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Flash I think I have one foot in each group. After a half-dozen BMWs, I decided I wanted to try a Porsche for a second, weekend 'project' type car. I've never really been a 911 guy - don't fit in the older ones and can't afford the newer ones - but I've always liked the the looks of 924-944s and the 928, so once I discovered the 968 existed, it seemed like the perfect choice. I like driving a car you don't see on the road every day.
I've enjoyed learning about these cars - and now that I think about it, if I hadn't been having all these problems, I'd just be driving the car and not learning so much about it. Because of the limited resources I'm able to divert to it, I'm doing more work myself on the 968 than I've ever done on any car before, and when I complete a project successfully it feels very rewarding (ok a lot of the problems are still ongoing, but still!). Plus I've also had the opportunity to meet and interact with the 968 community - you guys - and that has added a whole new aspect to the ownership experience that really keeps me enthusiastic about this whole deal.
Flash, that $25k figure is looking pretty close in my case, maybe just a tad low :-)
-Austin
'94 Black/Tan Coupe
6sp. LSD, 18" Carrera Lightweights, M030 struts and sways, Racer-X chip, airbox mod
(This post was last modified: 07-01-2013, 04:21 PM by
bombfactory.)
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Just typed a long reply moments before hitting return, windows 8 restarted... Ok here goes again. I think I've always been in category 2. When we bought it in 2004 (98,000 miles), it was so much nicer than any of the $15k 911's. It drove like a dream in comparison. I spend about $1000-$1500 a year keeping it going, based on the other comments in this forum, that sounds reasonable. Car now has 130,000 miles. And would be a daily driver except Red oxidizes quickly in the Florida sun, so it needs to be frequently waxed when not in the garage. If I were to do it over, I'd spend more time and look for less conspicuous color preferably white. Red was perfect for my mid life crisis in 2004. Logic, time and limited funds are starting to slowly prevail.
1992 Guards Red, Rare White Interior 6 speed, coupe. 130,000 miles. Garage Kept when not running. Anytime there is a problem, $1500 or less fixes it!!!
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group 1 - those who love the car, and don't care what it cost to make it the car they want.
group 2 - those who thought the car would be cool because they wanted a porsche, but had no idea what it takes to get one, get it up to snuff, or maintain
As I think about it, there is kind of a group 3 (group 2 people that are in denial, because they want to believe they are group 1 people). Those that bought it from a reputable Porsche Used car dealer. Were told it would not take nearly the maintenance that a 911 takes. In fact, were told it's a 944 with more HP / Torque and without any of the repair problems. Had little tiny suspicious issues, but only after the car warmed up. Then realized the Throttle body was leaking on the Alternator.... blah blah blah.... After the first couple of $K got it running nice. but for every 1 thing that gets fixed, two more things are either suspicious or
could be fixed.
Not sure the price will ever really go up unless the demand goes up. The supply continues to decrease, but except for those on this forum, I don't believe there is sufficient demand.
1992 Guards Red, Rare White Interior 6 speed, coupe. 130,000 miles. Garage Kept when not running. Anytime there is a problem, $1500 or less fixes it!!!
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944s and 951s are starting to track up in value. Those were loved(?) cars and cultural icons (at least to those of us who are children of the 80s). As the 968 represents the ultimate evolution of that line, I think (hope?) it might appeal to those nostalgic for the 944 series.
But like Flash said.. we shall see!
-Matt
1993 Midnight Blue Porsche 968 Cabriolet (toy! Currently under restoration)
1995 Jeep Cherokee (war wagon, Zombie Apocalypse Response Vehicle)
2015 Mazda 3 (my reliable, nice car)
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I guess I pretty much fall into group 1, but I must have made a pretty good purchase as well. My car really has been reliable. I have done maintenance to it, but most was preventative. The only think I can think of that actually broke was one of the amps for the stereo. I could have just trashed it, but for less than 100 bucks I got a used one. Been working perfectly since. I drove it daily in Florida for two years without a hiccup. It's an absolutely fantastic daily driver. My biggest knock on it is the damned radio reception. Not a big deal to me. I have an i-Pod.
Sure I do lots of checks and tweaks to the car, but I drive it on the track occasionally. If you're going to drive it like you stole it, you better maintain it or it's your butt... So, I pay close attention to fluids, brakes, bearings, and scheduled maintenance. I typically end up changing things a lot more than someone who does it solely on mileage.
Long story short, I've had two of these. Both have been reliable, but no more reliable than my other 3 944/951s. They just take some knowledge and upkeep. If you buy a well maintained one, it will save money in the long run, and track mileage really isn't a factor. I had a good <acronym title='previous owner'>PO</acronym> and the shop that took care of it knows front engined Porsches.
I'm not betting on values going up tremendously, and my car is over 100k making it less desirable. I think the 100k barrier is significant as a mental barrier for many people looking at these cars. The ones going up in value are low mileage examples from what I've seen.
Joel Wahlsten
93 968 Amazon Green w/LSD and a few mods
2017 Cayenne GTS Mahogany Metallic
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I've come to the conclusion that while these cars are rare and getting rarer, they are just not desirable to a wide audience. 100k is not a barrier on 911s. The price of my mid-80s 911 3.2 has gone up 50% since 2009 and it has 105k on the clock.
1986 Porsche 911 Targa (guards red/black interior)
1993 Porsche 968 Coupe (black)
2005 Acura RL
2004 Toyota Sequoia
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1986 Porsche 911 Targa (guards red/black interior)
1993 Porsche 968 Coupe (black)
2005 Acura RL
2004 Toyota Sequoia
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Very similar to mine, age, mechanical condition. I hope you get this much. I'd be happy to sell mine at that price. Keep us informed.
1992 Guards Red, Rare White Interior 6 speed, coupe. 130,000 miles. Garage Kept when not running. Anytime there is a problem, $1500 or less fixes it!!!
