H2

After all, 944s are cheaper, 951s are almost as fast (I'll take flak for that), and you can choose from several other sports cars for about the same money or less.

For me, I already had an Audi TT Quattro Turbo and a 928 (which I love BTW) but I wanted a car that had a similar look to the 928, was more modern in design than the car I had, one that required less maintenance, was unique, beautiful, comfortable for long drives, one of the best cars ever made by Porsche, and handles like few other cars costing more money. For me, there's not much to NOT like about the 968.

The 2002 Audi TT wasn't near the car the 968 is so I sold it a few weeks ago. It was more of a glorified VW and handling on cruves was not good, and build quality and "grin factor' couldn't compare with the 968.

Great car, the 968!

H2

Lord_Galva

I accidently found the 968. I had been searching for a 951S for 2 years and was tired of getting the loan rejected. I had to find a 92' or newer car for the loan. So I searched on craigslist and this 968 showed up. It fit the bill for cost and year. The rest is history.

PorscheG96

I was also looking for a Turbo S when I stumbled upon a 968 locally w/ high miles at a great price. Obviously loved both interior and exterior styling but when going for a test drive I was so impressed by 1) the 160k mile 968 felt like it had 50k miles and 2) how it effortlessly accelerated up the hill on 92 freeway in 6th gear compared w/ my 944. It was unbelievable!

Besides all of that though, I still really appreciate how mechanically advanced the 968 is for its time [6 spd, variable camshaft timing, maf, pent-roof, 4 piston calipers, knock sensors, piston cooling] and yet how basic the amenities are as well [no traction control, sat-nav, hud, driver/pass climate controls, 20-way ostrich skin vibrating seats, drive-by-wire, etc which is all crap imo]!

Lord_Galva

Was the 968 the first car to have variable valve timing? (I know it was for Porsche)

FRporscheman

No, Honda is credited for introducing the consumer market to variable valve timing in the form of V-TEC.

I got my 968 by accident. I was not even looking for acar yet, I was trying to sell my 944, and I thought once it was gone I might start looking for either a 951 or a mercedes SL. I stumbled upon my red 968, and it was exactly the color combo of my dreams and the price was much lower than I thought a 968 would ever be. I knew absolutely nothing about 968s at the time, except they were supposed to be some kind of improved 944.

I bought the car, having to borrow money from both parents and my brother, but eventually paid it all off and I have never regretted it!

So to answer your question H, I didn't choose the 968, it just happened. Like an unplanned pregnancy, except good!

notthd

I cut my teeth on a 951 in the early 90s defecting from vettes. The 951 in 87 was the fastest US imported car on the market especially the 50 - 100pmh times. It could easily walk everything out there so I had to have one. I put 260K on the silver one I had and modified it so the odds of meeting a faster car were slim. As she aged I wanted to keep the platform but a more modern looking car. The Boxsters had just come out and thier 0-60 times were within tenths of a second of the 968 and were modern. (and here is some flack- the 951 was faster) I decided on the 968 because I had so much seat time in the 951 I could drive it in my sleep. It also had a trunk. 2 sets of golf clubs actually fit in the trunk of my cab, and the styling is timeless.

Looked for a low mile cab in red or silver- found one in Atlanta. Cool part of the story is a friend Bob and I both fly. Called the seller and asked if there was an airport close by he said sure ATL. I need one I can fly a private plane into. We flew into Driskel Field, taxied over to the Airport Bar resturant, like pulling up to the tiki bar in your boat but in a plane.. Intrduced Bob as my pilot and test drove the car. It was perfect, I got in the 968, put the top down, Bob got in the plane and the rest is history.

The seller thanked me for the cash and for the story he was going to tell the guys at work ..Oh he said, can you drop me off at the house on your way......

Cheers- Mike

Go Giants

RajDatta

Actually, Alfa Romeo made the 1st production variable valve timing car.
968's were normal progression for me after owning plenty of 951 and 951S. At around 2000, I realized that the 951 was looking a little long in the tooth in the design department. I wanted an M030 968 since my previous 3-4 Porsches were 951S. After waiting a few months, I gave up on the M030 idea since none were showing up and picked up a blk/blk from a rennlister. As luck would have it, an M030 coupe showed up on AutoTrader 3 weeks later. I knew that if I wanted an M030, I needed to jump on it. So I purchased the M030 as well and kept the blk one in storage until the following spring. I sold the blk car but always felt like I missed the turbo rush.
When the white car showed up on the market, I went back to a local individual who had shown interest in my M030 coupe. I offered him the car and went ahead and put a deposit on the turbo.
Thats my story .
Regards.
Raj

SpeedBump

Had to have a cabriolet and with all of my old broken bones aching the 968 fit the bill in comfort, look, handling, etcs. Strongly considered a 993 or 964 but found the driving postion in the 968 the best fit.

H2

notthd

I agree- I have driven my 951 from Maine to Florida to San Jose with no back aches, the seating position in the 968 / 951s are much more driver friendly..

Speedbump- are those 18" RHs on your car?

SpeedBump

Yes, they are RH 3.6.

Gentleman Driver

I have been looking to get my first real sports car for a long time. I had been researching E30 and E36 M3's for the past year or so, but there are so many abused examples and I felt many of the prices were too high to justify picking one up. I was not seriously looking to buy anytime soon, but I went for a mountain drive with my father and his new 997 C2 in North Georgia and I caught the bug again. I had always wanted a 968 Coupe since my dad's 1992 Cabriolet, but I did not have the money (looking to spend between $12K and $14K). So I started looking for 944 S2's when one of my co-workers came across this '94 968 Coupe. It was the color combo I wanted, well almost, as the Amazon Green looks pretty much like a dark blue, and I jumped on the deal.
I am very happy with the purchase as it is virtually the same performance as the E36 M3 with much more style, class, and exclusivity.
I have received a lot of flack from friends about the M3, 300 ZX, and 3000GT being better values and performers, but I have no interested in the latter two and feel my car performs as well as I could want right now.
I was also driving a 2007 350Z this weekend (with the updated 306hp motor) and although the car is significantly faster than mine, it was tiny and cramped inside, and was a little too refined for me. I feel the 968 is a great compromise between comfort, utility, and sport as the suspension is not as harsh either (although I think my struts and shocks are completely gone...).

Altogether for $12K I don't think I could have found a better car, especially one that looks and sounds as good!

Cheers

rpm's S2

Great question. Like Raj, when my 944 series car (an S2 as you can probably tell from my signature) got long in the tooth I looked for my next Porsche. I looked at Boxsters real hard. Despite their somewhat 'soft' reputation they are great cars. I almost bought several low mileage 01-02 models. But I finally decided that I did not want a convertible and the interior space is just a bit tight if the top is up. I started looking for a 968 and with Damian's help found my current car in NJ.

John Etnier

I owned two 944's, one with the early interior and op-art velour seat upholstery, which I soon traded for an '86, stone grey metallic with platinum leather, rather than the nasty maroon which so many 944's shipped with. Loved that later car and was very, very aware of the 968 upon its introduction.

I still remember seeing a green 968 coupe with cashmere upholstery one summer day in my tourist town, in the early years of the car's production: I knew I had to have one. It took several years, but I bought an excellent '93 coupe in February of 2002 and have it now, almost 80K later. It still rocks.

grants_968

Progression. Owned and self restored a Mini Cooper circa 1966. Sold the Mini and in 1967 bought a Triumph TR3. Sold it and went camping in a new 1977 VW Westfalia. Sold the camper 8 years later and bought a new 1985.5 944 (new interior). After 125K miles, sold the 944 in 1993 and bought my 968. After 100k miles, wife said either renovate to current standards, or sell and buy a new sports car. I am very happy with the renovation.

I liked the smooth and rare look of the 968. I like how the car fits my 6'1" 195 pounds. The 968 offered good performance when I purchased it in 1993. The renovations done by Heritage have made my 968 an awesome machine. The front air dam, rear turbo wing, and 18” wheels add to the 968’s natural beauty. Very contemporary, but with a classic timeless look - my 968 always brings compliments.