[MLB]

Hi all, I just joined the site because I'm shopping for a 968. Found one nearby and will go meet the owner and see the car <mid January>: a 1994 amazon green/cashmere cab.

[update 4 feb 2013>

Bought the car, it's in the garage awaiting some overdue engine maintenance.

--Michael in Madison, WI

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[tamathumper]

Welcome, and I guess congratulations? <img src="/forum/images/smilies/968/smile.png" class="smilie" alt="" />

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[94SilverCab]

PLenty of time to get things together before Summer in Madison, WI (July 4th right?).



Best of luck with the new toy,



Jay

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[MLB]

My 968Forums account got messed up, so flash re-set it today, thus the time gap in my original message.

But all is well, spent the past week cleaning and reconditioning the leather seats by the fireplace, so romantic!

The wife just rolled her eyes occasionally on passing through :0)

Anyway, about 82K on the odo - I gotta set a new baseline for maintenance, so there are many things to be addressed since the <acronym title='previous owner'>PO</acronym> basically lost interest in the car (about 10 years ago): major P/S leak(s) diagnosed and fixed, probably all crank, cam, and balance shaft seals, VarioCam will get fully inspected so probably some $$$ will go in there, ALL fluids, and a list of smaller stuff including fuel filter. Also, need to look into replacing that bead between the body side moldings and the metal...I thought I found a thread here about that but lost track of it.

Looking forward to this as a fun new hobby.

--Michael

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[Chris Vais]

Michael,

Make sure you include replacement of timing and balance shaft belts in your list of things to do. If the these belts are more than 3 years old, do not start or drive the car without replacing them. If the timing belt breaks, and that can occur on engine start, the damage to the engine can be very expensive. These are interference engines, if the timing belt breaks, valves and pistons will collide with disastrous consequences.

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[Rap]

Congrats and now the fun begins! You will find just about all the suggestions people are firing at you should be followed, I did!

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[MLB]

Yes, thanks Chris, I meant to say I will also replace basically all the belts. Maybe some tensioners, depending on what the mechanic finds. The <acronym title='previous owner'>PO</acronym> had some alignment issues with the rear, which I understand is not surprising for this semi-trailing setup. Makes me think struts might be in need of replacement as well as checking the alignment. Would like to save money by replacing all fluids myself, but since its winter, might just be better to have done at the shop, and then they will actually BE done and not postponed. This is gonna be expensive, but I'd rather do it like pulling off a bandaid, and be able to drive and enjoy the car this spring with no worries about what I thought I could get away with waiting on...

I'm accustomed to replacing brake pads/rotors myself, but I hear the Porsche setup is different. Should I consider rebuilding the calipers myself? I'm pretty handy, and patient enough to do a thorough job, considering I have access to this forum as a great resource.

Thanks, the welcoming discussion here.

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[robbgerard]

welcome aboard! Care to share any pics of your new toy?



Robb

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[MLB]

Would love to, but as a forum newb my permissions are restricted somewhat, can't add an avatar yet for example. Tried unsuccessfully to paste a pic into this reply box. Will try the 'garage' section next. Other suggestions?

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[flash]

you should be able to put something up in the showroom at your level, and possibly the gallery. i think the garage requires member level though. i'll check on that.

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[tamathumper]

I don't think pics are allowed in the Introductions forum. Make a couple more posts like "Oh, gotcha", and then you'll be a member.

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[flash]

nope - says so right at the top of the category



he already has the ability to post pics in the showroom



gallery and garage are privileges reserved for full members, and donors.



we discourage wasted posts like "oh gotcha" as they clutter things up. you reach member status at 10 posts, so it won't take long.

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[tamathumper]

Oh, gotcha. <img src="/forum/images/smilies/968/tongue.png" class="smilie" alt="" /> <img src="/forum/images/smilies/968/biggrin.png" class="smilie" alt="" />

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[flash]

roflmao - yeah - no stones tossed here - i've done plenty of "yup"

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[MLB]

Okay thanks guys I mean gotcha! :0)

I'm reading the forum on a mobile device and i don't see anything at the top of introductions that says no pictures...but now I'll look for the showroom.

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[tamathumper]

Hey, you got your avatar filled in, nice work. I love that color!

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[WJH]

If your handy with a wrench, not a bad car to work on. If your not, and take it to the garage, be prepared to open your wallet!



There are versions of the 968 service manual online, a good place to start. Also, lots of knowledge here, and it's free.

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[mylz87]

MLB, I was looking at your 968, by chance was the <acronym title='previous owner'>PO</acronym> Hank Estrada -Chicago?

I communicated with him last year, but he was pretty firm in his price. Did he move off the asking price ?

Pretty clean car, but the maintenance history was thin and a little old. Clean car though.

Congrats!

mylz87

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[MLB]

Hi mylz87,

Yep, that's the one. He stuck to his price, that was also on Autotrader, and it was right in line with the realistic KBB/NADA valuation. I think it was a fair price, and I could tell the <acronym title='previous owner'>PO</acronym> was not going to budge once he reduced to his bottom offer, so I didn't want to risk souring the relationship by pressing that button. He seemed to have lost interest in the car but at the same time turned out to be pretty attached to it still (I see you also noticed the eye-widening list of deferred maintenance!)

I think he was the longest single owner of this particular car, which has been through 5 or 6 owners it seems.

Anyway, I finally got the car into a local shop today (!) for timing and balance belts tensioners rollers, and to fix a P/S leak that has been a documented problem for over 2 years (seriously!?) ;0)

I got the OEM wind deflector that goes behind the seats and the euro-style turn signal lenses for a decent additional price. The wind deflector is apparently a big plus according to others who also use it. Would sure like to add Flash's DE braces this year! We'll see..

But I look forward to really cleaning up and caring for this car, and plan to DD it, at least during good weather months. Winter doldrums are seriously bumming me out this year!

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[mylz87]

Congrats again and enjoy!

Mylz87

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