i have already seen 4 running cars go for under $7k in the last year. granted, they are the exception, but with cars getting up there in mileage, and owners not willing to spend thousands to fix them up, it's happening to the 968, just like any other car.
whoever thought you could pick up a 308 for as little as you can today?
Flash,
Do you need a Magnum PI moustashe to go with that and 1980's hair?
lol - no, but i have always liked that car, and the ones that followed that platform. i'm just stunned at how cheap they are now.
Yeah, Ive been tempted to pony up all my Porsche stuff for a 308, or 328 before. Beautiful cars, but the Porsche always seemed more practical, and less douchebag factor.
Pretty interesting curve indeed. Kind of what I was expecting though.
were it not for the maintenance expense, i would have gone with a ferrari (though likely a 355). i hate porsches, mostly because of porsche owners. i find them to be the douchebags, and without a car to justify it. the 968 is a very different situation. the owners are not generally such huge porsche loyalists. most of them would not have another porsche, even though they may publicly appreciate them on one level or another. it's just a different group. the larger portion of 968 owners choose the car for what it is. that naturally means that the owners will be older, more level-headed about decisions, and more methodical about their choices. this by and large precludes younger people, especially when you factor in the cost and lack of familiarity with the car.
that being said, as prices slip downward, and the price now very frequently below $10k, we are seeing a lot more interest from younger people. i am seeing it in the new member registrations. a lot of them are coming over from other sites, where it is easy to see that they are younger.
i've said this before, and it's coming true, as the cars get older and with more mileage, the prices will split between high mileage cars and low ones. the owners will split between kids getting into their first porsche, and those who just love the car. i think we are on the precipice of a major shift in ownership.
Looks like I'm one of the older owners at 75+! Bought my '94 at age of 64, after one of my sons took me to a DE in his S2. Couldn't believe you could have so much fun without being arrested or paying some pleasure-tax. Hope to do a few more years.
If I remember correctly, the 360 was the first Ferrari in the series that allowed replacement of the timing belt (and this was a frequent need, much like our cars!) without having to remove the engine. I too love the look of the 308 (no Magnum mustache here, though <img src="/forum/images/smilies/968/biggrin.png" class="smilie" alt="" /> ), but owning one sounds like a very taxing proposition, unless you have mass quantities of free time, or a large maintenance budget.
The other demographic factor often seen in car ownership is the purchase of cars much later in life by people who couldn't afford when they were new. For example, look at the average age of your typical '60s muscle car driver, at least the ones in pristine condition (the car, not necessarily the driver!). I used to own an Austin Healey 3000, and went to an event in Colorado (I think it was in 1991) when my wife and I were in our early 30's, and I swear the average age of the other owners must have been well north of 60. I don't see this being a driving factor for the 968, though. I don't think there are a whole lot of current owners who were pining for a new one when they came out.
A friend of ours was a car dealer and when we were younger had a lot of very nice cars (911's, Ferarri 308, etc). My father asked him not that long ago, what was the best car you ever had. His answer was a 308. The next question was, why did you sell it. His response was, it was a maintenance nightmare, when it ran well it was magic, but two days later it needed servicing (this was a carburetor version) of the 308. Like all things, time makes us look through rose coloured glasses.
If you had a choice between a high school sweetheart now, or a fit and trim younger model - which would you choose? The heartstrings might pull you towards the sweetheart, but somehow, the newer model (but using this example - probably higher maintenance, but for cars - less maintenance) would be very pursuasive. Cars have improved so much over the last 20 years. Most modern hot hatches now put out more power and torque than older V8's. The problem now is that the capability of all new cars is just so much higher.
I still love just how practical a car the 968 is. There is a photo of a 944 with 14 cartons of beer in the back - what more do you need to say. Try that in a 911 or Ferarri !
If copying is the most sincere form of flattery, the new V12 Ferarri has the same overall packaging as the 968, so there is something there.
The 968 was the perfect combination of scarcity, looks, performance and practicality for me. I bought mine when I was 23. Absolutely love the styling, especially in non metallic colors (like Maritime Blue <img src="/forum/images/smilies/968/biggrin.png" class="smilie" alt="" /> ). It is also pretty easy car to work with reasonably priced parts and lots of resources like this forum. Not to mention we have elusive models to drool over like the Turbo S/RS and limited production.
The stats so far show that the age bracket least likely to participate in a survey is 30-34. <img src="/forum/images/smilies/968/smile.png" class="smilie" alt="" />
[quote name='egebhard' timestamp='1351550174' post='134218']
The 968 was the perfect combination of scarcity, looks, performance and practicality for me. I bought mine when I was 23. Absolutely love the styling, especially in non metallic colors (like Maritime Blue <img src="/forum/images/smilies/968/biggrin.png" class="smilie" alt="" /> ). It is also pretty easy car to work with reasonably priced parts and lots of resources like this forum. Not to mention we have elusive models to drool over like the Turbo S/RS and limited production.
[/quote]
Did you find your car in Arizona?
[quote name='John' timestamp='1351539879' post='134209']
Looks like I'm one of the older owners at 75+! Bought my '94 at age of 64, after one of my sons took me to a DE in his S2. Couldn't believe you could have so much fun without being arrested or paying some pleasure-tax. Hope to do a few more years.
[/quote]
It is great that you are still having fun with the 968 at a "young" 75+!
Hope to say the same in ~ 30 years... <img src="/forum/images/smilies/968/smile.png" class="smilie" alt="" />
Seriously? I am the only one in the 30-34 bracket? I feel rarer than, well, a Porsche 968.
I have owned her for just a month, though as some of you know it took me two years to find the One.
For me, the 968 was the ultimate dream machine during high school (1994-1997), and it just took me a little while to get around around to making that dream a reality.
Loving it.
All kidding aside, if my experience is any indication, the dip at 30-34 is the "I had a Porsche and then kids came along" dip.
Indeed - as my daughter gets older, 14 going on 24 now, I definitely have less cash left over for parts and repairs. Such is life!
Tama, have t you had like 3 or 4 wives and like 7 kids? That would cost anybody a 968 or two! Lol
Like any man, I've simply had one wife too many...
[quote name='Monstrous4Banger' timestamp='1351563472' post='134222']
Did you find your car in Arizona?
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I actually got the car from Florida but yes this is that same car that was for sale.
[quote name='egebhard' timestamp='1351642369' post='134257']
I actually got the car from Florida but yes this is that same car that was for sale.
[/quote]
Man, I still regret letting that car slip by when it was in Scottsdale. I tried to wait the guy out for a better price. I was gonna get it very cheap...6k IIRC. The seller ended up talking to Jeff Coe while we were negotiating, and he figured out what he had. It sold before I could reneg with him. I so shoulda snatched it up, instead of haggling at that price.
i think about that car all the time still, and how it got away. If you ever want to sell it, let me know.
I like that comment about 30-34 being the least likely to take a survey...but I managed to press the button, so now there are two of us!!
I bought mine 3 years ago for $8,000, and have probably put another $8,000 into it...and I've done all the work myself (Flash has been helpful no doubt).
I think it's an interesting time for cars like this. You may see a younger crowd getting into high mileage/worn models for cheap, but the cost and complication of upkeep makes me think they will not stay on the road long in their hands. It's just not a very feasible or appealing project to take on in that kind of shape. These days cars are more complicated and people are less mechanically inclined.
Phil