OT: Porsche 968s, Anyone own one or know about them? Options

[gregrobbins]

Wife is OK with another Porsche to be my daily driver. She thinks my 914 is "ugly" and would like me to get a cute Porsche. My choices are 968 or Boxster.

Sure would appreciate comments and recomendations.

Thanks

[jasons]

They're Bitchin. They are basically the same platform as a 944 with some updates. The 968 has the same 3.0L motor as my 944S2. But, they added variable valve timing so they are good for like 10 more hp than mine, making total of around 220hp maybe even a little more. You have all the same concerns with one of those as a 944. Timing belts must be done religously, about every 45k miles. Ask me how I know, my car just lunched the timing belt and I knew I was pushing the mileage. Cam chain, and tensioner should be maintained too. The tensioner is known to wear out, fail, then break the chain. This can be pretty catastrophic. It can damage the head, valves, and cams. You don't want to know what that repair costs.

I don't know if they have the crappy rubber centered clutch that 944's are known for. If it does, I think the clutch job is alot easier. There is an access panel on the bellhousing to do the repairs. On a 944, you have to pull out the exhaust, transmission, central driveline, just to access the bellhousing.

Just keep in mind, they are Porsches and the parts and repairs come at Porsche prices and frequencies. Basically they aint toyotas.