My cousin has the 968 and keeps saying he can take me out, is this true?

 

That, my friend, is a horribly loaded question.

Has your cousin modified his 968?
Have you modified your StooK?
"Take you out" how? On the track, drag-strip, airport garage, dirt oval track..... tic-tac-toe, Scrabble... what are we talkin' about here?

Do either of you know how to drive? (and I mean time on a racetrack, driving school, previous experience driving fast cars, etc.)

If I were you, I would say:

"Oh, so you think you can take me out, huh? OK, take me out for beers and chicken wings, a$$hole!"

Then drive him there in your StooK, and let him pay the check.

 

1992-1995 PORSCHE 968

3.0-Liter I-4

236 bhp @ 6,200 rpm

225 lb-ft @ 4,100 rpm

Weight: 3,086- 3,306 lbs

6-Speed

0-60 mph: 6.1 Sec

Top Speed: 156 mph

Tiptronic 4-Speed

0-60 mph: 7.5 Sec

Top Speed: 153 mph

2000-2001 HONDA S2000

2.0-Liter I-4

240 bhp @ 8,300 rpm

153 lb-ft @ 7,500 rpm

Weight: 2,755 lbs

6-Speed

0-60 mph: 5.3 Sec

Top Speed: 150 mph

[Edited by S2000 Driver on 02-13-2001 at 03:15 PM]

 

Both cars unmodified, take me out at a red light.

 

Quit talkin' and go do it!

 

Are you talking about 968 or 968CS? Big difference there. They have the same engine but the CS is lighter (by about 150kg), has sports (almost race) suspension, has 17" wheels with wider rubber. It also has a 6 speed gear box (one of the 1st cars to have one ... if not 1st).

Anyway, the regular 968 is a very nice car but it's more comparable with regular Boxster 2.7 - it's very competent in every respect but it just does not have enough power for the weight to compete with the S2000. btw, 968s were probably the best handling cars of the era and are still very respected handlers.

The 968CS is fast ... especially 'point to point' (ie. on the track) - it has very high limits as well as incredible stability and balance. Not only that it is not that much slower than the S2000 in a straight line ... there's be only about 0.3 secs between the aceleration times to 100km/h and maybe 0.4 sec between the 400m runs. The 968 has a torquier engine than the S2000 and therefore the engine is more flefixble and pulls better from slow corners. The top end cannot match the S2000. Though, having both of them of the track would still produce a close race ... I dare to say that the 968CS has higher limits but the S2000 should be just a whisker quicker overal.

btw, I drove a 968CS about 3 years ago and from what I can remember it was one of the best rides of my life - I have vary favorable memories of power, grip and balance rfom this car. Also, at about this time the 968CS was winning every 'handling test' and 'performance car' test that was around.

 

David,

I dont think the ClubSport versions of the 968 made it to the US shores (legally)... So, that should make it safe for Andre

In fact, all 968s were 6spd (unless they were tiptronics). Its actually a nice evolution of the 944 line. The driveline had an extra gear, and at the same time Porsche was able to make the clutch job a 3 hour ordeal down from some insane (I think 10+ hour) job...

I'm not sure how well they launch, but for the 944s drag racing was never a strong point (sounds like the S2000, right?)

David,

They never sold the CS's here as far as I know. But since they sold them in your neck of the woods, did they also sell the 968 Turbo there? If so, you are indeed lucky Those things are monsters with 369lb-ft of torque...

 

Hi S2K_CLS,
968 Turbo was never released here by Porsche. Though, Peter Fitzgerald (one of the best Porsche drivers around who has been racing them for the last 20 years) has a local partnership with Porsche and he offers a 'turbo' mod for the 968. I have not been in one of these myself, but seeing them race (and sometimes beat) 911 GT2s (Turbos) must say something for their power. He doesn't just put a Turbo into the car - he actually 'enhances' a lot of the other components in the car to fit in and balance the Turbo. Not cheap though, he's asking about $20k for the conversion (btw, 968 used to cost $110k and 968CS aboout $120k ... for about $24k you get here a bottom of the range Civic).

 

The 968 Turbo is indeed rare. Its interesting that Porsche finally figured out how to turbo the 16v head... seems that during the 944 run, they couldnt cool the engine properly (not sure why), which is why the 968 was the first turbo 16v car in the line... of course that didnt make it here to the states...

A pretty popular mod for the 944 Turbo is to enlarge the engine and also put a larger turbo on it. There are a few 3 liter 8v Turbo cars that are making 400+hp at the wheels... Pretty impressive.

Its pretty funny, but being a student and a car lover at the same time has put an interesting spin on things for me. I had a 99 Corvette, but sold it (no particular order here)for the S2000 because A) needed money for college, B) living where I do and the commute I have makes having a V8 somewhat useless, and C) I really, REALLY wanted a ragtop.

I've always loved cars, but lately my list of cars I'd like to have (and could realistically afford) has grown pretty slim.

again, in no particular order
1) 944 Turbo (an 80s classic to me)
2) Volvo 850Wagon/V70 T5 (practical, safe, and quick)
3) E36 M3/4 door (practical, similar to perf. with S2000)

Thats really 3 hot ones on my list... pretty bizarre selection, eh?

 

Depends which state you're in and if he's a first cousin or not