Best deal in the house on porsches? [968]

Kurt B · 07-02-2002, 09:42 AM

Looking around, it seems to me if you wanted a casual but powerful, very nice looking car, a 968 appears to be what you want. A daily driver type car.
What's the general opinion from you guys on these? The prices for these things are great, and you can get a 90s Porsche for under 20k easily--even a convertible.
the styling what I like most about them. They seem to be what 928s should have looked like...

Dantilla · 07-02-2002, 10:44 AM

Great cars.

Since there were not many produced, I wonder if parts will become more difficult to find, or prohibitively expensive. Lots of parts are shared with the 944 series, but what about 968 only parts?

Kurt B · 07-02-2002, 10:58 AM

The fact that you don't see too many and that when you do see them, they look great usually is one of the main reasons they're a deal. 944 ain't bad really, but there are a lot of junky ones floating around which kills the model in the average person's eyes.
As far as parts...that's the key question! And I don't think there's a lot of literature on them which is both good for value but bad for DIY.

JonSeigel · 07:22 PM

Well...
Used to own one. The handling is fantasic; it's a dream in the twisties. However, the low end torque sucks. I mean sucks. Sucks. Like, the old lady driving a Camry beats you off the line at a stoplight and she's not even racing you sucks. Am I being clear? Trust me on this one. The torque and sound at higher speeds was fine.

I'm sure to get flamed for this, but hell, I owned one, and that was the deal. After a few weeks realized how unhappy I was due to the lack of torque and put it up for sale.

I don't know if it's practical to use a 951 as a daily driver; that might be worth looking into.

Jon
'93 C2

Jim T · 07-02-2002, 08:28 PM

I've never known anyone who has gone from a 911 to a 944/968 and ended up sticking with the 944/968. And, I've known quite a few PCA'ers that have tried. (Meself included).

There is a reason why the 911 is one of the most legendary sportscar in all of autohistorydom, while the 924/944/968 has been relegated to the junkheap of history.

Kurt B · 07-02-2002, 08:49 PM

interesting notes guys...that's why I posted. I would never get rid of the 911. I just like the 968. I can't believe the low end is that bad. What a pity. I guess the only other Porsche worth owning (non 911 style) is the 928 then, but I'm just not as fond of the body.

nostatic · nostatic's Garage

I liked the 968 because I think hatchbacks are really useful. I drove a couple, but found something lacking. I thought the low end torque was OK, but the vibe just wasn't there. Same with 951s. 928s sent me a little more, but they felt like a big heavy car.

There just doesn't seem to be a substitute for an air cooled flat 6...

NYSCAR · 07-03-2002, 05:05 AM

All I know is when I used to AutoX in Atlanta, GA a few years ago there was a guy who would *kick arse* in A stock in a 968.

Brad

Jgordon · 07-03-2002, 06:43 AM

I've always loved the 944/968s. When I have a little more spare cash, I'd love to pick one up and trick it out, I've heard legends about the handling, and I've seen good (what look good) 944s for likw 8-9K. That would be great, two p-cars, one bad-ass hotrod and my little creampuff for the sunny days.

I'm with you man.

carnut169 · carnut169's Garage

Hey, a 944 turbo will kill on the track... and for a little more $$ it can be really fast. I think they are a bargin.

KTL · 07-03-2002, 07:03 AM

I think the best deal going is the 928S4. You can get a nice one of these dirt cheap. Just gotta be careful in your purchase as they're a little costly to maintain. Can't beat it for GT car qualities. Nice and subdued to cruise around in, then step on the gas and hear those 32 valves begin to roar. These cars can gobble up a bunch of road in a hurry, and do it quite easily too.

Kurt B · 07-03-2002, 08:15 AM

Yeah, a different P-car would be nice. One with AC, I think. A 'deal' would be nice as well. Gotta keep the 911 though. I'm still confused then on te 968. Are they fast or not? I kicking arse on a track but slow? Which one is it?

NYSCAR · 07-03-2002, 08:40 AM

I think the 968s are pretty quick, low 6's 0-60 and i think mid 14 second quarter miles. Not pin you to your seat scary fast, but definitely plenty of power I imagine (3 liter 4 cylinder). Want faster? hehehe go gere : http://www.powerhaus.com/968t.htm
Go for the 968 turbo if you want pin you to your seat scary fast

Brad

APKhaos · 07-03-2002, 08:51 AM

At Mid Ohio in May I rode with an experienced local 944t driver to get a better idea of the line. I'm ashamed to say I was a little internally arrogant about the 944 - he would need to drive a different line, and be missing a lot of torque out of the turns, which is critical at MO.

Biggest surprise I've had in a while. The 944t was clearly stronger than my 3.2, and handled extremely well! I came away from that session with a new respect for the 944t. Based on that, a 968t would be nothing to sneer at.

Oldporsche · 07-03-2002, 08:56 AM

I'm a 911 guy for sure.

However, a friend brought over a 924 toy he had been working on.

The body had some plastic/fiberglass fender flairs held on with pop rivets. The motor had the fuel injection stripped off and weber carbs in place. He had some Sherrick cam in it. I can't remember if he had replaced the pistons or not. He also did something to the distributor. Maybe it was a Sirroco? I can't remember. There were some other VW parts too.

I do remember that it ran very well. It had plenty of torque and handled like it was on rails.

On top of that it was dirt cheap and a dependable daily driver.

Good luck,
David Duffield

GeorgeK · 07-03-2002, 09:00 AM

Anyone who thinks 951s are not good is welcome to come and have a ride in my 951 Cup. The catch? I live in Switzerland

GeorgeK

KTL · 07-03-2002, 10:02 AM

With a 50/50 weight distribution, the 944 and its variants are hailed as some of the best handling cars of their time. Smooth and very predictable. Considering that the 951's have a lot of power on tap (especially if modified), you're not going to run away from one of these on the track unless you've got one serious 911.

I'd really like to have a 944S2 (not too fond of the mutant 928/944 look of the 968) as a daily driver, but they're kinda hard to find around here (IL). Someday maybe?

tifosiman · tifosiman's Garage

Quote:

Originally posted by Jim T

There is a reason why the 911 is one of the most legendary sportscar in all of autohistorydom, while the 924/944/968 has been relegated to the junkheap of history.

As a modded 944 owner, and having MANY friends that have 911SC's that I run around with, I would put my car up against theirs in the "twisties" anyday. Granted, they have more HP than me, but the 944 is very well-balanced and very forgiving, and very easy to drive fast in. Modify one, and they are VERY fast.

I love 911's, and plan to add one to my garage someday. But I will never let go of my 944. Ever. Well, maybe if someone gave me a RUF TT............

Tifo

86951 · 07-03-2002, 02:17 PM

Yes the 911 is a legend. But to say the 944 series is in the scrap heap of history is a little over the top. Let me quote Bruce Anderson "The 944 Turbo is the best bang for the buck porsche ever made."

Jim T · 07-03-2002, 04:00 PM

But the 924/944/968 *is* relegated to the scrapheap of history.
It is a discontinued car.
In 20 years, none of them will be left. While people will still be restoring 911s, hardly anyone will be restoring 944s. They will be in junkyards. Even today, most 924s are in junkyards, and most 944s are one fender-bender away from being there.
I'm not saying its a bad car, but the above are just facts.