Best buy advise

[crankedup]

Is a very late 944 or a very early 968 a better buy, assume all usual car purchase inspections and condition OK.
Thanks.

[grant3]

968

[anonymous-user]

I think that 911 and Porsche world mag covered this within the last 6 months.
Might be worth getting a back copy.

[zcacogp]

Don't know specifically, but I'd always buy the later (most sorted) version of the outgoing model rather than the first version of the new model.

However, the 968 is a 944 with slightly uglier bodywork, so there is probably not much in it.


Oli.

[crankedup]

Thanks for replies, I am clueless as to wether the 968 is really the 944 in drag or wether there are some engineering benefits to be found in the 968.

[968csreading]

LOL

I love the way 968 owners and 944 owners stand up for their models.

There has been much debate on PH lately about 968 but at the end of the day it is probably best to try a few of both and see what you prefer. Whether a 968 is worth almost double a decent 944 is upto you to decide.

Personally I prefer the way the 944 looks from the front but think the 968 looks more modern from every other angle.

It would also depend on what you want to use it for, 968 money would buy you a good 944 and allow you to stick some decent modifications on it to make it an awesome track car.

I dont kno where you are but you are welcome to come and try mine and if you want to buy it all the better.

Look here for loads of information, the forum is very good www.porsche968uk.co.uk

[DucatiGary]

as somone who owns neither id say go for the car thats been used and serviced regular regardless of miles.

anything thats been sitting in a garage hardly used will cost you (I found that out the hard way)

Edited by DucatiGary on Thursday 17th August 17:50

[domster]

968 = an improved variant of a 944.... FACT

early examples of new models = more likely to break down... FACT

rock and hard place I'm afraid

i'd plump for the 968, but I prefer the styling; horses for courses, chum

[Paul968]

crankedup said:

Thanks for replies, I am clueless as to wether the 968 is really the 944 in drag or wether there are some engineering benefits to be found in the 968.

It very much depends on which 968 model you are talking about. A 968 Coupe is very much an evolution of the S2, with the main differences being looks, engine and gearbox. Looks are a personal thing (personally I find the 968 much more attractive and far less dated), and the engine and gearbox improve things but not by a massive margin.

Club Sports and Sports on the other hand have bigger and wider wheels and and tyres, lowered suspension, a nice non-airbag steering wheel and they are also lighter. I'm assuming though that you don't mean these as you mention a very early 968.

People love to knock 968 prices here, but one thing that seems to get ignored is condition. Almost every 968 I've seen, including higher milers, has been very tidy inside and out, but that is far from true of 944s. My 110,000 mile sport looks nearly new inside, whereas I've seen many 944s with lower miles that look quite heavily used. This certainly made a difference to me (I sold an S2 to get a 968 Sport). Quite why this is the case is unclear - Maybe 968s were bought by a different sort of buyer originally, or perhaps their relative rarity has meant that they have been pampered more. Perhaps they were built better? (different factory I think?). Who knows?

If money is an big issue, you like the look of the 944 as much as 968 and you can find one in similar condition then I'd probably say get the 944 assuming it is considerably cheaper. Otherwise the 968 might be a better choice.

Paul

[968csreading]

Or, you could get this and have the best of both worlds

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/1985-PORSCHE-94

[willibetz]

Other things being equal, I understand that the 968 resolved some potentially expensive problems that the 944S2 had with engine lubrication. If you intend to drive it enthusiastically, I'd go for the 968 for that reason alone.

WilliBetz

[zcacogp]

willibetz said:

Other things being equal, I understand that the 968 resolved some potentially expensive problems that the 944S2 had with engine lubrication.

Interesting ... do tell me more. Haven't heard this before.


Oli.

[willibetz]

I seem to recall that high engine speeds and centrifugal (cornering) forces were sited as leading to oil starvation and engine failures.

Edited by willibetz on Friday 18th August 15:08

[tjdixon911]

I prefer the look of the 968 and as an owner would recommend one however, having a quick look on Autotrader there does seem to be a reasonable price difference between a late 944 and early 968 the odd few 944 / 968's seem to bridge the price difference gap (if you know what I mean!)

TWG (Peterborough) http://dealerservices.autotrader.co.u have a 944S2 £4995, 944 Turbo £7995 and a 968 Sport £10995, may be worth a trip up there to try them out....

Good Luck.

[jonny996]

just looked at trader, you can get boxster for under £10k, or is it a track toy you want.

[agoogy]

In order of preference
968 CS - white with red graphics/wheels
924 Carrera GT
944 turbo - have one
968 coupe
944 S2

I considered an early Boxster, but was warned off by a Porsche trained mechanic saying they were absolutley horrible in nearly every way as a 2nd hand buy.... the first ones..they got better after 2001 or something...

[zcacogp]

willibetz said:

I seem to recall that high engine speeds and centrifugal (cornering) forces were sited as leading to oil starvation and engine failures.

Hadn't heard that before - thanks. I understood the S2 and the 968 engine as being almost identical, but with the 968 cylinder head having a variable-valve timing system, leading to more power and a more favourable torque curve. Maybe they added some sump baffling as well (which sounds like that which was lacking in the S2.)


Oli.

[HAB]

willibetz said:

I seem to recall that high engine speeds and centrifugal (cornering) forces were sited as leading to oil starvation and engine failures.

I've never heard of oil surge problems on the S2 before,on the earlier models (before '85) yes,although it was very rare.

[willibetz]

HAB said:

I've never heard of oil surge problems on the S2 before,on the earlier models (before '85) yes,although it was very rare.

More info from:

[url]http://forums.pelicanparts.com/showth[/url]

[url]http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Porsch[/url]

Hope it's useful, or interesting, or something