928, 944, or 968? Which one to choose?

[Mrmadell]

I’m looking to jump into the transaxle world of Porsche. Given that all three are in the same condition and automatic, which is my best bet to drive one to three times a week?

[gb951]

While it is unlikely that all three are exactly the same condition, buy the one that passes a PPI with flying colors.

Look for maintenance records and as stock as possible.

[Belgian951]

I'd say the 928 would be the most expensive one to maintain.

[dr bob]

Welcome to Carpokes!

I suspect, at this point, it will come down to condition on each specific example, especially history. You qualify the question with "given all three are in the same condition...", an interesting but quite rare happening these days. Plus the deltas expand a lot depending on whether you will DIY the actual work, or farm out everything. There are very few examples of any 30+ years old Porsches that will be "worry-free but wax, gas and tires" drives.

I love my 928, and DIY everything for about 30 years now. Driving it a few times a week in the earlier years in SoCal, I spent about $2,500 a year on parts including consumables like tires and brakes. There was a local 928 parts specialist in Anaheim, something I researched in advance of purchase. There was also a 928 service specialist available had that been necessary. Sadly, the dealer service experience was dismal even then.

We've been retired or WFH in central Oregon for a decade or so now. Factory parts are available by mouse and brown truck from several sources. The driving season here is about half what it was in SoCal. No need to commute from the OC beach area to my office in Pasadena. So fewer miles. But I still end up in the ~~$2,500 annual expenses range, as some age-related needs overtake the driven-miles stuff. Local service for the 928 is just not available at all. The dealer offers 'classic' service via their local tech with remote 'expert' instruction, both reading from the workshop manuals but neither with any hands-on 928 experience at all. The Porsche density here is high, but even the non-dealer shops are hesitant to do anything more than look and maybe offer fluid services. The local PCA region has regularly sent out requests for member support for owner problems, and several area 928's have visited for help.

The local 944/968 support picture is a bit brighter, but almost all the local owners still DIY everything they can.

I regularly counsel potential owners of any 'interesting' car to identify their support logistics before purchase. Make sure you have options for services you can't or won't be able to do yourself. Visit with local owners and find support that's good, and also what's out there that isn't up to par. If you are happy with what you find, then start your car search using the same purchase guidance actual owners used or wished they had used -- find the absolute best example you can, have a full PPI done by someone knowledgeable in the model, and even then plan on a budget for catching up on things plus an ongoing maintenance budget for stuff that happens.

That perfect cheap Porsche, regardless of model, is the stuff of dreams. Until you buy one, when the nightmares start. For several decades, the market was littered with undermaintained 928's. The almost-joke at the time was that a bargain-priced car was "$10k away from being a $5k car". Regardless of how someone bought one of those, the reality is that they still needed parts and service for what in todays dollars would be a $120-200k-plus Porsche.

I've been very fortunate with mine, but that's included a lot of love and care along the way. It's never been cheap, but so far it's been a great value.


Good luck in your quest!

[CEW]

If it must be an automatic, my vote is for a nice 968. The auto trans version of these seem to be more common and more readily accepted among the masses than the auto trans equipped 944.

If a 5-speed could be considered, my vote would be for a nice 944S2.

I have no experience with the 928 but I believe they are a little more complex than their 4-cylinder counterparts.

[dr bob]

<<...>>

I have no experience with the 928 but I believe they are a little more complex than their 4-cylinder counterparts.

Engine-wise, the 4 cylinder in the 944/968 is a 928 V8 minus a bank of cylinders. To solve the vibration issues in the four cylinder cars, there's an added balance shaft. The automatic gearbox in the 928 is shared with period Mercedes cars but rear mounted for weight distribution similar to the 944/968, with a differential housing replacing the normal tailshaft extension. Suspension is double wishbones and coilovers. The availability of aftermarket replacement parts is less for the 928, undoubtedly because so many fewer were sold.

My 928 is a much more capable GT car than 'sports car'. It's a pretty effortless drive at twice the speed limit, just use the tall skinny adjust-a-speed under the right foot. It's nowhere near as tossable or nimble feeling until you are closer to at-speed, when what seemed ponderous in the parking lot graduates to settled, stable, and pretty much unflappable as you go faster. Deceptively faster. Fortunately for me anyway, the car's capabilities exceed mine, so there's a large safety margin available if I find myself in too deep.

Once you've researched your available support, drive as many different cars as you can before deciding which is best for you and your expectations. The different model families each have their own personalities and habits. After sampling, eventually one will stand out as The One. And that's when the fun only begins.

[whalenlg]

].

My 928 is a much more capable GT car than 'sports car'. It's a pretty effortless drive at twice the speed limit, just use the tall skinny adjust-a-speed under the right foot. It's nowhere near as tossable or nimble feeling until you are closer to at-speed, when what seemed ponderous in the parking lot graduates to settled, stable, and pretty much unflappable as you go faster. Deceptively faster. Fortunately for me anyway, the car's capabilities exceed mine, so there's a large safety margin available if I find myself in too deep.

M.

Ditto Dr Bobs comments. I had a few 1000 kms in the passenger seat of a new 1990 928S4 on the autobahn over 2 years, and a lot of that at 250-290km/hr. Very nice GT car and very stable at speed. I did drive it a few times, but was too heavy for me personally, which led me down the 944 path later in life.

[Wespa]

If it really has to be an auto, then a 928 is the only real option. 944 with an auto is way too slow and boring, and you won't find anyone on the planet who will want to repair a 968 auto box when it breaks.

[Spokayman]

I would recommend the 968.
The Tiptronic 4 speed auto gearbox is stout, excellent for its day, and relatively plentiful as a percentage of 968s made. The twin cam, 16 valve engine has a (rudimentary) variable valve timing system, and just about every mechanical system in the car was improved over the earlier 944 variants. Admittedly the 944S2 wasn’t too far behind, but it was not offered with an automatic transmission.
The 928 is a wonderful GT car, but it has the reputation of being much more maintenance and repair hungry than any of the other 4-cylinder transaxle cars.

[walfreyydo]

For a lightweight track or autox project car - 944 or 968

For a comfortable retro summer cruiser - 928