agent325

I currently own a 88 911 coupe which I dearly love, but I have always liked the 968. I'm thinking about selling my 911 to pick up a 968 since I can pick up a clean example for under 20K. Any feedback would be apprecieted, thanks in advance........

Steve Smith

It seems to me that owning a Porsche automobile is much more a subjective(emotional) experience than it is an objective one. About the only time Porsche owership becomes primarily objective is when it is being raced on the track. Your finishing position then becomes an objective measure of the desireablity your car over another. There is also an objective judgement point when you are trying come up with the "bucks" to purchase, operate, and/or maintain a particular model of Porsche automobile. Depending on your financial status, that objective point can define very clearly, the desireablity of one model over another.

I am very much in love with my "NEW" 1988 911 Carrera coupe (4,771 original miles on the odometer)which I brought home just one month ago today. Every day I find something more to love about the car. I brings me great emotional satisfaction just having it sitting in my garage. However, owning a 911 may not generate same level of emotion in someone else. That person may be "turned on" by the lines of a 968 Porsche. Does that make the 968 better? No, it just illustrates the old saying that there are "different strokes for different folks".

You can get a never-ending argument between advocates of each model, ranting passionately that their favorite is better. In acutality, each model has its own set of strenths and weaknesses compared to the other(s). It all depends on what "rings your chims". If body style is the one thing that is most important to you and you prefer the lines of the 968, then maybe that is more important to you in generating that positive emotion. More than, say, tradition or prestige, which may favor the 911 series.

If you already own a Carrera and you are tempted to buy the 968, then, to me, that indicates that your not as "sold" on your 911 as I am mine. I can honestly say that I am as close to "in love" with my silver beauty as anyone can be with a machine. I haven't the slightest emotional interest in any other car. Does that indicate that the 911 is a "better" car than the 968? Absolutely not! I assure you that there are
968 owners that are just as attached to their cars as I am mine.

So, are the views of other people, that may be "emotionally envolved" with their 911's, 928's, 944's, or 968's, relevent to your decision? I say, NO!

Maybe the best thing for you to do is to make the change. Own the 968, live with it, drive it, and see what it does for your soul. If it outshines your previous love, then stay with it. If you are less "moved" than you thought you would be, then sell it and buy another 911. There are plenty out there in the market place.

Just remember, owning a Porsche for the street is all about emotions, your emotions.

Steve Smith
"NEW" '88 Silver Carrera Coupe

t.p.

Steve: Where was your Carrera the last 14 years? Did it have any of the problems commonly attributed to lack of use? (Dried seals, leaks, etc.?) You were so lucky to buy a "new" car of the best vintage. I hope the low miles don't keep you from driving it (desire to keep it new).

Stephen Masraum

The first reply was excellent and well thought out. Sounds like a beautiful car (I'll have a silver 911 someday, current is black).
Now for my subjective opinion...
Keep the 911. Unless there is some reason that you are wanting to get rid of it regardless of what you replace it with. I say definitely keep the 911. They may or may not be better cars in one way or another, but I'm doubting that they have the appeal and character of a 911. They are the descendant of a 944 after all. While both are great cars, neither will replace a 911.
If you use yours as a daily driver and find that you are often uncomfortable, or yours has to serve duty as the family truckster then it may be an exchange out of necessity/utility, but if this is just, "maybe it would be neat to have a 968" then I say stick with the 911
Stick with the 911! Did I say that already??

richard glickel

Agent,

Buy the 968 and keep the 911. That's what I plan on doing. Here's what happened to me. I drove my 911 at a PCA D.E. at Lime Rock on September 26. The 911 was running and handling GREAT that day. In the middle of my first run while passing a slower moving car on the straight, I missed fourth and found second gear unstead. I understand that 911s should not rev to 11,000 rpm (which I knew before that day - really).

At first, I thought that I may have gotten away with my stupidity because the car completed the next five laps and I finished the run (good car). But, that was it; bent all the valves. Perhaps to stop my weeping, my Porsche guru and friend, Rick DeMan, who brought up to Lime Rock two race cars and the DeMan "spare" 968, offered me the use of the spare, a black '92. The car handled great, was plently fast and, basically, was alot of fun to drive around Lime Rock.

So, the 911 is going to soon have a 3.6 litre, 300 h.p. engine, and I am looking for a good 968 and believe I may have found one this week. I'll never get rid of my 911 and I think the 968 will be a super D.E. car, which I will alternate with the 911. I don't know how long I'll keep the 968, but if I like it as much as I think I will, I may have two great Porsches for some time to come (until I find the right 993!).

All of which assumes that my wife doesn't throw me out of the house as soon as I show up with another Porsche, in which case the 968 may prove to be the more comfortable car to sleep in (hatch back you know).

Good luck. Let us know what you wind up deciding.

Richard
'87 Carrera

agent325

after coming up with my brillant idea to sell the 911 and buy a 968, i told myself "what the hell am I thinking" 968s are great cars, but remebering preivious experience of driving a 944 turbo (probably not much different than a 968)i relaized I would be lacking the fell of a 911 which can be experienced from driving only a 911, not a 968, 944, or 928.
I mean there is no feeling better than hearing the aircooled engine behind your head as you cruise down the street and get smiles from almost anybody as they identify the classic porsche lines that I beleive only a 911 carries.
I came to the realization that I wouldn't mind having a 968 only if I had a 911 to complement it. But I am not willing to give up my 911 for a 968.
I guess this was a subjecting decision

agent325

I meant my subjective

old_skul

Heh, I've seen this discussion before. They're two different cars, really. Drive one and see what you think. Will it satisfy the Porsche music in your ears? Will it move you the way the 911 does?

If it floats yer boat - go for it. I'm partial to 911s myself, but I'm always on the lookout for a good 944 or 968.

wmtt140

Get the 968. You can always sell it and get another 911 which is what I did. I had a '90 C4 but I always wanted a 928. I sold the 911 and got a '91 928. It's a great car but I started missing the 911.

I just sold the 928 and purchased an '84 Carrera coupe. If I hadn't owned the 928 for awhile, I would still be wondering if I should get one. Now it's out of my system. Plus, I have greater appreciation for the 911.

porsche4fun

lots of great comments here...here's my $.02 having owned 5 previous porsches(sequentially - '84 944, '88 951, '93 968, '90 928, '00 boxster S)...now own the '89 carrera.
i should have kept ALL of them...they're all so fun and great to have, all different w/ a different personality. if i could only own one and needed a daily driver, i'd still recommend the 968...most nimble, nice gas mileage, nice balance and still porsche handling. for wknd fun, i'd definitely favor the 911. you're right...if you swap for the 968 and lose your 911, you'll have regret every time you drive past a 911
patrick

'89 911 cab 61k wknd fun car
'95 lexus sc400 60k daily driver
'00 bmw x5 21k wife's daily driver