928, 944 or 968
Discussion
Back in the early 90s we ran a 944 for a few years, drove it all over Europe and loved its all round ability and practicality but once children arrived we had to make some hard choices and it was sold in favour of a Saab 9000.
Having got back into Porsche 10 years ago we've run a few different models and currently have a 4.0 Boxster 718 and a 2.7 Cayman 981 (both PDK) which are probably keepers as we can't see the likely hood of anything else being available in the future that would match the enjoyment we both get from driving them.
Having said that I've got a hankering to add a classic Porsche to the garage and the transaxles are where my interest is focused. I'd love a 928 but having watched numerous reviews etc. on YT I'd be really concerned of buying a money pit and end up hating the car because of that. My safety zone would be another 944 as these seem to be less complicated although at 30 years or more in age I know that simple doesn't necessarily mean cheap. And finally there's the 968. I really like the slightly quirky look of these and having spoken to a couple of owners at the recent PCGB event at Brooklands they seem to be the transaxle sweet spot.
Budget wise I would be looking at somewhere mid way between basket cases and concours cars so not perfect but with good history and condition. However before I start looking seriously I need to decide which model to focus on so thought I'd ask for views and experiences on here to help me make up my mind.
Oh, and I know people like to suggest other models as an alternative and a 911 would be a lot of people's first choice but in this instance I really don't want one
Thanks for your help.
Having got back into Porsche 10 years ago we've run a few different models and currently have a 4.0 Boxster 718 and a 2.7 Cayman 981 (both PDK) which are probably keepers as we can't see the likely hood of anything else being available in the future that would match the enjoyment we both get from driving them.
Having said that I've got a hankering to add a classic Porsche to the garage and the transaxles are where my interest is focused. I'd love a 928 but having watched numerous reviews etc. on YT I'd be really concerned of buying a money pit and end up hating the car because of that. My safety zone would be another 944 as these seem to be less complicated although at 30 years or more in age I know that simple doesn't necessarily mean cheap. And finally there's the 968. I really like the slightly quirky look of these and having spoken to a couple of owners at the recent PCGB event at Brooklands they seem to be the transaxle sweet spot.
Budget wise I would be looking at somewhere mid way between basket cases and concours cars so not perfect but with good history and condition. However before I start looking seriously I need to decide which model to focus on so thought I'd ask for views and experiences on here to help me make up my mind.
Oh, and I know people like to suggest other models as an alternative and a 911 would be a lot of people's first choice but in this instance I really don't want one
Thanks for your help.
I own a 928GT manual. Yes, spent money on it to get most important things sorted but prob best car I've owned (and I've owned plenty over the years). It's my daily and does everything you need and is practical too. Paul Anderson looks after it and very very happy with him. If you're worried about money pits, then you could ask whether he'd do PPI or whether he knows of any for sale
I also own a 944 Turbo but barely driven it yet so can't do much of a comparison for you
I also own a 944 Turbo but barely driven it yet so can't do much of a comparison for you
I have had a 968 for a couple of years from new, and did around 50k miles in a 928 S4 and a GTS over the years. If I had to go back it would be the 928 GTS, no question.
And Paul Anderson is very good, and sensibly priced.
One word of caution: there is more room in a 944/968. If you are tall (I am 6'2") you might find the 928 lacks enough headroom.
And Paul Anderson is very good, and sensibly priced.
One word of caution: there is more room in a 944/968. If you are tall (I am 6'2") you might find the 928 lacks enough headroom.
Edited by Discombobulate on Tuesday 12th August 19:51
Have you considered a 924 ?
Before you all flame me
The 2ltr na had some interesting and now collectible editions
The Martini and the Le Mans
The late S had the same 160hp lump as the 944
IMHO the 924 always looked cleaner than it’s fat sister 944
With the possible exception of the 944 turbo most of the trans axles will get blown away by a modern diesel turbo.
For a good looking, sweet handling non license bothering classic, you shouldn’t dismiss the 924
Before you all flame me
The 2ltr na had some interesting and now collectible editions
The Martini and the Le Mans
The late S had the same 160hp lump as the 944
IMHO the 924 always looked cleaner than it’s fat sister 944
With the possible exception of the 944 turbo most of the trans axles will get blown away by a modern diesel turbo.
For a good looking, sweet handling non license bothering classic, you shouldn’t dismiss the 924
Thanks for the responses.
I'm still edging towards a 968 but have decided to go and look at some 928s and 944s before making a final decision.
I should have mentioned that my wife had a 924S before we got the 944 and while there is nothing wrong with them we much prefer the wider bodies and later oval dash in the 944s and 968s plus of course the additional performance helps.
As I suspected before starting this thread, I've a feeling this might take a while to identify the right model before we get to the right car.
Happy to hear any other opinions.
Thanks again
I'm still edging towards a 968 but have decided to go and look at some 928s and 944s before making a final decision.
I should have mentioned that my wife had a 924S before we got the 944 and while there is nothing wrong with them we much prefer the wider bodies and later oval dash in the 944s and 968s plus of course the additional performance helps.
As I suspected before starting this thread, I've a feeling this might take a while to identify the right model before we get to the right car.
Happy to hear any other opinions.
Thanks again
cirks said:
I own a 928GT manual. Yes, spent money on it to get most important things sorted but prob best car I've owned (and I've owned plenty over the years). It's my daily and does everything you need and is practical too. Paul Anderson looks after it and very very happy with him. If you're worried about money pits, then you could ask whether he'd do PPI or whether he knows of any for sale
I also own a 944 Turbo but barely driven it yet so can't do much of a comparison for you
I can only agree with you.I also own a 944 Turbo but barely driven it yet so can't do much of a comparison for you
I love both the S4 and GT, both do everything a super GT should, and super comfortable on euro trips. Buying the best example actually works out cheaper and easier in the long run.
If I was in the market for another S4 I'd zoom in on either of these.
https://www.shiltechperformancecars.com/sales/pors...
https://www.4starclassics.com/for-sale/porsche-928...
Freeze - Miami Vice !
Edited by anonymous-user on Monday 28th July 15:59
Many years ago I had a late 944 turbo followed by a 968 sport, although I’d have another 944 T for sentimental reasons, I think the 968 had the best chassis of pretty much any car I’ve owned, it was just a bit underpowered.
Every now and again I research turboing a 968, a 400 bhp 968 would be just about perfect.
Every now and again I research turboing a 968, a 400 bhp 968 would be just about perfect.
I currently own a 928 S4 (auto) and owned a 944 Turbo at the same time but decided I only needed one and sold the turbo. In hindsight, I should have kept it. The 944 Turbo is a sports car and pretty fun to drive. The 928S4 is a GT car and kind of rides like a Mercedes R107 or R129 which I also own.
They do wake up a good amount with a manual gearbox but given the choice to do it again, i'd keep the 951.
They do wake up a good amount with a manual gearbox but given the choice to do it again, i'd keep the 951.
I scratched that itch a few years ago and now have 3 928’s.
2 of the early 4.5’s and an s4.
My wife fancied a granturismo, so we got one, possibly the best early car available , one owner and full maser/Ferrari history but I’m now worried about it melting if parked outside so one or 2 of the 928’s have to go. We’ve a quad garage but 8 cars at home at present.
I think with any car they all “cost” the same in the long run, until you come to sell, you get a basket case and it costs a fortune to maintain and bring back to standard, or buy the best you can and have something to use out of the box straight away.
In my experience you then win with the good ones as they hold or potentially increase in value, so that “cost” resolves into the best being cheaper in the long run - if that makes sense.
Possible best option for me is to find some good storage near a1/m62 interchange, around Darrington.
2 of the early 4.5’s and an s4.
My wife fancied a granturismo, so we got one, possibly the best early car available , one owner and full maser/Ferrari history but I’m now worried about it melting if parked outside so one or 2 of the 928’s have to go. We’ve a quad garage but 8 cars at home at present.
I think with any car they all “cost” the same in the long run, until you come to sell, you get a basket case and it costs a fortune to maintain and bring back to standard, or buy the best you can and have something to use out of the box straight away.
In my experience you then win with the good ones as they hold or potentially increase in value, so that “cost” resolves into the best being cheaper in the long run - if that makes sense.
Possible best option for me is to find some good storage near a1/m62 interchange, around Darrington.
IMI A said:
Good video and some nice cars but obviously very sad as well. sparta6 said:
I noted the number of hours put into that car and even at £100 an hour (unlikely 
) that adds up to an eye watering sum if you've already put a similar amount into acquiring the car as well. Therein lies my conundrum with 928s. I'm told there is a 968 piece coming up soon, possibly in next month's edition.
Edited by Voodoo Blue on Tuesday 12th August 19:29
Voodoo Blue said:
sparta6 said:
I noted the number of hours put into that car and even at £100 an hour (unlikely ) that adds up to an eye watering sum if you've already put a similar amount into acquiring the car as well. Therein lies my conundrum with 928s. I'm told there is a 968 piece coming up soon, possibly in next month's edition.
Edited by Voodoo Blue on Tuesday 12th August 19:29
They also covered the view that certain cars have now started to lift in value after all the maintenance deferring chancers and knobheads have gone, meaning it's the good stuff that is left.
I think that is the case with the 928, DB7 and Vanq 1- all the unloved and unmaintained cars are now parts bins and the ones left are those that have been looked after.
Get a decent 928 - should cost you about £15k to £20k and the rest is pretty straightforward. The maintenance is no more than you would expect - budget £850 for the cambelt every 4 years or 30,000 miles. Servicing is pretty straight forward.
People talk about the electrics, but again, most of the cars that go for sensible money will have had all the crusty bits replaced and there is nothing that a bit of time with an AVO meter can't solve. I am no way an electrics genius but when my engine lost a bank of cylinders, I was able to diagnose one of the ignition modules had gone down pretty quick and it cost £50 to source from Rose Passion.
The 928 community is well known for being supportive - if Mr Merlin over on Rennlist can't answer it, then a call or trip to Paul in Stroud or Looe Bank will yield results.
Much of the rest can be dealt with by your typical Porsche indy - there is a lot of commonality in general parts with contemporary 911's, 944 and Mercs or VW group stuff.
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