Discussion
I have never driven one but I am thinking of changing my BoxsterS for one as I have to get my costs down.I have had a 944 which was great and a 911 carrera which was not(too crude). I would like to know is it too much of a shock to go from a boxster to a clubsport, are they hard work for everyday traffic? And the prices for 968 are all over the place so how is it best to judge what is good value.I know the 968 will feel heavier than the boxster but do they feel much slowerI am asking this as I have seen a white one at 911 virgin and wondering whether a swop and me walking away with some cash and a clubsport,thanks.
I went from a 2.5 Boxster to a 968, I think the 968 would be harder work in everyday traffic than the Boxster but I wouldn't see it as much of an issue.
Maybe the Sport would be more suited to everyday as it's a bit more comfy but either way I don't think it will be a problem...
For what I am using the 968 for I prefer it to the Boxster, but I still miss certain elements of the Boxster....
Maybe the Sport would be more suited to everyday as it's a bit more comfy but either way I don't think it will be a problem...
For what I am using the 968 for I prefer it to the Boxster, but I still miss certain elements of the Boxster....
I've never used a Boxster for any significant period of time, but the 968 is a perfectly practical everyday car. My car was a Sport, but is now closer to a club sport. Think you need to sit in both and decide where on the scale of practicality vs. fun you want to position yourself. I've got a silly one. 
Edited to add: I'm not sure if you'll find the 968 much cheaper in terms of total ownership costs than a Boxster though...
Edited to add: I'm not sure if you'll find the 968 much cheaper in terms of total ownership costs than a Boxster though...
Edited by willdew on Thursday 1st March 08:54
I have Boxster S (987) and a 968 club sport. In terms of running costs I doubt you will save any money as the 968 is supposed to be serviced every 6,000 miles and parts are anything but cheap. You also need to try a car as the bucket seats in the clubsport are narrow and can be quickly uncomfortable for anyone who is on the large side. The cars alsoo have very little headroom and if you were intending to track it at some stage you will struggle to fit in the car if you are over 6ft tall once you have a helmet on. Remember even the youngest of these cars are now 12 years old, original suspension will be tired and really needs replacing, little things tend to go wrong on older cars, my servicing costs have been about £600 each year as little things have needed fixing. There is no real difference driving in traffic to the boxster and the car is just as practical except that there is no where to leave things out of sight. Insurance isn't that cheap as you will need a normal road policy if you are going to use it every day.
Hope that helps
Richard.
Hope that helps
Richard.
richad027 said:
The cars also have very little headroom and if you were intending to track it at some stage you will struggle to fit in the car if you are over 6ft tall once you have a helmet on.
This is because the Recaro seat is mounted high. Its possible to remove the seat cushions when you track it to give more head room - the head room issue doesn't apply to the cars with the 'comfort' seats. Otherwise I agreed with Richard - I've had 2 968's a coupe and a CS & now a Cayman. I spent £8k on repair and mantenance in 18months on the CS.
But I strongly suggest you go and try a 968 and make your own mind up. BTW, the one you want is a 'Sport', its a UK market CS with just enough in the way of extra's to make it a viable daily proposition.
SS7
The 6000 service on a 968 is not really required and 12000 intervals is fine, depends on how many miles you will do. A oil change is all that is required at 6K really. I used to use my CS everyday and for business and it was fine. The lack of electric and heated mirrors and reaer wash wipe can be a pain.
The clutch is lighter than my MG ZT-T. I have only driven a Boxster for a short period but it is obviously alot more modern. Best try one and see.
As always buy on condtion and check cams, head gasket, plate lift etc etc. The April edition of 911 & Porsche World will be featuring the 968 in its buyers guide.
The clutch is lighter than my MG ZT-T. I have only driven a Boxster for a short period but it is obviously alot more modern. Best try one and see.
As always buy on condtion and check cams, head gasket, plate lift etc etc. The April edition of 911 & Porsche World will be featuring the 968 in its buyers guide.
From a personal perspective, I went from various Boxsters to a 968CS and back to a Boxster S, and,........really missed the 968 !
There is a considerable difference in the handling, the CS seeming much better planted and more informative in steering feedback. The 968CS was for me a better car due to my preference for harder suspension settings and also the better driving feel. I found the CS to be quicker point-to-point than the Boxster S and much more rewarding to drive,especially on the track.
Depending on what you're after both are accomplished at what they do.
With regard to the Recaro seats in the 968CS, I am 6' 5'' and 18st and had no problem fitting in them and they really are comfortable once you are in. I'd disagree that you should look at a 968 Sport as I think that its a total compromise but it depends what you're after. If you want the goodies you may as well buy a Boxster S. If you want a totally focussed car to use daily and for occasional track days then the 968CS is the way to go. They are as different as chalk and cheese. Go drive both and you will fall one side of the fence for sure afterwards.
There are a few really well sorted 968CS' about, look for any with KW suspension and a few subtle performance mods as these will be the well maintained enthusiast cars.
Happy hunting.
There is a considerable difference in the handling, the CS seeming much better planted and more informative in steering feedback. The 968CS was for me a better car due to my preference for harder suspension settings and also the better driving feel. I found the CS to be quicker point-to-point than the Boxster S and much more rewarding to drive,especially on the track.
Depending on what you're after both are accomplished at what they do.
With regard to the Recaro seats in the 968CS, I am 6' 5'' and 18st and had no problem fitting in them and they really are comfortable once you are in. I'd disagree that you should look at a 968 Sport as I think that its a total compromise but it depends what you're after. If you want the goodies you may as well buy a Boxster S. If you want a totally focussed car to use daily and for occasional track days then the 968CS is the way to go. They are as different as chalk and cheese. Go drive both and you will fall one side of the fence for sure afterwards.
There are a few really well sorted 968CS' about, look for any with KW suspension and a few subtle performance mods as these will be the well maintained enthusiast cars.
Happy hunting.
Thanks for the replies lads.I know the 968 will not be cheaper to run but they are cheaper to buy and I need to pay back some of the loan.I may be better getting the sport as I do like a bit more than basic but the pricing is all over the place!Where do I get a guide price for these things?
scruffy101 said:
Thanks for the replies lads.I know the 968 will not be cheaper to run but they are cheaper to buy and I need to pay back some of the loan.I may be better getting the sport as I do like a bit more than basic but the pricing is all over the place!Where do I get a guide price for these things?
968s are sufficiently rare that price guides are fairly meaningless. model prices are in the midst of a slump, but very good examples are still being touted at prices comparable to 2 yrs ago, especially clubsports. expect to see a range of prices from £7k on ebay for a reasonable RHD tiptronic to £17k for a dealer-sourced mint clubsport, and everything in between. really at the moment it comes down to the individual car and what the individual is prepared to stump up. sorry not to be more helpful but judging 968 prices at the moment is like trying to predict the FTSE100 - all over the bloody place
Edited by softinthehead on Thursday 1st March 23:22
we sold our 968 sport just recently and the old man changed it for an austin healey 3000 
I drove it for the first time the day before we sold it and it was a revelation you could really push it into corners and it would just squat to the road and grip, no obvious under or oversteer very neutral and felt just sorted, and whilst 250hp may not seem a huge amount in these power crazed days it is more than enough to get you into license losing speeds very quickly (especially in the killing gears known as 3rd and 4th 
) i think ours is still for sale and all it cost my dad in 3 years was alot of optimax and 2 front rotors and 4 new tyres after 3 trips to the south of france and le mans. i can't imagine a better car for under £10K
I drove it for the first time the day before we sold it and it was a revelation you could really push it into corners and it would just squat to the road and grip, no obvious under or oversteer very neutral and felt just sorted, and whilst 250hp may not seem a huge amount in these power crazed days it is more than enough to get you into license losing speeds very quickly (especially in the killing gears known as 3rd and 4th ) i think ours is still for sale and all it cost my dad in 3 years was alot of optimax and 2 front rotors and 4 new tyres after 3 trips to the south of france and le mans. i can't imagine a better car for under £10Kccharlie6 said:
... and whilst 250hp may not seem a huge amount in these power crazed days ...
240hp is even less! Agreed though, it is all in the delivery and the engine just keeps on pulling. The low down torque makes it very easy as a daily driver. Hot weather nad traffic can make the clutch judder a bit, even on good clutches.
As others have said, you won't save money on running costs, but you can undoubtedly release some capital. I've never driven a Boxster S but the figures would suggest it is ever so slightly quicker than a 68, and I imagine it feels different to push on in. The 968 is beautifully weighted though and feels just great to drive. Now is a great time to be buying in - prices have readjusted somewhat in the last 12 months or so, to the benefit of the buyer. As a price guide, I would recommend to avoid worrying much about mileage and check on recent work done (since saving money is the key here). £10-11K should get you a nice, well sorted one. Coupes tend to fetch a bit less for some reason, but shouldn't be dismissed. Low mile minters are anywhere above £13k by the looks of it and are worth the extra if that is what you want. I used to have a low mile minter, but I wouldn't get one again. For a daily driver set your limit at £11k and look at any flavour of 968.
I note someone above making the point that with a helmet on, there's not much headroom in the Clubsport, which is not correct.
The sport seats have detachable cushions with that velcro stuff used to secure. Just 'rip' the cushion out that you sit on and there maybe further 'fillers' underneath which you can remove and adjust the position of where you 'stick' the cushion. There's plenty of room for six footers. 964 RS had the same arrangement, as do later RS, GT2 3s etc.
The sport seats have detachable cushions with that velcro stuff used to secure. Just 'rip' the cushion out that you sit on and there maybe further 'fillers' underneath which you can remove and adjust the position of where you 'stick' the cushion. There's plenty of room for six footers. 964 RS had the same arrangement, as do later RS, GT2 3s etc.
softinthehead said:
steady eddie said:
How does the tiptronic comare with the manual?
it doesnt
He means the 4speed tip is a very different drive to the 6 speed manual. Mich more 'go slow' than 'go go'.
BTW I know of a couple of 968 Sports that are or might be on the market at the moment. Both good cars and both with a/c, which is a very rare option in a UK market 968 CS or sport. PM me for details if you're serious.
SS7
yup, ok, sorry, a rather terse reply. but wot he said.
Its academic if you are after a clubsport because they didnt AFAIK come in tip guise. Tip is ok if you like cruising around but its a fairly early, rudimentary 4spd system that always feels like it needs pushing (to me). Saps 1.5secs off the 0-60 rtime. Loads of stuff on rennlist etc about how to get the tip box to kick down using clever adjustments of throttle etc but really, why would you bother? if you want to drive spiritedly you'd have gone for a manual in the first place
Its academic if you are after a clubsport because they didnt AFAIK come in tip guise. Tip is ok if you like cruising around but its a fairly early, rudimentary 4spd system that always feels like it needs pushing (to me). Saps 1.5secs off the 0-60 rtime. Loads of stuff on rennlist etc about how to get the tip box to kick down using clever adjustments of throttle etc but really, why would you bother? if you want to drive spiritedly you'd have gone for a manual in the first place
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