zidjan

Hi Folks,

My first time here, my name is Arie and I came from Jaguar (XKR) and Saab (viggens)

So I came a cross a 1994 968 white cabriolet with 200K for only $7K ...the exterior is very good ...the interior might need some refresh and the top is rather tired....the engine and transmission felt strong....Am I crazy to buy this car? there's no service record but I am planning on taking it to specialist to have it looked at with a fine tooth comb...let me know if I am crazy or I might be into something here.

What potential issue I could come across in the future...I am quite handy with maintenance and light repairs...I am more concern about the big stuff

Eyeman

I have 185k miles on my 968 Cab, but I've had mine since 1995. With no service records, you may as well go ahead and change the timing and balance belts. This year I had a leaking power steering pump, that combined with age and time had ruined many of my front end bushings. I ended up doing a complete suspension rebuild ($6kish total). I figure I'll start looking for a lower mileage wrecked cabriolet in the next few years to replace some of my parts and have for a backup drivetrain.

I don't think you are crazy and I don't know if a high mileage car is that different than a lower mileage one once they get this old. But for sure you are looking at plenty of maintenance down the road.

shelby987

As a fellow Saab owner, I can say you won't experience any issues above and beyond what a typical high mileage saab will give you. I haven't put a lot of miles on my 968, but the time I have spent under the hood, I would put the engineering beyond that of Saab. Packaging constraints is similar, but slightly better due to the engine being mounted longitudinally. The one big advantage if you do most of your own work is, mechanical parts for a 968 are more readily available then anything needed to repair a Saab!

At that price, if you like what you see, buy it, maybe tell the guy $6k without a PPI or $7k after? Plan to have to throw $6-$10k at it and know that you will probably have a better car then you would if you just spent $13~$17k from the start. People that buy any used car and expect it to go tens of thousands of miles without needing any repairs are delusional, let alone a porsche!

shelby987

To add to this post, I would also mention, in my experience....I have not come across many vehicles that were still "good" running / driving cars at 200k miles without having received a fair amount of care and maintenance during their life.

zidjan

Thank you guys,

I guess I am not too scared of the supporting parts failing albeit either way it'll be an expensive part ... On the Jag a plastic wheel well access cover cost $45 at the junkyard (for your reference) so I am not new to expensive car parts.....I know from what I read the 968 requires 40K timing belt replacements ...what I am wondering is will the engine and gearbox hold up at that miles....looks like I got some thinking to do.

LTDzak

You haven't mentioned whether its a tiptronic (auto) or manual trans, if the latter check carefully for pinion bearing whine.

I bought a coupe with 180 K miles last year, but it came with something line $30 K worth of maintenance history/receipts and a near pristine interior. Even with that have had to replace an engine mount and sunroof gears. Learn the option codes, it will make you a more informed buyer..

zidjan

It is a manual transmission.... My goal for the car is to be able to DIY as much repairs as possible. In my case, I won't have any maintenance records or pristine interior....a little tear on the passenger leather seat...and the convertible top will need replaced soon...on the flipside it's only $7k ...do you think it's reasonably priced?

Eyeman

I've seen high mileage 968s sometimes with great maintenance records in the $5k to $9k range. Any older car will have flaws. You could try to figure up a budget of what this car or that car might need, but then you'd have no idea what might come up later.

The main decision is do you want to buy a car like this. If you do, just pick the one you like best, try to get it for as little as possible, then enjoy it and remember what a great car it is each time you get a new maintenance charge.