rnln

I know that most people here have more experience to me on P car but after many researches/question/internet survey, I decided to go with 911 87-89. 964 is more expensive and harder to repair. 944 break down rate is high and part cost is the same compare to 911.
If I am saying anything wrong here, again, I am not sure if these are true but they are what I got from most of the boards I search, mechanics I asked, and friend who are P car owners.
Thanks.

TonyG

rnln

First off, a 964 isn't really any more expensive to repair than any '78-'88 car.

Second, yes a 944 break down rate is higher, but the parts costs are not the same. You can buy a complete used 944 turbo engine complete for around $3000. A used '87 911 engine will cost close to double that.

But you have to like what it is you choose. Most 911 people just don't like 944's. Most 944 (especially turbo) people don't like 911's. The cars are night and day different. So deciding on cost alone really doesn't make sense. Both have their strenghts and weaknesses.

TonyG

JCP911S

Some thoughts.

With some searching you can find a really, really clean N/A 944 for $6-7K (US). This is a really nice car with great handling and good accelleration for street. It also has modern heating and A/C. How can you go wrong?

Jump to $12-14K (US) and get a 944 Turbo. Same as the 944 but more of everything. Performance very comparable to 911. Maintenance is higher, but you have $6-7K reserve for repairs as they come up. (BTW... for daily driver, AVOID a heavily modded car... get a totally stock car for maximum reliability and lowest maintenance).

Figure $14-20K for a nice SC/3.2 Carrara. I;d almost consider these interchangable as they are 95% the same. The SC is a bit lighter, the 3.2 has more power, but the difference is not all that noticable) 911 is probably less maintenance than 944 turbo, but engine work is $$$$$). Also, the 911 will take 20 minutes or so to get heat in the winter, so in Canada that is a BIG consideration.

For snow, put good snow tires on and all of these cars are ok, but the 911 is much better due to rear-wheel drive.

All of these cars are pretty much at the bottom of their depreciation cycle, so if you keep them in good shape, there should be no huge advantage.

964 will run about $20K, so you are at your limit. Very similar to SC/3.2 but more civilized with power steering, modern heat/AC, and softer suspension. Much more livable without totally losing the 911 character.

Generally, for 911 i'd stick with a coupe unless you really, really want the open motering of a Targa... these really are a compromise in terms of body structure and weather seals...

g-50cab

Not true - a 964 has 10 times the electronic crap that an earlier car has.

TonyG

>>>Not true - a 964 has 10 times the electronic crap that an earlier car has.<<<

Yep. But it doesn't make it more expensive to repair and maintain.

Rebuilding the engine is about the same time/costs (depending on what's needed.... apples-to-apples).

Rebuilding a G50 will cost substantially more than rebuilding a 915, but the G50 is much stronger stronger with much better reliability, so it will probably not need to be rebuilt in the first place.

Brakes, rotors, pads, shocks/struts, tires, bushings, about the same time/labor wise.


I could go on. But the 90% of the wear items are very similar and very similar in cost to fix.


Which would you rather troubleshoot for a rough idle or hard starting, or lack of power? a CIS (where you can't even get to 1/2 of the stuff w/o dropping the engine) or a 964 (which has 1/5 the parts in its fuel injection)? I'd take the one with the "all the electronic crap". It would be much faster with far less to go wrong. ($$$)


TonyG

g-50cab

Well Tony you are entitled to your opinion - but I can assure you that from my limited experience - one early 964 and one g-50 carrera - the 964 was more expensive to maintain (about 2x from my last add computation). I had MANY issues with the electronics ranging from a bad spoiler sensor to intermittent battery drain. So, of course, your mileage may vary - one man's experience in the whole scheme of things.

TonyG

g-50cab

Reviewing my post, I probably didn't focus my opinon enough on the "non-driveline" related stuff (which is where I always seem to be focused).

And in that respect, I can see where you are coming from and I would have to agree.

TonyG

cbad911

Great info here, thanks to all.

I am just about to complete a transaction to sell my 993. It's a garage queen and I'm looking to buy an older P-car to make into a track car. At the risk of hijacking this thread, any other additional info I may want to think about?

Editted so the rest of you can read it right the first time...

TonyG

cbad911

What do you mean by "additions"?

TonyG

cbad911

Oops, should of read additional information...it's Monday morning. Sorry

JCP911S

The SC/3.2 Carraras are very robust and hold up to the rigors of track use very well. Either buy a really ratty-looking one with a really strong engine for $8K, or buy one already built up for $20K or so.

It will cost $10-12K of mods to do a full boat track car.. and that is if you don't get fancy.

cbad911

This is pretty much waht I've been thinking about. What about the tranny? Should I find one with a G50, or is it alright to wait until the original blows up and then replace it with a G50?

JCP911S

IMHO, either one if fine. I actually like the 915. It is rugged and cheaper to buy and repair. If you learn how to shift it, it shifts as well as any tranny around. You really cannot update from a 915 ot a G50 economically, as there are alot of structural differences.

If you are just staring out, you can use a desd stock 911 for DE for quite some time. Change to hi-performance brake fluid and pads and you are gold. Not only do you not have to do alot of mods, I personallly believe you will learn just as well, if not better in a stock car.

Over time you can add a full compliment of safety equipment.

At the point where you are in White (or comparable) group, doing some suspension work will probably be required, but that will be several years down the road if you are just starting, so yo can budget for that over several years.

cbad911

Thanks for that bit of advice. I was gonna hold out for a car with the G50, but after your post and some searching, I will probably "settle" for the best car my money can buy.

I am just starting out, however I will be doing some simple mods initailly to make the car comfortable for me to drive on the track (mostly mounting a racing seat to the floor). Otherwise, initaially I only plan on making the car mechanically solid. From there, who knows where the slippery slope will lead.

Uli911

A good daily driver is a 968.