[968thailand]

I have decided to try and do the deal today for a '93 32,000 klick 968 manual here in Thailand.



I have enquired and requested for the FSH with OPC Thailand.



I have concerns that this might be a garage queen and hidden attendant problems as a result.



Still, it looks like it is in great condition - flawless paintwork, the interior and engine bay are in fantastic condition and the test drive was brilliant!



Just a quick question, do you guys recommend changing the timing and balance shaft belts immediately if I find that it hasn't been done to-date?



What else do I look out for that would have deteriorated by now and is there anything I should ask the OPC or owner about?



Any advice would be much appreciated.

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[BruceWard]

Just a quick question, do you guys recommend changing the timing and balance shaft belts immediately if I find that it hasn't been done to-date?



What else do I look out for that would have deteriorated by now and is there anything I should ask the OPC or owner about?

The timing belt should be changed immediately if not before you pick up the car. If it breaks the pistons will crash into the valves. You can expect to need to have the head machined and valves replaced if the the belt breaks.



Anything rubber is a candidate for inspection and replacement.



If there is a local Porsche dealer it would be a good idea to ask that dealer to inspect the car or have them take it into the shop and give you a quote on everything they can fix.

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[968thailand]

Thanks Bruce! I really appreciate the advice.



I am off to see the dealer now to obtain the FSH and will check if the timing belt has been changed recently. If not, then let me see what I can do to reduce the sticker price and attend to that prior to picking up the car.



It is a bit of a concern really, for if you think 968 parts are hard to source in the US, try Thailand (where 911 parts are easy but I think under 8 968 units were sold) and specialists for this car I have yet to find (the closest would be Andy Tatloe, a specialist in Singapore, 1500 kilometres away)!



Really looking forward to my third Porsche, if this deal goes through. I am new to the 968 model but have always been a great admirer due to it's much talked about handling prowess!

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[earossi]

lBruce is right on with his suggestions. I would add a few things. First, change all the fluids in the car. Engine and transmission oil, coolant (you'll have to do that when you change out all the rubber). Also, flush the brake fluid out of the system. Brake fluid is hydroscopic and will have absorbed moisture over the years if it has not been changed out. While your're at it, you might as well change out the power steering fluid.



Depending on what you see in the service history, the car may also be ready for a set of spark plugs.



I would also put the car on a lift and look for any fluid leaks. On a car that old, you might expect leakage around the camshaft cover seals. In addition to the perimeter seal, there are O-ring seals that seal the cover from the spark plug recesses. When these seals leak, you end up coating your spark plugs with oil!



At 32,000 miles, she is pretty much a garage queen. If that is 32,000 klicks, she is definitely a garage queen! I both envy you and am sad at the same time. Like all Porsches, the car is meant to be driven.....and like all Porsches I have owned, the harder you drive them, the better they run! There is a difference between running a car hard and abusing the car. Learn the difference.



As to your concern about parts, they are a little bit harder to source than those for a 911; but, you can get just about anything for the car over the internet. You will have the upcharge for shipping that we don't see, but you should have access to all the parts we buy. I source most of my maintenance parts outside of the dealer. For parts that can only be had from a dealeer, you can contact both Sunset Porsche and Stoddard Porsche here in the US. I have not dealt very much with Sunset, though most of the members of this board talk highly of them. Stoddard is noted mostly for 911 and 356 parts and accessories. But, their service over the phone is exemplary. As you may know, all Porsche dealerships are tied together on a sourcing electronic network. For these older cars, they can locate the most obscure parts. An example is the cable actuators for the convertible top on my 93 cab. One of mine was destroyed when the top was being replaced. Though there were none to be had in or around Chicago, where I live, Stoddard (which is in Ohio), located a total of 8 replacement cables in the USA! Since there are two cables (right and left), my preference was to replace both sides. Stoddard found that only one dealer in Arizona, had stock of both sides. I made the buy through Stoddard, and the parts were at my technicians shop within 3 days!



Enjoy the ride.



Ernie Rossi

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[968thailand]

Dear Ernie



Thanks very much. I will certainly take all of your advice and will get Porsche Thailand to check the car prior to purchase and give me an estimate in respect of potential repairs, replacements and refurbishment parts as well as do everything listed by both you and Bruce. I hope this offsets the sticker price by a bit when I negotiate with the dealer later today.



The car is indeed 32,000 kilometres or so (not miles) and is very much a garage queen (apparently with a full service history from Porsche Thailand, though I have yet to see it - today hopefully), no scuff marks on the seat or bolster and totally straight from what I can see - have torn away the carpets in the hatch to look out for any signs of a prang as well). I have been over to the dealer early in the morning to check for leaks underneath the car (before he is open) and can't see anything. It looks like it is in good condition save for a few stone chips on the front bonnet (inevitable on Thai highways). Condition for me is everything as I aim to drive the car hard and do the occasional track day and also embark on motoring holidays in the region with it - so will be doing as much preventative maintenance as I can afford.



It is because of 968forums.com that I have the confidence to purchase this car, given the internet support from other enthusiasts like yourselves as well as the sourcing of parts through this site! Reading through all the topics has given me a much better understanding of what to look out for on this particular model and what to expect or pre-empt. Really, thanks a lot guys.



I am so looking forward to closing on this! Hope the dealer is not reading this and sees how desperate I am to get my hands on the 68.....he will be sharpening his knives and his fangs otherwise!



If anyone else has any advice, I'd really appreciate it. Thanks again!

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[Harvey]

Personally, I'd change the water pump and anysuspect rollers at the same time as the belt change if they've not been changed for a while. If a water pump seizes, it can cause a belt to jump off. Also a sitting, unused water pump can tend to leak.



And also clean the varous grounding points (there are various). Also, pull and reseat the relays and fuses so they make good contact.



Harvey

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[ether_joe]

congratulations 968Thailand!



You can replace and repair components due to age, but new paint is something else entirely and you can't buy back mileage! So I'd say you are in an enviable situation.



Have fun out there and keep us posted on your progress! Send us lots of 968 Thailand pics!



<img src="/forum/images/smilies/968/biggrin.gif" class="smilie" alt="" />

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[ether_joe]

968Thailand, also you probably know about our older sister site 968.net. Lots of posts going way back, lots of DIY stuff also.



You have to bear with it though, it can be slow esp. the search feature. And there's also 968.co.uk.

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[SANDOVAL]

WOW in Tailand. Any idea how many 968's are in TL? Also what would your 968 cost in the US if you were to translate the currency. Sounds like you will have a very rare gem!

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[968thailand]

The pressure, the pressure! I am so tempted to purchase the car without a specialist having a decent look at it, just so as to bask in the companionship to be had on this site.



Thanks everybody for the tips and the encouragement! I am getting a credit check and proper inspection of the car done and hope to complete and drive away with it quickly, barring confirmation that there is no chassis damage or anything else seriously wrong with the car.



According to OPC Thailand, they only sold 5 968s here but estimate perhaps a few more came into the country by way of private or parallel import. I will try and confirm numbers and get back to you, save to say that I have seen none other than this one since I have been here (plenty of 964s, 993s and later models and an amazing number of 996 GT3s and GT2s here though!)



In Singapore, where I used to be a member of Porsche Club which had very frequent Sunday track days in Malaysia at Pasir Gudang and the F1 Sepang track, there are none left (all having been exported out, though in my time there were a couple of 968 Club Sports, which used to kick our ass on track days (I had a 964 C4 at the time), where we were always over taken (on the outside line) around corners!



Taxes both in Singapore and in Thailand are very high for what are deemed 'luxury' imports. At the material time, you could buy 3 968s in the US for the price of 1 here but the one I am looking at is a relative steal today at about US$30,000. Well, at least the mileage is low (unless clocked!)



You guys are very lucky in the price of cars, though I would not want to pay your mortgages for property (US prices are 3-4 times, if not more, for a comparable property in Thailand).



Thanks again for all your advice and if this deal closes, I shall post many many photographs on my intended travels with the car. Cheers!

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[ether_joe]

BTW, can you get high enough octane gasoline?



I would guess that you have plenty of Bimmers and Mercs and such. . .

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[968thailand]

Hi Sean



Thailand has 95 octane pumps at all the gas stations so shouldn't be any pinging issues from a four pot.



Plenty of Bimmers and Mercs here. Bimmer 3,5 & 7 series are produced here in Thailand - the Detroit of the East, heh heh.



Now to arrange the credit on Monday for the car................

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