[GRBoomer]

Looking at a P-car from 944 to 968. Maybe 996, but my heart really pulls more to the front engines. Joined to do research and see how you like your cars.



Thanks.

Partial Post: Please Login or Register to read the full post.

[mbardeen]

I decided on a front-engined Porsche mainly just for ease of maintenance. I also quite like the balance that the front engine/rear trans-axle brings to the car. Of the 924-968 line, I think the 968 is the best combination of power and maintainability. The 951 can make more power, for much less money, but the maintenance of the turbo scared me.



Welcome to the forum and good luck with your search!

Partial Post: Please Login or Register to read the full post.

[Rap]

Welcome and enjoy your search.

Partial Post: Please Login or Register to read the full post.

[tamathumper]

You won't do better than a 968, but it's a tough love. The cars are unappreciated by anyone other than aficionados, and have an "ugly step-child" reputation with the few who think they know what they are.



I suppose the same could be said of the 914, although I find myself on the other side of the fence on that one - I think they're ugly as sin. <img src="/forum/images/smilies/968/biggrin.png" class="smilie" alt="" />

Partial Post: Please Login or Register to read the full post.

[Cloud9...68]

[quote name='tamathumper' timestamp='1362357885' post='139441']

...the 914, although I find myself on the other side of the fence on that one - I think they're ugly as sin. <img src="/forum/images/smilies/968/biggrin.png" class="smilie" alt="" />

[/quote]

Couldn't agree more. A well-thought-out chassis, but the body in my book belongs in the same class as note-worthies like the AMC Pacer and the Pontiac Aztek.



The 968, on the other hand, is a great choice. It doesn't do any one thing incredibly well, but for a versatile, great-looking sports/GT with the extra intangible of its extreme rarity, you can't go wrong, as long as you buy one with a decent service record. Good luck with your search.

Partial Post: Please Login or Register to read the full post.

[hot968]

I don't know if u have driven a 944,968 or 996 but the 968 is very comfortable, enjoyable and it also is a sports car, fast, fun but expensive to maintain. Good luck in your search.

Partial Post: Please Login or Register to read the full post.

[GRBoomer]

Yes, I have driven three 951s. Even flew to test drive 2 of them years ago. I have had many turbo cars over the years (Toyota MR2 T(x2), Volvo V70R, Volvo S70 T5 (x2) etc). The V70R 6-speed is great for a street car, and I do not really need a car to tool around with. My long term goal would be something that I could do DE with. The 968 seems to have have the balance without the "track" reliability issues caused by the heat and plumbing of a turbo.



Thanks for your responses.

Partial Post: Please Login or Register to read the full post.

[Rap]

I started tracking a 968 at DE's last year and found it a good car to learn on. Got another one with <acronym title='Limited Slip Differential'>LSD</acronym> in not as good shape to try this year. Lots of good advice here. I used it as I was looking to winnow my search find my ultimate selection. Good luck.

Partial Post: Please Login or Register to read the full post.

[nyc951]

Welcome Boomer. I had a 951 and think the 968 is more refined. It's not something I cared about when I was young, but I'm older now <img src="/forum/images/smilies/968/whine.gif" class="smilie" alt="" />

Partial Post: Please Login or Register to read the full post.

[craigawoodman]

Welcome. If you are looking at track work, stay away from a 996, unless it is a GT3 or Turbo. The G loading a are not good for the IMS bearing failure. How much of an issue, you cannot drive a Boxster/Cayman (same engine) on slicks as it will starve the engine of oil. The 996 is a great road/weekend car, but not a track car. The problems with the engine last up to the 997 Series II model.



The 968, if left standard (not force inducted) is relatively bullet proof, if regular maintenance is done. It can carry enormous corner speeds and is easy to balance. Plus it is bloody practical with the rear hatch and boot.



If you are interested in front engine/rear drive Porsches, the 968 is the pick of the bunch.



Lots of great info here.

Partial Post: Please Login or Register to read the full post.

[Cloud9...68]

[quote name='craigawoodman' timestamp='1363363212' post='140085']

...you cannot drive a Boxster/Cayman (same engine) on slicks as it will starve the engine of oil.



The 968, if left standard (not force inducted) is relatively bullet proof.[/quote]



Very sorry to intercept this thread, but your comment caught my eye. So oil starvation isn't a major problem with the 968? I know rlips destroyed his engine due to starvation in a fast right-hand sweeper - is this an amolous occurrence? Obviously many people race 968s with no problems. I went ahead and installed Lindsey Racing's flapper oil pan baffle and pick-up tube screen skirt just in case. Back to our regular scheduled programming (after Craig's response...)

Partial Post: Please Login or Register to read the full post.

[craigawoodman]

Cloud,



Run the car with a little bit more oil than shown on the dipstick as full - no problems. I have not run slicks, but R-Spec tyres and have never had a problem. This was one of the first recommendations that my mechanic in QLD told me (and also the mechanic here in WA that has a lot of experience with the 944/968's).



For the Cayman/Boxster, you can buy a larger sump pan that gives more oil and a deeper bath. One of the Guy's (well his name is Guy as well), has a turbo Cayman with extended guards, etc. he runs the bigger sump, plus an accusump just to make sure on the engine side.



The standard 3.4/3.6 engine in the 996 and Series 1 997, does not like track work. There are lots of threads on the problems with this engine (which can all be fixed, for a price). 996 series 911's, particularly the early cars, are now very cheap, even here. The price is now down around impact bumper 911's and getting close to 968's. if you trash the engine, it is a $20k new purchase from Porsche, or roughly the same to have it out and do the mods available (sleeves, etc). But if you mod your engine, you can stroke and bore it to a 4.0litre version.



So while tempting, it could be very painful.

Partial Post: Please Login or Register to read the full post.

[Cloud9...68]

[quote name='craigawoodman' timestamp='1363393986' post='140116']

Cloud,

Run the car with a little bit more oil than shown on the dipstick as full - no problems. I have not run slicks, but R-Spec tyres and have never had a problem. This was one of the first recommendations that my mechanic in QLD told me (and also the mechanic here in WA that has a lot of experience with the 944/968's).

[/quote]

Craig,



Thanks, I'll do that. No slicks for awhile here, so I should be OK.

Partial Post: Please Login or Register to read the full post.