17 replies to this topic

[MoparBoy72]

I would like to find a set of sport seats for one of my 986s. I have seen some on Pelican and Ebay over the past few months but the prices seem to be all over the place. What do you think is a fair price for a pair of used sport seats in decent shape (no heavy wear or tears)?

Thoughts please...

Thanks,

Andrew

Edited by MoparBoy72, 25 September 2011 - 08:01 PM.

[Cloud9...68]

I'm wondering the same thing, as I'm planning to replace mine with racing seats. One big problem is going to be the cost of shipping. As bulky and heavy as these things are, shipping is going to cost a fortune. Mine are in nearly-new condition, but I'm afraid I don't have high hopes of selling them. I hope I'm wrong...

[DaveN]

I think you're looking at a grand for some decent seats. I know my pristine heated sport seats are well north of 1200.00 last time I looked.

[flash]

sport seats in average condition (no tears and normal bolster wear) with minimal features are worth nearly $2k

clean ones with all the bells and whistles (12 way and heated) are worth nearly $5k

i have no idea why - i hate those seats - heavy, uncomfortable, and difficult - i'd rather go aftermarket - but, they are original, so i guess some people like them for that reason

[biotechee]

Andrew-

This is a tricky one as there are four (4) main OEM Porsche variants of sport seats that will easily fit into the 968:

1) Early softback sport seats - found in 944's and early 968's. Based on condition and options, expect to pay between $750-$2000 for a set. These seats have the horizontal 944 stitching pattern. Seats needing a full recover should be had for less, IMHO. The seats have raised or extended side bolsters on the back and the bottom.

2) Late softback sport seats - found in late 968's and early 993's. These are more rare I believe and command a bit of a premium. Based on condition and options, I would think you'd be looking at at least $1200 to $3000. Full recover sets could potentially be had for less, but I think that's a real serious long shot. These seats are identical to #1 above except for stitching pattern.

3) 968 CS hardback sport seats. The lightest and "sportiest" by far, fixed back. Also the rarest. I think you'd be looking at a minimum of $2000 and a max of $4-5K based on condition. Good luck finding a reasonably priced, good condition set. These seats are nearly identical to the Recaro Pole Position, as they are based on them. There are a couple minor differences between the 968 CS seats and the Pole Positions, which most people don't know about.... Only the trained eye would really know. So if you're after the look, save yourself a few grand and get the Pole Positions.

4) 993 hardback sport seats. The heaviest and also the "snazziest!" A lot of 993 guys worship these seats. They definitely look nice. Figure on $2500 to $5000 depending on condition and options. They really don't hold you "in" like the first three do. That said, if you're wider (large waist/torso/etc.), you may not be comfortable in 1-3.

In my opinion, the 968 looks right with any of the first three choices (the difference between 1 and 2 of course being the production date). #4 works, but I am not 100% sure they would look proper in a 968 in my opinion.

Any of these seats are basically plug and play for the most part. The CS seats require speacial sliders, so if you stumble upon a set of them, you'll either need to verify they are included or buy a set from a Recaro dealer (I think they are around $300 or less for a set). The other three will bolt right up and also connect to the existing plugs for the electrical goodies if so equipped.

There's also 993 RS seats- which are like the 993 hardback, but are totally manual and lighter IIRC. Really expensive and over the top for a seat that technically isn't suitable for its pervceived intention. You can also use 964RS America seats - basically the same as 968 seats with some differences.

Then, if you really want to explore all options, sport seats from the Boxster and the 996 can be adapted to fit.... The seats (which will easily fit into the 968) up to and including the 996 were manufactured by Recaro if I am not mistaken. 997 and forward are made by Lear I think.

Hope this helps.

[bombfactory]

I really like the updated look of the later model Boxster S seats, but a few months back I had an email conversation with Paul Champagne (the Porsche seat leather guru) about re-doing my seats, and I asked him about the possibility of using Boxster seats. He advised me to stay away, said the 993 seats in my car were way better quality, that Boxster seats use plastic underneath the padding which sags and cracks and fails prematurely. No personal experience here, just passing on info.

If you haven't seen Paul's work, take a look around his website here:

http://www.designpau...ne.com/928.html

(no affiliation, just impressed with his stuff and may be a future customer - if I can afford it)

[Cloud9...68]

Wow, they're really worth that much? For a car with such limited production numbers? Hmmm... Not to be cynical, but I'll believe it when I see it. I have visions of leaving mine, which are easily in 9/10 condition, on the curb with a "Free for the taking" sign taped to them after months of nothing but chirping crickets in response to ads on eBay, Craigslist, or wherever. Now, that's REALLY being cynical. But then, I've never had much luck at selling stuff...

For the record, mine have option code 437 (full power left seat) and 586 (lumbar support, left seat). The right seat just tilts and goes up and down under power, iirc.

Edit: Here's a picture of my drivers seat:

http://www.flickr.co.../in/photostream

And my passenger seat:

http://www.flickr.co.../in/photostream

Edited by Cloud9...68, 26 September 2011 - 03:29 PM.

[link517]

I might have a set of Heated black early sports seats that i will be testing the market with. I will decide over the next couple weeks.

[link517]

Btw, i think this is aloottttt of money. http://cgi.ebay.com/...755339438965853

Cloud, those are not sport seats. But you could get a premium for the color and condition. I think $1000 would be fair.

Edited by link517, 26 September 2011 - 03:33 PM.

[bombfactory]

Yeah those look nice, but does their value triple just because they came out of a slant nose?

BTW, when I was a kid I used to think slant nose 911s were the ultimate Porsche. Now I see one and I think they look horribly proportioned and deformed!

[Cloud9...68]

"Cloud, those are not sport seats."

Dang. But the seller said they were . Said right in the ad: "Factory sport seats with 12-way power drivers seat and lumbar."

I think he saw me coming...

[link517]

I think a fair price for heated early sports seats in great condition is about $2000. For non heated sports seats in great condition, about 1500. For $3000, you're better off spending a little more on new aftermarkets or 993 hardbacks imho.

Edited by link517, 26 September 2011 - 05:07 PM.

[flash]

i have a buddy who is about to sell another set of 993 style black 12 way heated sport seats. i think he got $5k for his last set though.

[bombfactory]

Wow five grand! That price is making my stockers look better and better. I need to actually sit in (and attempt to get out of) a sport seat before I try to convince myself I 'need' them for their function and not just because they're rare, and therefore cool.

[jeff968]

The only additional seat option you could get with sport seats was heat. No such thing as lumbar or full 8 way sport seats for North American 968s.

[ron1688]

Im willing to part with my heated power seats with the porsche crest embossed on them for 2.5k if anybody is interested.

[DaveN]

I have the same seats but without the crest. Can you just sell me the crest?

[flash]

gotta stop talking in absolutes. that database is at least incomplete.

8 way sport seats were available. there is a car here in socal with them, and i'm pretty sure it's not the only one i've seen either.

12 way was also available, and since the seat motors and seat upholstery were separate assemblies, i see no reason that they would not also have been in a car, and find it nearly impossible to believe that nobody would have ordered it. i know if i were ordering the car, i would have.

cars were definitely wired for all of the above, and it would have been extremely easy for a dealer to install them, or for the plant on the east coast to install them, making them original equipment, and listed on the sticker.