The 968 Coupe is nominally a four-seater, but the rear seats are cramped even for small children, so best to look on this as additional storage space. The boot is surprisingly big, if quite shallow, but the rear seats tumble forwards to make more room. Cabriolets are two-seaters, and the Club Sport did away with the rear seats to help remove 50kg from its weight compared to the standard Coupe model.
The Club Sport is an easier to car to inspect inside as it does not have many of the electrically operated features of the standard car. Also, the CS's heating is worked by cables rather than the vacuum-operated controls of the rest of the range, so it's less prone to failures. Make sure the heating is working in any car you look at and if it has the optional air conditioning that it blows cold. If not, re-gassing is the easiest fix, but you should also have the system checked for leaks.
Non-CS models have electric windows, central locking, tailgate release and, where fitted, sunroof, so they all need to be tried and tested. Also, be sure the heated rear screen works as there's a lot of glass to demist.
Cloth seats were standard and leather was an option. Both wear well and only the driver's seat outer bolster should show any signs of fatigue. Replacing leather bolsters is easier than fabric ones as the fabric is now hard to come by an exact match. Full electric seat adjustment was not standard until 1994, but check the seats move freely in every direction whether it uses powered or manual movement.
The dash is much the same as a 944's, so it's clear and easy to read. All of the buttons should still be in good condition and work fine, but inspect the gear lever and handbrake, which is down by the right of the driver's seat. The leather on these wears and looks scruffy, but replacement gaiters are cheap and simple to fit.
Any smell of damp inside the 968 points to a leaky sunroof. Also look for any water damage to the headlining. In the boot, check the carpet is dry and also free from sun fading. While back there, pull out the retractable load cover to make sure it works and is not too sun-bleached.
UK-bound 968s did not have a driver's airbag as standard and instead have a three-spoke steering wheel. An airbag for both driver and passenger was an option.
PHer's view:
"Seats are straight out of 1990's Porsche - comfortable and hold you well. Side bolsters on driver's side prone to wear, as was everything at the time. Rear seats are best left to very small children."
Mike Luke
