thinkin of getting a 968

Is there any problems with reliability? I found one with 76k miles on it, and all documents for 15900 and a 1993. It's realy nice, I just don't know how reliable they are. I think they have 230 horsepower? I've been in new cougars, they have 170 horspower and that should keep me happy even though it's not jaw dropping, but 230 should realy be nice. How long should a 968 with all documents, never raced (can't realy prove that) last?

[951carter]

If properly maintained 200,000+ should not be a problem.

[AFJuvat]

They are fairly reliable - they have their quirks like any other porsche.

Big items are: Timing belts, chain tensioner, and pinion bearings in transmission.

They are fun cars, just keep in mind that they are completely different than 911's.

Try it, you'll like it

AFJuvat

Why didn't they sell many?

They are fairly reliable - they have their quirks like any other porsche.

What kind of quirks? What should I look out for in specific years?

[Bob's944]

U.S. version 968's had 236 HP and from the curve... looks like that peaked at 6300 RPM, I think redline is at 7000 rpm with the variocam.... vrooooooom

Notice how the torque remains high into the 6000 rpm range... damn that must be fun.

They didn't make many or sell well mostly because of the trio of 300+ HP Japanese turbocars (supra tt, 300zx tt, 3000 gt vr4) that were priced much below the 968 price and faster too. 0-60 for the 968 is around 6 flat... the jap cars were getting down around 5 flat. The turbo's would pull away even more in the quarter mile run. All those cars handled pretty decent too... mostly up to the driver . Wish they would have released the 968 Turbo here for the comparison of turbo to turbo, but if they couldn't get the non-turbo price competitive to the jap turbo offerings, we can only imagine what MSRP would have been for a turbo S 968 here in the US.

How are these cars brakes? Are they realy good, or would I have to look into aftermarket brakes?

[1.2gees]

Why don't you go out and drive one? Does it really mean that much to you if somebody says "yes they have the best brakes"? Do you want me to rate the braking system from 1 to 10? Sheesh
Ahmet

[Z-man]

I do believe the brakes are the same or similar to the ones found on the 944Turbo and 944S2.

If you're concerned about track driving, you can always go to intermediate pads (good for beginner to intermediate drivers), or upgrade to 944TurboS, or even bigger disks.

Sounds like a decent 968. $16k is a little high, but that's what I've seen them going for lately. According to the Apri, 2002 issue of Excellence magazine, a '93 968 coupe sells for: $12894.00 (poor cond), - $14660.00 (Good cond) - $19,625.00 (Excellent cond).

Oh, and welcome to the dark, water cooled side. Muhahaha....
-Z.

[adrian jaye]

Hi,
68 like s2 are 16 valvers so "in theroy" have more inherrant problems, the 68 with its vario-cam even so.

BUT, as long as

1> the car has been properly looked after
2> serviced at correct intervals
3>full service history and/or documentation
4>undergoes a full inspection
5>you change the belts regardsless just to be sure

then, no more problems than any other porsche

yes 238'ish BHP really good torque figures,

Bodystyling, is not to everyones cup of tea.

I would have bought a 68 intead of the cab, for its performance cababilities

HTH

Adrian

[Lawrence Coppari]

My last student at Road Atlanta had a 968. Nice car. It handled like a 944 from a passenger standpoint. Student was conservative so she was not hard on the brakes. It had Hawk pads and 17 inch wheels with Kuhmo Victoracer tires. Student's husband was doing in the mid to upper 1:50's with it. That is a respectable time.

I'm afraid I like the turbos better because of the power potential. As far as turbos' longevity is concerned, mine began track duty at 90K. I now have 135K on it. It could blow up this afternoon as I drive home from work but I doubt it.

One thing about a turbo is that if you modify the engine and make it a lot more powerful and torquey, you don't have to run high rpms to get the job done. That saves the engine.

Now, if I could do my oil pan properly so it would stop leaking......

[RaF944]

I have a 968and i have owned it for a year and NOTHING has gone wrong.. I like it a lot better than the 944...i dont have to spend anything on repairs.

brakes? Its a porsche rightand a 93'? that should answer the question

[SANDOVAL]

You should try us over at 968.net http://63.136.85.109/forum/default.asp

You will get more specifics on your potential purchase if you search the archives...also it does not hurt to say hi to the group. Everyone over there is very helpful and passionate about the 968.

Eric

[Etnier]

From your questions it seems clear you'd also benefit from visiting the 968.net site itself, to check out the various road tests which appeared when the car was new. Here's the link:

http://www.968.net/pressroom/pressroom.htm

The 968 site isn't updated very often, but the Classifieds and Forum are kept updated. The classifieds show a very interesting story as regards pricing: check 'em out- you'll see prices have apparently climbed a lot recently. Recent eBay activity confirms this trend.

As to the question of why more weren't sold, it's also important to remember that they were quite pricey by comparison with the Japanese cars.

I maintain a website with links to pages of interest to 968 owners:

http://www.studiodual.com/968.shtml