Porsche 968 Japanese LHD import.
Discussion
I think it´s time to introduce my car as I enjoy reading about everybody elses maybe someone would like to hear about mine.
Firstly I live in the sticks in Spain ( North Andalucia) so it´s not exactly a hotspot of car related activity but more hunting and horses so after being spoilt by living close to Goodwood all my life it was a bit of a culture change for me.
Back in the UK my car history has been; Imp, Mantas ( a few ), Speedster Replica, W201 Merc, VWt2 Camper (In gulf racing colours) as a few select highlights. I also owned and loved my 924S which I sold and have regretted since I came to Spain.
So I looked into replacing it, but all the examples are either really expensive or dog-poo, so I looked at 944 to find the same then I saw a nice 968 for sale in Madrid and have been impressed since.
This I me collecting the car, it has incorrect wheels and tinted windows.
Only one week later I went auto-crossing in it.
The car wasn´t really suited to the tight slalom course but it was fun none the less.
At the same event held on a runway at an autodrome they pack the cones and tires away and have drag-races.
The 968 isn´t the fastest thing on the planet but it held its own against some more modern cars.
One of the real reasons for the 968 over a 996/Cayman or Boxter for about the same price was that I can maintain it myself. I buy all my parts from Porsche and soon after I changed the belts and I keep up with anything that needs dooing instantly the 968 is quite easy ro work on and comes apartand goes together as easy as LEGO also the quality of the parts used is pretty good (as you´d hope from a Porsche).
The car is a good all-rounder I can go to Classic Car Shows,
(Doesn´t look out of place at all)
I have also joined the Posche Club of Andalucia and they go on some fantastic routes and to some intersting places I was a bit worried about going as they may of looked down on me or the car but they´re a good bunch of guys and really friendly.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CTa08qaplvw&t=...
But the most I really missed and wanted to do a Track-day.........
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u7TJZzCLGmg&t=...
Firstly I live in the sticks in Spain ( North Andalucia) so it´s not exactly a hotspot of car related activity but more hunting and horses so after being spoilt by living close to Goodwood all my life it was a bit of a culture change for me.
Back in the UK my car history has been; Imp, Mantas ( a few ), Speedster Replica, W201 Merc, VWt2 Camper (In gulf racing colours) as a few select highlights. I also owned and loved my 924S which I sold and have regretted since I came to Spain.
So I looked into replacing it, but all the examples are either really expensive or dog-poo, so I looked at 944 to find the same then I saw a nice 968 for sale in Madrid and have been impressed since.
This I me collecting the car, it has incorrect wheels and tinted windows.
Only one week later I went auto-crossing in it.
The car wasn´t really suited to the tight slalom course but it was fun none the less.
At the same event held on a runway at an autodrome they pack the cones and tires away and have drag-races.
The 968 isn´t the fastest thing on the planet but it held its own against some more modern cars.
One of the real reasons for the 968 over a 996/Cayman or Boxter for about the same price was that I can maintain it myself. I buy all my parts from Porsche and soon after I changed the belts and I keep up with anything that needs dooing instantly the 968 is quite easy ro work on and comes apartand goes together as easy as LEGO also the quality of the parts used is pretty good (as you´d hope from a Porsche).
The car is a good all-rounder I can go to Classic Car Shows,
(Doesn´t look out of place at all)
I have also joined the Posche Club of Andalucia and they go on some fantastic routes and to some intersting places I was a bit worried about going as they may of looked down on me or the car but they´re a good bunch of guys and really friendly.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CTa08qaplvw&t=...
But the most I really missed and wanted to do a Track-day.........
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u7TJZzCLGmg&t=...
Edited by Little Droogie on Wednesday 7th March 14:16
Edited by Little Droogie on Wednesday 7th March 14:22
Edited by Little Droogie on Sunday 1st April 16:22
Edited by Little Droogie on Sunday 1st April 16:28
......As I said earlier I live in the sticks my two closest trackes are Jarama in the North of Madrid 300kms and Guadix (Mike G) in Granada that´s about 200kms away, so I´ve been a bit reluctant to go on my own in case I have problems or an accident plus my Spanish isn´t the best.
A friend who owns a E46 330 (tuned) who is always winding me up about how much quicker/better his car is had booked to go to Jarama so I duly booked too. I prepared my car by changing the brake fluid and checking it over.
This week has been really wet in Spain and like how the UK stuggles when it´s snowing the Spanish get all funny about a bit of rain. So he pulls-out and I´m going on my own. It was my first track-day and I was quite worried.
I drove to Madrid late as I had to work and made ended up sleeping in the car in some McDonalds car park as I couldn´t find a Hotel and it was past midnight.
Anyway, once I was at the track we had the talk and looked at the other cars (Radical, Golfs, Cupras, plenty of BMWs).
The car preformed fantasticly it was wet and I didn´t know the track at all (apart from looking at a map of it) but after the first lap I got some confidence and started putting my foot down some more .
Quite a few cars went off in my first session (including the Radical) but the 968 didn´t even slide it was totally predictible and for a novice like myself I think it is a very good car to learn.
I must admit I spent most of my time looking in the mirrors for faster cars and we were mixed with some race-prepared caged and plexi-windowed cars but I keep up and follow most of them.
I have a video of my first session it on youtube.
A friend who owns a E46 330 (tuned) who is always winding me up about how much quicker/better his car is had booked to go to Jarama so I duly booked too. I prepared my car by changing the brake fluid and checking it over.
This week has been really wet in Spain and like how the UK stuggles when it´s snowing the Spanish get all funny about a bit of rain. So he pulls-out and I´m going on my own. It was my first track-day and I was quite worried.
I drove to Madrid late as I had to work and made ended up sleeping in the car in some McDonalds car park as I couldn´t find a Hotel and it was past midnight.
Anyway, once I was at the track we had the talk and looked at the other cars (Radical, Golfs, Cupras, plenty of BMWs).
The car preformed fantasticly it was wet and I didn´t know the track at all (apart from looking at a map of it) but after the first lap I got some confidence and started putting my foot down some more .
Quite a few cars went off in my first session (including the Radical) but the 968 didn´t even slide it was totally predictible and for a novice like myself I think it is a very good car to learn.
I must admit I spent most of my time looking in the mirrors for faster cars and we were mixed with some race-prepared caged and plexi-windowed cars but I keep up and follow most of them.
I have a video of my first session it on youtube.
the 968 is an extremely capable car, I have one which is in bits needing some rust doing now, and has been like that for over four years haha. Yours appears to be a Coupe, so if you can source some of the different suspension parts, you won't be keeping up, you'll be passing.
barely any posts these days with these cars. Unfortunately the world thinks they're not real Porsches haha, some think different when you go past other 9'ers. Anyway, good on you for posting, these aren't autocross cars though, keep it on circuits imo.
Mine ten years ago.
barely any posts these days with these cars. Unfortunately the world thinks they're not real Porsches haha, some think different when you go past other 9'ers. Anyway, good on you for posting, these aren't autocross cars though, keep it on circuits imo.
Mine ten years ago.
CarsOrBikes said:
the 968 is an extremely capable car, I have one which is in bits needing some rust doing now, and has been like that for over four years haha. Yours appears to be a Coupe, so if you can source some of the different suspension parts, you won't be keeping up, you'll be passing.
barely any posts these days with these cars. Unfortunately the world thinks they're not real Porsches haha, some think different when you go past other 9'ers. Anyway, good on you for posting, these aren't autocross cars though, keep it on circuits imo.
Mine ten years ago.
I hope you get yours going soon, it looks great. I´d love to see how different a Clubsport is to a standard coupe like mine. barely any posts these days with these cars. Unfortunately the world thinks they're not real Porsches haha, some think different when you go past other 9'ers. Anyway, good on you for posting, these aren't autocross cars though, keep it on circuits imo.
Mine ten years ago.
I think I´ll keep mine stock as I need the A/C (It gets hot here) and the suspension is firm enough the roads around here are not the best.
During my ownership I´ve had people "experts" expian to me about the VW engine in my car , I just nod and smile. And yes, some 911 owners(and people that don´t even own a Porsche) get a little bit funny about it not being a 911 and question why didn´t I buy one, but just expain I like it and why a bought it, if that doesn´t stop them dismissing my car, I then ask why their 996 isn´t the GT3. (that´s the one to have).
Last year I drove to Le Mans in it and met Magnus Walker, we spoke a little and he asked if I drove a Porsche "yeah, I´ve got a 968." I said, he responded "One of the best handling cars Porsche have ever built." and that he liked them and was thinking of getting one. So if Mangnus Walker likes them screw everybody else. At least he didn´t say "why didn´t you get a 911?"
Oh, yes it´s better on track than auto-cross. I hope to do a few more and I´m even going to Le Mans Classic then to the FOS then I hope to drive to the Porsche and Mercedes Museums and the Nurburgring in July.
That is terrible that people say that about it not being a 911. It only seems to be Porsche's that get that kind of attitude (I guess Boxster owners suffer the most). This is coming from an ex-owner of a 911 3.2 Carrera who would love any Porsche now! Unfortunately many have got too expensive, especially the 911 where prices do not justify the car.
You car looks great, I think the 968 is a great car to have, but alas I haven't had one yet. Prices have really risen in the last few years in the UK. You could get a good one for £10k, but now it's much more than that.
Maybe one day.
Enjoy it.
You car looks great, I think the 968 is a great car to have, but alas I haven't had one yet. Prices have really risen in the last few years in the UK. You could get a good one for £10k, but now it's much more than that.
Maybe one day.
Enjoy it.
Rich135 said:
That is terrible that people say that about it not being a 911. It only seems to be Porsche's that get that kind of attitude (I guess Boxster owners suffer the most). This is coming from an ex-owner of a 911 3.2 Carrera who would love any Porsche now! Unfortunately many have got too expensive, especially the 911 where prices do not justify the car.
You car looks great, I think the 968 is a great car to have, but alas I haven't had one yet. Prices have really risen in the last few years in the UK. You could get a good one for £10k, but now it's much more than that.
Maybe one day.
Enjoy it.
I think it´s due to the negativity of the 924 during the 80´s and 90´s but reality is they are good cars if they wore a VW or Ford badge people would be creaming themselves over them. I don´t belive Porsche have ever made a bad car it´s just that the 911 has such a following that anything less is looked down on. I was lucky with mine I didn´t over pay for it and it does get good comments about its condition etc. You car looks great, I think the 968 is a great car to have, but alas I haven't had one yet. Prices have really risen in the last few years in the UK. You could get a good one for £10k, but now it's much more than that.
Maybe one day.
Enjoy it.
One time I stuggled to enter a local classic car show as my car wears a 2007 number plate ( when it was imported) and they couldn´t belive ot was an early 90´s car thinking it was a modern Porsche. Well they´re not too common around these parts.
sinbaddio said:
Great car - enjoying reading about your adventure's in Spain.
Magnus Walker - how tall is he?
He´s quite tall but I´m also 5´6. Magnus Walker - how tall is he?
I spent the whole time wondering if his beard was longer/taller than me.
Edited by Little Droogie on Wednesday 7th March 14:15
Edited by Little Droogie on Wednesday 7th March 14:20
Strela said:
Excellent choice of car. I had a couple of 944s about twenty years ago, and I remember driving a 968 Turbo at Croft, and a late model 928 (was it a 5.4?) at Silverstone (properly sideways through Becketts). The front engined Porsches are superbly balanced, and were always my preference as long distance road cars over 911s.
They are good, I bet that 968 Turbo was manic. As a long distance car it´s really good, This July
I plan to cover 5000 Kms (but reality is it will be more). I have no doubts or fears about doing it in my 968. I have already driven to Le Mans last year from Andalucia and it was fast, comfortable and sporty. To my mind it´s like a mini GT car.
Well done with getting the 968
A pal in Scotland has had a few Porsches, currently has a neglected ( sadly) Boxster S.
He had a 944 in red that was his first one, that was a bit of a 'dog' as it used a lot of oil... then he bough a lovely dark blue 968 Cabriolet with the Tiptronic gearbox. IIRC it had pale grey leather as well. That was a really nice car and with the tiptronic it was quite good fun to drive.
As has been said, the 968 is a very underrated car, so good for you if you have got one !
I am sure Porsche would not have developed the 968 Club sport if they did not think so ! Apparently that is one of the best handling Porsches or so I have read.
I am sure that you are aware of Jay Leno's Garage website: if it is still on there, he did a video with Magnus Walker who brought along one of his special cars for Jay to drive.
Also, I read in Octane magazine a few years ago an article by Derek Bell and his own cars: he had ( or still has) a 924 Turbo that he really rated.
The main thing is if you like it !!
What other 'non informed' people say is irrelevant IMO : I have an Alfa 156....after all....!!!
A pal in Scotland has had a few Porsches, currently has a neglected ( sadly) Boxster S.
He had a 944 in red that was his first one, that was a bit of a 'dog' as it used a lot of oil... then he bough a lovely dark blue 968 Cabriolet with the Tiptronic gearbox. IIRC it had pale grey leather as well. That was a really nice car and with the tiptronic it was quite good fun to drive.
As has been said, the 968 is a very underrated car, so good for you if you have got one !
I am sure Porsche would not have developed the 968 Club sport if they did not think so ! Apparently that is one of the best handling Porsches or so I have read.
I am sure that you are aware of Jay Leno's Garage website: if it is still on there, he did a video with Magnus Walker who brought along one of his special cars for Jay to drive.
Also, I read in Octane magazine a few years ago an article by Derek Bell and his own cars: he had ( or still has) a 924 Turbo that he really rated.
The main thing is if you like it !!
What other 'non informed' people say is irrelevant IMO : I have an Alfa 156....after all....!!!
I grew up and lived in Bognor Regis until I moved to Spain so I used to see Derek Bells 924 quite a bit, but it isn´t a normal Turbo it´s a "Carrera GTS", very rare.
I think the car preformed really well for a novice even though it was wet the traction and controlablilty were really good.
Thanks for the nice comments.
I think the car preformed really well for a novice even though it was wet the traction and controlablilty were really good.
Thanks for the nice comments.
Edited by Little Droogie on Sunday 1st April 16:18
Well, I´ve just got back from a 5000km road trip.
Andalucia - Bordeaux - Le Mans Classic - Portsmouth - Goodwood FoS - Dover - Nurburgring - Stuttgart (Porsche & Mercedes Museums) - Fugueras (Dali Museum) then home all in 16 days!
Including 2,800 Kms in 4 days plus visiting places.
The 968 ran well and was even quite comfortable to sleep in as the passenger seat goes almost horizontal and putting a pag in the footwell makes for a bed.
I did a lap of the ´Ring although I had to wait until it opened at 5.30 so I spent the day sleeping in the almost empty multi-Storey car park and visiting the Museum there which is very good , I also did a "Backstage tour" of the GP track and learnt some things about it.
Andalucia - Bordeaux - Le Mans Classic - Portsmouth - Goodwood FoS - Dover - Nurburgring - Stuttgart (Porsche & Mercedes Museums) - Fugueras (Dali Museum) then home all in 16 days!
Including 2,800 Kms in 4 days plus visiting places.
The 968 ran well and was even quite comfortable to sleep in as the passenger seat goes almost horizontal and putting a pag in the footwell makes for a bed.
I did a lap of the ´Ring although I had to wait until it opened at 5.30 so I spent the day sleeping in the almost empty multi-Storey car park and visiting the Museum there which is very good , I also did a "Backstage tour" of the GP track and learnt some things about it.
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