I would not do it. An older high performance sports car with 100k. No thanks. I recently drove a porsche for a friend to a car show for him. Had under 100k by quite a bit. It just did not impress me. It was ok, but nothing that made me say, "wow".

Pretty sure you could burn $2k up just in tires.

I think you are asking for trouble. But if you have to have one.

A 30-year old car worth less than $15K should not cost too much to insure I think, even if it does have a Porsche nameplate.

Of course we are talking about a responsible adult, not a teenager with his first car.

Do.

It.

I love the look of the 968s! Admittedly I've never driven one. I think they're available with a turbo engine and a NA option. I know it probably doesn't mean much, but it was the last front engine car Porsche made until the cayenne and panamera (and Macan now), which is kinda cool. If this one falls through, 944 turbos are a ton of fun too. If you need help with transport let me know, I'll get you in touch with my guy! Also, depending on the city you're in I may have a shop I deal with local to you to help with maintenance work.

And now for something completely different, Renegade Hybrids out of Las Vegas does GM LS-series V-8 conversions on Porsches. Early Boosters with blown engines can be bought very cheaply, the GM V-8's cost significantly less than the Porsche flat 6 and make a whole lot more power. A buddy of mine who is a Porsche mechanic was talking about one of these that came through their shop. Said it was one of the funnest cars he had ever driven.

http://www.renegadehybrids.com

A 968 Wouldn't be my first choice, but it's your money. If $15k is something you are comfortable spending for a weekend fun toy, you are comfortable with the likely maintenance upkeep, and won't have to depend on it as a daily driver then go for it. I spent nearly twice that on my current motorcycle and haven't regretted it a bit.

Now if it was a 911 (any variant) I'd be all over it. I love 911s. Tons of grip up until the point they decide to try to kill you. They have personality. That personality might be a serial killer, but they sure have one.

I had an '89 944 S2 which is essentially the same car except for the vario cam and 6 speed transmission.
I raced that car with the original motor to over 100K miles without any issues. It basic maintenance.
These cars are bulletproof and with their near perfect 50/50 weight distribution will handle as good as any car out there at legal speeds.

For 13K it's a no brainer....do it

Wow. The breadth of replies has been awesome, and I really appreciate the thought that has been put into them.

I've talked it over with my managing director (i.e. wife) and she has given the OK!

Now all that remains is to have the car taken to have a pre-purchase inspection, and if all is good we will proceed.

CPD - about that shotgun call... we are actually neighbors! I live just north of the loop in Chicago.

cmr076 - thanks for the thoughts! The car is actually in Milwaukee, if it's in as good shape as it appears (and based on PPI) I will drive it down to Chicago next weekend. I would love any recs for a shop in the Chicago area, however.

 
My pleasure vehicle is a nice cane.
 

968 with 100 k miles run the other way, I have owed several Porsches and you asking for a nightmare.


here is a 2001 Porsche boxster 43 k miles right in your budget.

there are tons of Porsches out there.

http://www.autotrader.com/cars...OR&modelCode1=BOXSTE

quote:

Originally posted by henryaz:
 
My pleasure vehicle is a nice cane.
 

In a way, also good advice. IMO, carpe diem, the cane can wait!

I owned a 924s for a few years and it was fun but extremely expensive to maintain. The ac fan went out and cost as much as the car to replace because of the labor involved.

I've always loved the 968 but I think the days where they would be a good choice are gone.

I'd buy a Miata or the new fiata.

From what you have described, this isn't your primary mode of transportation and the price seems really good. You sound like a guy who manages his money well, so it doesn't sound like you are throwing away "butter and egg" money on a whim. And it you have really thought this through.

How many times do you get to go around in this life? Get the Porsche. Have fun.

quote:

Originally posted by reloader-1:
Thanks for the responses, and keep them coming!

Some quick notes/updates:

Price is actually around $13k, and it is a coupe (which I prefer). The exterior and interior color combination is exactly what I am looking for, and it's one of only 50ish 968's to come in that combo.

It is a 6 speed manual, and has had the timing belt and water pump replaced within the last year/10k miles.

I'm looking for it to be a weekend escape car, and fun to drive. Not looking for the fastest, or best accelerating vehicle out there - more interested in great handling and feel.

quote:

Originally posted by reloader-1:
cmr076 - thanks for the thoughts! The car is actually in Milwaukee, if it's in as good shape as it appears (and based on PPI) I will drive it down to Chicago next weekend. I would love any recs for a shop in the Chicago area, however.

I'll make a few calls for you

quote:

Originally posted by armedprof:
The only thing that looks better than a Cayman from behind is J.Lo.

Think this every day I peek in garage. Yet another reason to alway back in!

Great thread! I've looked at the Cayman off and on.

Something like this Cayman

This message has been edited. Last edited by: Riley,

I won't tell you what to do , but, ask yourself, How many bicycles will it hold ? or 50 inch tv's or piano benchs ?

quote:

Originally posted by bendable:
I won't tell you what to do , but, ask yourself, How many bicycles will it hold ? or 50 inch tv's or piano benchs ?

Not sure if serious, but one generally doesn't buy a Porsche to haul bicycles or flat screen TVs. . .

That Porsche will give you months/years of good use. They are very well built machines. My father had always had at least one such car to 'putter around' in. Besides his 1994 Porsche 968, at various times he had a 1981 and 2002 Vette, a 68 Camaro, a 70 Mustang (all convertibles except for the T-tops on the '81 Vette),. . . He didn't have them as an 'only car;' these were specifically purchased for nice weather Sunday drives and for getting away from it all for short trips.

I would come home on leave and borrow whatever one he had insured at the time, and just go on 'mind-clearing' drives. Put the top down, no music, no company; just a nice country drive on paved roads. It was incredibly therapeutic. . .

I only wish I had the finances at this stage of my life to be able to have something of my own.

And if you buy it and don't like it or use it, then you can likely sell it for nearly as much as you spent on it. It's only money, after all.

Thanks for the great responses from everyone - I drove the car myself, and based on the work that had to be done as well as "gut feel", I walked away.

On to the next one!

I'm happy that you were able to be rational about your assessment of the 968. If you're still searching, look at the Cayman.