Here's another older thread about this subject, which includes my (limited seat time) comparison of a 6-speed 968 coupe and my '79 5-speed 928.

https://rennlist.com/forums/928-foru...?highlight=968

Also keep in mind that early 928's are only about 100 lbs heavier than a 968. And even the lowly US 4.5l motor is a torque monster compared to a 968.

You also mentioned the interior of the 928 being a negative - trust me, a 928 with a decent interior (hard to find in older cars, yes) is much, much nicer than the interior of a 968. Maybe you think the styling is dated, but the quality of materials is far superior in the 928 - as has been pointed out earlier, the 928 was Porsche's top of the line car when it was in production. Jumping into my friend's 968 (which is a very clean, low mileage example) from my car feels like jumping into an econo-box in terms of interior quality.

 

I've owned my 968 for over 10 years but have only driven a 928S auto. The 928 is SOLID and can be driven in tight corners with power induced oversteer. Its great fun, alot like a Corvette, Mustang, or GM Pony car. It muscles its way in tight corners. The 968 can't hope to do that. The 968 may be faster on a road course but its probably not more fun. If you want your car for fun and don't plan to track it, the 928 would get the nod in a GT/occasional tail out blast driving style , in my opinion.

Interior quality, style and finish is also suprior in the 928. HOWEVER, I think some items, like the rear leather covered side panels in the trunk, deform or degrade and will be harder to replace with used bits.

The 928 interior also seems a lot larger. Sitting in the seat, the door is further away. There is more space between the seat and the door sill. To me, this factor alone makes the car seem much larger and less of a sports car.

I think both cars are going to be expensive to maintain. My 968 probably averages about $ 1,000 per year, with me doing some of the work and a local specialist doing the hard stuff.

I guess the bottom line is that if you want a sports car, go for the 968. If you want a luxo GT find a 928. I think automatics are better suited to the 928 than the manuals (most were autos), though I would prefer the manual, like you. That means, I think you want a little of both. It makes for a tough decision.

 

Put it this way- A 1994- 968 came in last in a long range/ multi-type road test by Excellence magazine- pitted against a stock 1987 3.2 Carrera, and early Boxster... I really wanted a 968 at one point- after getting rid of my 944 too. But after owning a slightly modified 5 speed S-4- I could NEVER go back to the 4 banger- Nuff said.

 

That must have been a pretty stupid article. The early non-S boxter is slower than a 968 (14.0lb/hp compared to 13.1lb/hp), fits two people and maybe a small golf bag and looks much worse. And good luck with lokasil failures. And an '87 Carrera, come on. If it was a 964, then yes. If you want to sit in an ancient interior including a truck-style shifter, you will feel welcome in an '87 911. Too often those magazine writers are just idiot douchebags with no clue.

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

 

968 or 928? I have one of each and like them both. 968 is nimble and (with revs) does way decent on the twisties. The 928 however, has torque to beat the band. I love raw torque. I think the 968 is more of a reliable design. Really short T belt, auto tensioner, fewer electronics issues, etc. But both cars have the bearing issue to think about.

They're very different cars. I don't find them comparable....in lots of ways and yet they are in others. Just different kinds of good. Kinda like wimmen. (Wait! Do you like torquey women or nimble ones?)

The 968 is a scarcer car, generally speaking.

H2

 

I like 968s but due to their potential problems with their "cam chain tensioner failure", I think the 928 will be more reliable.

 

You would be surprised how simiar the chain tensioners are between the 968 and 928 (I just recently did both my GT's and my wife's 968's chain tensioner pads). The reason for the failure are the plastic guides. They do require you to remove the cams to get at them, unlike the 928 where you can coax them out with the cams in place. But if you are doing a timing belt, removing the cams is not that much further.

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

 

Try and get to drive each one and that might help make your decision. I like 968's as well!

'89 S4 GP White/Black
'76 912E Silver/Black sunroof

 

I have seen pictures of the 968 cam chain tensioner, what concerned me is the threads of failed chain tensioners trashing the whole head if not the whole engine.
You never really hear or see anyone change their 928 chain tensioner pads, its not a concern unlike the 16 valve 944s and the 968.
On one of the threads they were saying on the 16 valve 944s and the 968 the pad wears significantly and then the chain eats the cam sprocket possibly breaking some teeth and then the whole tensioner could break off from its mounting point, breaking some valve springs and causing the valves to drop into the cylinder all the while the engine is turning, this will result in a total engine failure.
I was just reading an old thread that the owner took the valve cover off and found out that the chain had slightly eaten up the cam sprocket, they were telling him that he has to buy new cams at $670 each from Porsche and install new chain and pads if not a whole new tensioner. I don't have a 968 and I'm not saying their bad cars, like I said I like their styling. If you search there is a lot of threads on their cam chain tensioer issue on 968 forum and 944 forum.

Edit: I did the reading because I was going to get a 91 S2 as a project car. I am not trying to stop someone from buying a 968. The chain tensioner failure can be prevented by maintaining it at every XX,000 miles by replacing the correct components on the tensioner. Just want to point that if the OP does go with a 968 it will be a good idea to see if the car has had a chain tensioner service, if not include it in the next maintenance schedule.

 

Fair enough. However, I can tell you that on my wife's 968 the cam sprockets showed almost no wear at all and the pads had 150k miles on them. The pads were pretty worn both top and bottom. Just one data point, YMMV.

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

 

the right 968 is everything the 928 is. Except for the V8. it has respectable numbers. But it isnt going to growl at you. You must love the 928 to own it. The history, the car.... The people that have them.... Anyone can have a 968... It takes a real car guy with a love for the car to really have a 928.

the 928 is an amazing car. The 968 is just another car. You, Son. Need to make this choice on your own.

 

You probably don't hear of the failures on the 928 because we're all quietly changing the pads as a matter of course. At least here on rennlist, there is a huge home-mechanic contingent, so if anyone sees a fail or something close, everyone tends to jump and do the maintenance preventatively.

 

I think that I fall in there somewhere. Hmm...

 

Well, I found a couple that I like, but once again, they are autos. One had low mileage but was told it was a salavage. I'm curious as to what was wrong with it. Anyone want to do a carfax for me?

I did find one manual, not too far from me (BTW, I'm in Pittsburgh, PA if anyone was wondering or anyone know where I can get 928 advice from), but I'm not into the wheels they put on or the interior trim which makes it un-appealing...not that it can't be updated though...so I guess it's not that bad...but I'm not sure how much the car could be worth or if it's worth the price. Anyone want to give me advice on that as well?

I keep asking myself maybe an auto wouldn't be bad, since I go through vehicles often, but then again, if this is my toy car, I want it to be fun. Thought the price difference between the manual car I'm looking at and the auto, I could make the auto more fun.

I have to say, I'm pretty impressed how people talk about their 928's and the power delivery. Yeah, I like the 944's, and a 968 would be nice, but I'm in my power hunger phase right now and 968 isn't going to feed it.

Love this post guys and I'm def getting some good info out of it...even if it is bias for the 928's. BTW, anyone in Pburgh with 928s on rennlist?

Thanks,
space

 

Don't do it. If you want a 5-speed, get a 5-speed. For a fun car, you will never be 100% content with the auto.

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