Talk to me about.......968's
Discussion
So I'm looking for a car to replace my dull MK5 Golf GTI. Before that I had a 2.7 Cayman which I loved. Circumstances see me needing to pay for a wedding and sort a house in the next couple of years so although I'm lucky to earn a decent wage there's no way I'm going to get away with spending a huge amount of cash on a Porsche....which leads me onto the 968. Plan would be to run one as a daily driver although my annual mileage is only around 7,000. I'm also quite aware of how few good ones there seem to be left - loads of cat d's and the tiptronic puts me off. One of the most attractive things though is that they really don't seem to be depreciating so potentially buying the right one could be an 'investment' :-) ?
So, is there a good resource on the 968 where I can start doing research? How much do I need to spend to get a good one? What are the main things to look out for? Any good specialists based in the Surrey area that I can speak to and potentially use to look after the car? And if I'm looking to buy a car to hold its value is there any particular spec to avoid? Thanks.
So, is there a good resource on the 968 where I can start doing research? How much do I need to spend to get a good one? What are the main things to look out for? Any good specialists based in the Surrey area that I can speak to and potentially use to look after the car? And if I'm looking to buy a car to hold its value is there any particular spec to avoid? Thanks.
I also had a mk5 GTI, then a Jag XJ8 before my 968 Sport. I've had quite a lot and variety of cars but I think its the best tintop I've ever had. Wonderful drive, although I would say the 2.7 Cayman drives better still.
In terms of spec, the Sport is great if often a little basic. They are Clubsports with back seats and a few other bits added back (typically sunroof, better stereo, electric windows etc). Still pretty basic with little sound deadening, no aircon, no airbags etc. At getting on for 20 years old less to go wrong.... Mine has leather sports seats but most Sports have fairly flat cloth seats which may disapoint. At the other end of the spectrum, the regular Coupe has more equipment, better seats (in general), airbag steering wheels, sound deadening etc. The Clubsport is the collectors car of choice with prices to match and certainly without MO30 is little different from a Sport (same engine, gearbox, suspension, 17" wheels, brakes etc).
In terms of things to look for, they're old cars in many ways of a very old design so rust can be an issue - try to get under the car and have a rummage around, brake lines, fuel lines, sills etc can be rusty. Check when cambelts, cam chains, rollers, tensioners, water pump etc have been done (every 4 years for belts as a minimum). Gearbox should be smooth with smooth linkage. Sunroofs can fail. Check suspension bushes, condition of dampers. Investigate oil leaks. They will certainly require a lot more tinkering than a recent car and you're likely to have a to-do list!
Prices - who knows! They seem to be firming / on the up but you might find some enthusiastic sellers as we get into November / December. A cheap car could turn into an expensive car taking into account the above though.
Good luck!
Jon
In terms of spec, the Sport is great if often a little basic. They are Clubsports with back seats and a few other bits added back (typically sunroof, better stereo, electric windows etc). Still pretty basic with little sound deadening, no aircon, no airbags etc. At getting on for 20 years old less to go wrong.... Mine has leather sports seats but most Sports have fairly flat cloth seats which may disapoint. At the other end of the spectrum, the regular Coupe has more equipment, better seats (in general), airbag steering wheels, sound deadening etc. The Clubsport is the collectors car of choice with prices to match and certainly without MO30 is little different from a Sport (same engine, gearbox, suspension, 17" wheels, brakes etc).
In terms of things to look for, they're old cars in many ways of a very old design so rust can be an issue - try to get under the car and have a rummage around, brake lines, fuel lines, sills etc can be rusty. Check when cambelts, cam chains, rollers, tensioners, water pump etc have been done (every 4 years for belts as a minimum). Gearbox should be smooth with smooth linkage. Sunroofs can fail. Check suspension bushes, condition of dampers. Investigate oil leaks. They will certainly require a lot more tinkering than a recent car and you're likely to have a to-do list!
Prices - who knows! They seem to be firming / on the up but you might find some enthusiastic sellers as we get into November / December. A cheap car could turn into an expensive car taking into account the above though.
Good luck!
Jon
I had a 968 sport & it was a finely balanced car & much under-rated.....if I had kept it l would have saved a fortune in depreciation & those in the 'know' rate them highly.
If you can find a much loved & treasured car with a recent full belt change, it should be good for another 3 yrs before another belt change....how about this one?
http://classifieds.pistonheads.com/classifieds/use...
If you want it to feel something ike a club sport....remove the back seats, put in a pair of fixed back racing seats & congratulate yourself on saving some serious £s & you will have about 95% of a clubsport IMO but keep all the original parts in case you sell it in the future! The driving experience of a Sport is a little like comparing analogue to digital.
FWIW, I think prices have softened & now might be a good time to buy...& they are also getting more & more scarce given the low production numbers.
If you can find a much loved & treasured car with a recent full belt change, it should be good for another 3 yrs before another belt change....how about this one?
http://classifieds.pistonheads.com/classifieds/use...
If you want it to feel something ike a club sport....remove the back seats, put in a pair of fixed back racing seats & congratulate yourself on saving some serious £s & you will have about 95% of a clubsport IMO but keep all the original parts in case you sell it in the future! The driving experience of a Sport is a little like comparing analogue to digital.
FWIW, I think prices have softened & now might be a good time to buy...& they are also getting more & more scarce given the low production numbers.
you need to get over and join us on www.968uk.co.uk sadly the PH Porsche area is a bit too new and rear engined for any real info.
When you get a log on to the forum you'll find everything you need to know about 968's and lot sof people that are willing to help with all sorts.
There are a couple of really nice Sports for sale at the moment, in the 12-15K bracket, but they've had everything done on them recently that needs doing.
Fantastically practical cars for everyday use, lots of owners run them as their DD's.
Just be sure that when you do get one that you have it looked after by a garage that really know what they are doing with 968's so that rules out ALL OPC's. I'm unashamedly biased in my recommendation for EMC in Birmingham* and given that they've just won the Porsche Club Championship in a 968, speaks for itself.
When you get a log on to the forum you'll find everything you need to know about 968's and lot sof people that are willing to help with all sorts.
There are a couple of really nice Sports for sale at the moment, in the 12-15K bracket, but they've had everything done on them recently that needs doing.
Fantastically practical cars for everyday use, lots of owners run them as their DD's.
Just be sure that when you do get one that you have it looked after by a garage that really know what they are doing with 968's so that rules out ALL OPC's. I'm unashamedly biased in my recommendation for EMC in Birmingham* and given that they've just won the Porsche Club Championship in a 968, speaks for itself.
- other garages with a wealth of 968 knowledge are available
dry664 said:
I think this needs further investigation. There's a ropey red tiptronic at a garage near me, perhaps a trip over there tomorrow to familiarise myself with the car would be a good idea.
Thanks for input everyone, will update the thread when I have had a chance to form my own opinion.
Thanks for input everyone, will update the thread when I have had a chance to form my own opinion.
Whatever you do. Don't buy a tiptronic. But a 968 as an everyday car is a great idea
A sport would make a great everyday car. They do have a niche market though and I struggeled to sell a pretty tidy CS with no significant expeniture required earlier in the year. Many people like to think that they are worth 12 to 15 grand, some may sell for this, many don't and hang around for months. So don't pay over the odds, 8 grand touch should buy a nice sport with decent cam gear and chain. There are a few in the classifieds at the moment that fit the bill. Its a buyers market so look at lots and haggle hard.
They aren't an investment by any stretch of the imagination but you won't loose as much on one as you would a newer cayman, mainly as they are much cheaper in the first place.
They are fun to drive cheap ish to mend well built and you can get piles of stuff in the back.
They aren't an investment by any stretch of the imagination but you won't loose as much on one as you would a newer cayman, mainly as they are much cheaper in the first place.
They are fun to drive cheap ish to mend well built and you can get piles of stuff in the back.
boy said: A sport would make a great everyday car. They do have a niche market though and I struggeled to sell a pretty tidy CS with no significant expeniture required earlier in the year. Many people like to think that they are worth 12 to 15 grand, some may sell for this, many don't and hang around for months. So don't pay over the odds, 8 grand touch should buy a nice sport with decent cam gear and chain. There are a few in the classifieds at the moment that fit the bill. Its a buyers market so look at lots and haggle hard.
They aren't an investment by any stretch of the imagination but you won't loose as much on one as you would a newer cayman, mainly as they are much cheaper in the first place.
They are fun to drive cheap ish to mend well built and you can get piles of stuff in the back.
Good summary, £8k is probably what a nice sport is worth, maybe a bit less depending on how motivated the seller is. Paying 50% more for some hardback seats and rear seat delete seems silly to me. They aren't an investment by any stretch of the imagination but you won't loose as much on one as you would a newer cayman, mainly as they are much cheaper in the first place.
They are fun to drive cheap ish to mend well built and you can get piles of stuff in the back.
blade7 said:
Good summary, £8k is probably what a nice sport is worth, maybe a bit less depending on how motivated the seller is. Paying 50% more for some hardback seats and rear seat delete seems silly to me.
Ah talk 968, and Blade will always appear to talk them down, especially a CS. Sometimes it's the mistique (rightly or wrongly) that dictates the value of something. A CS is worth more than a Sport. Just like a CS 911 is worth a lot more than a 3.2.
That's just how it is.
I have a 94 Sport as a daily driver.Absolutely love it and would thoroughly recommend one.This is a nice review:
http://petrolblog.com/2011/07/18/purp
Mine is also Amaranth,which in the metal looks fantastic,and adds even more individuality to an already very uncommon car.My car is standard save a K+N filter and a Promax 7700 chip,has a decent turn of speed,and is economical enough to run every day.The way that it feels when pushing on on flowing roads is the best thing about it,but I also like the fact that you realise what speed youre doing,which must be down to the comparative lack of soundproofing-if you're doing 80,you know that you're doing 80.Build quality is fantastic,and the whole experience is old skool in a very good way.
http://petrolblog.com/2011/07/18/purp
Mine is also Amaranth,which in the metal looks fantastic,and adds even more individuality to an already very uncommon car.My car is standard save a K+N filter and a Promax 7700 chip,has a decent turn of speed,and is economical enough to run every day.The way that it feels when pushing on on flowing roads is the best thing about it,but I also like the fact that you realise what speed youre doing,which must be down to the comparative lack of soundproofing-if you're doing 80,you know that you're doing 80.Build quality is fantastic,and the whole experience is old skool in a very good way.
Wozy,
There's a bigger difference between a 911cs and a 3.2 than there is between a 968CS and a Sport...
Apples and oranges.
A 'proper' 968CS is worth the money for the complete package. And by proper I mean factory M030 and LSD, non sunroof, recaros and cup1's.
Anything added afterwards is just a sport with add ons regardless of what it says on the back.
IMHO
There's a bigger difference between a 911cs and a 3.2 than there is between a 968CS and a Sport...
Apples and oranges.
A 'proper' 968CS is worth the money for the complete package. And by proper I mean factory M030 and LSD, non sunroof, recaros and cup1's.
Anything added afterwards is just a sport with add ons regardless of what it says on the back.
IMHO
Nurburgsingh said:
Wozy,
There's a bigger difference between a 911cs and a 3.2 than there is between a 968CS and a Sport...
Apples and oranges.
A 'proper' 968CS is worth the money for the complete package. And by proper I mean factory M030 and LSD, non sunroof, recaros and cup1's.
Anything added afterwards is just a sport with add ons regardless of what it says on the back.
IMHO
Can't understand the meaning of this post, in reply to my earlier one. There's a bigger difference between a 911cs and a 3.2 than there is between a 968CS and a Sport...
Apples and oranges.
A 'proper' 968CS is worth the money for the complete package. And by proper I mean factory M030 and LSD, non sunroof, recaros and cup1's.
Anything added afterwards is just a sport with add ons regardless of what it says on the back.
IMHO
Both are rare cars ..... as they came out the factory. That is why they are worth more than their 'standard' siblings. That was all that I noted.
You rightly state you could spec a 968 Sport to become/almost become a CS. You couldn't spec a 3.2 911 Carrera to be a 911 CS as far as I'm aware.
Apples and oranges yes. But a lightweight 968CS in standard form, lost alot more weight than a 911 CS compared to the 3.2, IMO thats possibly why the 911 3.2 CS didnt sell back in the late eighties.
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