968

Author
Discussion

PaulR

Original Poster:

76 posts

261 months

Friday 18th February 2005
quotequote all
I have currently got a 3.2 carrera but i am thinking about changing to a 968,is it a wise choice.Are there any difference in speed etc and comfort,i have about 12k to spend so can i get a good one for that money.

softinthehead

1,550 posts

241 months

Friday 18th February 2005
quotequote all
yes yes yes yes yes

and for an unbiased opinion, oh YES

softinthehead

1,550 posts

241 months

Friday 18th February 2005
quotequote all
and for a more considered opinion....

performance - comparable

handling - different, but in its own way just as good

luxury - in standard trim the 968 is essentially a modern car with all the mod cons you could want

running costs - comparable, provided you take care in choosing a good one (as with any porsche)

cost - 12K should buy you a damned good example, privately. dealer prices are still around 13-15k for good ones. Try PCGB Porsche Post to start

sex appeal...well, a 911 is a 911. but whilst a 3.2 carrera is very very sexy now and again, a 968 is sexy all the time. and you wont end up arse-first in a hedge, which is decidedly unsexy.

bob944

163 posts

245 months

Friday 18th February 2005
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I suspect someone is slightly biased..... but right. Why stick an engine in the back! Shame there's so much difference in price between my 944S2 and a 968. Tiptronic also available on a lovelly car. Good luck.

Shed17

246 posts

238 months

Saturday 19th February 2005
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It is an excellent choice of car. Had one before moving onto the 993.

Go to www.porsche968uk.co.uk/ and visit the forum there for lots of advice.

rubystone

11,254 posts

261 months

Saturday 19th February 2005
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A 968 isn't sexy. Period. It's a warmed over 944 and reeks of red braces and those grey Motorola mobile 'phones.

If you must say goodbye to your 3.2, buy a 944S2, so much cheaper than a 968 and you're less likely to take a bath on it.

Now how much do you want for your unsexy (but gilt edged investment) 3.2?

There, that ought to stir things up

softinthehead

1,550 posts

241 months

Saturday 19th February 2005
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rubystone said:
A 968 isn't sexy. :


well, there has been a long period of non-abusive posting on PH, someone was bound to poke the fires at some point. but lets face it, rubystone is a middle aged bloke who likes mercedes so his view of sexy is somewhat suspect. ask a woman, any woman, of any age, if the 968 is or isnt sexy. poll the results. invite said girl out in your gorgeous 968 and smile as it overtakes rubystone sitting in his merc trying to tune the radio to the archers

paultje

1,042 posts

241 months

Saturday 19th February 2005
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I'm not getting involved with this one! Used to have a 3.2 but sold it.. got fed up with the gearbox (915!) and bought a 993....but why don't you drive some and see what you think? Henry's got a couple for sale, one with Tip, one without. enjoy!!

>> Edited by paultje on Saturday 19th February 22:59

rubystone

11,254 posts

261 months

Saturday 19th February 2005
quotequote all
softinthehead said:


well, there has been a long period of non-abusive posting on PH, someone was bound to poke the fires at some point. but lets face it, rubystone is a middle aged bloke who likes mercedes so his view of sexy is somewhat suspect. ask a woman, any woman, of any age, if the 968 is or isnt sexy. poll the results. invite said girl out in your gorgeous 968 and smile as it overtakes rubystone sitting in his merc trying to tune the radio to the archers


Jeezus Soft - are you a psychic or what. Or do I know you. You're so spot on it's spooky. You speak like a real veteran of PH, yet I see from your profile that you are but a virgin....or were you lurking under another name?

Ask a woman whether a 968 is sexy and unless she is a denizen of my fair county - Essex - she'll look at you like you're that guy in "Shallow Hal"...

Must go - still trying to get that my Blaupunkt Becker in my E500 tuned in to The Archers

softinthehead

1,550 posts

241 months

Sunday 20th February 2005
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rubystone said:
A 968 isn't sexy. Period. It's a warmed over 944 and reeks of red braces and those grey Motorola mobile 'phones.

:



ah rubystone, glad to see youre up and the nurse has given you your bath and your porridge

now, taking you abusive comment about 968s seriously (which I dont) the association with the red braces brigade is factually incorrect. I can remember the 80s too - the have it all thatcher generation of overpriveleged city slickers with slicked back hair and mobiles is what you allude to. but the 968 wasnt their icon - ever. for a start, by its introduction in 1992 the bottom was already falling out of the boom market and all the city slickers were worrying. sales of the 968 were always sparse and it was always too rare to achieve icon status. in fact it was precisely this economic downturn that was the death of the 968 because no one was buying sports cars at all. the 968 stopped production after only 2 years, porsche damned nearly went under, and all the city slickers slipped on their shiny brogues and fell off balconies.

the iconic car of that generation however was...the 911! usually in max drool form as the turbo, firstly the 3.3 then the 964 3.6. both were a mascot for the sort of tossers you allude to. the 3.2 was certainly in there amongst the motolora set. Personally I love the 3.2 and the 964 but lets be honest, they always were the car of choice for the red braces brigade. thankfully now theyve been rescued by enthusiasts

so history lesson over - I'm surprised you dont remember the 80's, its usually the short term memory that goes first. good luck with the radio - you might get better luck with longwave!

ps newly deflowered virgins are known for their gusto and enthusiasm, whilst old timers invariably end up needing chemical help of one sort or another

>> Edited by softinthehead on Sunday 20th February 11:12

>> Edited by softinthehead on Sunday 20th February 11:13

DriveFree

50 posts

233 months

Monday 21st February 2005
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Yes, but for £12K you'll probably be buying privately, as dealers would want another £2K on top of that. Get an inspection done by Peter Morgan www.petermorgan.org.uk/ . Don't buy the Tip, as in this early incarnation it kills the performance. Try and get one with a/c as engine heat seeps into the cabin.

The 968 is an exquisite car, hand built in Zuffenhausen.

aasc

358 posts

235 months

Monday 21st February 2005
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Probably quite a good buy depreciation-wise too as there are very few 968's compared to 944's so a touch of similarity to the 993 vs. 996 price debate. 968's also look quite modern compared to 944's with a similar front to the 993 which perhaps keeps interest in them going strong. Halo-affect of the ClubSport no doubt helps too.
That aside they're a great drive & easy to drive on track.

968

11,970 posts

250 months

Monday 21st February 2005
quotequote all
PaulR said:
I have currently got a 3.2 carrera but i am thinking about changing to a 968,is it a wise choice.Are there any difference in speed etc and comfort,i have about 12k to spend so can i get a good one for that money.


Mate, I am selling mine on this website..... you can email me if you like, a bit above what you want, but we might be able to come to an agreement.......

968s are fantastic cars, totally underrated, and rare enough to be distinctive, unlike some other models. Driving experience is awesome too.

Selling mine, purely because my financial circumstances have changed, but I will buy another....

billywhizz911

91 posts

240 months

Tuesday 22nd February 2005
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softinthehead said:

rubystone said:
A 968 isn't sexy. :



well, there has been a long period of non-abusive posting on PH, someone was bound to poke the fires at some point. but lets face it, rubystone is a middle aged bloke who likes mercedes so his view of sexy is somewhat suspect. ask a woman, any woman, of any age, if the 968 is or isnt sexy. poll the results. invite said girl out in your gorgeous 968 and smile as it overtakes rubystone sitting in his merc trying to tune the radio to the archers


And what is wrong with the Archers I may ask??

clubsport

7,261 posts

260 months

Tuesday 22nd February 2005
quotequote all
I had 4 succesive 911 and then got a 968CS...competent, quick,,,,,,but just didn't have that 911 magic about it...hence I am back in an aircooled car.
running costs are unlikely to be any cheaper than your 3.2 was anyhow.
Try one, you may like it. If not & you sell it you can then post exactly what I have above.

>> Edited by clubsport on Tuesday 22 February 17:08

MrHeed

43 posts

251 months

Wednesday 23rd February 2005
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clubsport said:
Try one, you may like it. If not & you sell it you can then post exactly what I have above.


It shouldn't cost you much buying, running and selling a 968 (as long as you don't buy a pup). They are fast, lots of fun and easy to drive. I really like the fact that I almost never see another one on the road. I see several 911's every day, but never a 968. There were only just over 1000 of them sold in the UK.

Don't get me wrong, if I didn't have the 968 I would be driving a 993 but after a long time weighing up the options and driving a bunch of cars, the 968 Sport fitted the bill the best for me - although day-to-day the slightly softer suspension on the Coupe might have been more sensible.

and it makes me grin like mad when I drive it

>> Edited by MrHeed on Wednesday 23 February 00:05

James s

1,615 posts

247 months

Wednesday 23rd February 2005
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I used to have a 964 and now have a 968CS, with a 944t in between.

968 is remarkable in the handling stakes. I really tested this on a horribly greasy Silverstone in January and was amazed by how an idiot like me could really begin to feel the car and react accordingly

Whilst they are quite quick, they don’t feel like it is the torque is so smooth. I actually thought mine was down on power, but it does quite well at 225bhp on the RR (few get close to 240).

Amazingly capable, and for an ordinary driver like me better on track I think. I certainly have more confidence.

On the road it is great, particularity for a track orientated car. I regularly do 200 miles a day in it. DO date it has cost me less to run than a 911.

Overall fantastic, I bought it was I wanted a car which was good on track and was a bit different, hence the CS.

Here's the 'but'…..

For all its amazingly capabilities it just doesn’t feel as special to me as a 911. I could probably make it a great deal more capable with the supercharger kit sold by 9m. Certainly those on this forum who had this upgrade to their 968 or 911 speak highly of it and it would give the car the very thing it needs – more power.

Ultimately I still hanker after a 911, and will go back to a 993 later in the year.

Don't get me wrong. They are fantastic cars and if I had two Porsches this would be the second, but my desert island car will always be the 911

rubystone

11,254 posts

261 months

Thursday 24th February 2005
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Thought this deserved a BTTT

iguana

7,046 posts

262 months

Thursday 24th February 2005
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James s

1,615 posts

247 months

Thursday 24th February 2005
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Whats a BTTT