Antonio951

Im thinking about getting a 951 in a couple months, also been thinking about a 968. Whats the overall preformance between these 2 cars. Handling, speed/pickup etc...?

Dave951M

Both great cars. There's a bit more power potential with the 951, the 968 is a bit more refined with good torque from the 3.0. It all goes back to what you like.

tifosiman

Dave makes the appropriate performance points. Both handle equally well in non-M030 form, and both have almost endless suspension upgrade potential. The 968 will be a *tad* heavier, but it is hard to discern.

Looks-wise, I love them both. The 951 looks "meaner" and a little more retro. The 968 looks more refined, but VERY mean in TR or TRS trim.

Tifo

Matt H

The 968 offers 6-speed trans (which I believe has an R&P issue), they can be hard to find in hard top, and looks are a matter of taste. The 951 can be modified beyond belief. If I were going to have a stock one it would be a 968, to modifiy the 951.
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BruceWard

You can get additonal power out of the 951 for less money. If you want to upgrade the engine for single digit thousands go with the 951, if you want to pose or want to go for more power spending two digit thousands on upgrades go for the 968.

My 968 Cab has plenty of power for me (until my budget grows)!

I considered the 968, 951 and 944S2 when I was shopping for mine. I decided on the 968 that was near the top of my budget without mods mainly for looks. If I had wanted a track car I would have gone with a 951.

Mike1982

Matt brings up the best point so far, if I was just buying a car to drive not to up the performance much at all but just drive, then the choice is up to you. If you want to buy it and make if faster/handle better the 951 has a ton of different upgrades. Plus the 968 is a little more then the 951 for the car. It all depends, I would LOVE to drive a 968 sometime if anyone has on in the area..hint.. so I can't tell you performance of the 968.

oi-punx

I'd agree with that. Personally I really don't like the lack of low-end torque that the 951 exhibits for daily driving. Prices on 951's are cheaper and they are easier to find and modify.

968's feel really fast down low in the rev range. I don't know about top end because I kept it under 55 in the one I drove. They also have analog clocks which rule

Either way you can't go wrong.

Check out this one it's for sale.

Fishey

The S/C kits for the 968 put out some amazeing numbers.....

BruceWard

They also cost some amazing numbers.

350 HP will cost around $10k, 450 HP will cost $25k+. These numbers are minimum numbers, you can spend a lot more. I know of at least one guy who has spent $50k upgrading his 968.

The extra power is more useable with low end torque compared to a 951.

If your going to keep it stock then I would suggest you let your budget guide you to the best option in the S2/951/968 range.

Make sure you reserve a few thousand for maintenance and get a PPI before you buy!

9SIXTY8

the 968 is far more reliable, The Turbo can be made faster. How about this.. Buy a 968 with a blown engine and put a 951 motor in it...you will get the best of both worlds

Red1

Amen to that. Even the newest 968 is almost nine years old.

I personally love the 968, but I think a bit much is made of low-end torque. I also have a freakin' truck with GOBS of torque, but I'll tell you my 951 gets through commuter traffic like a scalded cat. Torque is great if you're tooling around at miserably slow speeds. If you aren't afraid of driving a machine like it demands to be, then you won't find a turbo that much of a hinderance to driving enjoyment in an urban setting.

There are a fair number of 968's with the tiptronic transmission. I have driven those, and they do not appeal to me. YMMV. Some people want an auto in the city so they can eat cheeseburgers while driving, and don't have to shift in stop-and-go traffic. Others, like myself, find the act of shifting a rather enjoyable connection to a car that does so much to reward it's driver.

Both cars are winners. The 968 Cab is one of the best cabs porsche ever produced, IMHO. Just select carefully, and try to find one that's been well maintained.

BruceWard

Eating cheeseburgers in a 968? There is a reason for the lack of cupholders.

Over at 968.net we have this guy to take care of guys who eat in their 968

Fishey

SFR 968 Supercharger system - $6,250





To do 450RWHP in the 951 and 968 the price diffrence is extremely small

Randy_J

well, I better give my $.02 worth as I have a '88 951S and a 968 Cab Tip for the wife.

The 968 really is very refined - after all, Porsche spent a ton of money to make it the last evolution of the 944 series. So it is not quite fair to compare the older 951's directly. But basically they are pretty much the same in many ways - excellent handling, great daily drivers, and quick cars even today.

These days, if I need to make a quick trip somewhere, especially in the city, I take the 968 Cab - the Tip works just fine, even if you leave it in slushbox mode. The 951S has a competition Sachs clutch in it, and trust me, your leg gets tired in stop and go traffic, and I shudder to think of the wear and tear on that clutch in that scenario.

However, anytime I get to drive twisty highway miles where there are no cops and light traffic, I'll take the 951S over the 968 Cab - they are kinda like Dr Jekyl and Mr. Hyde - similar cars, just completely different personalities. There is nothing quite like cruising along at 55, dropping to 4th and planting your right foot on the 951S gas pedal.

So they are similar, yet different. The prices for 951S and 968's are pretty comparable, but for what I have invested in all 3 Porsches, I can't even get a decent new BMW or MB.

Both are great cars - even 15 years on.

BruceWard

Fishey, I agree on the retail price of the SFR supercharger, but the two 968 supercharger conversions that I know of have come in at double that or more, one of them was using the SFR kit. By the time its installed, tuned, etc and you do some handling improvements to match the power your going to be close to $10k if not over.