[notawknd]

Hey everyone

 

My name is Anthony. I'm a long time BMW enthusiast and I want to buy my first Porsche. I'm newly obsessed with the 968. Anything I need to do to be a full member of the forum? Can't wait to learn more from everybody 

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[94SilverCab]

Welcome,

 

You've overcome the biggest hurdle by posting an introduction.

 

It takes 5 posts to have full access to all parts of the Forum.

 

Regards,

 

Jay

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[notawknd]

Thanks for letting me know. Would love to hear any advice from all of the guru's here in terms of what to look for while shopping for my first 968. Look forward to chatting with everyone here

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[Waylander]

Welcome

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[Rap]

Welcome. Enjoy your search.

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[tejon007]

[quote name="notawknd" post="193560" timestamp="1632773692"]



"Thanks for letting me know. Would love to hear any advice from all of the guru's here in terms of what to look for while shopping for my first 968. Look forward to chatting with everyone here[/quote]"



Patience and flexibility - - a large nest egg more a requirement every day that goes by as there were few 968s produced and fewer good ones every day. It took more than 6 years to find the right one, even turned down a very nice 968 Cabriolet only because it didn't have the manual 6 speed. It was the very rare raspberry with low miles...still have some regrets on that one.



Oh, and setup multiple searches/watch lists. Here, eBay of course, and nationwide search on Craigslist, etc. You may have to travel anywhere in the country, particularly if you're looking for a manual Cabriolet (only just over 2,000 total were imported to North America).



Best wishesforsuccess!

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[Roboman]

Welcome, better late than never, this is a very supportive and knowledgeable group, Have fun and enjoy your search......

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[notawknd]

Thanks for the welcomes and advice guys. I definitely want to go for a 6MT as opposed to the A/T even if it means passing up on a beautiful auto example. That's only because this will be my first Porsche, and that I am downsizing my vehicle fleet. This will be mostly just for fun. I don't even mind picking up a high mileage unit if it's been very well kept. 

 

In my recent attempts at searching, I've found that for the higher priced 968's, I'm almost stepping into 996.1 C2/C4 territory. For my first Porsche that option is very interesting if it is true. It is just hard to find well kept cars without the inflated price tag... And for some reason I am stepping in right as these 2 Porsche's are starting to sky rocket in price. 

 

Anyway wish me luck. Hopefully I'll be driving one soon. 

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[tejon007]

Everyone can own/drive a 911 (even the 996 variant). Not everyone can own/drive a 968 - at least that's what I keep telling myself.



Porsche produced about 175,000 996s, but only 12,000 or so 968s (with only a little over 2,000 manual Cabs imported to North America). Supply & demand. Supply of 968s haw always been low and it's falling. Demand? Who knows?

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[notawknd]

How would you say the drive of a 968 and a 996 compare? I havent driven either yet

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[tejon007]

They are different. Front-engine vs. rear-engine is just one obvious difference. My personal favorites are mid-engine Porsches, especially with gobs of HP.



However, there are quite a few versions of the 996 (some with almost twice the HP of the 968s). The GT2s & GT3s are really nice and (IIRC) don't have the IMS issues.



Do the research. Drive them yourself. Then decide what you like, not what someone else tells you to like...

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[ds968]

Do the research. Drive them yourself. Then decide what you like, not what someone else tells you to like...

 

  + 1     

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[dlearl476]

[quote name="notawknd" post="193639" timestamp="1633827841"]



How would you say the drive of a 968 and a 996 compare? I havent driven either yet[/quote]

They are completely different. I dont mean this to sound demeaning, but if youre this inexperienced with Porsches, Id suggest you find examples of each and do some driving. Maybe ingratiate yourself with some club members to get some seat time.



A 996 is a modern car. With modern car maintenance and modern car comforts. The 968 is a modern car from 30 years ago. Its a beautiful car that wont win any stoplight drag races, but will do 90-100 mph all day long without breaking a sweat. (A stock Accord has s better power/weight ratio.)



Those arent bad things, per se, but its important that thats the experience youre looking for. I wouldnt ever trade my 968 for a 996 but, OTOH, I still regret selling my 911SC.

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[Rap]

Buy one of each.

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[tejon007]

Or an Accord...you know, for that enviable power to weight ratio

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[MCL968]

Look at the new owners guide on here, and use that to determine what a prospective car has had done to it, and what it will need.

 

When I was looking 10 years ago someone told me "Nothing more expensive than a cheap Porsche" and that has been a true statement.

 

These are special cars, and you don't see them every day. If you want exclusive and different, go with the 968. If you want easy and commonplace, get a Boxster.

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[Waylander]

Having driven 996/997 gen 1/2 and a 993 and a 964, there is no way I would swap my 968 for a rear engined Porsche



The huge imbalance of that lump at the rear, makes them a completely different car and drive, and they take quite a while to learn

Im not suggesting they are better or worse just massively different



And not for me

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[ds968]

As I mentioned, this is entirely subjective so it’s entirely up to the individual’s preference .   I have driven a 911SC , a 993, a 964, a  996 and a GT3 .   The 911 SC was great , because I like “ raw “ cars which have little or no technology .  The 993 was next best, but I could not stand the 964 or the 996 , and the GT3 was fast as all hell, but extremely uncomfortable and very quirky to dive.  Not anything I’d ever consider as a daily driver .  That aside, I find the the body style or any and all 911-derivatives as ugly as it gets, I would not be caught dead being seen in, much less own,  any of those glorified VW bugs.  IMHO.  But I’ve always been a “ form over function “ guy.. 

 

And I had the rare privilege of driving a 918 ( for about five minutes ) a few years ago .   Most of you will no doubt say I need to have my head examined, but as fantastic as that super-car was , in every respect .. for everyday driving I’d still take the 968 .  

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[Rap]

I have never understood the beef about rear engine cars. Having driven a rear, middle and front engine Porsche I find that they are all delightful in their own way. Nor do I feel like I need to have my head examined. Off to a three day at Summit Point to drive, OMG, a mid engine Porsche.

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[JimmyB]

I loved my 996, wish I still had it.  It was nicely dialled in for street use - Euro M030 suspension, slightly fruity but not obnoxious exhaust, and a bunch of new rubber bits. But yep, completely different to a 968.  Try ‘em both, see what you think.  You might look at a 986 / 987 too.  Take your time, find a good example that’s been well looked after.  And enjoy the search!

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