Is there a time when we all need to just get over our disdain for automatics in sports cars and enjoy a cheap, fun ride like this 1992 Porsche 968? I’m torn. One could argue that it’s worth spending an additional $15,000 to get a 968 with a manual transmission, but how do you equate the additional smiles per dollar against the Tiptronic model? That comes down to the evangelists who love the so-called transaxle Porsches and whether the 968 is enough fun to drive that the gearbox ceases to matter. This 968 wears rare Amazon Green paint and is listed here on eBay with an opening bid of $9,000 and the reserve unmet.
I will admit to being smitten with the 968 for many years. The styling really got my attention, combining the tidy proportions of a 944 with the beguiling headlight design of a 928. This really is just a 944 with updated cosmetics, but don’t think that makes it a slouch: it has a beefy 3.0L inline-four under the hood, and has near-perfect weight distribution thanks to the transmission being moved to the rear of the car, helping to offset the mass of the engine over the front wheels. Here, you can see evidence of the car being resprayed owing to the surprisingly shiny center panel between the sun-faded taillight lenses.
When I was 16, there was intense peer pressure in high school to own a car with three pedals. You would face some genuine heat if not outright disdain if you owned an enthusiast car that lacked a proper manual gearbox. These days, that sentiment seems to have died down significantly, owing to a mix of factors, such as fewer teens driving and a general lack of cars available for sale with a stick. The Tiptronic automatic in the 968 was considered a highly advanced transmission when introduced, but these days, it likely feel rudimentary compared to modern gearboxes. The gray interior pairs nicely with the exterior, but the seller does note some wear-and-tear.
The 968 has seen some use, racking up just over 194,000 miles. Mileage doesn’t spook me like it does some enthusiasts who only deal in low-mileage cars; for me, I appreciate the discount that comes with high mileage and the irrefutable evidence that the car has proven reliable enough to rack up those miles. The seller notes the must-do timing belt service was completed in 2021, and the seller reports there are no outstanding mechanical needs. With a Buy-It-Now of $12,000, the opening bid isn’t far off from where the seller wants to be. Would you buy an automatic 968?
3 liters is a big 4, I presume it uses balance shafts. Not knowing much about a 968, this one still looks really good. And an automatic makes perfect sense if you’re living in anywhere like a well-populated suburbia. Forget the naysayers, rowing a shifter gets tedious for everyday stop and go driving.