1993 Porsche 968 problems
The Porsche 968 is a sports car manufactured by German automobile manufacturer Porsche AG from 1991 until 1995. It was the final evolution of a series of water-cooled front-engine rear wheel drive models begun almost 20 years earlier with the 924, taking over the entry-level position in the company lineup from the 944 from which it was derived. The 968 was Porsche's last new front-engined vehicle before the introduction of the Cayenne SUV in 2003.
History
Porsche's 944 model debuted for the 1982 model year as an evolution of the 924, was updated as "944S" in 1987 and as "944S2" in 1989. Porsche was in significant financial crisis at the time with less interest in its sports cars from customers, especially in the US. The virtually unchanged design of the 944, which was derived from the 924, was showing its age and sales of the model declined. Porsche hence found the need to develop a new entry level model. Shortly after the start of production of the S2 variant, Porsche engineers began working on another set of significant upgrades for the model, as executives were planning a final "S3" variant of the 944 with a design language in line with the models in its lineup in order to save development costs. During the development phase, 80 percent of the 944's mechanical components were either significantly modified or completely replaced by the engineers, leaving so little of the outgoing S2 model that Porsche management chose to introduce the variant as a new model, calling it the 968. In addition to the numerous mechanical upgrades, the new model also received significantly evolved styling both inside and out, with a more modern, streamlined look and more standard luxury amenities than on the 944. To save production costs, production was moved from the Audi plant in Neckarsulm (where the 924 and 944 had been manufactured under contract to Porsche), to Porsche's own factory in Zuffenhausen.
Design
The 968 was mainly a restyled evolution of the 944 with design links visible to its predecessor. Design work was done by Harm Lagaay who had designed the 924 and the 944 as well. The front of the car largely resembled the top-of-the line 928, sharing its exposed pop-up headlamps and the integrated front bumper. This frontal design would eventually appear on the 911 (993) two years later.
The rear of the 968 was also redesigned, featuring fully coloured rounded taillamps. Special bulbs were used in the taillamps which either illuminated a small area in amber colour when the turn signals were activated or in white when the car was reversing. PORSCHE badging was fitted between the taillights just below the model type number. The rear apron was integrated into the smoothened rear bumper.
While the exterior of the car was rounded and smoothed, the interior was largely unchanged and mostly shared with the preceding 944 S2 with the exception of switches and control knobs. The 968 also featured numerous small equipment and detail upgrades from the 944, including a Fuba roof-mounted antenna, updated single lens tail lamps, "Cup" style 16-inch alloy wheels, a wider selection of interior and exterior colours, a slightly updated "B" pillar and rear quarter window to accommodate adhesive installation to replace the older rubber gasket installation.
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Common 1993 Porsche 968 problems
The Porsche 968, produced from 1992 to 1995, is a car that has been both praised for its performance and criticized for its lack of commercial success. While it is considered by many to be one of the best cars ever produced in Stuttgart, it is often overlooked by passionate collectors. Here are some common problems and issues that owners of the Porsche 968 have reported:
Ride Quality and Suspension
One of the main criticisms of the 968 is its ride quality, particularly in the earlier cars with semi-trailing arm rear suspension and transverse torsion bar springs. While attention was made to tune the 968 for a better ride and retain its handling agility, some owners still report issues with ride quality.
Engine and Transmission
The 968 features a 3-liter four-cylinder engine with variable valve timing and two counter-rotating balance shafts for smooth operation.
Interior and Exterior
The interior of the 968 is largely carried over from the 944, with new exterior styling by Harm Legaay, Dick Soderberg, and Tony Hatter incorporating 928 style exposed popup headlamps and a squarer, bulkier rear end.
Maintenance and Repair
As with any older sports car, the 968 requires investment in time and money to keep it in good condition. However, some owners have reported issues with deferred maintenance and the need for replacement of suspension bushings and sway bars.
Value and Collectability
While the Porsche 968 is not considered a good investment, it is still a highly regarded car by enthusiasts. The 1993 Club Sport version, in particular, is highly sought after for track days, and the Turbo S and Turbo RS versions are virtually untraceable.
In summary, while the Porsche 968 is a highly regarded car by enthusiasts, it is not without its issues. Owners have reported problems with ride quality, engine and transmission, interior and exterior components, maintenance and repair, and value and collectability. However, with proper care and maintenance, the 968 can be a reliable and enjoyable car to own and drive.
How much is a 1993 Porsche 968 worth?
The value of a used 1993 Porsche 968 ranges from $4,428 to $15,713, based on vehicle condition, mileage, and options. Get a free appraisal here.
How rare is a Porsche 968?
And the Porsche 968 Turbo S was meant to be rare, being limited to just 100 unites. Its 350 hp racing version, called the 968 Turbo RS, cost DM 228,000.
What is the top speed of a 1993 Porsche 968 Turbo S?
Tests conducted in 1993 returned a 0 to 97 km/h (60 mph) time of 4.7 seconds and a top speed of 282 km/h (175 mph).
Is the Porsche 968 fast?
With a 0-60 time in the high 5-second range and a 160-MPH top end, the 968 is faster than a 911 3.2 Carrera. It's nearly as fast as a 964. And with a 3.0L motor and variable valve timing (Variocam), it's reasonably torquey.
1993 Porsche 968 car problems categorized by type of issue
After analyzing all complaints sent to the NHTSA and researching popular Porsche 968 problems, we found that the most common problems with these 2023 model year vehicles are:
- Power train problems
The graph below shows statistics for all 1993 Porsche 968 vehicle components and the number of complaints received.
1993 Porsche 968 complaints
The NHTSA has received 3 complaints about various vehicle components related to the 1993 Porsche 968.
POWER TRAIN PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2000-05-15
- VIN: WPOAA296XPS
- Components: POWER TRAIN
- Summary: THIS FAILURE HAS OCCURRED ON OVER 100 OTHER PORSCHE 968 OWNERS (LIST ON INTERNET UNDER 968 CLUB). PORSCHE REFUSES TO IDENTIFY THIS WIDE SPREAD MANUFACTURING DEFECT AS A RECALL. THIS INHERENT FAILURE DUE TO MANUFACTURING MIS ALIGNMENTS IN THE PINION BEARINGS THAT OCCURRED DURING MANUFACTURING COULD LEAD TO SERIOUS INJURIES.*AK
POWER TRAIN PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2024-11-24
- VIN: WPOAA2964PS
- Components: POWER TRAIN
- Summary: TRANSMISSION FAILED DUE TO TOO MUCH FACTORY PRE-LOAD ON THE PINION BEARINGS AND ASSOCIATED PARTS. MJS
POWER TRAIN PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 1997-06-09
- VIN: WPOAA2964PS
- Components: POWER TRAIN
- Summary: MANUAL TRANSMISSION FAILURE(BEARING AND GEAR SET WEAR) CAUSED BY TOO MUCH FACTORY PRE-LOAD ON BEARING/GEAR SET ASSEMBLY. *AK
Positive 1993 Porsche 968 car reviews
Additional sources
More sources of information about 1993 Porsche 968 problems:
Looking for late 968; problem areas - Rennlist - Porsche Discussion ...
Jun 11, 2005 ... 968 Forum - Looking for late 968; problem areas - Hi I'm looking for a low mileage 968, prefer a 94 or 95. Anybody know of any What problems ...
Porsche 968 Problems and Complaints - 13 Issues
Top Porsche 968 Problems · Noise in manual transmission due to pinion bearing failure · Engine Oil Leaks May Cause the Flesible Hub at the Engine Flywheel to Fail.
Trouble starting 968 - Rennlist - Porsche Discussion Forums
Dec 21, 2017 ... ... 968 lovers, I have a 1993 Porsche 968 that I've had trouble starting the engine. This is the third time I've had this problem. Here is the ...
Unloved by Porsche & Purists, This 1993 Porsche 968 is Well Loved ...
Aug 11, 2014 ... The 968 has the same “front mid engine ... These cars (the Porsche engine versions ... No problem for the first owners, maybe not too much of a ...
Common 1999 Porsche 911 Problems: MAF Sensor Replacement ...
Oct 14, 2018 ... I am getting a P0102 error code with the verbiage "Mass air ... I am looking for replacement part for a 1993 Porsche 968 VIN ... I am trying to ...
Other years of Porsche 968
Are you having problems with your 1993 Porsche 968?
Davin Beier 2025-01-07
This is actually my second Porsche! My first was a 928S, which was a more powerful and luxurious sports car. However, I prefer my 968 because of its agility, design, handling, and practicality. My 968 cabriolet is a 1992 model and still turns heads 12 years later. It was always on my wish list, and I happened to spot it at a dealership one night. I just had to have it, so the next morning I took the day off from work and was there before opening with $$! To all prospective 968 owners: if you're looking for an affordable, reliable Porsche, this is the car to get. Sorry guys, mine is not for sale. Remember, 'Porsche: There is no Substitute'!
Scottie Morar 2024-10-04
Can't get much more fun out of this car. Fantastic reliability! Driving through the mountains and canyons regularly couldn't be a better choice. Fun, Fun, Fun!
Henri Ortiz 2024-06-14
I've been the proud owner of my 1992 Porsche 968 Cab for three years now. I'm happy to report that I haven't had any major issues with it, just the usual maintenance. In fact, I find its build quality to be superior to that of my Mercedes Coupe! To give it a little extra oomph, I installed a Promax chip for better torque, which has been a game-changer, especially in traffic with the AC on. Although the radio could use some improvement and the top can be a bit noisy, I can't help but love this car! And, I must admit, it does turn a few heads.
Kristopher Predovic 2024-04-01
Hi there! I just wanted to share with you how much I love my 92 Porsche 968. I bought it about 9 years ago and I have absolutely no regrets. As a mechanical engineer, I really appreciate the design, handling, acceleration, brakes, fuel economy, and the overall fun driving experience that this car provides. I've driven it almost every day, except for when I had a knee operation, and it still runs great with 102,000 miles on it. It looks good too, so I don't plan on selling it anytime soon!
Kacey Durgan 2024-02-25
The 968 is a supercar that appeals to the discerning driver. If you're looking for more than just raw speed, and want an exotic sports car that won't break the bank, then this is the car for you.