Faults:

Front, off-side headlamp doesn't retract when the lights are switched off. Surprisingly, when it's cooler, it retracted OK.

The rear wiper doesn't work.

I'm not sure about the sunroof, maybe I haven't learned how to use it because the car has no handbook.

General Comments:

The best car I have ever driven, it handles like a dream and the seat matches my body perfectly - unlike so many other cars.

The power is deceptive, the car just goes & goes.

Faults:

Throttle body leaked onto Alternator which caused battery to go bad at 102,000 miles.

Small power steering fluid leak at 108,000 miles -- appears to be just a simple hose problem.

The vacuum hose next to the battery cam loose and caused all kinds of problems (especially with the air conditioner). Ironically, it took about 4 hours to diagnose, but only 15 seconds to fix.

Only fault, easy to start in Reverse instead of 1st gear (from neutral). Practice overcomes this. Or, putting it into 2nd then 1st.

General Comments:

The Porsche 968 is a powerful normally aspirated 3.0L 4 cylinder car. Especially impressive is the low end torque which peaks at 4,000 RPM.

Easy short throw shifting allows you to accelerate to 85 mph in 3rd gear. With 6 speeds, you can easily exceed 110 mph. Gear box is a close ratio and allows you to effortlessly shift for extra power or better fuel economy.

Typically average 17-21MPG with 90-92 Octane combination of local and highway and air conditioning.

Best air conditioning of any Porsche.

It handles great on the road even with worn tires and on wet roads. The front engine and rear trans-axle provide grip beyond any other car I've driven.

The brakes are typical Porsche, they stop fast run cool and have little fade.

The car is rare and gets a lot of looks and compliments.

Faults:

The only problems I have had with the car thus far were self-inflicted. I hit a curb at 90 MPH and took out the left axle, torsion tube carrier, and both left wheels. Otherwise, the car has been very reliable and trouble free.

General Comments:

I put an alpine head unit on a stock speaker system, and it sounds like a $1,000 system! It has the most comfortable interior I have sat in excluding my friend's S-class. No other car handles and brakes like no other. my only qualm with the car is it's super high maintenence costs, but you can pay for that with the money you saved over buying most other cars.

Faults:

The clutch needed replaced at about 50000 miles and cost approximately $1,200 to repair-cheaper than on a 944 due to better design.

The heater core went at 55000 and also cost over $ 1,000 at the dealership.

Timing belt, rollers, gaskets were done at 42,000 as preventative maintenance and cost about $800.

Other than the above, new tires and miscellaneous things such as a sunroof switch and a non-related relay, the car has been relatively trouble free. However, I have recently noticed a small coolant leak on the garage floor so I am assuming the worst, a water pump failure. I'm guessing that will cost another thousand dollars or so.

The car is fairly expensive to maintain, at about $ 1,500 per year on average. But, once many of the items are replaced, I expect the car to be trouble free for a long time, considering the low miles.

General Comments:

My car is a stunning white 6 speed coupe with linen leather sport seats and 17" turbo cup wheels. It always gets stares and comments so I would consider it to have a lot of curb appeal, considering the price. Though the basic design dates back to the humble 924 in 1977, this car further evolved from the muscular shape of the 944 and added a fresh look for the 90's. So, it looks timeless. A bit classic and a bit modern.

The car is fast. I had an LT1 Formula Fire bird which was a little quicker off the line due to its massive torque. But, the 968 quickly catches up in the upper rpm ranges. Contrarty to the LT1, which vibrated at speeds over 120 on its way to 155 or so, the 968 easily rips to 157 without running out of breath. The cars are about equal in quarter mile runs at about 14.5 seconds.

I get front spaces at the valet and respect at Porsche meets. This is a rare car and, though it is derived from the 944, it was the first of the series to be built at the Porsche factory. Maybe that's why its so highly regarded.

Its difficult and expensive to get more horsepower out of the car, which is why I would probably get a 944 turbo if I were to get another watercooled 4 cylinder Porsche. But, I'd still keep the 968 for its great performance, looks, and comfort.