pcar928fan

I like the 968, but I think the 944S2 and 951 models both look better than the 968...

I think the 928 looks better than both of them. In particular the S4 and of course the best of the 928's are the GTS's, but they are going to be 2.5X your budget or more.

S4's are awesome.

Remember too that the 928 was the FLAGSHIP of the Porsche line up all the years it was in production...the 968/944/924 were always the ENTRY level car...so while the handle GREAT and look GREAT they are no 928!

RKD in OKC

Okay, I toss in a couple of cents.

When I had my stock 88 944 Turbo S, I test drove and almost traded for a 968. 6 speed vs 5 speed and newer. The 968 didn't have the turbo kick, but it did have plenty of power. Just couldn't bring myself to give up that turbo kick. Did end up eventually trading the 951 for a 90 928 GT.

In considering 6 speed of the 968 vs 5 speed of the 928, the V8 has such a wide torque band you don't need a 6 speed. With the 951 I kept wanting a 6 speed to be in the right gear for this corner or that one, with the 928, it just isn't an issue. I also had a Boxster S with a 6 speed, and it needed it to stay in the power. Went back to a 951 and really missed the 6 speed. Now with the 928 GTS 5 speeds are just fine.

As for the more updated interior, What.? The way the dash lines slope down into the door and center console is a LOT more modern than the 3 inch tall bar that wraps across the dash 968/951 style. Have you sat in both? Is it the smooth seat center sections that make the 968 look more modern, that's about all they changed from the 944s.

Comfort, well the 968 seats are more comfortable than 944 seats. I had 968 sport seats in my latest 951 and loved them, BUT they still weren't as comfortable as 928 seats.

For me the decision would depend a lot more on they type of driving I like to do. To me the 928 is a better all round car and like any car can be tuned to excel in just about any environment. However, the 928's strong suit is long fast road trips. Mainly because it is more comfortable to drive and that extra 400 lbs in the 928 sure make it smooth at speed. I would compare the 928 experience more like cruising around in my Lazy Boy versus the 944/51/68 sitting in my office task chair. In slow stop and go city driving the lighter feel of the 968 make the 928 feel like you have to horse it around. But, slow stop and go city driving is also better suited to an automatic where the 928 excels over the 968.

For me, because I like to do both tours and long trips, and autocross regularly the 928 seemed better suited AND It was worth it to me to spend the extra to get a 5 speed over an automatic. Also a really big factor is that 928 SOUND.

When I got this last 928 GTS I was considering 05 Boxster S's, and 01 996 4S's. Love my GTS!

White Lightnin'

Robert Budd (Michigan); Paul Champagne (Texas); Nicole (California); Jaeger Engineering (Canada)... the first 2 do outstanding leather & vinyl work to restore or customize your interior; the last 2 have additional custom mods to make your 928 uniquely yours.

Hope that helps!

pcar928fan

I thought Budd was in TN...or at least the SE somewhere... Maybe I was not paying attention.

docmirror

I faced this dilemma recently and was going to invest in a 968. Sadly, like the 928s I couldn't find one that was in decent shape for modest money. The really good ones with 6 speed are very pricey and I wasn't gonna pay 928 money for a good 968.

The 968 is a compromise vehicle. It's not the all out GT that the 928 is, but it's a decent sports car. I equate it to the MG of the 90s. What I found is that for just a few thousand more I could have a really nice 86.5, or if the S4 is a requirement, get one that needs a bit of work, and use our great vendors to set it up the way you want. Once you have a 928 it'll be hard to go back to any 944/951/968 variant, because the power is intoxicating. Even with the auto. I like the 86.5 auto which starts in first gear with the S4 wing and head lamps on it.

I know it's not on your menu, but the early 79/80/81 Euro 5 speeds are a wonderful tight car. +300HP, manual shift and many have the LSD trans which makes for good performance. Swap out the brakes and it'll do what ever you want.

White Lightnin'

He may have been at some point... but ever since meeting him at SITM '06, he has been in Michigan.

His place used to be called "928LeatherShop" but I have recently seen ads for it as "classic9leathershop" (internet address as written with the www. & .com added)

pcar928fan

Barry,

I don't know WHY I thought it was TN...I am just losing my mind I guess!

Doc, Euro S in '79??? Maybe a '79 build for the '80 MY... I agree with you though...early 5spd Euro S cars ROCK! He wants an S4 though and I can't blame him for that...B-E-A-UTIFUL! S with an S4 wing??? Bad form! FAIL!

Ragnar Joensen

I have had both. And I have had an auto 928, as well as a couple of GT's.

I really like the 968, because it is fast and quick, lighter, more nimble, takes less gas (good) and it is not as complicated as the 928. The 968 is definately a fast and well handling car.

But I prefer the 928 GT any day of the week. It is a supercar compared to the 968. It starts where the 968 ends - take a look at the torque curve. It starts where the 968 tops - it is simply one a level up (at least).

And the price is more or less the same.

But the downside of the 928 is just that is a supercar for 968 money. This makes the 928 obtainable to people who cant afford the maintenance, and renewal of suspension, brakes, drivetrain wearparts, etc gets deferred.

And when You buy the 928 the PPI is critical, because it may cost You a bunch of good money to get the car into good shape. As far as I can see it, the 968 is not as sensitive to less-than-perfect suspension components and brakes. It will drive well anyway. But the 928, being the monster it is, requires well kept suspension and brakes, as well as wear parts in the drivetrain and in the electronic and vacuum systems, in order to be a pleasure to own. That being said, the most expensive part of having a 928 is lack of knowledge, and that is where this forum is worth gold.

The 968 was made in the years '92-'95, while You may get a nice looking 928 S4 from '88. Do not expect the years to pass by without some impact on wear parts.

When it comes to upgrades, forget them. Why do You want to "upgrade" on of the finest automobiles in the world. Spend the money on maintenance and renewal of wear parts. It will give You more actual driving pleasure than some impressive power figure on a paper, that You wont be able to exploit fully anyway.


Ragnar

9x8

I did not read this thread thoroughly, so I will most likely repeat some of the thoughts mentioned above.

Previously I had an early 944, then I got 968.
I thought to myself "wow, this is a completely different car" - despite of many similarities. It was better in every aspect and I really enjoyed it for a while.

But then I got 928 - and as a result, 968 has been mostly sitting parked since then, and I'll be selling it soon'ish. 928 is way more comfortable (I'm 6ft 7in ), way more fun to drive, and generally feels as a much more expensive car in every aspect (and, well, it is).

968 to 928 is like comparing modern Cayman to Carrera.

Also, as many have mentioned: if you want a manual car - then get a manual, auto is not nearly enjoyable as much (IMHO!).

S4ordie

I have owned a 1991 944 S2 5spd, 1994 968 6spd and now a 1991 S4. The S2 and 968 were much better cars for tossing about. Their roles as designed were more sports car for fast driving on very tight corners where brute power was less necessary and keeping revs in the sweet spot through a manual transmissoin was a simple flick of the wrist. I loved those cars and enjoyed them immensely. I did contemplate a 951 turbo but I hated the lag in practical application.

The 928 is not as much fun on tight twisty roads as the 44 or 68. That perfect 50/50 balance and light weight of those cars is engineering nirvana and their clutches and transmissions, light and precise. I don't like the 5 speed manuals in the 928. I had opportunity to drive a few well sorted manuals, to include a 91 GT and 94 GTS before buying my S4 and to me the cars shift like a big block Chevy. So much more slop, clutch pressure and travel than required in the 44 or 68.

The Mercedes four speed auto transmission in the later cars is really quite adept for performance driving. Perhaps not the best set up for the track but, to me, the best set up for the type of driving I intend to do. Which is mostly urban driving and cruising down the highway. Don't get me wrong, I love to row gears but the auto in my use case is the good choice.

If your desire is to have a quick, fast nimble and great braking car then go for a an early Euro 300 hp model. It is a lightweight car with a 5 spd, LSD and no sunroof with upgraded brakes and suspension. I also like the 86.5 5 speed for the same reason. If you want a Grand Touring car then get an S4 or auto GTS.

Jadz928

This is a very good recommendation. Albeit, the earlier 928 interiors are a touch more dated (mainly the seats, which I find more comfortable).

My 968 story:
Got the hots for a 6 speed Coupe a couple years back. At the time, had only the '84 928. Decided to get a 2nd 928 instead. Same money as the 968, and alot more car. Figured maintanence would be easier as I was already ahead of the curve with the 928. I still love the 968.

hacker-pschorr

Matter of opinion I guess. When I switched form my 87 944S to an 81 928 the first thing I noticed was the upgraded interior

dprantl

I've owned a 6-speed 968 in the past and currently own a 928GT and a 968 Tip. The decision is very simple, what do you want more, better handling (and harsher ride) or more power and better comfort? The 968 is extremely nimble. At just over 3,000lbs it is 500lbs lighter than a later 928. A stock 968 will easily outhandle a stock S4/GT/GTS. The 928 has much more low-end torque and ~70hp more peak. The 968 is also easier to work on than the 928.

Dan
'91 928GT S/C 475hp/460lb.ft

Erik N

I have never driven a 968, but I have ridden in a few at different DE events. They got some GREAT lap times. They're nice cars.

But they don't do it for me. Driving a 928 is such a visceral experience. They're big and bad. They pulsate when you're on the gas. They have a great "mechanical" feel to them. And you can't beat a V8 for it's exhaust note, IMHO.

Check out this video and see if you don't agree... (don't know if it's a rennlister or not)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wg9ejyk9r80

pcar928fan

True, but the Euro S cars tend not to come (as often anyway) w/ the full leather interior. I think that is what Dan was referring to. Of course there is always Budd and Champagne who can take care of ANY interior deficiency to the point of making a NEW factory leather interior look SAD!