underwhelming 968cab - is this what they are like?

[944doc]

Been looking for a manual 968 cab for some time, to replace the venerable 944 2.7. tried a clubsport - bonkers car, but impractical daily commuter car for me;tried a tiptronic cab - sluggish at best. Been very patient as manual cabs are hard to find. So yesterday I sampled Henry's hospitality and drove a manual 968cab for the first time and frankly I am baffled.

A BEAUTIFUL car, I want it nakedly, but the drive...just odd. Not what I'd expected. Firstly the travel on the accelerator is short and the feel is light so when you press hard you almost immediately go straight to the metal. Then you wait...at 4000rpm thevariocam kicks in and away we go, but from 2000rpm up, very little happens. Then the brakes - terms like remote and vague spring to mind. The first time I used them in anger I genuinely thought I'd miscalculated and wasnt going to stop at all. I did, but they just didnt feel like I would

I just cant figure it out. My 2.7 has immediacy to the feel, the S2 I had on loan for 4 months was supremely and immediately responsive, and I think reasonably I expected the same feel to the 968. After all it shares the same brakes/suspension and powerplant as the S2, albeit modified with variocam. But i just didnt get it

In summary I think my 944 is an old but hairy chested growler, the S2 more so, and I wanted that experience but more. What I got was a smooth refined easy drive, but where was the excitement?

So my question is, is this a feature of 968s in general, is it because the cab is heavier, or was it this car. If the former, then the decision is easy - I'll carry on saving for a 964.

>>> Edited by 944doc on Thursday 7th October 08:51

[Paul968]

I can't see why the brakes should be bad, since they are the same across the range (AFAIK) - they might even be the same as an S2. Normal 968s brake very well. I expect they are just worn, but there might be more to it.

The engine in a 968 is a tad more peaky than an S2. What you lose in low down grunt you get back with a stronger top end. The secret to having fun in a 968 is to use the extended rev range (redline at 6700) and keep the car up there. I wouldn't say the difference low down was as bad as you say but it is noticable. As with the brakes it's also possible that all is not well with the engine.

BTW, what was the mileage on that cab?

Paul

>> Edited by Paul968 on Thursday 7th October 09:44

[944doc]

mileage is 96K. It was really in very good nick - all the right bits in the right places. Unfortunately I was so preoccupied by what I was thinking about the drive that I forgot to look at all the documents - pretty stupid really as I'd done a 350 mile round trip to see the car. But Ive no reason to doubt what the dealer told me by phone which was that the service Hx was comprehensive and the last service was only 2 months ago.
As I said, the brakes did work, they just felt indefinite. Maybe I'm just used to a creaky stiff 16yr old car, and maybe this was just a much more modern drive. Wasnt what I'd expected though. I thought I'd get a roar and I got a miaow.

[Thom]

Paul968 said:

The engine in a 968 is a tad more peaky than an S2. What you lose in low down grunt you get back with a stronger top end.

Coupled with the 6 speed gearbox (which I personally do not like at all) it feels like a high revving engine in a slow car.

[Melv]

How about this one?

http://users.autoexposure.co.uk/pdfs/551567_071004104030.pdf

Pass it daily in Chertsey.

Mel

[diver944]

It sounds like there could be 'something' wrong, but because they are so rare it will be difficult for you to try another.

One thing, the 968 brakes have the large front calliper from the 928 S4 (same as the 944T). The S2 has a smaller front calliper and mine does feel a lot more immediate than the Turbo, smaller pistons to move etc

Secondly, I have read that few 968's actually achieve their full power (or this could be an internet myth). Couple that with the extra weight of the cab and could that explain your 'sluggishness'

edited to add - Henry let you drive one of his cars Have you got photos of him with a choirboy

>> Edited by diver944 on Thursday 7th October 14:29

[944doc]

thanks for that. not so keen on white but with limited stocks, beggars cant be choosers...

Still unsure whether the experience I had yesterday - not a bad one, just not what I was after - was particular to that car, in which case I'll keep looking, or generic to the model, in which case I'll switch focus

My main constraint is I need 4 seats, otherwise I'd look at a TVR. Mind you I also need it to be reliable, start each morning and not blow up, so perhaps best to stick with the beloved Porker

[Hammerhead]

Thom said:

Coupled with the 6 speed gearbox (which I personally do not like at all) it feels like a high revving engine in a slow car.

You couldn't have released the handbrake, Thom

I really liked the power delivery of my 968 - it felt very flexible accross the entire rev range and was often going far quicker than I thought it was. It took a couple of weeks to get used to the 6sp ratios (also came from a 944 2.7) but once learnt, found that great to. I wish my Boxster was a 6 speed - it'd be easier to keep on the boil! As to the brakes, yup they don't give as much feel as the old school versions found on the 944 base models but they are very, very strong.

Good luck in your search.

Steve

>> Edited by Hammerhead on Thursday 7th October 15:12

[944doc]

diver944 said:

Henry let you drive one of his cars Have you got photos of him with a choirboy 14:29

err...actually it wasnt Henry I dealt with. Wont say his name lest he gets into trouble, nice chap though. Did wonder why we hid in the stables till Henry went out with someone else!