also thinking of buying

idwoodvale · Jan 23, 2008

Hello,

I currently have an '86 944 Lux as my fun and a Volvo S60 as my reliability. I'd really like to combine to two and have liked the 968 for a long time. I'll obviously check the sources suggested in the previous post by 'Class 86'.

I your collective experience what would you recon your running costs are anually with respect to maintenance etc and how reliable could I expect a top example to be. Possibly difficult questions I know but if anyone can give their own experience I'd be interested. I would really like one but cannot afford weeks at a time off the road etc. and would be selling both my current cars. I'm prepared to hold out for the newest, best example I can find.

The possibility of the arrival of kids needs to be considered too - can you fit a suitable baby seat in the rear of these?

PJS917 · Jan 23, 2008

Can't tell you about running costs but the 968 is not too much, I would certainly have thought it cheaper than running two cars. Reliability wise, I run my 968 as a daily driver without issue, it has only let me down once in 3+ years, so I count it as very reliable. Look for one that has good recent history, age wise I would not worry too much as long as it has been looked after.

idwoodvale · Jan 23, 2008

Thanks. Going to get some insurance quotes as I see there is a cab' for sale!

PJS917 · Jan 23, 2008

http://www.porscheclubgbforum.com/tm.asp?m=331592

If its this cab, you will find it is a very well cared for example, Dave who is selling it is a regular on here
and the car is not to far away from you, certainly worth a good hard look.

idwoodvale · Jan 25, 2008

Had chat with him the other day. Looks and sounds like a good example. I've got a few niggles to sort out with the 944 first and sell that and the Volvo but I'll certainly bear his car in mind. Might be a case of hoping he still has it in a few months and having a proper look then.

Guest · Feb 15, 2008

Ian,

I would agree with what you have been told about running costs and reliability. Running costs may well be less than the 944 when you take into consideration it would be a newer car and therefore less likely to go wrong.

As for child seats in the future, you will have a problem there! I looked into this when I bought my 968 and could not find any seats that would fit properly in the back. They are good for children of about 5/6 years up though, they fit children really well at that age until the time when they can no longer fit!

If you are considering a coupe then my car is currently for sale. It is a 92 car but only has 71k miles on the clock and you will not find a better example anywhere, it has been very well cared for.
There are pics and full spec on Pistonheads (it's the white car for sale in Worcestershire)

Andy

968 coupe

Alpine · Feb 25, 2008

I too run two cars at the moment and would prefer to run one, and maybe a 968 is the answer

With the 944, rust is becoming an issue, particularly in the cills and lower sections of the front wings, behind the wheels.

Is rust a problem yet on the 968? Am I right to think that the 968 has plastic panels along the bottom edges. Are they just covers over the metal that is on show on a 944, or are they in place of that metal?

pauljmcnulty · Feb 25, 2008

ORIGINAL: Alpine

I too run two cars at the moment and would prefer to run one, and maybe a 968 is the answer

With the 944, rust is becoming an issue, particularly in the cills and lower sections of the front wings, behind the wheels.

Is rust a problem yet on the 968? Am I right to think that the 968 has plastic panels along the bottom edges. Are they just covers over the metal that is on show on a 944, or are they in place of that metal?

The cill covers are just that - covers. If you look at one with the covers off it's not Porsche's neatest job! I'd guess that, as the bodyshell is essentially the same part, the same problems will arise but you have a few years to prepare. Would a '93 968 be too far behind a '90 944?

Running costs should be near identical to an S2, as they are near identical cars. There's probably slightly more depreciation to be had with a 968.

Only my personal opinion, but I'd say it was only worth spending the extra if you prefer the look over the 944. A really good S2 will be just as good as a 968. I'll duck for cover now....[&:]

dparslow · Feb 27, 2008

The 968 sills are different to the 944`s and unlike the 944`s, all the areas that were prone to the gravel rash, rear of the wheels and bottom of the sills are all plastic on the 968. So if you get a sound one to start with and go around it with the waxoyl there is no reason why it shouldn`t stay rust free for many years.

The 944S2/968 debate is always going to be a lengthy one, I have had 2 S2`s in the past and they are brilliant cars. All I would say is that the 968 has evolved from the already good S2, so has improved in some areas. The concept is still the same though, it`s great fun and a very practical car you can enjoy everyday if you wish to.

I`m sure if you go on the alternative 968 forum and ask about running costs you will get much wider feedback to your questions. I use mine every day and even though I do loads of miles (about 20k pa) compared to some owners its never let me down. The services and routine maintenance do seem to come round rather quickly though, but I enjoy the car so much I am prepared to live with that.

There are loads of 968`s for sale at the moment and they are great value for money at current price levels.

pauljmcnulty · Feb 28, 2008

The 968 sills are different to the 944`s and unlike the 944`s, all the areas that were prone to the gravel rash, rear of the wheels and bottom of the sills are all plastic on the 968. So if you get a sound one to start with and go around it with the waxoyl there is no reason why it shouldn`t stay rust free for many years.

Interesting point, but surely the plastic trim covers steel, and so dirt could still get trapped and create a problem if you don't waxoyl regularly, and clean out all the moisture trapping areas. How many owners actually do this? It's not stone damage that starts the problems on a 944, but moisture in the cills or salty crud trapped behind plastic trim and wheelarch liners.

sawood12 · Feb 28, 2008

Gravel rash is not an issue on 944's as far as i'm aware- it's certainly not an issue that has cropped up on the 944 forum in the 4 yrs or so i've been on there. The one and only problem with 944 sills are the issue of corrosion, which acts from the inside of the sills so the addition of the plastic sill cover is not going to do anything at all to prevent the same corrosion mechanism on the 968. So by the time you see signs of corrosion on the outside the damage has already been done and on a 968 due to the plastic sill cover you are not likely to spot the corrosion until it is at such an advanced state the sill cover starts to fall off. And again this is a problem that mainly effects (but not isolated to) the S2 and turbo models due to the plastic under sill trims that trap moisture and dirt.

968 sills are essentially the same as 944 sills - how are they different apart from the plastic cover? - and in my view are just as prone to corrosion than the 944 sills. The issue may not have reared it's head on 968's yet - it's taken the best part of 20yrs to rear its head on 944's. Also there are many more 944's on the road and therefore many more that have been used and abused. 968's were made in fewer numbers and therefore have generally been covetted more than 944's. My car is 21 yrs old this year and though is showing some signs of minor corrosion in a couple of areas (though not the sills so far, touch wood) but for a car that is used almost every day in all weathers and seasons it is in pretty fine fettle. 968 owners should take note - the majority of the 'issues' that 944's are starting to suffer are very very likely to affect the 968 given time. It is afterall a car that shares 99.9% of its DNA with.