Just wanted to say hi to all the 900 bricksters and I'm enjoying browsing your comments and advice. A couple of months ago I made the plunge and after a few months of window shopping on Autotrader.com, pounced on a sleek black '96 965 w/ only 54k miles up in Pittsburgh. As you know these cars are far and few between and this seemed the only way to find one. So far, it looks like a great deal. I've had it in to my mechanic, and there are a number of smallish issues but all in all, a solid choice.

The most noticable thing is the ride. On nice roads it's like glass, on bad roads, pretty bad. This and another mechanic said the shocks and suspension are OK, there's a ball joint that needs replacing. Is the ride I'm describing characteristic of the model or something that needs looking into? The roads in PA are terrible which may have something to do with it.

He also said we need to go ahead with the timing belt change since it's been on the road for almost 8 years. Whaddya think? The drive belt seemed pretty dry, so I went ahead with that one and will do the timing belt along with the tune up at 60k.

Otherwise, the gas mileage seems to be in line with what I've read; a little disappointing, but it's a big car with the bigger (184 hp) engine and runs like a dream. I've had 3 240s and an 850 and this is the nicest car I've owned. Looking forward to your comments.

Ike