[motomanjack112]

I am new to this forum and new to the Porsche scene.



I am interested in purchasing a nice and clean 968 Cab with the 6-Speed trans. I found one that is really clean, but it has 120k miles on it. First question, is that a lot of miles for a four cylinder Porsche motor?



The second question is what type of service should that car have with that many miles on it.



Thirdly, what types of typical problems have these 968's had over the years? Anything specific I should look for when evaluating this car?



I sincerely appreciate any and all information you can provide.





Jack

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[TheMirror]

Hi Jack -



A quick synopsis to help you get started, then do searches to expand on these quick hits.



6 speed trans can possibly have a ring-and-pinion failure due to incorrect assembly tolerances at the factory. With 120K miles, its pretty unlikely this will crop up. It usually comes way before that.



Be CERTAIN the Variocam chain ramps and internal cam chain sprockets are in good condition. This is critical! It will require removal of the cam cover, but the consequences are anywhere from camshaft replacement ($2500 for the cams alone) to massive engine damage.



Less major items that will hopefully show recent replacement are external camshaft belt and balance shaft belts, water pump, accessory belts, hall sender, the dreaded heater control valve, and hydraulic clutch master cylinder and lines. Oil seals on the engine as well.



The engines are strong but will come due for a top end rebuilt somewhere after 120K miles to remain nicely fresh, and definitely replace the rod bearings at that mileage if you plan to track it. Its not as extensive a procedure as it sounds, and only really necessary if you will be using the engine in extreme situations like trackdays or autocross.



Other board members can expand on Cabriolet specific issues, mine is a coupe.



Otherwise, look for evidence in the service records for regular oil changes, other maintenence, etc. These are relatively cheap cars to buy, but they are also relatively expensive to maintain. If this car has no records at all, it is a gamble what little hidden dramas will await you after purchase.



Above all, ABOVE ALL, you must get a thorough pre-purchase inspection from the top shop in the area.....especially one that knows 968s.



Good Luck!

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[motomanjack112]

Thanks Mirror,



I sincerely appreciate your input.



I don't plan to "track day" this car, but rather use it for occasional short trips, mostly local roads here in NE PA. Do you still think it will need a top end job with 120k on it? While I do a lot of maintenence stuff myself, I have never worked on Porsches before. Are there specific tools for replacement of belts, etc.? Sorry for the ignorance, but I am completely 'green' when it comes to these cars.



You mention the Variocam chain ramps and sprockets...Should I look for abnormal wear? I would be purchasing this car over the internet and it's located on the West Coast so I won't be able to make this inspection until after I rec'd the car. [i]



I'm sure it won't be a problem for me to hire someone out there to do a thorough inspection and that is a great idea.



Thanks again for your prompt reply to my post.



Jack





Hi Jack -



A quick synopsis to help you get started, then do searches to expand on these quick hits.



6 speed trans can possibly have a ring-and-pinion failure due to incorrect assembly tolerances at the factory. With 120K miles, its pretty unlikely this will crop up. It usually comes way before that.



Be CERTAIN the Variocam chain ramps and internal cam chain sprockets are in good condition. This is critical! It will require removal of the cam cover, but the consequences are anywhere from camshaft replacement ($2500 for the cams alone) to massive engine damage.



Less major items that will hopefully show recent replacement are external camshaft belt and balance shaft belts, water pump, accessory belts, hall sender, the dreaded heater control valve, and hydraulic clutch master cylinder and lines. Oil seals on the engine as well.



The engines are strong but will come due for a top end rebuilt somewhere after 120K miles to remain nicely fresh, and definitely replace the rod bearings at that mileage if you plan to track it. Its not as extensive a procedure as it sounds, and only really necessary if you will be using the engine in extreme situations like trackdays or autocross.



Other board members can expand on Cabriolet specific issues, mine is a coupe.



Otherwise, look for evidence in the service records for regular oil changes, other maintenence, etc. These are relatively cheap cars to buy, but they are also relatively expensive to maintain. If this car has no records at all, it is a gamble what little hidden dramas will await you after purchase.



Above all, ABOVE ALL, you must get a thorough pre-purchase inspection from the top shop in the area.....especially one that knows 968s.



Good Luck!

[/quote]

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[Anchorman]

Jack, I don't know how fast you need to move on this purchase, but if there's a little bit of time, you can probably get one of the west coast participants on this board to check the car out for you. That doesn't replace the pre-purchase inspection, but you'll get the most candid view possible. Plus, I'm sure you can get a recommendation on a shop to do the PPI.



I drive a 1995 cab with just shy of 150k miles. I've had the rod bearings replaced, partly because I have (and will) taken the car on the track for DE events. BTW - don't say "no" until you've tried it; DE is MUCH more fun than local roads in NE PA. And, you're not too far from Watkins Glen, which is where I've gone.



Almost irrespective of how well the car's been maintained, there likely will be things it needs, or that you want to do. Be prepared, go in with your eyes open, and then just enjoy the smiles that 968 driving forces you to wear.

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[ether_joe]

hey Jack welcome!



Big questions are the list of maintenance done on the car up to this point. At 120K, lots of expensive things (suspension, waterpump, variocam) should have already been done or are due, and if they haven't, or if you can't confirm whether they have, then you may be in for some parts and labor.



Working on these cars is a lot of fun due to the front engine being easier to work on. . . I really enjoy working on my car. There are a fair amount of specialized tools, but depending on the community in your area, usually there's plenty of tool lending amongst Porsche buddies - check rennlist.com and network there.





I'm in San Francisco . . . if the car is in the vicinity I will happy check her out and snap some photos for you.







also - if you get serious about a car - check the thread 'things every 968 owner must read' - some big tips there.

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[flash]

first, i would recommend doing some reading here - cruise around and look at a bunch of the threads - they will help you a lot



second, if you're really serious about the car, and you've already done all the negotiating you can up front, and it's in los angeles, let me know - i'll see if i can go look at it - i'm happy to do it, but please don't waste my time if you aren't serious



third, since you are in PA, you should absolutely contact pete at rs barn

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[94SilverCab]

Just my $.02...



Even if the clutch has been changed, the Dual Mass Flywheel is almost certain to be shot by now...



You should be very suspicious of any 968 on the internet and take due precaution...I think this group is in relative agreement that a 968 Purchase will cost you between $20 -25K (i.e. If you purchase a $15k car you will spend between $5k and $10K for repairs and deferred maintenance.).



Publish the VIN # and Jeff Coe may have information on the car..he keeps a register of many Cabs. Also, try to get the Option Code located in the trunk...they will tell you if the car has any specila "goodies"



Best of luck, welcome to the 968 community.



Regards,



Jay

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[TheMirror]

All good points. Per the top end rebuild, not necessary at 120K, just something that could be a good thing to keep it running in top shape.



Definitely contact Pete at RSBarn.



http://www.rsbarn.com



He can bring you up to speed on a lot of the things mentioned. You'll be prudent to get it inspected out here in California, board members again can help out with a good shop for that.

This car as well as other Porsches do require some factory tools for some repairs, my depth of knowledge is not deep enough to say specifically which. I believe there is a special belt tensioning tool.







If the car is in Northern California, I can possibly eyeball it. Is it white?

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[motomanjack112]

Thanks for the great replies.



I mispoke when I said West Coast, the car is actually in Arizona and I am fairly close to making a deal. I am a little leary of buying a car without records, but I have seen many owners remove them from the glovebox before they were traded in, so I'm not terribly worried that the seller is trying to hide anything.



He specializes in high end cars and knows quite a bit about the 968, including the ring and pinion gear problem which has been fixed on this car.



I am fairly proficient with mechanical repairs so I plan to replace the belts, plugs, oil etc. as soon as I get it. I was mainly looking for engine, driveline or electrical problems that could cause me a ton of grief because of the miles.



This forum is wonderful at providing useful information and I sincerely appreciate all of the members who took the time to reply to me.



Have a great weekend to all! I am supposed to get 16+ inches of snow over the next day so the 968 will have to wait till Monday. LOL



Thanks again!

Jack, I don't know how fast you need to move on this purchase, but if there's a little bit of time, you can probably get one of the west coast participants on this board to check the car out for you. That doesn't replace the pre-purchase inspection, but you'll get the most candid view possible. Plus, I'm sure you can get a recommendation on a shop to do the PPI.



I drive a 1995 cab with just shy of 150k miles. I've had the rod bearings replaced, partly because I have (and will) taken the car on the track for DE events. BTW - don't say "no" until you've tried it; DE is MUCH more fun than local roads in NE PA. And, you're not too far from Watkins Glen, which is where I've gone.



Almost irrespective of how well the car's been maintained, there likely will be things it needs, or that you want to do. Be prepared, go in with your eyes open, and then just enjoy the smiles that 968 driving forces you to wear.

[/quote]





Thanks Joe,



The car is in Arizona, but I sincerely appreciate your offer to check it out.



Unfortunately there aren't any maint. records but I like you, will work on the car myself as much as possible.



A few questions for you. What goes wrong with the suspension?



How about the Variocam?



Thanks again.





Jack





hey Jack welcome!



Big questions are the list of maintenance done on the car up to this point. At 120K, lots of expensive things (suspension, waterpump, variocam) should have already been done or are due, and if they haven't, or if you can't confirm whether they have, then you may be in for some parts and labor.



Working on these cars is a lot of fun due to the front engine being easier to work on. . . I really enjoy working on my car. There are a fair amount of specialized tools, but depending on the community in your area, usually there's plenty of tool lending amongst Porsche buddies - check rennlist.com and network there.

I'm in San Francisco . . . if the car is in the vicinity I will happy check her out and snap some photos for you.

also - if you get serious about a car - check the thread 'things every 968 owner must read' - some big tips there.

[/quote]





Thanks Flash,



I have been doing some reading and it's amazing how much valuable info is on the forum.



My negotiating is fairly close to being done and I feel I will get a good deal from a fair and respected seller.



Thanks for the offer, but the car isn't near LA. I contacted Pete at RSBarn and left him a voicemail message, thanks for the tip. He is located about an hour and a half south of me, so I will be sure to check him out once I get the car.



Again, thanks a bunch for your input.



Jack





first, i would recommend doing some reading here - cruise around and look at a bunch of the threads - they will help you a lot



second, if you're really serious about the car, and you've already done all the negotiating you can up front, and it's in los angeles, let me know - i'll see if i can go look at it - i'm happy to do it, but please don't waste my time if you aren't serious



third, since you are in PA, you should absolutely contact pete at rs barn

[/quote]

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[TheMirror]

Jack -



In answer to your suspension question, the front control arm ball joints wear down and loosen up over time. They need to be rebuilt periodically. Kits are available from several sources such as RSBarn.



-Mirror

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[Jacks968]

Jack - This is Jack in Seattle with just a few notes on Cabs. Top covers can be replaced - complete job could be $2000. But the un seen things that can cost a bunch more are the rubber window seals - about $1000 for all four from Porsche (I have two with tears) - and nobody makes these. Also the cast upright could be several hundred and these do break (one of mine is heald together with the seal frame). I bought on E-bay from a knowledgeable dealer and it had records and it is a good low mileage car. BUT the Top will set me back over $3000 to make it right. Fortunately when it is sunny and the top is down I don't care.

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[TonyBray]

Jack,



My car has 172,500 miles on it. It's a 94 Cabbie with a 6spd. My only electrical gremlin was the horn. It would honk whenever it felt like it. I found out later it was a problem in the steering column.



When I first bought the car, the check engine light would come on every now and again. Using info from this board, I found that it was a knock sensor. After a few tanks of premium, the light went off and never came back on.



My car was well maintained before I purchased it and even better now. I wouldn't hesitate to hop in it and head across the country at a moments notice.



Don't worry too much about the high mileage. Just use it to your advantage when negotiating the deal. The only problem with high mileage that I see is that no one will give you what the car is really worth once it hit's 170k+ miles, well maintained or not. I love mine and everything is still solid as it should be so I will just keep on driving it and not worry about its resale.



--Tony

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[jeff968]

Jack,

Send me a PM or email and I'll check the cab registry to see if I've seen the car before.

Good luck.

Jeff

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