968 Maintenance Cost
Nordschleife Master
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 5,558
Likes: 12
From: North Carolina
take the suburban. tint the windows... last thing i would want to do anywhere in SA is to draw attention to myself. just seems like a baaaad idea... but you didn't want my opinion on that. whats the deal with your 951? i may be in the market soon.
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 569
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From: Dallas, TX
The 968 that I am considering is an automatic. Because of the traffic, most of my colleagues use taxis for personal travel.
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 569
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From: Dallas, TX
Since the car would probably be driven twice a month, I am not too worried about drawing attention to myself. A 968 is not a high-end car. Many of my colleagues have new Porsche Cayennes. I would have considered a Cayenne, but I do not have the budget for it.
Below is a link to my 951.
https://rennlist.com/forums/944-turb...944-turbo.html
Without a doubt, it is the fastest car I have ever owned. However, it is too over the top and not pleasant to drive. It has been a DE day car only.
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Pro
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 569
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From: Dallas, TX
I visited the car at the dealership today. Any advice on a fair price?
I was a little disappointed in this 968.
- 1995 Red 968 Convertible
- Clean CARFAX
- 59,000 miles
- No maintenance history
- Car sent to auction after a trade-in at the local Porsche dealer (Porsche dealer has another 95 968 on its lot with 101k miles)
- Current dealer is 3rd tier
- Aftermarket wheels and tires (265/35-18, rear) that look awkward and extend beyond fenders by 5 mm
- Minor cosmetic problems such as the 968 emblem is broken off
- Car turns over very slowly before starting (maybe weak battery)
- Car idles slightly rough
Once again, I am looking to take a car to Bogota, Colombia. I will not be driving the car much and expect it to get banged up because of the driving conditions.
If I were to purchase this car, I would want to go back to stock wheels and tires. Before the car leaves the country, I would have all required service done.
I am considering other cars, but if I could get this one for a really good price, I would consider it.
Any input on a price that would make this a good deal?
I was a little disappointed in this 968.
- 1995 Red 968 Convertible
- Clean CARFAX
- 59,000 miles
- No maintenance history
- Car sent to auction after a trade-in at the local Porsche dealer (Porsche dealer has another 95 968 on its lot with 101k miles)
- Current dealer is 3rd tier
- Aftermarket wheels and tires (265/35-18, rear) that look awkward and extend beyond fenders by 5 mm
- Minor cosmetic problems such as the 968 emblem is broken off
- Car turns over very slowly before starting (maybe weak battery)
- Car idles slightly rough
Once again, I am looking to take a car to Bogota, Colombia. I will not be driving the car much and expect it to get banged up because of the driving conditions.
If I were to purchase this car, I would want to go back to stock wheels and tires. Before the car leaves the country, I would have all required service done.
I am considering other cars, but if I could get this one for a really good price, I would consider it.
Any input on a price that would make this a good deal?
Burning Brakes
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 1,170
Likes: 9
From: Portugal
Nothing worse than trying to get a bargain Porsche. If you like it then get a PPI so you know what $$$ you might be getting into.
Taking a potentially unreliable car to bogota still sounds like a bad idea though and a Porsche would as others have said may draw unwelcome attention.
I would think you should take a reliable SUV that'll be easy to fix locally.
Taking a potentially unreliable car to bogota still sounds like a bad idea though and a Porsche would as others have said may draw unwelcome attention.
I would think you should take a reliable SUV that'll be easy to fix locally.
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 569
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From: Dallas, TX
Nothing worse than trying to get a bargain Porsche. If you like it then get a PPI so you know what $$$ you might be getting into.
Taking a potentially unreliable car to bogota still sounds like a bad idea though and a Porsche would as others have said may draw unwelcome attention.
I would think you should take a reliable SUV that'll be easy to fix locally.
Taking a potentially unreliable car to bogota still sounds like a bad idea though and a Porsche would as others have said may draw unwelcome attention.
I would think you should take a reliable SUV that'll be easy to fix locally.
I already have a Chevrolet Suburban and a Jeep Commander. Neither of these cars can go to Bogota because they will not fit in the parking garage and they will not fit on many of the local roads. I do not fit in small SUVs but do fit in 944s and 968s. I need a small car that I still fit in.
Not too concerned about the make of the car. Most of my colleagues drive BMWs and Mercedes. There a few 911s as well.
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Burning Brakes
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 1,170
Likes: 9
From: Portugal
If you do go ahead with the 968 purchase don't go to a dealer for an inspection. Unlikely they'll have anyone with working knowledge of the car due to its age etc. (I don't own a 968, so I'm assuming this).
I'd suggest a local Porsche specialist that sees these cars frequently and so knows what to look for. Just my 2c.
I'd suggest a local Porsche specialist that sees these cars frequently and so knows what to look for. Just my 2c.
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 569
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From: Dallas, TX
My employer provides transportation to and from work. Most of my colleagues use taxis for running errands. A personal car is a backup for when other transportation is not available. I do not expect that my car will see much time out of the garage.
Racer
Joined: May 2011
Posts: 364
Likes: 1
Less than $10K for that car with no maintenance history, goofball wheels and simple cosmetic things ignored.
More to the point, what will it cost to fix once you're there? Little problems may become insurmountable based on a complete lack of parts or service?
More to the point, what will it cost to fix once you're there? Little problems may become insurmountable based on a complete lack of parts or service?
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 569
Likes: 0
From: Dallas, TX
If you do go ahead with the 968 purchase don't go to a dealer for an inspection. Unlikely they'll have anyone with working knowledge of the car due to its age etc. (I don't own a 968, so I'm assuming this).
I'd suggest a local Porsche specialist that sees these cars frequently and so knows what to look for. Just my 2c.
I'd suggest a local Porsche specialist that sees these cars frequently and so knows what to look for. Just my 2c.
I still have a few months to choose a car and am sure other 968s will become available. I will be looking at everything.
I am just curious, at what price does this car become a good deal?
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 569
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From: Dallas, TX
I had a similar issue with Jeep parts in Africa and it worked out OK. In Nigeria, most SUVs were Toyotas, Mercedes or Rovers. While I was there, I never saw another Jeep. Because of the terrible gasoline, bad roads and a driver that didn't care how hard he pushed the SUV, it was broken all the time.
Believe it or not, in Nigeria, Porsche Cayennes were fairly popular and the local dealers provided the service.
Racer
Joined: May 2011
Posts: 364
Likes: 1
Gotcha. Wasn't sure if you're counting on it as a daily driver. But if you can live without it for a month at a time (some jobs require more parts when you get into it, and that's two or more shipping cycles), at least your expectations are in the right place.
And, not to be overly pessimistic, but there is literally no point where these cars become a "good deal". I've owned three front-engined water-cooled P-cars, one from each generation of the 9[2,4,68] line over the past two decades, and given the maintenance they require their "dealiness" can only be measured by your tolerance level.
And, not to be overly pessimistic, but there is literally no point where these cars become a "good deal". I've owned three front-engined water-cooled P-cars, one from each generation of the 9[2,4,68] line over the past two decades, and given the maintenance they require their "dealiness" can only be measured by your tolerance level.
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 569
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From: Dallas, TX
Gotcha. Wasn't sure if you're counting on it as a daily driver. But if you can live without it for a month at a time (some jobs require more parts when you get into it, and that's two or more shipping cycles), at least your expectations are in the right place.
And, not to be overly pessimistic, but there is literally no point where these cars become a "good deal". I've owned three front-engined water-cooled P-cars, one from each generation of the 9[2,4,68] line over the past two decades, and given the maintenance they require their "dealiness" can only be measured by your tolerance level.
And, not to be overly pessimistic, but there is literally no point where these cars become a "good deal". I've owned three front-engined water-cooled P-cars, one from each generation of the 9[2,4,68] line over the past two decades, and given the maintenance they require their "dealiness" can only be measured by your tolerance level.
I know what you mean by "good deal". I have had many 924s, 944s and a 928s in the past. I had one 924S that was in sorry mechanical shape when I bought it. I put $3,500 into it immediately and drove it for 80,000 miles without any issues. I only changed the oil, tuned it up and did a timing belt. On the other hand, one of the 944s I bought I thought was in great shape turned out to be nightmare (89 NA and dropped it like hot potatoe). My current 944 is mechanically rock solid, but has an afinity for electrical issues. If there is a formula for choosing a reliable car, I have not found it.
I have never had a 968 before and was looking for some insights. Ultimately, I want something slightly cosmetically rough but mechanically solid. If I can get something cheap, I don't mind making an immediate investment to make it solid. At least if I pay to have work done in the U.S. at a reliable shop, I know it was done correctly.
Thanks for the input.