07-11-2007, 10:16 AM
ent][ATTACHMENT NOT FOUND]So I wanted to take a moment to thank those responsible for this site, and also to introduce myself as a new member. I have actually been observing for a little over a week as I waited for account validation. I have gotten tons of great tips already and look forward to interacting more as my experience grows.
I actually came to my 968 in very roundabout fashion. I had started a hunt for a car to keep alive for fun on a budget. Between my wife and I, we alreay have a late model Honda Accord and Odyssey. Trust me, I was not knocking either in my search. Both have been insanely dependable vehicles. But I needed a little of the spark I felt when I had my 6 cylinder VW Passat. I know comparing a Porsche to a VW is skewed. Still, that car handled like a dream and really was a lot of fun to drive. It was an experience I hadn't recaptured with either Honda.
So browsing through local ads, I discover someone near me selling an '87 924 for around 4K. It looked sharp and was well kept. I was stunned that I could even consider Porsche in my price range! This was a couple months ago. Since then, I have read a ton about the 924-944-968 lineage. I also learned a good bit about the 928, as there were some I could consider. Towards the end of my search, It was really between a few 944's and 928's. I had written off 968's as out of my price range.
Then I saw it. Expanding my search, I saw pics of an Amazon Green 1994 968 coupe in Raleigh, NC. She was listed at $7500. The car had 90,000 miles and looked to be in decent shape. It was a pass down from father to son. But the 18 year old son had it in his mind that he really wanted a pickup. So when I told him I could be there the next day with $5500 cash and not a penny more, he bit. 24 hours later, I found myself in Raleigh, NC holding the title for my new Porsche.
She wasn't perfect.. The rough idle was pretty evident as a broken motor mount. And a little rub in the rear right wheel was a concern. There was actually a nice packet of service records. It was good to see timing belt and water pump had been replaced within the last 4000 miles. Rubber hoses, cables, etc were supple and like new, indicating, to my novice brain at least, that she had been looked after. The car could also really use some new skins. Cosmetically, she was flawed but certainly not bad. The leather seats were faded and some surface cracks evident, especially on the drivers seat. But there were no tears through the leather nor seam splits of any sort. Carpet was in decent shape. Door panel trim was very nice. The dash had some cracks, but from my 944 search, I sort of expected that. There were a few scratches and some swirl marks on the paint and heat seems to have loosened the plastic bottom sections on the body from one or two of the trim clips. Not completely separated, but clearly more of a gap than there should be. And there were a few other flaws. The sunroof lift didn't function and the rear wiper was kaput. But she drove with power, handled tight and agile and stopped on a dime. Clutch seemed great as well. None of the flaws were enough to put me off my $5500 find.
I drove that car 15 hours back to Chicago with no real issues. I was stunned when the windshield wiper suddenly flipped into view. But a quick stop for a cheapy socket set had the bolt secured and problem solved in no time. I drove 11 straight hours on the second day and the temperature needle didn't budge. Amazing!
The first thing I did was get new tires on the car, do a nice polish and wax and get her to the garage. I replaced both motor mounts, replaced a rear wheel bearing, did an alignment and a synthetic oil change, and have a full inspection done. After getting her back from the garage, the magic began. I had already started to appreciate the 968 on the long drive home. But without a clean bill of health, I wasn't going to push the car at all. After the repairs and a green light from a mechanic who was stunned at the deal I got, I stafrted to really fall for this car. I have never driven anything that can take turns and corners like this car. I have never driven a vehicle so responsive to the throttle. True, this is my first performance vehicle. Still, I could not wipe the grin off my face when I realized what this 13 year old car approaching 6 figures in mileage could do!
Here is a breakdown of my initial vehicle costs:
1994 968 coupe w/ 90K mi: $5500
Mounts, Bearing, Alignment & synth oil change: $1000
New tires: $600
Total initial expense: $7100
Now there is a new chip and K&N filter on the way along with rings to do the airbox mod. I go to see a leather guy this weekend about bringing some life back to the seats. And I am looking at options to repaint over the winter when I plan to keep the car garaged anyway. Even if I dump 3K in for a nice paint job (I have a place that does great work and will cut me a deal if we do it late fall/early winter when their business slows), I am still at only 10K for a very nice car.
So now I am completely hooked. I love this car. I want her to run for a long, long time. I know there are more expenses to come and am realistic about annual cost to keep this vehicle in the condition it deserves. Still, it is cheaper than a car payment and insanely fun to drive. Plus, there is definitely a bond that forms when you tackle projects and put a little sweat into upkeep.
I look forward to becoming an active member of this community. Thanks for letting me spout off some of the excitement of this new adventure!
