968 - what a great car!
Discussion
I have had my 968 for 4 months now and every time I pop out for a drive in it I just think what a joy it is to drive.
I also have a 1976 911 in the garage which I also love so this is not a front vs. rear engine Porsche thing. The 968 is such a nice and well balanced car to drive on the road with everything feeling just right from the seats, driving position, steering, ride and 6 speed gearbox. The engine maybe lacks a bit note to the ear but performance is spot on for British roads with good economy too.
I tried a Club Sport version before buying mine but as a road car I did not see the point. On track, then yes, the CS has the firmer ride, slightly less weight and bigger wheels but for a car that is mainly used on rural B roads the standard car on 16 inch rims is as sweet as a nut.
Having also owned a Cayman S a few years ago I think the 968 is a better package despite preceding the Cayman by 15 years. The load space and rear hatch back design are great and the car is a good example of how front engines can be just as well balanced as mid-engine layouts. The build quality of this era Porsche is superb and I like the fact that there are not many around.
Mines going to be tucked up in the garage for winter soon and I'll be looking forward to getting it out again next year.
I also have a 1976 911 in the garage which I also love so this is not a front vs. rear engine Porsche thing. The 968 is such a nice and well balanced car to drive on the road with everything feeling just right from the seats, driving position, steering, ride and 6 speed gearbox. The engine maybe lacks a bit note to the ear but performance is spot on for British roads with good economy too.
I tried a Club Sport version before buying mine but as a road car I did not see the point. On track, then yes, the CS has the firmer ride, slightly less weight and bigger wheels but for a car that is mainly used on rural B roads the standard car on 16 inch rims is as sweet as a nut.
Having also owned a Cayman S a few years ago I think the 968 is a better package despite preceding the Cayman by 15 years. The load space and rear hatch back design are great and the car is a good example of how front engines can be just as well balanced as mid-engine layouts. The build quality of this era Porsche is superb and I like the fact that there are not many around.
Mines going to be tucked up in the garage for winter soon and I'll be looking forward to getting it out again next year.
Have recently acquired mine and I concur with your assessment!!
Compared to my other 'special one', a TVR Chimaera (if you haven't tried one you are missing out!!), it is a joy to drive. This is not a criticism, but they remind me of my old Audi Quattro, brilliant road holding and performance when you want, but can be as docile as any modern hatch in traffic.
The added bonus for us, of course, is that these cars will be appreciating in the next few years just as the VW/Audi's of this era, and before, are doing!
Mk1 Golf GTI anyone????
Compared to my other 'special one', a TVR Chimaera (if you haven't tried one you are missing out!!), it is a joy to drive. This is not a criticism, but they remind me of my old Audi Quattro, brilliant road holding and performance when you want, but can be as docile as any modern hatch in traffic.
The added bonus for us, of course, is that these cars will be appreciating in the next few years just as the VW/Audi's of this era, and before, are doing!
Mk1 Golf GTI anyone????
Anyway back to the good stuff. Have had many many Porsches over the years (currently GT3 RS) and can positively say that despite even the fast ones which are awesome in themselves, the 4 pots are some of the best cars Porsche have made to date imhi. Had the most joy over 140K miles in a 944 S2 in the 90's. One of the most balanced cars I have ever driven. Still miss it.
Many long sweepers that I take in the current car and think I am doing quite well, and then look down at the speedo to see that I was doing the same sort of speeds in the 944 nearly 20 years ago. No, it not age related.
Never had a 968 though, and It has always been a regret. So reading posts like this does just adds to the pull to search again for a good 'un. Having a look now in fact.
Enjoy.
Many long sweepers that I take in the current car and think I am doing quite well, and then look down at the speedo to see that I was doing the same sort of speeds in the 944 nearly 20 years ago. No, it not age related.
Never had a 968 though, and It has always been a regret. So reading posts like this does just adds to the pull to search again for a good 'un. Having a look now in fact.
Enjoy.
yknot said:
Have recently acquired mine and I concur with your assessment!!
Compared to my other 'special one', a TVR Chimaera (if you haven't tried one you are missing out!!), it is a joy to drive. This is not a criticism, but they remind me of my old Audi Quattro, brilliant road holding and performance when you want, but can be as docile as any modern hatch in traffic.
The added bonus for us, of course, is that these cars will be appreciating in the next few years just as the VW/Audi's of this era, and before, are doing!
Mk1 Golf GTI anyone????
Funnily enough I sold a Chimeara to get the 968! Really like TVRs and have had few - on a sunny evening with the roof down and the rumbling V8 they take some beating. Will probably get another one day as like the 968, they put a smile on your face.Compared to my other 'special one', a TVR Chimaera (if you haven't tried one you are missing out!!), it is a joy to drive. This is not a criticism, but they remind me of my old Audi Quattro, brilliant road holding and performance when you want, but can be as docile as any modern hatch in traffic.
The added bonus for us, of course, is that these cars will be appreciating in the next few years just as the VW/Audi's of this era, and before, are doing!
Mk1 Golf GTI anyone????
TGJR said:
The engine maybe lacks a bit note to the ear but performance is spot on for British roads with good economy too.
I tried a Club Sport version before buying mine but as a road car I did not see the point. On track, then yes, the CS has the firmer ride, slightly less weight and bigger wheels but for a car that is mainly used on rural B roads the standard car on 16 inch rims is as sweet as a nut.
968 fantastic car ... CS the best of the bunch IMO and with the race seats one of the most comfortable cars I've driven in a (400 miles) day. Not sure about your B road comment... maybe the CS you tried had worn dampers. One of the finest track cars for the road I've ever driven.I tried a Club Sport version before buying mine but as a road car I did not see the point. On track, then yes, the CS has the firmer ride, slightly less weight and bigger wheels but for a car that is mainly used on rural B roads the standard car on 16 inch rims is as sweet as a nut.
If you want to make your 968 sound a lot better, get the system from Janspeed, just make sure you get the right one (the correct one comes complete from the cat back). I bought mine from Hartech, I think it was around £400.00. Makes the four pot sound alot lot better.
Wozy68 said:
968 fantastic car ... CS the best of the bunch IMO and with the race seats one of the most comfortable cars I've driven in a (400 miles) day. Not sure about your B road comment... maybe the CS you tried had worn dampers. One of the finest track cars for the road I've ever driven.
If you want to make your 968 sound a lot better, get the system from Janspeed, just make sure you get the right one (the correct one comes complete from the cat back). I bought mine from Hartech, I think it was around £400.00. Makes the four pot sound alot lot better.
Thanks for the info regarding the exhaust. I may consider a swap if/when mine needs a replacement one.If you want to make your 968 sound a lot better, get the system from Janspeed, just make sure you get the right one (the correct one comes complete from the cat back). I bought mine from Hartech, I think it was around £400.00. Makes the four pot sound alot lot better.
My B road comment - I don't think the CS I drove had worn dampers but the point I make is that most rural roads in Britain (certainly around me) are in a pretty poor state of repair with potholes, patches, etc. and a car that is set up and designed to excel on track will never be as comfortable on these types of road as a car that is a little softer and more compliant.
All 968's are great cars and Porsche nicely made variants to suit all requirements of driving.
My CS has the M030 suspension fitted, and I would have to say even on the softest setting it's too hard for a bumpy B road.
I took it to the Porsche Experience Centre a couple of years ago and it really came alive there though. So much so in fact that the head instructor Gordon Robertson requested a 'wee shot' in exchange for a few GT3 laps.
I took it to the Porsche Experience Centre a couple of years ago and it really came alive there though. So much so in fact that the head instructor Gordon Robertson requested a 'wee shot' in exchange for a few GT3 laps.
blade7 said:
yknot said:
As you have nothing positive to add to this thread except an amusing photograph, I thought you might like some of your own back!!
Talk about classic status and increasing residuals accompanies every post.
Whilst I wouldn't have posted such a picture, I too have little time for these threads, as an original 968 owner, and in an undesirable colour (Maritime Blue) too. Elitist? A little, perhaps, but ten years of this s
t wears you down.
GC8 said:
You have to realise that people who have owned the cars for a long time see this over and over again. In the majority of cases the fawning new owners have advertised and sold the car within a few months, too.
Talk about classic status and increasing residuals accompanies every post.
Whilst I wouldn't have posted such a picture, I too have little time for these threads, as an original 968 owner, and in an undesirable colour (Maritime Blue) too. Elitist? A little, perhaps, but ten years of this st wears you down.
I didn't realise that PH forums were inhabited by so many old cynics.Talk about classic status and increasing residuals accompanies every post.
Whilst I wouldn't have posted such a picture, I too have little time for these threads, as an original 968 owner, and in an undesirable colour (Maritime Blue) too. Elitist? A little, perhaps, but ten years of this s
t wears you down.I posted a thread based on my experience of the first few months of 968 ownership and having owned many Porsches over the years I have always found other peoples comments on ownership to be generally useful and interesting.
So what if a topic or car may have been discussed by others a 1000 times before - you don't have to read it and certainly don't have to get in and make a comment.
Cue the hand bags photo!
TGJR said:
GC8 - 15000 plus posts and thats what you come up with. Pathetic.
Don't bother replying again because I have learnt my lesson and will not be wasting my time on a site that is being patrolled by the likes of you.
Have you joined up over here ?? http://www.porsche968uk.co.uk/Don't bother replying again because I have learnt my lesson and will not be wasting my time on a site that is being patrolled by the likes of you.
GC8 said:
Not really. There weren't any digital cameras in 1994 and I have never been particularly keen on taking photographs.
I'm not really sure why you have to be so aggressive. I asked if you had a pic and wasn't aware you'd sold it.We're all here because we appreciate Porsche (or most of us are), lets have more positive posts.
Guess your car looked something like this?
TGJR said:
Wozy68 said:
968 fantastic car ... CS the best of the bunch IMO and with the race seats one of the most comfortable cars I've driven in a (400 miles) day. Not sure about your B road comment... maybe the CS you tried had worn dampers. One of the finest track cars for the road I've ever driven.
If you want to make your 968 sound a lot better, get the system from Janspeed, just make sure you get the right one (the correct one comes complete from the cat back). I bought mine from Hartech, I think it was around £400.00. Makes the four pot sound alot lot better.
Thanks for the info regarding the exhaust. I may consider a swap if/when mine needs a replacement one.If you want to make your 968 sound a lot better, get the system from Janspeed, just make sure you get the right one (the correct one comes complete from the cat back). I bought mine from Hartech, I think it was around £400.00. Makes the four pot sound alot lot better.
My B road comment - I don't think the CS I drove had worn dampers but the point I make is that most rural roads in Britain (certainly around me) are in a pretty poor state of repair with potholes, patches, etc. and a car that is set up and designed to excel on track will never be as comfortable on these types of road as a car that is a little softer and more compliant.
All 968's are great cars and Porsche nicely made variants to suit all requirements of driving.
I must admit mine didn't have the M030 option fitted so was basically a slightly lowered version of the standard car with bigger wheels. I have heard the M030 was a bit harsh.
Looks like your enjoying yours which is great. I loved mine and it was a very sad day when I let her go.
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