purchasing a 968

clarkeph · 11-07-2007, 03:23 PM

Hello all,
I am looking at buying a 93 6 spd 968 cabrio at a dealer only auction. How popular are these cars?? (yes I am a licensed retail dealer) I will most likely replace the belts and w/pump myself if I get it to be sure. I don't want to buy a car that has issues and sell someone a problem. I have a great reputation and don't want to ruin it. The car has less than 130K.
I have a 87 951 and I just rebuilt the motor (myself), turbo, DP wastgate (both Lindsey R) and transaxle (Calif motorsports) new clutch, belts rollers w-pump. I am a good wrench and can work on the 968 no problem. I will sell one or the other car. Which one I like best I will keep. I am usually on the 951 side of the boards.....Can you guys give me some tips?? I have read about the pinion and chain issues. The dealer thing is mostly for fun (I am a car nut) as I work full time at another job too.
Thanks a bunch!

clarkeph

1987 951 all rebuilt w/993 18" wheels
1970 Vette vert frame off resto. modded
1974 Bronco same modded
1997 Dodge ctd cc 4x Banks modded tow beast
05 BMW X3 wifes
86 951 sold and missed...
others.....to much work for 1 guy.....

flash968 · 11-07-2007, 04:14 PM

i would not say "popular", but the cars have a dedicated if not almost cult following - they have not yet acheived collector status

unless you get lucky and snag a panic sale from someone who just went through the car, given the age, almost any car will require some significant expense to be brought up to snuff, which will exceed any profit margin

as for the pinion, it is a lot less common than some would lead you to believe, and has nothing to do with mileage - it can happen at any time, but is not the end of the world anyway

the chain is not a real issue until around 100k, and is a part of the variocam job that should be done at that mileage

suspension rubber failure is VERY common, especially if there are any leaks, and can get costly

hydraulic rubbers, if original, especially clutch, have long since exceeded their life expectancy, and are due to fail

at 130k, you really need to take a close look at the car - the absolute max market for an IMMACULATE stock 93 manual cab at that mileage is about 20k - it goes down quickly from there if it is tiptronic, has 16" wheels, is red or white, has any paint flaws, wear on the seats, worn top, clouded rear window, etc - even farther if there are any mechanical issues, or absense of recent mechanical records showing the car has been gone through

a 968 is a car you buy because you love it - with extremely rare exception, it is not a car you buy hoping to make money

i fall into the first category, and would not consider selling mine, especially since i have dumped about 40k into mods on it

hope that helps

clarkeph · 11-07-2007, 07:36 PM

Thanks for the reply, I am going to look at the car carefully as you suggest. fortunatly I can drive it and spend a lot of time looking and listening to it.
I am tired of selling common boring cars and would like to try something different. I do need to make a little money on it but $500-1000.00 is all I really need. More is better but like I said it is mostly for fun and to pay the overhead (very low) Plus my regular job pays ok.
I feel like I know the cars pretty well now so I may give it a try, they also have a 1984 944 with high miles in red.
You only live once......but I will skip the 84 944!
So In nice shape with 125K maybe 12K?? sounds fair if it runs good and all is mechanically sound??

Thanks
clarkeph

Schumi · 11-07-2007, 08:27 PM

It may take time to sell but you will get your moneys for it eventually. 968 prices, at least what I have seen, have really started to go back up in the last 6-12 months. At least for good condition models.

flash968 · 11-08-2007, 05:42 AM

12k is a reasonable price for a runner, a good price for a sound car, and an excellent price for a clean one

have fun

the best and most complete information on 968s can be found at 968forums.com - it is soley dedicated to the lunatics that own them (like me)

i am reasonably local to you as well, and frequently host 968 events, which are posted on that site - it would be a great opportunity to see other cars

2Tight · 11-08-2007, 06:20 AM

I've looked at 3 cabs and 2 of them had existing or impending issues with the folding tops. Look very carefully and be sure and operate it through a few cycles and be aware of any binding or funny noises. The parts for that can get very expensive.

CJFusco · CJFusco's Garage

A 968 Cab is a nice car, with a strong engine. As long as you get the belts done, I wouldn't expect any serious issues... well, except for the fact that it will feel slow after your modded 951.

clarkeph · 11-08-2007, 07:12 AM

Thanks for all the response,
I will look at it today or Friday, I have a pretty good ear with motors and will drive it around a little up to about 40mph. Belts rollers and maybe a water pump will of course be first. All the std stuff, plugs, oil change, filter hoses etc. if it is needed. It seems a lot simpler than the 951 motor and easier to work on.
I like the looks of the coupe a little better, seems the cabrio needs a rear spoiler. It looks like it has an old school "chopped top".
I will check top operation also.
I tell my friends my 951 is stupid fast, my vette has a 450hp 383 and tremec TKO 600 so I know fast....but hey that is why I bought the 951! They are both two of the fastest cars I have ever been in.

(951 is the best handling of all)
A little slower vs 6 speeds, convertable, newer, classy lines- ok trade off.

How are the 3.0 motors at 125K?? any issues?

thanks again...
clarkeph

1987 951 all rebuilt w/993 18" wheels
1970 Vette vert frame off resto. modded
1974 Bronco same modded
1997 Dodge ctd cc 4x Banks modded tow beast
05 BMW X3 wifes
86 951 sold and missed...
others.....to much work for 1 guy.....

flash968 · 11-08-2007, 07:54 AM

interesting - most people feel the 968 cab is one of the best looking convertibles out there, especially top up - i've never been a hatchback fan - had they have made a real coupe (by definition, a more vertical back window and a seperate trunk), i might feel differently, but for me, the cab is the only way to go - those of us in cabs constantly get the question "is that the new model?", whereas the hatchback clearly shows it's roots in the 924/944

the spoilers on the cab tend to really make it look very 80s - i've seen a few different ones, wrestled with the decision for a while, and have opted not to do that, even though the tech art unit would give me something to hang onto to open and close the trunk, as well as break up the air at the rear at 150

now that i have deleted the 3rd brake light, and model numbers on the rear, it really does look current (and a whole lot wider)

by the way, not too tough to make the 968 cab very quick - i am down to very near 5 seconds 0-60, and should break that shortly after the first of the year - it's not all about horsepower - you have to be able to get it to the ground, and have a wide enough torque band in a range that you can use - certainly a 951 can put out more peak power, but it is a LOT harder to drive on the street, requiring a lot more attention to revs than a 968 - and then there's that pesky roof and danged big bubble back window that makes the 968 cab a fairly simple choice as the more pleasureable car to drive

there are those who will complain about the chassis flex - i have now completely resolved that with some simple bolt in units - it is now actually stiffer than the stock hatchback model

i looked around a lot before i bought this car, and had a budget of about 75k to work with, so my choices weren't terribly limited - i landed on this car, and have zero regrets - i don't think i could have bought anything else that would have been close to the experience of driving this car