JBC1

All,

I'm thinking about moving from an 83 944 to a 968. The allure of more HP (143 to 236 hp is significant) without a turbo is enticing. The S2 is also a consideration (but not 236 hp)as this helps open up the search to find the best example for the money.

I read a lot, on this forum and others, about the 968. I looked at one so far. To me, the build quality on the 968 was excellent.

Some folks pulled the 968 engine and complain that it is too troublesome to maintain. I've heard the same from some 944 owners. So far, I have not had that sort of experience with my 944. I have had to do work on the car, new engine mounts, timing belt, balance belts, master cylinder, slave and replace hood struts, proper oil changes, coolant flushes, etc., etc. but most of this is expected. It is the same with any vehicle.

I must say that I would not purchase a 968 that had been abused. I'd buy a vehicle with some sheet metal or interior issues and proper maintenance records but not the other way around.

So, any folks out there in 968 land willing to share some thoughts? Anyone moved from a 944 to a 968?

Thanks,
JBC

touareg

I have had an 84 944, 87 851, 1990 S2 Cabrio, 92 968 Coupe tip (don't ask) and 93 968 Coupe in that order.

I miss the turbo and the easier power, (I have my Cayenne Turbo with 550ftlbs now but other than that, get used to the high revving 4k+ motor and you love it. I was not impressed with the S2 motor on my heavier cab.

From the perspective of maintenance, the only deceiving thing on these cars, is they are so similar to the 944 but they are not on many small and fine details.

Worst part being all the little unique parts being hard to find used, since the original cars where produced in such low numbers.

It also does not help that a lot of the unique parts on this car are expensive because of the desirability to take them for upgrading 944s, such as suspension bits, 6 speed transmission, the engine, spoiler, etc.

I have also found 993 parts used on our cars are twice as much as the 944 equivalents.

Go for it, you will love it.

JBC1

I was thinking parts also due to low production numbers. I think it is worth a second look at driving a 944 turbo and the 968 before deciding on what HP upgrade is best. Maybe I'm omitting turbo too easily.

jeff968

Remember, The 968 is the final evoluition and it shows. many of the 944 issues were resolved by the 968.

Many of us came from 944s. I had an 87 944 Turbo but have found the 968 to be a very solid and reliable vehicle. I have owned them since 1996 and have had almost no issues other then regular maintenance. That is one reason I'm such a big fan.

Their strongest asset is their uniqueness. They always stand out in a crowd.

biosurfer1

Once in a while I daydream about what the 968 would have been if they decided to put a timing chain in there instead of the belt...sigh

ramius665

There is a timing chain on a 968. Unfortunately it also has an Achilles heel in the form of the cam tensioner pads.

thomasmryan

This may turn in to an epic thread)))

As long as you have thumbs, you can read and understand instructions, swapping out a timing belt every three years is not complicated. Three hour job divided up is an hour a year. look at the chain set up on a flat six Porsche, Subaru or a Mercedes for that matter, I will take the belt any day!!

Belt construction had changed since the 70s. Keep the tension set and don't get oil on them and breakage (engine) issues probably won't happen. The 968 set up does a better job of keeping the tension proper.


The cam pads and chain on the 3.0 is trickier on the vario but parts are less than 80 bucks...
If you study it and lock the timing, probably a 4 hour job every 60k. Adding the third mounting fastener to the vario was obviously nessesary))

Spending a hundred bucks on changing your coolant every three years is mandatory for any car with aluminum and plastic cooling system parts....no matter what make or vintage. Not following this simple schedule is quite foolish, IMHO.

24, 44 or 68, turbo or NA, oil leaks are bad.... To get to the truth of it, the longer one let's it go, the more problems you will encounter. Throwing on a $35 oil housing seal kit, say every 10 years, is a lot less headache than changing out the connecting rod bearing shells. That power steering leak can eat a $1000 in rubber parts over a 90 cent copper washer. Putting the improper fluid in the resevoir isnt the cars fault))

if one is preventative, they are actually quite cheap to maintain and enjoy. I have yet to find a part that could not be procured..

More power is always good....3000 pounds getting pushed around with a 4 cylinder is a lot of work. If you need to boast 0-60 times, sport bikes are cheap. The term 'momentum car' can be visualized on the you tube track videos...but I can see 24 or 44 owners wanting more...in the long run, we all want more power))

Get a 968.

touareg

I debated getting another turbo, or the 968 and chose the 968.

Reasons why?

Most of the poor design choices were fixed (goodbye super painful clutch job, no more dropping the transaxle.) Auto tensioner for timing belt. Replaceable fuel lines.

Platform is much newer age wise. Get a 20 year old 968 vs 30 year old 951

Turbos got to the point that the were cheap, beat to hell, and trashed; hard to find a good specimen. The 968s never really dropped below 10k from what I could see. Decent ones at least.

On paper, HP is more on the 968 than the non s turbo, about the same as the turbo S

Torque on the non s turbo is and turbo is near the same at ~250ftlbs. 968 is 225 and does not peak until 4k RPM, think it was a few K earlier on the 944 Turbo.

Torque is what makes it feel fast, and what you feel when you increase the boost.

JBC1

Thomasmryan,

I agree that timing belt changes are "made too much a do about nothing" in my opinion. My 944 has no oil leaks and the timing belt change went smoothly. Frankly,the belt gives the car a nice sound.

Additionally,the preventive maintenance notes by you are spot on. In fact, getting the Porsche engineering and quality and the maintenance required might be part of the Porsche experience.

I like the 968 specs and the look.

Now, a decision is required.

odurandina

it's exactly half a Ferrari engine....

exactly 1/2 the cost of the 8~12 cylinder Ferrari engine *(average across the board) to maintain.

I speak the truth and guarantee to within 1% accuracy and as always, am being 100% factual.

RajDatta

The 968 timing belt can easily go 5yrs +. It is quite a bit wider than a 944 belt. It's the BS belt that is shared and can cause the timing belt to break if it fails.

JBC1

ODU - your avatar makes it hard to focus.

Why is your experience different from Thomasmryan?

jeff968

Not sure about that. There was a recent article in Car and Driver on 355 ownership. It was quoted by owners that you should plan to spend $8K a year on your 355. Timing belt replacement requires that the engine be pulled which is a $10K job.

I just did the timing belts on Minty, at the dealer, for $1000. One tenth the Ferrari cost.

I've owned 968s since 1996. I'll say it again, great cars and very reliable.

Off to Indiana for the Parade in a week and not a concern about the trip.

RajDatta

Jeff, you pretty much nailed it. Just a few issues, if addressed can make these extremely reliable cars.
Timing/bs belts every 4-5 yrs and can chain every 60k. Pinion bearings have probably been addressed on every car by now.
Can't think of any other issues. Cost of ownership depends on prior maintenance. You could inherit a lot of issues if the previous owner did not address them. As they always say, buy the best car for the $$.

RajDatta

Sorry but I challenge you on your claims. I have owned 968's since 2009 and my experience has been of very reliable cars. Costs of ownership has been in 3 figures a yr when extrapolated.