Not goodbye time! I'm baaaackkk! Got it repaired at a shop this past few weeks. And very happy for the decision. Here is a picture of the broken one which now resides in my garage.
The technicalities: anywhere from $1182 to $1500 for the part. Sunset was $1182, the shop said the lowest they could find was a little over $1500. I asked them to buy from Sunset but the shop added 10% (fine with me) since I wanted a turnkey warranty on parts and labor. Book spec is 14 hours of labor, so do the math. He also did a new rear main seal, torque converter seal, and new crank speed sensor (about $240).
Nice experience, the tech who did the work has been to Porsche factory training many times. He invited me in back to take a look. He showed me a metal plaque on his toolbox from when he attended the new model introduction factory training for the 968 in 1992! So this was the right guy, works on all Porches, but he is a big fan of the 968s.
I looked at alternatives, mainly boxsters and Corvette C5. I don't fit in a Boxster, and wouldn't want it anyway because if I want to drive in a cocoon I'll go get an MGB again. C5s are a dime a dozen, and just don't stir my heart after 27 years in only Porsches. The 968 just has a great styling and design which I very much like, and exclusivity, and it is still a great car.
After driving my VW van for 5 months ..... well imagine the joy of having this car back.
Only two things left to do:
1. fix the other nagging things: sunroof gears, new radiator fans, etc.
2. buy a second 968 before the prices go up too much!
Roland