Possible problem with the Porsche Plan
 

As many of you know, I aspire to own a Porsche 928, preferably a S4 model (1987-1991). As we are in the midst of buying a house, a house at the very top of what I can afford (I think the wife did this on purpose), I might have to postpone or totally write off this dream. Although I still want to make it work, I may have to make some compromises. I'm thinking I could go older, a S model 928, or maybe even a 944 as they are cheaper to own and more importantly, cheaper to fix. That got me thinking, what about a 944 S2 or even a 968? Or dare to dream, an older (pre-86) 911. Then it hit me. I loved the open air experience of that Mercedes-Benz SL600. How about a 944 or 968 Cabriolet? The 968 is really a looker. I found a nice 968 Cabrio for $14k. Still I would have to wait until 2007 or so. So here's the point. What do you guys think? And also can anyone dig up some credible 0-60 and 1/4 mile times for a 928 S4, 944, 944 S2, and 968? Thanks.

Dan

sometimes you have to set it straight.

http://www.owned.com/Owned_Pictures/...lowned.jpg.jpg

:eek: :) :cool: :D :D :D

Here's some sites to get you started:

http://www.clarks-garage.com/951faq.htm

http://www.petting-zoo.net/~gkm/944.html

This guy has a pretty interesting website on the 944 that includes some 0-60 stats:

http://www.geocities.com/MotorCity/Pit/4786/

...and this link is to a C&D test of the Porsche 968 vs Corvette, 300ZX TT, 3000GT VR-4, RX-7 and Supra TT.

http://www.300zx.cl/ga/300zx/images/high.html

Enjoy! :)

-Chike

I actually remember reading that article from Car & Driver when I looked at it. Wow, the 968 finished last. Of course it was up against the best Japan had to offer in 93, Twin turbo Nissan, Turbo Supra, RX-7, and a V-8 Vette from the USA. It's only a 3.0L 4 cylinder. But 245hp is more then the SVX, and it weighs less. Plus it had either a 6 speed or the Tiptronic 4 speed auto. It looks amazing in Guards Red as a Cabriolet. The dealer that let me drive the silver 928 S4 and the black SL600, has 4 red 944's. They had a white 944 Turbo, but it sold quick. They also have a pre 1980 911S (no 17 character VIN) with a manual. I'd still like a 928, but a 968 Cabriolet is becoming very intriguing. Plus the convert doesn't have the greatest flaw listed in the 944/968, rear hatch shake.

928 > 944/968

944 Turbos have a lot of potential, but its going to be very hard to find one in excellent condition - ones that aren't can empty your wallet quickly. 968 is a great handling car, but it just doesn't have the build quality or the power.

if you need some encouragement (these are worth the wait to download) ...... :D
928 shows Ferrari its taillights

928 vs. Z06 track video

928 tearing up the track

500 or 600 SL :cool:

My first choice is still a 928 S4, but a convertible Porsche sounds awesome. I found a nice looking 1979 911 Targa in Hilton Head for $13,500. I really like the 968 Cabriolet in Guards Red. It looks baby Ferrari-ish. If you are going to have a weekend play car, a convertible sounds like a better choice then a hardtop. I have about 14-18 months to get a plan together. I could also get an older 82-86 1/2 928 S. The S4 had a much improved motor and a slightly different body and revised taillights. As for the SL, I'm still hoping to inherit my wife's grandfather's SL, a 1984 280SL. The 280 was never "officially" imported by Mercedes-Benz. The US only got the 380 and 450 in the mid 80's. The interior, trans, and motor were all redone.

This intrigues me:

Porsche
 

Hi Dan, Road& Track magazine has had articles on various Porsche models as used cars over the years and might have some or all of them posted on the web site. Remember by lowering your level of car you are likely going to get into dropping a lot more bucks to keep it going. Take care, BOBB

Parts and most replaced items are cheaper on the 924/944/968 series then on the 928. The 928 was the GT flagship, the 924/944/968 was the entry level car. I drove a 924 and a 928. I still want to try a 944. Yes the 928 is my first choice, but the silver S4 I drove needed the A/C replaced. Cost? $2,187.70. Ouch. Plus a convert with the wind in my hair is starting to get me excited. And a 911 convert is out of my league.

I seen several 944 turbos and not going for under 2.5k although they were intended fixers all ran and had at least 70% oustide and inside.

Having owned a White 1980 5 spd 928 let me ask you a few questions. Do you have a garage as you don't want a car like this sitting outside all the time. How good are you at working on electrical systems, you better be real good. What kind of driving do you want to do? The shop manuals consist of 9 big binders. It is much cheaper to spend more on the up front purchase price than fixing problems after. How tall/big are you, the 928 has great room, don't now about the 944, 968. The 928 was at least 10 years ahead of it's time.

The house we are buying has an oversized 2 car garage. I drove a 1987 928 S4 and found it to be a wonderful car. I'm about 6'1" to 6' 2", 200 lbs. I rode in a 924 when I was much younger. I will be trying out a 944 soon. The 968 would be tougher to find. I saw on the 968.net site there were only 12,775 of them made. Kind of like the German equivalent of the SVX, just faster and with a 6 speed. Of course I want a cabriolet. We'll have to see.

problem solved - the 928 Spyder Moderne. :D

http://www.spyderwerks.com/graphics/a-front%20low+.jpg

http://www.spyderwerks.com/graphics/...0low%20res.jpg

Okay... I'm gonna be a little ass holeish about this (sorry)

Are you a chick?
(I didn't think so)
Are you trying to pick up a chick?
(I heard a wifey comment)

Then ditch the convertible.

My friend is a 951 (944 turbo) fanatic. Hes had about 5 or 6 titles to 951s in the past 2 years. They are really not that expensive, and things are not that hard to fix. Parts are a $$$ heavy on the wallet, but thats what you get with any porsche. If you were to buy a 951 for say 12K or so, put about 2K worth of some aftermarket parts, your car would be FASTER than a 928, easily. 944s were severely detuned from the factory due to traction issues, and the fact that they didn't want the "sport" model of their entry level car to be faster than either one of their flagships.

They make amazing track cars and because they are more common than 928s, they have a NASA "series" just for them (if you're into this)
The interior isn't that plush (I was slightly dissappointed with my friends) at least comapred to an SVX, however you have to think of the time differential.

And 968s are gutless. So are 924s... I really don't think either was worth the p-car badge.

And for a good resource for information. Go to rennlist. After you sift through the retarded rich owners of the new gt3s and gt2s asking where they would go about finding that thingy to let the oil out, there are a lot of people like you who have been dreaming for that p-car for a long time and are finally able to afford it. With 951's aftermarket, they just broke the 500 hp on stock internals mark. ( Oh yeah, and once you start researching the porsche aftermarket, realize that half of those vendors are FULL OF CRAP. Vendors charge porsche owners rediculous amounts of money for standard off the shelf parts.)

Its your decision, however If you can't get the 928 (my personal porsche of choice) the 951 is the next best thing.

not that far removed from SVX parts - just don't buy them from a Porsche dealer, mailorder for the win.

the problem is, its hard to find a 951 is good condition. before you sink the $2k in aftermarket parts in, you'll have to sink a lot more in to just get it staight. with a $650 exhaust (928's have a VERY restrictive, library quiet factory exhaust) and $300 Autothority chips, my 928 was no slouch. several supercharger kits are available for some insane power, if you want to go that route.


the 968's are nice-looking cars, but they are gutless. the 924 was an entry-level car for Porsche. the 968 wasn't about mad power, though - it had great handling and braking.


after being a Rennlist regular for many years, i've seen many former 944/951 owners get a 928 and then post about how there is no comparison. the VW/Porsche collaborated 924-based 944's just aren't in the same league as the flagship that was the first car ever designed entirely by Porsche from the ground up. if you get to drive a well-cared for 928, you'll understand

BTW, Tigershark, my buddy is probably selling his '76 911 Targa in the spring. he had the fenders flared last year and it was repainted "Ferrari red". redid the interior, and wide Fuchs wheels. haven't seen it in a while because he moved kinda far, and i don't know how much he's looking to get for it (i'm guessing $10k- $15k :confused: ).

The convertible thing is because of the amount of fun I had driving the SL600 Mercedes-Benz. It was the first convertible I had driven and it was an awesome experience. The 968 is a great looking car, especially in converible form. If I had my choice, it's still a 928 S4, but I was intigued with the lower cost of ownership of the 944/968. They are both running about the same money on ebay and autotrader.com. I'll have to see what's available in Jan 2007.

I wish I had never sold my 928. Check out this link.
http://www.eatel.net/~dslabat/928links.htm

The older 911's are great cars as well. I found a 79 Targa in Hilton Head, S.C. online. He recently lowered it to just under $10k. The 968 has a great look to it. And if you are going to have a fun play car, a convertible makes sense. Hence the Boxster, Z3/Z4, TT, etc... I was almost considering a SL after driving the 600. But I've always wanted a Porsche so it will be one, someday. The 928 S4 is my dream so I will probably stick with it. Maybe I'll have owned both in my life someday! :)

used prices are comming down for the boxsters (almost did this about 2 years ago....) Personally I would be into an Audi TT if it was me though. :D

HA HA! the second link is my old 928 webpage. that has been dead for years. time to clean up the dead links on that site. :D

I joined 968.net to get some info. I was looking for a similiar 928 site like this one, but I haven't found any yet.

Oh, and there is a 928.net, but I can't seem to do anything with it. The 968 site is way slow compared to here. I posted a few days ago and am still the third thread listed.

Rennlist - try the 928 and 968(?) forums.

Today has been relatively slow here as well.

fixed yu0r post.

Friend of mine just found a 2000 Boxster S with about 7000 miles on it. Don't know what he paid but I don't think it was that much.

A quick search of Ebay shows a couple that have Buy-it-Now price's in the low 20K range.

http://search.ebay.com/search/search...r+S&category0=

-Chike

from the classifieds in the local paper:

968 '93,6-speed, leather, mnrf, exc cond, $9,988 Shultz Ford - Wexford (724)934-2388


no color given in ad. :confused:

Just because you and ca$h are not debating the build quality of neons, and the GM threads have been slightly less freqent than normal does not mean the FORUM is slow... Just your ability to post is limited :eek:

Just kidding :p :p

nah, its been just plain slow. NASIOC is too damn fast to keep up with, but LGT.com seems just about right as far as pace goes. this place is a little on the slow side.


N30ns are the gr3at0rest, BTW.

LOL! Nice one Alan! :D :D :D

-Chike

Yeah, I know what you mean... When I'm bored at work I either read forums, or read articles online... but you can't expect this board to keep up with boards that have 10+ times the number of members.

By the way... www.turnfast.com is excellent reading. (random)

I know Greg thinks convertibles are for chicks, but I really enjoyed the SL600. This is becoming tough to decide. If I get a 968 it will be a convertible. If I was going to get a coupe, it would be a 928. I wish I could get both, but that seems unlikely.

I disagree that 951's are hard to find in reasonably good shape. I was looking at buying one last year, but sadly, that college tuition thing reared its ugly head. You can find one in great condition for about 12k. This is definitely on the high end of the spectrum for them, but worth it if it comes with a complete service history. Make sure the timing belt has been changed regularly, the clutch is still good (if it is an earlier model, make sure the clutch has been replaced), and ALWAYS take it for a PCI (porsche certified inspection) prior to purchase.

The 968 had many similar problems to the 944 and 928, make sure there is a good service history. Convertibles are great fun, but if you go with a Porsche, I would personally keep a hard top. Don't want to ruin the superb handling.

If you don't have the funds or the Porsche-specific knowhow, definitely stay away from the 911. May be cheap to buy, but definitely are not cheap to own.

Rennlist.com/forums is an excellent source of knowledge, as Greg mentioned.

There is a real nice Guards Red 944 Turbo (951) modded out to an alleged 350hp at the wheels for $10k OBO in Rocherster, NY on Rennlist. They only have a few 928 S4s. It's fun to peruse and dream.

drool, guards red is a nice color. It is hard to keep clean though. I prefer black with a linen interior. Gotta love Silver Rose as well ('88 951 S).

drool, guards red is a nice color. It is hard to keep the magnificence of it though. I prefer black with a linen interior. Gotta love Silver Rose as well ('88 951 S).

Black over Tan is my favorite color combo on the 928 with Guards Red over Tan a close second. With the 968 Convert, I like the Guards Red over Black.