The Porsche 968 is one of the few semi-limited production models that still remains attainable, with most cars in standard spec falling under $25,000. These front-engined, water-cooled models were essentially a refresh of the long-standing 944 but they garnered a reputation for being more exotic owing to the shorter overall production run. Still, this was much the same car underneath, featuring a large inline-four cylinder, rear-wheel drive, and a snappy 5-speed manual gearbox. Known for their razor-sharp handling, this 968 is listed here on craigslist for $25,500 and is equipped with the optional Tiptronic gearbox.

Like most cars in Porsche’s lineup that weren’t equipped with an air-cooled engine in the rear, the desirability factor is far lower. The 968 was yet another model that saw a run-up in price in the pandemic surge, but has quickly come back to Earth. While the best-of-the-best examples equipped with a manual gearbox can squeak into the low 30s, most cars have settled into the $25,000 range for a clean 6-speed model. This 968, as it’s equipped with the optional Tiptronic semi-automatic gearbox, is considerably less desirable, but the seller is still looking for $25,500.

The seller’s car has under 90,000 miles, which may be a reason for the asking price. After all, these cars, equipped with the beefy M44 engine, are known to go the distance with proper maintenance. However, with much of the magic of the 968 wrapped up in having the ability to row your own gears, the Tiptronic may be a bit of a value-killer here. The good news is the seller has done some heavy-lifting maintenance-wise that speaks to an owner who understands the nuances of 968 maintenance. These cars are not cheaper to maintain than a 911 due to their lower values; there’s still significant maintenance that needs to be done.

The biggest item of concern is the timing belt, as this is an interference-design engine. The seller doesn’t mention that big service, but does highlight that he spent over $4,000 installing a new “…. genuine Porsche damper flywheel flex plate, rear main seal, crank pilot bearing, down pipe front & rear gaskets / seals, flywheel bolts, and crank position sensor.” A recent engine tune-up was also performed with new ignition components and fresh oil. The 968 represents an opportunity to own a limited-production Porsche for Camry money, and even if you need to rely on a Tiptronic transmission to uncork its 236 horsepower and 225 lb-ft of torque, it’s still likely to make for a great drive.