[Waylander]

copied from the 650hp thread


I keep getting asked, if I sold the 968, what would I replace it with, 

And I have to say that I cant really think of any car from the late 90s to now that I would really like to own, 
With a 20k budget?

Maybe a DB7 or at a stretch a BMW 840i but nothing else really jumps at me
could be tempted by an Italian roller skate, Maserati 3200GT

What would be your choice
 
thats 20k GBP, convert to your own currency

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[ds968]

Still struggling to think of something in the $ 20 K budget, can’t come up with anything yet .  And I mean aesthetics only, for handling, feedback, that almost unique “ one with the car “ and “I’m driving the car, not the car driving me” sensations, in combination with looks,  I truly believe you’d have to search for used cars starting at no less than $ 75 K.    

So for appearance alone, I was going to say an Aston Martin DB7, or a Maserati 3200 GT,  but on a quick search for the price points of those, most of what came up was in the $ 40 K + category.   It seems in the UK you can find the Maserati for well under $ 20 K ( equivalent ),  but not so in the US - they command significantly higher prices here for some reason. 

So maybe I’d chose a Jaguar XK, which fits that price range . 

 

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[Waylander]

There is a fella down the road selling his 3200GT, got the throttle body issue


Wants 5k for it, Im very tempted

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[ds968]

I have no idea if Maserati parts suffer from the same 968 “NLA” plague ( I have a 2013 GT-S, so no problem there on sourcing parts, if ever needed. )  but the parts are quite expensive, if and when needed.  However,  considering your mechanical aptitude, I’d pick that one up in a heartbeat for the 5 K asking price . You can probably fix everything yourself .  

I had a ‘74 Maserati Merak, which was a rust bucket but mechanically bullet proof, and the aforementioned Granturismo is also absolutely bulletproof ( not a single failure, not a single problem yet ) and although I know absolutely nothing about the 3200 GT, if the two cars I had are any indication, other than the throttle body issue it may not have too many other flaws.   IMO 

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[94SilverCab]

Here's cars that I peruse regularly as replacements for the 968. I'm thinking a "straight up" trade...

 

Gen 2 Rx-7 Convertible

 

BMW Z3 M

BMW Z4

 

MB SL something 500SL, 600SL

MB 430 Cab, or C43 (AMG)

MB 560 SEC

 

Infiniti G37 Convertible

Nissan 350/370 Convertible

 

Mustang GT Convertible

 

The list changes daily, and the BaT site doesn't make life easier.

 

Jay

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[Waylander]

Maserati Only part, and its $2500 and non returnable


There are a few other issues like body work and other things, it would not make me any money and it wont fit in my garage


So it can continue to grow moss on the roof

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[Roboman]

Interesting topic, but in clarification is the question .... given you crunched your 968 and the ins. paid 20K what would you buy next as a project car ...... or as a best substitute for your lost 968?


I ask because there are some very stylish and interesting 1930s cars(Cintroen avant) within the budget that I would happily own, but of course they're not a patch on the 968s performance.


So where are we ... next project or style/performance replacement?


Edit .... no need to answer that, the fact this is a 968 forum suggests a default need for speed/handling


And I too have always liked Jags, the lines of the cabrio with the top down are very pleasing.

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[Waylander]

I personally would not get any enjoyment out of owning a car from the 30s, and no disrespect intended never ever a french car, having worked for Renault.


There are a few cars that might just fit the project bracket simply because they would have to be right at the cheap end


Fiat Dino 2600 GT

Mazda 323 4x4 Turbo 1975

Volvo Amazon TC

Fiat Super Mirafiori twin cam,


Thats enough money pits

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[Rap]

Interesting replies. Here is one question for all to ponder. Our 968’s are now 25+ years old, why would one buy an older car? As Dan Jay and I get older folding yourself into cars that may not be reliable and have at least the creature comforts we deserve and expect becomes questionable. At least to me. I crawled out of a burning car in a burning garage and was grateful I was limber and spry enough to quickly get out. Regardless of the car, ease of ingress and egress should be an issue as we age.

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[Waylander]

Ah but I dont want a boring mass produced tin can, got two of those already


I want something a little left field that folks take the time to look at and appreciate


And not much after 1996 fills that request list


And our Porsche Club 968 register secretary is 83 and still drives a 968, your old when you start giving in

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[ds968]

I forgot about the Fiat Dino 2600 GT, an  absolute gem !!  Put a Ferrari prancing horse badge on the nose grill and almost no one will know it’s not a real Ferrari, the lines of the car are superb.   But a clean one, from what I can tell  ( based on the US market search )  is way, way out of that $ 20 K budget ..  very clean coupes are in the $ 40 - 60 K range, and  cabs  $ 100 - $ 150 K range..  yikes.   Was going to say I wish our 968s would attract the same collectors frenzy and go for over $ 100 K,  which IMO, based on everything associated with this car easily deserves when compared to just about anything else out there that sells in that price category . But even at an offer of $ 100k  I probably would not sell mine.  I honestly don’t know what I’d let it go for ..  the only cars I have driven which I liked better was an Audi R 8 V10, and an Aston Martin Vantage S .  

Believe it or not I drove both the brand new Ferrari Pista , and the brand new Acura NSX , and other than the phenomenal speed of those cars, they simply did not quite meet the joy of driving the 968 gives me.   You guys will think I need my head examined for saying that, and maybe I do, but that’s the truth.  

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[Waylander]

I totally agree, they are fast but way to sanitised

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[Sunnyspells]

As a very new owner I had a shortlist until I settled on the 968.  My shortlist was essentially Jag XKR, which I felt was a bit too modern or a R129 SL500 but they have started to creep up in value and I think there were only 1 or 2 years that had the early engine with facelift changes?

 

I've started to accumulate some of the NLA or mega bucks parts, second hand, so I should be able to keep the 968 running or at least give the next owner some extra reassurance, if they've done their research that is (I didn't).

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[Roboman]

I think that as this conversation goes on we shall truly discover that the 968 is a tough act to follow. Which of course is why we are here. My next post will actually forward some alternatives. Off to search prices and performance, but I like the look of the Renault Alpine and Audi TT,

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[Chris Vais]

Having had the opportunity to drive one, I would opt for a Cayman S. The R version are even better, but scarce and expensive. I've driven both the Turbo 4 and the 6. Both are equally entertaining. Also have driven the Audi A8, another one I would consider.

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[Waylander]

Are they in the 20k bracket, I have driven a Cayman and its fast and handles well, but I did not really enjoy it much

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[J.Elenbaas]

The Cayman would be it for me too, and yes they are already in the 20k range for the first models.

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[Rap]

I like the idea of owning a limited production car. That said if it wasn’t a Porsche that might not be the case. What I have found after the fire, I’m being somewhat reflective of course, is that when you have multiple cars some don’t get driven as much. How many of us use our 968’s as a DD? Perhaps you end up with a fav drive. I’m constantly moving cars around when I need to do things. This doesn’t mean I will change but you sure think about it more. There are some cars I’d like to try but it probably means I would have to get rid of something. Although I’ve often thought of changing my wife’s practical accord for something else. When I look at the mud and filth in her car from being at the barn each day I shudder and shelve that thought.

dreams and wishes are wonderful.

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[ds968]

My six speed 968 was a daily driver until I got sick and tired of shifting every five seconds for two hours each day in the miserable  bumper to bumper commute.  That’s why I bought the tiptronic one ( and as luck would have it, it was already supercharged ) and drove that daily for many years, keeping the six speed for fun weekend driving.  Almost seven years ago when I bought the Maserati, a phenomenal car in every respect but a perfect daily driver, I still use the 968 for occasional weekend outings, although I’ve neglected to do that nearly as often, and sometime it sits for months .  And every time I do take it out I smack myself on the head asking why the heck don’t I take it for a spin every single weekend, considering how much fun it is to drive !  


So if I had to replace the 968 ( assuming another 968 was not available anywhere on the market ), as I said before I have no idea what else I would get, within that $ 20 K budget..  

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[Waylander]

25$ for you USA Fellas, working on the exchange rate

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