3.2 or 968 definitive answer please (yeah I know, again)

[turbo steve]

Hi chaps

I know it has been covered a few times (yes I have made use of the search button) but I am still in need of guidance/convincing. I am soon going to be looking for a weekend fun car, not for track use, which will be garaged and will be kept long term (until I retire, 20yrs, hopefully) so a galvanised porsche seems the obvious choice longevity wise.
I am quite capable of servicing and repairs myself and have a budget of around £15k so a late 80s Carrera 3.2 seems the obvious choice - iconic, simple to work on, robust and reliable - compared to a griff, chim, lotus.

Now the problem....I really like the 968 convertible, always have, which makes the problem worse as I know its not the most coveted 968, then again I do not expect to be worried about resale value. A newer car yes, but potentially more expensive to maintain even doing work myself?

So there it is, should I be driving a 968 when I can be in a 3.2. I know the 968 is a good car (even the soft top?) am I just worried about perceived image from the uninformed, should I just smile knowingly from my 968 or get the most iconic sports car of all time (controversial?).

I don't want a battle from the two camps, just advice/convincing on what will in the end be a decision from either heart or head.

PLEASE HELP

Ohh and nobody say the answer is thirty grand and a double garage

[Harry Flashman]

I went through this very same question – except I was looking at 964s as well.

I bought a 968 convertible, manual, right hand drive, in a really striking colour scheme – and it stands out (stunning in sunlight). And while the 968 Club Sport is the most coveted 968, I think the convertible must come second for rarity and the way it looks, which is barely dated at all.

Handling is very good, but it is obviously a convertible with (a little) shake on poor surfaces. Speed is brisk, rather than fast, but it’s the measure of a 3.2 if not a 964. Looks beautiful and easily gets the most attention of any car that I have owned (may be a bad thing for you). Feels utterly bulletproof (mind you, I looked for a long time and paid top money for a mint, 60,000 mile example that had had tonnes spent on it by a doting owner including new hood, retrim by Connolly etc etc). Tower Porsche take care of it for not a great deal of money – still cheaper than any 911 to service/work on due to the easy layout.

3.2 is more of a classic, and definitely a more unique experience; the 968 cab is not particularly “Porsche” – could be any reasonably powered, well built convertible. A Boxter S is a better car than the 968 cab in every way apart from being a) common and b) badly built in comparison. Although, frankly, I would look at 964s as a comparison to the 968; in terms of ease of living with, they come from the same era.

If you are in London, I would be happy to take you out in mine, and you can see what you think. May be putting it up for sale this summer (TVR Griffith is next on my hit list), so at the very least if you see mine, you’ll have a good one to benchmark others against if you go looking at 968s.

Personally, I think the 911 is the one to have if you want a “Porsche” – the 968 seems like a bit of an orphan of the range. But I chose the 968 for a combination of modernity, rarity, great handling (it really is more fun to hustle on country lanes than any 911 of that era that I have tried) and looks. Like I said, you’re welcome to try mine if you’re in my area, to get a flavour for them.

[turbo steve]

That's great Harry really informative, just the sort of response I am looking for. Interesting you say cheaper than a 911 to service as I gathered that although some consider it a lesser car they have said it is more complex and costlier to run than a 3.2. Also interesting is your penchant for tvr as I have agonised over a grif or chim but just do not relish rolling around underneath trying to rescue a slowly rotting chassis, or getting involved in body off resto's. I actually enjoy tinkering however and have no problems with anything from servicing/general maintenance to engine swaps and suspension rebuilds etc.
I have read only good things about 968 handling, and although I have driven neither yet, I hope it is obvious from my profile that I have no problem in driving a car that is a bit of a handfull, i.e. 60 in 5 seconds and an engine in the boot

I live in the Docklands (one reason I would not consider a boxter, every other car!!) so maybe a test drive could be on the cards
v. kind of you to offer

Edited by turbo steve on Thursday 31st May 20:19

[steil]

I've a 968CS - I've also owned a 964 for five years - I'd say there's very little in it in terms of service costs if you want to keep it in an excellent state - in case service costs are a major factor for you.

I'm still occasionally tempted by an air-cooled 911 but for my purposes the 968 ticks all the boxes.

[Marki]

Air Cooled

[Marki]

Air Cooled

[turbo steve]

steil said:

I've a 968CS - I've also owned a 964 for five years - I'd say there's very little in it in terms of service costs if you want to keep it in an excellent state - in case service costs are a major factor for you.

It's not just the money, as I said I enjoy working on cars that is part of the fun for me (sad I know) and don't want something I can't get involved in due to complexity. The 3.2 is pretty basic and I am capable of taking one apart and putting it back together, does anyone think the same is possible with the 968. If it is no more sophisticated than my 2003 roadster then that's a yes

[Crimp a Length]

if you want to keep long-term , i would opt for the 3.2 Carrera maybe a future icon.

[clubsport]

Had a few 3.2 and a 968CS....968CS was excellent....but it wasn't a 911....no prizes for guessing what I replaced it with
drove a metallic green 968 cab tip once and I remember it as the worst porsche I have ever driven!
I would suggest a 3.2 cab to cover all bases, for the money I would much sooner have a Boxster S than a 968 cab.
968 has a few issues, cams, pinion gear etc...which may need attention,,,they are not neccesarily a cheaper car to run than a 911....with cars that are 10+ years old condition and service history is the most important factor...good luck with your hunt

[graeme36s]

If you want to buy a very good car buy the 968. If you want something a little special buy the 3.2 carrera. It really is as simple as that. In truth drive both and make your own mind up.
The 1st Porsche I ever bought was a 3.2 Carrera. A few years on I was racing a 3.2 Carrera Super Sport and I bought a 944 Turbo Silver Rose as a road car. I collected the car from Brands Hatch came home and took Kerry for a spin. We got back she wandered around it and said it's a Turbo. Yes it is, She looked at me and said get rid of it and go buy yourself a proper Porsche. (and those were the words from someone that did not even hold a driving license at that time).

[nick_968]

968 is much easier to work on than a 911.

[willdew]

graeme36s said:

If you want to buy a very good car buy the 968. If you want something a little special buy the 3.2 carrera.

I think every 968 owner in the country would see his car as being something special.

I've no first hand experience of the 968 Cab, but by owning a 968 you are showing yourself to be a true automotive connoisseur. The tiny numbers of them, and hence their rarity on the road means spotting one is a treat and you know the owners views on motoring simply by the fact he has one.

And there's none of the "city boy" image with them, as there is with the 911's. You only own a 968 because you know what it is and you decide that you want a 968. Not because you want a "Porsche" or a flash car for X budget.

However, if you want a 911 (and I'm after a 964RS next), then a 968 won't satisfy that urge.

[rubystone]

willdew said:

And there's none of the "city boy" image with them, as there is with the 911's.

I'd have said that this was true in the 1980s and early '90s with the 3.2, but I'm not so sure it is now. Impact bumper 911s are recognised for what they are - future classics. Dare I say it, a 968 could be mistaken for a Japanese coupe by someone not "in the know"...but that same person would spot a 911 and know it was a "Porsche".

Clubsport - I drove a 968 tip cab on a day at Lancaster Harston once - what a dreadful car that was. I also noticed a high degree of scuttle shake - worse than any 944 cabrio I ever drove...which struck me as odd...

[james S]

Forget completely what other people think of your choice and don't buy what you think you should have - buy what you want

I've had a 968CS - they are superb, don't feel that fast because the power is very smooth, though they are quick. The handling is everythnig you expect and more, and they are a comfortable place to sit for a few hours - even a CS

But it is just not a 911. To be honest they are chalk and cheese, there is more to divide them than unite them as a driving experience.

If its a weekend car it would have to be the 3.2 for me every time. The 968 would just feel a bit too ordinary, though I would, without doubt, be able to drive it faster with more confidence

[hoges11]

Have had a couple of 968's cab and coupe and 964's (not 3.2's I'm afraid) and for me it'd be the 911 especially if its for weekend fun. The 968 is fabulous, extremely competant, very practical good to look at, good on long drives or short sprints but I'd still go for the 911 which is er.. just more special (hope that isnt too techncial!). Not sure I'd want to live without the (more) mod cons of the 964 and go back to the 3.2 (although the 3.2 shape looks sooo very good) but if its just or weekend fun I could maybe live with it and especially if it was in 930 turbo guise.

[ettore]

The 3.2 - its simply a special car and if you find a good one, and look after it, it should look after you.

Nothing wrong with 968`s at all but they simply don`t have the charisma of a "proper" air-cooled 911!

[willdew]

rubystone said:

willdew said:

And there's none of the "city boy" image with them, as there is with the 911's.

I'd have said that this was true in the 1980s and early '90s with the 3.2, but I'm not so sure it is now. Impact bumper 911s are recognised for what they are - future classics. Dare I say it, a 968 could be mistaken for a Japanese coupe by someone not "in the know"...but that same person would spot a 911 and know it was a "Porsche".

I personally agree, as will most on this forum. However, people in my office perceive me to be a flash ba5tard because I drive a Porsche. When people ask what car I've got I feel I have to make excuses, and make it clear it's not £100k's worth as I feel I'm rubbing their noses in it that I drive a flash car and they drive volvos with a fish on the boot. I'd feel this even more if it was a 911, as at least at present they don't really know what my car is.

Not that any of this affects what the OP should buy though. I don't think he'll go far wrong with either. But again, I agree with your comments that it's worth avoiding the Tip (especially in it's earlier guises, whilst it was still being refined).

[steil]

turbo steve said:

Now the problem....I really like the 968 convertible,

Maybe your answer is in your question:
If you buy a 3.2 will you still want a 968 convertible?

As someone's already stated 968's aren't exactly thick on the ground, and convertibles even less so - I don't think I've ever seen one and I know quite a few 968 owners!

[fido]

Sounds like you want a 968 convertible so get one! I wouldn't worry about the image thing - every car/model has it's admirers and detractors - though admitedly the cab will attract the ladies. As said before, 968's are a pretty rare sight and i've had alot of [admitedly unwanted] attention in mine. Oh, and don't it park it anywhere dodgy - chavs seem to hate Porsches big time

I went for a standard 968 with leathers & gizmos (sadly i've f*d up the electric seats already!) ... got it for a good price, and wanted something sporty but not too 'stripped- out'. actually i could just ditch the electric seats and save 30kg?

Edited by fido on Friday 1st June 10:07

[steil]

I've always had very good experiences of oik vs. Porsche when I've had to venture to tyre or car parts etc places - to a man they've always been extremely enthusiastic about the 968 - which always takes me by surprise. I don't like leaving it places & rarely do but not experienced any problems.