Need your advice: 968 vs 944

Good evening everyone, I believe I am in the final stages of my first Porsche purchase and I would like your help with a few things if possible. As many of you know I have been on the search for a 944 and have driven a few. I have narrowed my search down to two cars, both '86' NAs. To muddy the waters I then found the following 968 listed on Car Sales: http://www.carsales.com.au/private/details/porsche-968-1992-12491841?base=1216&vertical=Car&cr=7&eapi=2&__N=1246+1247+1252+1282+4294963765+4294963710+1216&num=15&silo=Stock&sort=default I have heard so many good things about this model that I thought I would investigate. I called the owner and had a chat. The car is significantly cheaper than the others listed on the site and when I asked him about this he said that he started at $30k but has had to drop the price because of the market. He has had the car for 12 years and is the second owner. He said it has been serviced regularly and is in very good condition. There is full service history from new. Whilst I would prefer a manual, this is a tiptronic auto, on the surface it does appear to be a good car for the price. The only thing he is aware that needs doing is the belts and possibly the brakes. From reading up on this model I believe it is important to know the following: * When were the belts changed? * When were the cam sprokets/pulleys changed or update? * When were the pinion bearings last serviced? I would certainly look at getting a PPI if I decide to go further. Is there anything else that I should be asking? I would be interested to get your opinion on this model and any experiences with it. Is it worth the additional $8k over a 944? Thank you in advance everyone for your help with this. Steve

If you can live with auto then the 968 is probably one of the most reliable of the 924/944/968 series, being the end of the line. the motors are meant to be very livable and don't suffer the lack of low end normally associated with NA models being a 3ltr. If it has a full history see when belts were done last, as that could help you get it cheaper. the auto is main reason no takers and he has dropped the price IMO so it that isnt an issue then you could get quite a bargain but personally the manual in these cars is one of the reasons to get one as they are a drivers car GLWP what ever you decide peace cyberpunky

It seems a waste to buy a car like this in an auto. If a fun car is what you are after it has to be manual - decision made! I would agree that the 968 is a better car, from looking previously you would be expecting to pay 30k upwards for something worthwhile. If your not in a position to invest this sort dollars would stick with the 944.

Thanks everyone for your comments. I really appreciate your input. The manual is what I want so will proceed with the 944. I will arrange a PPI as soon as possible and let you know how it goes. Steve

Good decision Steve - just posted on this on previous sight regards auto performance. Cheers,Mark.

Thanks Mark. Saw that one as well. Helped make my decision. I don't want anything that will make me go slower!!!

Glad we could all be of help. That's what this community is all about........working out where you should spend your money. The manual '44 is a very good choice over the auto '68.

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That means you should buy my 944S2 Theo !!!

Hey Steve. Any updates?????

Hi Theo, Thanks for your message. I am the process of arranging a date for the PPI with the owner of one of the cars I am looking at. I will let you know when it is all confirmed. Steve

Good luck. We'll keep it real hush hush. Don't tell anyone else on the forum.

Good evening all, Just wanted to give an update on my search for a 944. The owner of the car I have been looking at seriously kindly let me have his car today to get a PPI done. It really was a try before you buy experience and I loved driving the car, even in Sydney peak hour traffic!. Even when I was driving home on the motorway a red 928 came screaming up behind me, I pulled over into the other lane, he flew past but as he did so gave a 'Porsche nod' to say g'day. I felt part of an exclusive club! Results of the PPI indicate that it is a good 944 overall however there are a number of things that need to be done very soon and others that will more than likely come up in the short term. Whilst I understand that this is to be expected with a 30 year old car and are realistic enough to realise that there will always be things to do, the potential costs in the short term may blow the budget that I have and make a grumpy financial controller! Compression and leak tests all came back acceptable but indicated that more extensive work would need to be done to the engine in the short/mid term. Overall it is basically a good car and looks fantastic but I am concerned it will be a money pit so may err on the side caution on this one. Glad I did a PPI. A huge thank you to the team at Hamiltons Autohaus for taking the time to go through everything in detail with me. If nothing else I have learnt allot about the cars and what to look for.

Hi Steve, The more you drive them the more you will want to.You are going about it the right way. Suggest you put a wanted ad on the Porsche club site and another owner that has not advertised for sale may contact you. Cheers,Mark.

I don't think it has been mentioned in the forum yet/before, but the issue of UNIQUE CARS issue 343 Oct 31 - Nov27 has a four page article on the purchasing of a 944. Probably not a lot you 944 people will learn from it, but might be worth a read. Don't give up the hunt yet Steve......

Thanks Mark for your response. I am going to reassess my options regarding a car. Now may not be the right time for a P car because of the budget I am working with however it won't stop me getting one some time in the future! Niko, I did see that feature in Unique Cars and it was a good overview of the 944. Thanks for mentioning it.