Porsche 968
ENGINE 2990cc/4-cyl/DOHC POWER 237bhp@6200rpm TORQUE 225lb ft@4100rpm MAXIMUM SPEED 154mph 0-60MPH 7.6 sec FUEL CONSUMPTION 15-24mpg TRANSMISSION RWD, four-speed Tiptronic MoT Feb 2019 ODOMETER 172,384 miles
WHAT’S IT LIKE TO DRIVE?
As with all 968s, this car feels tough and well-engineered. The auto-manual Tiptronic gearbox is a joy to use, allowing you to keep the engine revving above 4500rpm to fully exploit the power of the three-litre fourcylinder engine. The handling is sublime, with only a slight pull to the left under braking. The steering is responsive and has a good weight to it. The brakes are strong and the car does not judder or vibrate when stopping. There are no nasty noises from the engine, gearbox or differential and the car behaves well on the road.
BODYWORK CHECK
The galvanised body is free from corrosion but there are a couple of small areas of chipped paint on the underside of the plastic side skirts and fine scratches on the nearside rear bumper. The wheels would benefit from a refurbishment. Generally the paintwork is good and none of these blemishes detract from the overall look and condition of the exterior. The windscreen rubber is intact and there is no evidence of rust. All the tyres – including the space saver spare – are good, and the panels under the boot carpet and around the battery are sound.
HOW’S THE INTERIOR?
As hard-wearing as the 968 interior is, light fabrics do show up dirt and the front leather seats are a little grubby. That said, their structure is still very good and they remain comfortable and supportive. Porsche build quality is evident everywhere inside the car and all the switches, gauges and electrics work perfectly, including the pop-up headlights. The sunroof shows no signs of leaking and operates correctly. The dash has not cracked and the chunky three-spoke leather steering wheel is wearing well, although the rear view mirror has suffered some discolouration. The car is fitted with a later CD stereo head unit.
UNDER THE BONNET
The whole bay area, including the engine itself, is clean and tidy. The oil is clean and healthy and at the correct level. The exhaust – including the manifolds – is in great condition and the joins and mounts appear to be robust. It does not smoke at all, either under load or at start-up. The fact that the car does not bog down or hesitate under load and pulls well through all the gears suggests that it has been serviced correctly.
THE CCW VIEW
Like its 944 cousin, the 968 has almost perfect 50/50 front/rear weight distribution. Coupled with that potent engine, it makes for a real driver’s car. Often dismissed as a poor man’s 911 or a 944 re-hash, it’s a great Porsche in its own right. You don’t see many and this one has managed to retain all the features that made it such a good car on its release.
EXTERIOR Paint flaking beneath skirts INTERIOR Excellent build quality, great seats MECHANICALS Planted handling, positive steering and brakes