 than directly from a 911. The 944 is very similar in many ways (the handling, the basic layout, etc.) and you can learn the ropes of wrenching on them for a while before pulling the trigger on the 968. You'll appreciate how much more refined the 968 is when having a 944 or 951 to compare it to. The way it was marketed in the early 90s by Porsche "2/3 New" will make sense.

A 944 S2 has the same 3-litre 16-valve engine, just without Variocam.

Similar performance without the 968 parts issues.

Great cars.

I did a PPI on one for a buyer about a year ago.

Changing the timing belt on a 968 is actually easier than a 944 because it has a hydraulic tensioner. No need for the P9201.

Most 924/944/968s develope power steering leaks (even the immaculately maintained). Not a deal killer IMO. Just be aware.

The VarioCam can be addictive...

Belt's pretty simple, it's the chain/tensioners/ramps in the varicam that will get ya :)