Anyone own a 968?
 

Found one today and interested in it.

Pros and cons?

I do. Just bought it last week. Since it needs a new timing belt and WP service, I haven't had the chance to really discover it yet.

I love mine, very nice torque , very well balanced and fun to drive.
Anything special you interested knowing?
Like 944s keep on the belts.http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1507239967.jpg

Love them. Rare as hens teeth, though.

OK, thanks. This car has been sitting, though started on a regular basis, so I'll have to do the timing belt and water pump right away.

I read the pinion gear can go bad from factory pre-tension set too high. Also that you should do a head gasket at 100K.

True?

90K miles on it, charcoal over tan, 6 speed.

Any way to lighten them? With 235hp and 3100lb, I don't expect spritely. Yes, no?

Wolfe, what's the story with yours? Pics?

What's the going rate for these cars these days?

This car has 16s so Cup IIs (cheapest quickest option) are in order though I wonder how 18s would look.

Byron, yours is lowered it looks like. Is that a factory capability or do you have to buy special struts?

I raced a guy with one in my 81 stock US SC from a stop light. A co-worker.

Same speed.

Lots of noise but maybe only high 14's in "that" quarter mile.

Real sleeper Porsches, interesting developmental 'back story' and (IMO) look great. In Australia, value has been steadily trending up recently.

968's are great cars!

As stated above - keep the belts fresh and within service intervals.

Also, read up on the pinion bearing problem (6 speed cars). There was a manufacturing/assembly defect at the factory and the bearing was prone to failure. The problem usually manifested on cars before they reached 30-40k miles. Mine required replacement @ 27k miles. As time has passed - higher mileage cars have also had the problem. If your car has this issue, there will be an audible whine from the gearbox on deceleration. Kind of like a jet engine decelerating upon landing.

Replacement of the pinion bearing is labor intensive and pricy. IIRC mine was around $4.5k.

Good luck!

I initially saw mine at a local dealer in Everett, WA. I called to inquire, and they said they had sokld it the same day they got it. DAMN. They wanted $11,500.
Fast forward just a couple days, and I drove to another dealership to look at a Boxster. Lo and behold, there was a white 968...
Turned out to be the exact same car. The original dealer had wholesaled it. The new dealer wanted $10,000 for it.
Test drove it. When we got back, it was pouring from the water pump. Of course, I knew the TB and WP would need to be changed immediately.
Took it in for a PPI. Came back mostly OK, with a list of small stupid things like the clock and thermometer not working, rear defrost wire snapped off but repairable, worn pedal pads...stupid little things. Except the clutch was near it's wear limit, and the WP gushing coolant, the only other major (but not important, really) thing was the sunroof not raising (although the arms DID retract when I tested it)
I talked them down to $9780.

I'm told it's one of just 31 made - white with grey interior.
108,000 miles. Very good compression/leakdown.
17" wheels.

Manual. Perfect uncracked dash, but a bit of wear on the top of driver's door panel. All books included, but not service records. I managed to find the first owner, sent a message via FB. Hoping I get a response.

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1507265239.jpg

Somebody pointed out to me the Koni adjustable shocks up front...

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1507265272.jpg
http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1507265755.jpg

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1507265311.jpg


Beside the 968 sits my 924S. In the garage is my '85.
The 968 will get a plate to pair with the 911 to complete a "POLTERGEIST" pair

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1507265789.jpg

I'm told the grey always fades to a pinkish-grey.

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1507265891.jpg

^^Beautiful car!

Looks great Wolfe! and nice price. Keep us post when you get it on the road. The one I'm looking has no timetable.

Love it Wolfe, you did good!

They made so few of them that nearly all of them are "1 of x" type cars. Someone here at work has a beautiful light metallic blue one that has to be painfully rare.

I always loved the looks. The dealer I do business with had one on the lot that he let me take for the day, while they wrapped up some paperwork on a different car that I was buying. Unfortunately it was a tiptronic. I easily could have pulled the trigger if only it was a manual. Maintenance aside, it seemed like a very practical car to drive...this coming from a guy who drives a 993 daily.

I also have always wanted a 944 or 951, but have heard maintenance horror stories. I wonder if the 968 improved upon what plagued the 944...

Currently on BAT

https://bringatrailer.com/listing/1993-porsche-968-7/

Gorgeous car... Great buy !

I remember 2 good instructors at Sebring ran 968s forever... They eventualyl succumbed to the escalatin and got GT3s like everybody else, but those cars looks great on track, balanced, fast, understated... A car for the man of taste ;-)

I dearly miss my 944 and would consider getting another one but would set up a maintenance fund.

The 968 being the final development of the 944 it would be high on my list.

951 was a nightmare because they packed so much stuff into the engine bay. All of the normally aspirated cars were way easier to work on just due to access. I have always heard that the 968 was the most reliable of them all.

I have to stop coming to Pelican. Shaun's post from a few days ago had me looking at W124s, and now Wolfe's post has me looking at 968s. I've never owned a 968 or 928 and always liked both. Hey Wolfe, want a nice clean Boxster S?

It did not sell.
Seller flaked out and per the comments the reserve was around $22K

Thanks, guys. Found my previous owner today, nearly impossible when you're buying from a dealer who bought it wholesale. Gave the guy a call, very happy to hear from me. We spoke about some of the small issues with the car, the maintenance he's done, why he got rid of it (traded for a jeep) and the water pump leaking, koni shocks, etc. He's happy it went to an enthusiast.
We'll get together in a few weeks when he returns from a cross country trip.


I'll get one eventually. I was actually looking for a Cayman when I came across the 968... just missed one in Portland, OR for a decent price a few weeks ago. I figured Caymans will continue to decline in price, but a 968 Coupe is a byatch to find.

What year Boxster? We're running out of room, I'll have to part with my Saturn. 7 cars!

One of the lowest production (street) cars Porsche built.http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1507325512.jpg

And it still towers above the Mazdaspeed Miata.

Love the 968, great car.

Just barely lost one myself on BaT this past week, and it was stunning. Night BLue Metallic with a flawless Camel interior--6 speed and up to date on maintenance. I was placing another bid and the clock ran down before it posted. I opted out of the Cab because they don't interest me. Another will come along.....

2003 Boxster S, currently listed for sale in the forum. Trade you straight up!

Change the chain tensioner at first opportunity as well as belts.

Good driving dynamics.

Many NLA parts.

Honestly I think $17k was a pretty decent price. Clean car, low miles, but it's a cab and has a broken power top.

hard top for convertible
 

I like the 968 convertible with the roof up. I don't care for the coupe version rear end and glass ass. Anyone ever seen a removable hardtop for a 968 convertible? Anyone draw one up?

Saw the car again yesterday and yard drove it. Was raining out so the drive was limited to conditions.

Overall, for the right person, a great car. Light hit in passenger front corner, comes with good fender and bumper. Driver door is a toss up between being replaced and hammered out. Needs new tires but I'd just get a set of Cup IIs with usable tires to start.

It's pretty cheap but only if you can do the body and paint yourself. After thinking it over I can't even get the rods and pistons into my 928 motor so I'm going to pass. If anyone wants to consider it, send me a PM and I'll provide contact information. With a headlight assembly you could have it on the road in a weekend and then paint whenever you like. To my personal point, I'm doing a rocker and door post on a friend's car this weekend and next maybe get back to the 928 but something always comes up.

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1509109031.JPG


http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1509109031.JPG


http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1509109031.JPG

Those fenders aren't hard to swap out, and the door is basically a 944 door, so easy and cheap to find.
Go for it!!!

Nice 968 n CL in my area, I have seen it in person.

https://raleigh.craigslist.org/cto/d/porsche-968-coupe-six-speed/6361096648.html

1995 was the last and best year of production for the 968. Also the final evolution of the famed 944. It has the 3.0L four cylinder engine with variable camshaft timing and makes 236 HP! Plus, has the six speed manual transmission. And, it gets over 25 MPG!

Shown here with 17" Boxter rims and new Continental Extreme Contact tires but the original 17" Porsche "Cup" wheels are available with lesser tires, your choice.

Original factory option codes are:
331 = cassette radio (since updated to modern Pioneer radio/CD)
403 = 17" cup wheels
454 = cruise control
490 = sound system
595 = paint-to-match rear spoiler
650 = removable sun roof
718 = Equipped with the next model year VIN (I'm not sure what this means but the VIN shows this to be a 1996 model)
Also has dual air bags, the factory security system and remote door locks.

Yes, it has over 161,000 miles on the odometer but has been very well cared for and there are a lot of records and receipts to document its history. This car should pass anyone's PPI (pre-purchase inspection) with no problem. Bring your Porsche mechanic to my shop or his & check it over top to bottom, on a lift. This is a very good car. Yes, it has some cracks in the dash around the defroster openings.

I am not a dealer!

Don't text me, I will ignore! No, I do not need help selling this car!

They are very nice driving cars. I prefer my 968 over the 930 for handling and feel. Tires are everything on these cars. Do not skimp out, get Michelin PS2 or AS3 in 17". Rear hatch window coming loose is an issue and expensive to fix correctly. The front end gets light over 90 MPH, a splitter will help this though. IMO, for the money these cars are a steal.

Oh man Shaun, that sort of build just screams Track/DE car to me. Very cool starting point! :D