Not motorsports but...learn me Porsche 968

...or talk me out of it?

This is more of a "Hi, I'm Greg, and I have a problem" moment, but I've got my eyes on a driver-quality Porsche 968 that a buddy wants me to buy from him. I'm not asking about the car specifically, though if you have some tips, I'm'a listenin'.

No, this is more about Greg asking for guidance on how good of a daily this car could be, in the context of someone that has gotten softer in old(er) age, works 99.5% remotely from home, and just noticed that he'd not put fuel in his 2011 GTi since the first week of June. And he also has a '74 Porsche 914 sitting in the garage for the bright cool sunny days to bang around in, plus a Ford Excursion for towing and long trips.

So this 968 would probably be a replacement for the '11 GTi, a car that I adore. It has been a fantastic car for me for 12 years and has never let me down. It has taken me to work and trips, and to many race tracks, though that latter mission has mostly been replaced lately with the Excursion towing an RV trailer (a buddy of mine brings our race cars to the track). And if I need to take a longer trip then I could take my wife's (incredibly uninspiring) '16 Golf Wagon or the Excursion (with much more space for the wife and the dogs).

So I have an itch. I don't know if it's a good one or a bad one. But it's there.

Cons? I suppose I could keep the GTi but honestly the 968 would make it redundant. The GTi has a better interior layout, more space, and less NVH (and a better radio; I need me some Bluetooth streaming). Its cost of ownership is oil changes and gas. And I don't care what you think but I just love that DSG (esp now that it's tuned), especially in traffic. I'd really miss it.

Pros? It's a Porsche 968. And being older than 25 years I'd be able to run it on Classic plates for less property tax, lower registration costs, no emissions testing, and lower insurance rates (and stated value coverage to boot). Not only would it be a Porsche 968 but it would be cheaper to own and operate than the GTi.

And I imagine the 968s have already bottomed out in price and will, at a minimum, hold their value.

This particular one is a good mechanical version (I know its current and prior owners) but I'd call it "driver's condition" on paint and interior. Leather is not split but could use some cleaning and replenishment. Paint looks like it got a slap-it-on Maaco job some years ago that the current owner tried to knock down but it's still flat (maybe a detail shop could revive it but I'd not count on that). Current owner, someone I race with a trust explicitly, has kept it in good mechanical nick, belts, tensioner, etc. Added the good rear swaybar and some Konis, Hawk pads, might need tires next year. I'm not worried about the mechanical condition of the car, and I can see what I'm getting for everything else.

So if I pare back the "daily" from the GTi to the 968, and still have my 914, I'd have a car to drive all year (I'd do that with the 914 but for lack of A/C) and can reasonably trust to drive to NJMP or WGI on a moment's notice (I've done it with the 914, and only in cool weather, but I feel like a "long-tailed cat in a rocking chair convention" in Northeast urban/suburban areas and the New Jersey Turnpike). I'd still keep the 914, of course, it still gets the looks and carries a different "panache" than a 90s front-engine/RWD Porsche...

Dunno, maybe find a way to buy the 968 and see how it fits into the paradigm, then decide later about the GTi (and have a heart-to-heart again on the 914).

Yeah, maybe that's the ticket. Maybe not, but maybe so. I guess we'll see.

Thanks for listening.- GA

It doesn't sound like you are interested in the 968.  

Cool car and all, but it just doesn't seem like it fits the current scenario.

Was thinking similarly to the above. Yeah its being offered to you and it's kinda interesting but doesn't seem like you're really feeling it. 

Fair points, there's some of that.

The one thing that's hit home to me over the last three years (since going remote work due to COVID, which will never change or I'm retiring) is that I'm not using the GTi much (12k miles since COVID was announced). I do like that car but I also hate letting mechanical stuff hang around. I've sold more things due to non-use: an airplane I wasn't using because I'm racing, a race car I'm not using because I'm racing a different race car, things like that.

I just don't have a solid mission for a GTi any more (though I've actually given serious thought to making it a Touring 4 car...no, no, bad Greg!)

In a good world, the 914 would be my driver and the truck my cruiser/tow vehicle. But I'm spoiled and I want good A/C for the summer (none in the 914) and decent heat for the winter (the 914 is good down to around freezing, then it just doesn't have the BTUs to cover Connecticut winters with leaky windows/doors). Plus, I won't drive the 914 in the winter because I can actually hear it rusting when that first dusting of liquid magnesium chloride is sprayed on the roads (that sh...tuff is evil). So that puts the 914 as a irregular driver to go to Lime Rock Park kinda car.

In a smart world, I'd sell the GTi and not replace it, and drive the 914 on nice days and use the Excursion for daily needs (at 4k miles per year I'm not really noticing the higher price of diesel). But I'm clearly not smart in that regard.

The 968 would fit in between: occasional driver/cruiser. Not (yet) truly a classic car, but also not a modern comfy cruiser. Decent compromise or worst of both worlds?

Dunno. I'm thinking if I get it at a good price then worst case I realize it's not for me and move on. I'd be out the sales tax (6.35% baby!), reg costs, and pro rata insurance. Dump it before October and it won't even show up on the rolls for property taxes (though classic cars in CT are valued at only $500 - yep, even on your Ferrari F40 - so that would only be $16).

Will these things ever find themselves in a sweet spot for values? Porsche only made around 4500 of them. - GA

The 968 would be cheaper to own and operate... until it is not.   Then the Porsche tax will set in.

There is probably a reason the GTi would sell in a blink.

Like the first two responses, it sounds like you're trying to talk yourself into something you aren't sure about.

I always thought the front end of the 968 just looked awkward with the 928 headlights.  Anyways, they've got all the problems of the earlier 944S2's.  Oil leaks, timing belts every 30k miles, hatch glass delaminates, torque tubes need bearings, clutch, oil pan gasket, plus the vario ram bolts.

These are great cars that are now old and if they haven't been fastidiously maintained and the owner has the records to prove it, *will* bury you financially...

Zero experience w/the 968:  RE: Classic Plates:  Because I've considered it w/other cars...most states actually restrict use to weekends & occasional errands (and specifically prohibit regular to/from work).  I presume 99% of people who use classic plates because they're cheaper never have a problem & could get away with a warning if questioned.  The tax impact may present more risk of getting hassled.  

FYI, 968 has a rear transaxle, so clutch replacement is a very, very significant task.  

I loved my 968! I still think they are beautiful, comfortable, great-driving cars. After the 968, I enjoyed a similar 944S2 for about 20 years and over 100,000 miles (before selling it to Javelin, because I bought another special-to-me Porsche.)  Values for the 968 seem to have taken off, as they were never built in large numbers. Even at events like Porsche Parade, you don't see many 968s. Obviously an old Porsche can be expensive to repair, but parts are available and there are still mechanics out there who know the cars. Compared to 944s,  it seems like a higher proportion of 968s have been well cared for, since they were relatively expensive cars to begin with.