1968 GT fastback or Porsche 911?

[Loup-garou]

I was actually going to replace the whole front and rear suspension this summer (financial issues stopped me doing it earlier) but my resent doubts have stopped me.
(snip)
I have been taking all of your comments on board and I'm now having my doubts. Part of the problem is getting someone in Ireland to do my suspension upgrades. I can get someone to service the car no problem, but no-one really wants to do the suspension rebuild. With this in mind, getting someone to fit a specialist suspension kit like mentioned above may be impossible.
(snip)


Brian

Have you sought out any fellow Mustang owners in the UK for advice? There's at least one large Mustang club there - those are the people you should turn to if you need help finding a trusted mechanic.

As others have commented, a suspension rebuild isn't that difficult. I'll just bet that a local club can link you up with a few gearheads who would be willing to help turn wrenches if you provide the beer.

 

[Randy993]

Brian,

I own a 1995 993 and love it. Tonight, I drove a '68 GT Fastback (original Bullitt green) and am seriously considering buying it for a daily driver. The two cars are so different. The porsche is such a pleasure to drive from a handling and acceleration standpoint. However, it is expensive to maintain and not as rare as it was once was.

On the other hand, the Mustang felt twitchy, but it has been years since I drove a muscle car. But the sound was awesome and it looks better than my 993.

I think it would be difficult to ever get the mustang to handle nearly as well as the porsche but I still love the mustang.

By the way, does anyone have any comments on using an old mustang as a daily driver?

 

[gowest]

Try post this question in 911 forum. See what people will say. I like both car. But don't sell your stang. You can use the money you plan to upgrade your stang to put down payment for 996, I think. This way you can have both car.
BTW. How much is the 92" 911(996)? And how much you plan to sell your car for?

 

[Blown4.6]

I have an immaculate 1968 GT Fastback with a 302 V8 and factory highland green pain (re-sprayed), so all in all i'm pretty lucky to own such a beautiful car.

Lately though i've lost my enthusiasm for the car. Its beautiful, and great in a straight line but otherwise I dont find it a particularly engaging ride and it doesnt really handle. I know this is par for the course for classic mustangs but after owning it for a year and a half i have a serious urge to sell it and buy a 1991-92 Porsche 911, 996 model. I drove one the other day and my God does it handle. It also has a serious ammount of power and i found it to be a thrilling ride.

But despite this i have misgivings about letting the Mustang go, its just so beautiful, definitly top 5 most beautiful cars ever made and i've wanted one since i saw Bullit on TV when i was around 15 years of age. That was 18 years ago.

Bottom line though, do i want to look at my car or drive it?

I suppose i've put this post here to see if you fellow Mustang owners can understand my misgivings and my desire for a 911?

Brian68GT

Okay, here's a thought from someone who's owned all kinds of stuff and can basically buy anything I want. Think about this:

1) neither car is new; so, you will have mechanical issues that aren't covered under warranty. I assume this is fine with you.
2) The 'stang is cheaper to keep in good repair.
3) How many early-mid 1990's Porsches do you think you see per day? Per week??
4) How many absolutely cherry '68 fastbacks do you see per year?

You want cool? 1991 Porsche 996 only says you want a Porsche but really can't afford one. '68 fastback says you've got style and taste and are driving exactly what you want.

 

[bnickel]

my best friend just bought his son an 87 porsche 944 for his first car. he paid 1200 bucks for it and the car is in pretty good shape, but needs a lot of basic maintenace done. he has already spent more than what he paid for the car just doing a tune-up, new shocks and struts and a new fuel pump, and some other little stuff like brakes and he had to buy one rotor for it i think. now that he's done all that the car is still only worth about 1800 bucks and he as almost twice that in it now. there are tons of things you can do to an early stang for little money and the mechanics are super simple fr the most part, there aren't many cars easier to work on than an early stang. just some things to think about and ponder to help you make a better informed decision

 

[Brian68GT]

I'll try to respond to all your questions.

How many cherry 68 fastbacks do I see in Ireland every year. Appart from mine? None. Its one of only maybe 3 or 4 1968 fastbacks in Ireland and the best one I've seen, no question.

How many mid-90's 911's do I see in Dublin every week? Very few believe it or not. Ireland didnt really have money in the early 90's, so very few people could afford cars like Porsche 911's etc. How many 2003-2005 Porsche 911's do I see in Ireland every week? Almost one every day. Theres an awful lot of wealthy people here today, but a 996 is still a relatively rare sight.

How much is a 996? It'll cost me around 35-38,000 euros, which is around $45-50,000.

How much do I plan to sell my car for? In Ireland and the UK my car is worth in and around 25,000 euros, which is around $33,000.

Can I afford to keep the Mustang and still buy the Porsche. Possibly. But I'm not sure how long I could sustain owning both.

Now I have a question.

There's been some great advice about upgrading my suspension to 'out handle' any modern car, right? But all of the serious suspension upgrades are based on Mustang II suspension, which is 70's technology and certainly couldnt compare to a 911, could it. I mean even the latest 2005 Mustang wouldnt handle as well as an early 90's 911.

Anyway, bottom line is i've got to make the decision for myself. In terms of looks, the Mustang wins outright. In terms of coolness, style and individuality Its also a no brainer, the Mustang. But in terms of driving experience (which is what its about, isnt it?), there is really no comparison. The 911 wins outright.

I'll take all of your thoughts on board and give this some serious thought. I would certainly hate to regret my decision, so i wont be hasty.

thanks again lads, you've been very helpful.

Brian

 

[limey66]

If this is the only problem you've got Brian, you're a lucky man!

The Porsche is a bit of a belly button (everyone's got one), the 'stang is just so much cooler.

I can see why you want the German car, but in my honest opinion I think you should keep the Mustang and tweak away until you're happy with it. Motiv8 are a good crew from what I know about them, there are plenty of American car specialists in the UK that could handle any upgrade you throw at them - check out Classic American and American Car World.

Your choice man, but to me the Mustang wins every time...

 

[YellowMach69]

Geesh those 996 cant handle that great look at this link >>EURO TRASH

 

[jerry S]

I'll try to respond to all your questions.


How much is a 996? It'll cost me around 35-38,000 euros, which is around $45-50,000.

it won't be worth 35.000 euros next year. It will keep depreciating.

How much do I plan to sell my car for? In Ireland and the UK my car is worth in and around 25,000 euros, which is around $33,000.

and most likely more the year after. If Fords (inside family joke) ever starts selling the new mustang in euroland, that will only add to the value of your car.

There's been some great advice about upgrading my suspension to 'out handle' any modern car, right? But all of the serious suspension upgrades are based on Mustang II suspension, which is 70's technology and certainly couldnt compare to a 911, could it.

A Griggs GR350 suspension (http://www.griggsracing.com) is pretty state of the art and would bring a tired old pony up to speed to run with the big boys. Then again, it is a $10.000 suspension and is overkill for any street application.

But in terms of driving experience (which is what its about, isnt it?), there is really no comparison. The 911 wins outright.

Maybe, but until you drive a old pony that has a new suspension, you won't know what you are missing.

 

[rhyno9]

There's been some great advice about upgrading my suspension to 'out handle' any modern car, right? But all of the serious suspension upgrades are based on Mustang II suspension, which is 70's technology and certainly couldnt compare to a 911, could it. I mean even the latest 2005 Mustang wouldnt handle as well as an early 90's 911.

I think though you need to tell us what has been done to your 68. I'll assume that it's all orignal from a suspension standpoint. If that is the case then small things will make the car come alive. Subframe connectors, power assisted high performance disc brakes, modern wheels and tires (16 inch at least),steering rebuild.

If you want a strut suspension you can go with fatman fabrications or rrs out of australia both do strut based suspensions. There are other suspension offerings from Unique performance, Total control products, Griggs, Air Ride and global west all provide suspension upgrades for early mustangs.

Will they handle as well as a Porsche??? I don't have an anwser for you.

Will they handle better than the stock mustang suspension?? Yes they will.

If you prefer the way the stang looks then by all means make it drive the way you want. If you prefer the way the porsche looks than buy one.

 

[Loup-garou]

(snip)
There's been some great advice about upgrading my suspension to 'out handle' any modern car, right? But all of the serious suspension upgrades are based on Mustang II suspension, which is 70's technology and certainly couldnt compare to a 911, could it. I mean even the latest 2005 Mustang wouldnt handle as well as an early 90's 911.

(snip)
Brian

Don't go by the advertisements in the Mustang magazines. Actually, the Mustang II suspension is not preferred for it's handling characteristics, but because it allows the removal of the shock towers and installation of a larger engine. It handles well enough and can be tuned, but it's not a suspension you'll see under any classic Mustang that sees track duty. The M-II front suspension is being stuffed under all sorts of custom hotrods - including many old pickup trucks.

Certainly the vintage racers don't use that hardware. They stick with what made the cars perform back when GT-350s and Boss 302s competed in race trim (not much was changed from street-driven specs, really. Spring rates, anti-sway bars and shocks, mainly).

At the vintage races held at Lime Rock, Connecticut - back in 2000, IIRC, a '65 Shelby GT-350 won the Group 5 race for 4-liter-plus production cars. The winner edged out a '69 Porsche 911 RSR by 1.5 seconds. Clearly, the old Fords can hold their own on a road course.

Check out the Mustang "wiki" info at www.cornercarvers.com - you'll see that the original design is not all that bad. After I bought my first Mustang, I was dismayed by the sloppy handling, too. Then I drove one that had just undergone a stock suspension rebuild. It was truly like night and day.

The 911 is an amazing little Teutonic beast, but it's not without a few handling gremlins of its own. Mind the trailing-throttle snap oversteer...

 

[BullittFB]

Part of the problem is getting someone in Ireland to do my suspension upgrades. I can get someone to service the car no problem, but no-one really wants to do the suspension rebuild. With this in mind, getting someone to fit a specialist suspension kit like mentioned above may be impossible.
Brian

Buy me a plane ticket and I´ll do it for free.
Those kits are actually easier to install than a stock suspension. It´s "harder" to remove the original suspension than it is to install the new one. Plus, they come with instructions.

 

[65fstbck289]

It sounds to me that the issue here is how many heads you can turn. In that case obviously go with the 40 year old car. Duh. But if you're looking for the driving experience than go with the 911. Sure you can make a civic have a great driving experience...but its still a civic and you have to do work to it. The 911 has luxury, handling, power, and an ego thing too. You just have to decide if you want to sacrifce drivability for sport luxury handling.
I would try and keep the fastback because of its future and present value.
Try and buy something cheaper instead of the 911 and keep the fastback.

 

[usedtobe 67p51d]

I have a nice '67 fastback with global west road race suspension, a tremec, 4 wheel dick brakes,subframe conectors,boss 302 tower braces, monte-carlo bar,export brace, and a quick 331 that makes 343 rwhp.

I drove the car 120 miles on Buisness up to Santa Barbara spent the night in a hotel worked all day and came home.

Keeping the car out at night drove me crasy, didn't sleep well worring if it would be there in the morning even though I made it so the car wouldn't fire up

The car has borla muffelrs on it there pretty quiet but two hours of droneing was two much, Let alone driving down State St in Sb with the small block sounds bouncing off of the tall buildings worring about cops pulling me over for too much noise
I can't use the phone while driving, it's way to much noise, the car gets hot I don't have a/c and of course I stink of gas due to no cats and a carb that needs to be gone through. a new c-6 corvette or lotus elise sounds petty good. If I got a 911 I'ld want a 79-89 930 but I drove a friends and it's damn impresive but the turbo lag sucks, and last time he was at the track he had a cadillac cts-v that was keeping up with him in the 930 and yes he can drive


I want to hang onto the fastback but I LOVE TO HATE this car

 

[65shlbycln]

I know this is par for the course for classic mustangs but after owning it for a year and a half i have a serious urge to sell it and buy a 1991-92 Porsche 911, 996 model.

Dude, if you think a '91-'92 911 is a 996 series car, then you definitely don't need to be buying one.

If its a '91-'92 year car, its going to be a 964.

Seriously, it doesnt sound like you know much about p-cars. Do some research first.

 

[usedtobe 67p51d]

dude don't flame him help him

 

[ZStanger]

I prefer stangs.

 

['66 coupe]

I mean even the latest 2005 Mustang wouldnt handle as well as an early 90's 911.

I thought the Bullitt Mustang pulled more g's on the skidpad than the Porsche in 2001.

Either way, just get the damn Porsche. You seem to think that selling a classic Mustang Fastback to get a 10+ year-old Porsche is a good idea, so why don't you just do it? Rather than sitting around berating your car, sell it to someone who will appreciate it for what it is, and then get something you'll be content with. Chances are though that if you go through with it, you'll be on the Porsche boards in a year, talking about how you want a different car.

If you're having second thoughts its because you're still listening to whichever half of your brain has all your common sense.

 

[Edbert]

A 67 fastback and a 911 are light years apart in form and function. So disparate in fact it is really hard to even compare them. If you were looking at trading for a vintage 911 from 66-72 or so I'd say flip a coin. But to trade the old fastback for a 90s ANYTHING is just not very far sighted in my opinion.

 

[limey66]

...4 wheel dick brakes...

Jeez I wish I'd heard about those before I went too far with my secretary...