Anyone own a 968?

[Shaun @ Tru6]

Found one today and interested in it.

Pros and cons?

[WolfeMacleod]

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.

[Racerbvd]

I love mine, very nice torque , very well balanced and fun to drive.
Anything special you interested knowing?
Like 944s keep on the belts.

[AFC-911]

Love them. Rare as hens teeth, though.

[Shaun @ Tru6]

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?

[Bob Kontak]

Originally Posted by Shaun @ Tru6

With 235hp and 3100lb, I don't expect spritely. Yes, no?

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.

[aap1966]

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

[zedsdead]

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!

[WolfeMacleod]

Originally Posted by Shaun @ Tru6

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?

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.



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







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



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

[Nickshu]

^^Beautiful car!

[Shaun @ Tru6]

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

[onewhippedpuppy]

Love it Wolfe, you did good!

[BReif61]

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.

[sand_man]

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.

[sand_man]

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...

[matthewb0051]

Currently on BAT

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

[Deschodt]

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 ;-)

[scottmandue]

Originally Posted by sand_man

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...

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.

[onewhippedpuppy]

Originally Posted by sand_man

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...

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.

[onewhippedpuppy]

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?