should I buy a 968?
Discussion
Folks,
I have found myself developing an [unhealthy?] obseesion with the 968 and am seriously tempted at the prospect of buying one.
I am a life-long Porsche afficianado but an ownership virgin. However, my old man has a beautiful 996C4S in the garage -having owned a 2.7 Boxster before that, and now it seems I simply must have a Porker.
The only problem is that I am a relative nipper and cant face the prospect of huge running costs - having a huge mortgage having only started my 1st proper job a year ago doesnt help either!
At the mo I have a Focus RS which is a brilliant car but I'm now bored of the hot-hatch game and want a car that drives the correct wheels.
As has been noted on here, the prices for these Porkers seem all over the place with lower milage examples comanding a huge premium. IS there a reason for that or should I be comfortable running a ~90k miler as my daily hack and track warrier?
with 14K to allocate (largely dependant on sale of Fordy), I'd love a CS but feel they may be a little out of reach.
What milage and price range should I be looking at and what should I expect to spend on it per annum?
Cheers.
Simon
I have found myself developing an [unhealthy?] obseesion with the 968 and am seriously tempted at the prospect of buying one.
I am a life-long Porsche afficianado but an ownership virgin. However, my old man has a beautiful 996C4S in the garage -having owned a 2.7 Boxster before that, and now it seems I simply must have a Porker.
The only problem is that I am a relative nipper and cant face the prospect of huge running costs - having a huge mortgage having only started my 1st proper job a year ago doesnt help either!
At the mo I have a Focus RS which is a brilliant car but I'm now bored of the hot-hatch game and want a car that drives the correct wheels.
As has been noted on here, the prices for these Porkers seem all over the place with lower milage examples comanding a huge premium. IS there a reason for that or should I be comfortable running a ~90k miler as my daily hack and track warrier?
with 14K to allocate (largely dependant on sale of Fordy), I'd love a CS but feel they may be a little out of reach.
What milage and price range should I be looking at and what should I expect to spend on it per annum?
Cheers.
Simon
Never driven one if I'm honest. But I know wo drivers. They love them. If your getting a Porsche on a budget there is nothing better. They say that the 968 drivers better than the equivelently aged 911!
Definately get the CS. Nigh on perfect handling, plus £11G will get you the best car. CS's don't seem to be as expensive cos of the lack of back seats.
Don't get it in yellow, any color but. Black, white and red are absolutly stunning. A friend of mine still maintains that it's the best looking Porsche! (slightly insane statement?
Definately get the CS. Nigh on perfect handling, plus £11G will get you the best car. CS's don't seem to be as expensive cos of the lack of back seats.
Don't get it in yellow, any color but. Black, white and red are absolutly stunning. A friend of mine still maintains that it's the best looking Porsche! (slightly insane statement?
i got a 968 CS a couple of months ago, just come back from a trip to the 'ring and a trackday in abbeville. I am totally in awe of the car for its load carrying, pace and most important superb out of the box handling. Coming from a wrong wheel drive car you are gonna be totally amazed.
968uk.com is a good place to start looking
Phil
968uk.com is a good place to start looking
Phil
I had a 968 Sport for a couple of years and worked on the launch of the CS and Sport back in 1994.
The Sport was a UK-only option and was basically a CS with a few creature comforts such as rear seats and electric windows but otherwise was as track orientated as the CS.
Coming from a modern hatch you are going to find it a little 'raw' and the rather agricultural sound on start up will probably disappoint BUT I cannot recommend these cars enough. As many people have said in the past, it is perfectly balanced and incredibly good fun hacking round fast country lanes.
I was part of the team that launched the car on the full Brands Hatch circuit in 1994 and the Sport was as quick as a 911 on the twisty bits - if not quicker.
I got mine for £12.5K with 55K on the clock and sold it 3 years later for £13K
The stlying has dated a bit and to my mind it looks awkward from behind but you forget all that when you are behind the wheel! It's a perfect first Porsche.
The Sport was a UK-only option and was basically a CS with a few creature comforts such as rear seats and electric windows but otherwise was as track orientated as the CS.
Coming from a modern hatch you are going to find it a little 'raw' and the rather agricultural sound on start up will probably disappoint BUT I cannot recommend these cars enough. As many people have said in the past, it is perfectly balanced and incredibly good fun hacking round fast country lanes.
I was part of the team that launched the car on the full Brands Hatch circuit in 1994 and the Sport was as quick as a 911 on the twisty bits - if not quicker.
I got mine for £12.5K with 55K on the clock and sold it 3 years later for £13K
The stlying has dated a bit and to my mind it looks awkward from behind but you forget all that when you are behind the wheel! It's a perfect first Porsche.
sixth lord said:
I had a 968 Sport for a couple of years and worked on the launch of the CS and Sport back in 1994.
The Sport was a UK-only option and was basically a CS with a few creature comforts such as rear seats and electric windows but otherwise was as track orientated as the CS.
Coming from a modern hatch you are going to find it a little 'raw' and the rather agricultural sound on start up will probably disappoint BUT I cannot recommend these cars enough. As many people have said in the past, it is perfectly balanced and incredibly good fun hacking round fast country lanes.
I was part of the team that launched the car on the full Brands Hatch circuit in 1994 and the Sport was as quick as a 911 on the twisty bits - if not quicker.
I got mine for £12.5K with 55K on the clock and sold it 3 years later for £13K
The stlying has dated a bit and to my mind it looks awkward from behind but you forget all that when you are behind the wheel! It's a perfect first Porsche.
The Sport was a UK-only option and was basically a CS with a few creature comforts such as rear seats and electric windows but otherwise was as track orientated as the CS.
Coming from a modern hatch you are going to find it a little 'raw' and the rather agricultural sound on start up will probably disappoint BUT I cannot recommend these cars enough. As many people have said in the past, it is perfectly balanced and incredibly good fun hacking round fast country lanes.
I was part of the team that launched the car on the full Brands Hatch circuit in 1994 and the Sport was as quick as a 911 on the twisty bits - if not quicker.
I got mine for £12.5K with 55K on the clock and sold it 3 years later for £13K
The stlying has dated a bit and to my mind it looks awkward from behind but you forget all that when you are behind the wheel! It's a perfect first Porsche.
Cheers.
Im actually hankerring after a bit of back to basics rawness. FRS is pretty hardcore but its wrong wheel drive and just a mite underpowered.
All I want to be sure of is that providing I walk in with my eyes open, will I be able to run it whithout the onset of huge bills/faults every month?
Great car, I think you'll find a good buying guide on Hartech's website. Besides the belts, the cam chains need attention/replacement and the cogs they run on wear. These cogs are part of the camshafts, so if worn you need two new camshafts which are a few hundred quid a pop, hence a big bill for the whole job.
I wouldn't be put off yellow either, the good ones will always sell whatever colour they are and you should choose one you like, the far bigger proviso being its condition.
I wouldn't be put off yellow either, the good ones will always sell whatever colour they are and you should choose one you like, the far bigger proviso being its condition.
There are actually plenty of things that could go wrong with a 968, like any car of this type and age, but in general they are pretty reliable. Some of the expensive things to look for would be camshaft wear, pinion bearing failure and calliper plate lift, although there are others too. If you can find a car which has had these things sorted recently then this will reduce the risk to you in the future.
The best place to check all this out is on the 968uk site, especially the forums:
www.968uk.com/
You will typically need to allow for 1-2K per year for maintenance in my experience, although as I said, larger items could exceed that. Another thing you haven't mentioned is insurance - a club sport is not cheap for someone young.
If you can get on with LHD then there is definitely a saving to be made although you will lose out when you come to sell. I have a LHD CS at the moment and it took (is taking) a little while to adjust.
As others have mentioned, look at S2s if the more modern looks of a 968 are not important to you. I had one for seven years and they are great cars, although the 968 is better in lots of small ways. Part of the reason I bought a 968 because they were readily available with a sports setup - an S2 as standard is a bit softer.
Good luck though with whatever you end up with.
The best place to check all this out is on the 968uk site, especially the forums:
www.968uk.com/
You will typically need to allow for 1-2K per year for maintenance in my experience, although as I said, larger items could exceed that. Another thing you haven't mentioned is insurance - a club sport is not cheap for someone young.
If you can get on with LHD then there is definitely a saving to be made although you will lose out when you come to sell. I have a LHD CS at the moment and it took (is taking) a little while to adjust.
As others have mentioned, look at S2s if the more modern looks of a 968 are not important to you. I had one for seven years and they are great cars, although the 968 is better in lots of small ways. Part of the reason I bought a 968 because they were readily available with a sports setup - an S2 as standard is a bit softer.
Good luck though with whatever you end up with.
Edited by paul968 on Wednesday 9th May 15:32
ASBO said:
^^
What mileage is yours?
Can a good reasonable mileage Clubsport be picked up for £11-12k?
What mileage is yours?
Can a good reasonable mileage Clubsport be picked up for £11-12k?
erm just coming up to 96k hardly run in
paid 13 for it cos i wanted the best example but im sure they can be had for less, usual buy on condition not on mileage rules apply as stated ensure its had CAM CHAIN (in addition to belts) as others have said its a 1500 quid bill to change cams if worn. Also pinion bearing in the gearbox is notorious for going but its not a massive bill to sort.
I think the agricultural comment is spot on esp compared with modern stuff, CS is just a joy to drive.
performance wise not actually sure of the figures got 137mph gps indicated on the autobahn the other day, 0-60 erm 6. something i think. Its not really about raw figures but the rate it covers ground will astound you.
One of the biggest benefits will be that you will buy it and sell it for the same price If performance is an issue bolt on a supercharger
ps. not wanting to be mean in the photo game but ...
hmmm fibreglass sports seats
One of the biggest benefits will be that you will buy it and sell it for the same price
If performance is an issue bolt on a supercharger ps. not wanting to be mean in the photo game but ...
hmmm fibreglass sports seats
pheedbak said:
performance wise not actually sure of the figures got 137mph gps indicated on the autobahn the other day, 0-60 erm 6. something i think. Its not really about raw figures but the rate it covers ground will astound you.
One of the biggest benefits will be that you will buy it and sell it for the same price If performance is an issue bolt on a supercharger
ps. not wanting to be mean in the photo game but ...
hmmm fibreglass sports seats
One of the biggest benefits will be that you will buy it and sell it for the same price
If performance is an issue bolt on a supercharger ps. not wanting to be mean in the photo game but ...
hmmm fibreglass sports seats
god thats lovely. give it to me. please.
Well worth getting, no need to spend over £10K IMHO. You can get some good ones for under £10K and this will leave you some money in reserve for any little surprises (head, cams etc) and some mods.
The cars at the dealers are way overpriced. Mileage is not a problem, mine had 130K on the clock but had new cams, head repair, flywheel etc etc. The only draw back is if you do decide to sell people are always put off by higher miles.
It is a buyers market, have a good look round and try as many as possible and enjoy what is a great car (God I miss mine
)
The cars at the dealers are way overpriced. Mileage is not a problem, mine had 130K on the clock but had new cams, head repair, flywheel etc etc. The only draw back is if you do decide to sell people are always put off by higher miles.
It is a buyers market, have a good look round and try as many as possible and enjoy what is a great car (God I miss mine
)
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