dan911man

Am looking to buy my first Porsche, my price range is £ 13-18 k this targets the 964 and 3.2 options for best models (cannot buy 1972 era which I love as have no garage)
I like both shapes and appreciate both cars are different.
I hear things all the time regarding running costs of 964 and things can spiral out of control, where as you buy an old 3.2 and they are cheap to run although handle differently to the 964.
Can someone please give me objective advice here and anything to look out for.
Appreciate all serious replies !
Thanks,
Dan

spence88mph

I went through the same ordeal, I like both cars, both have their pluses and minuses, I ended up with a 3.2 and I have to say I'm completely in love with it but would have been happy with a 964 C2 probably just as much. 964s do have the inherent problems of head gasket leaks (sans gasket models), dual mass flywheel, stalling, batteries going flat, venting fumes out of something (can't remember!) but once sorted you have a car with more power, more advanced coil over suspension, power steering, improved HVAC including air con that actually works and I think that's about it, well more modern looks but I'm more fond of earlier cars myself. I'm waffling here, I would say look at as many of both you can find and buy either one that's in the best condition, try to find a car that's been treated with the respect it deserves, both great cars.

rscredon

Spence is right on. It really comes down to your personal taste. Drive them both and and your decision should become obvious to you. I did and have no regrets on my decision.

Amber Gramps

Dan, your line "no garage" makes alot of us cringe. I won't go on a road trip and stay in a hotel that doesn't have underground parking. I won't even leave her in the sun unless it comes with a walk in the sand on the beach. That said I have a weekend only cabriolet that sleeps under a blanket in her own insulated garage. I would love a daily driver that I didn't feel guilty about getting durty. good luck and find a clean car that is use to being driven. nothing better that old woman wishing you'd stop and pick up on them in your hot little car.

Mike Murphy

Dan, either one is fine. Either one will cost about the same to maintain. It really depends on if you want the extra weight and horsepower and AC. If you want a lighter, smaller car, try the 3.2.

BlackPearl

Dan:

So far everyone has had a great response that I agree with. I'll throw in my 2-cents about the 964.

Plusses vs. 911 Carrera 3.2: The 964 does have a larger & more powerful engine. It has upgraded coil-spring suspension. It has greater creature comforts. I think it has a scrunch more headroom (except sunroof-delete 3.2 models). It has a G-50 Trans (so does 3.2 after '87).

Minusses vs. 3.2: It weighs much more (over 3000Lbs vs. Carrera at around 2700 to 2800). The handling isn't quite as "bright." Repairs and parts seem to run a little higher in cost depending on where you are. Labor costs seem a little higher because the upgrades seem to be more complicated/take more time to work on (opinion here, not fact). Valve-guide wear is notorious and expensive to fix.

Although the total effect of driving each car is positive, I personally like the lighter/brighter feel of the 3.2 Carrera. I also think the "seat-of-the-pants" torque is greater in a 3.2 due to weight to power ratios. That's not fact, just my "real-feel" experiences.

As was said earlier, you can't go wrong with either one. I'd personally get the 3.2. More fun, and I think you'll see the "earlier" models increasing in value better over time than the "later" models. That says a lot about a car's build quality.

Just my 2-cents.

DARISC

Dan,

A couple years ago I decided I wanted an older, air cooled Porsche, read up on them, talked to a lot of people and began looking at Carreras thru 964s. I then learned more about SCs and ended up buying an 82 RoW coupe w/o AC (2550 lbs) because I wanted a basic, raw, "visceral", computerless "bullet ptroof" (the SC engine has that reputation) daily driver.

For me, it worked out to be the perfect choice based on those parameters.

Drive them all and good luck on coming to a decision.

joey c

i have owned a 95 993 and currently own an 87..i went through rear tires very fast on the 993..the 993 was a great car and i will get another some day(c4s)..but i think the 3.2 is a better car in some ways..while not as fast,it seems to handle better,at least in stock form..its with out a doubt,more raw..and my 3.2 is very reliable...in many ways,its the best car i have owned..the frickin thing just goes all the time(knock on wood)..many say the 964 was the best of both worlds..i personally dont like the looks,as much as the 3.2 or the 993..i would get a 3.2 or coin up and get a 993...the 3.2 does feel sportier to me than the 993..the 3.2 is also fine for longer drives..i have heard folks complain about the 3.2 not being comfortable enough...i think its fine..good luck,j

911scTarga

Strikes me as pcar abuse.....

rscredon

I agree. My girl is in the garage with a cover!

Jay Gratton

Buy the best 3.2 you can afford. You can buy a VERY nice one at that price. As you would be buying a fixer upper of a 964.

Alan Herod

It depends on what you want to do with the car. The 964 is the better platform. You can only do so much with an older 911 torsion bar suspension without getting into serious cost. Personally I like the looks of the 911 better but the 964 is growing on me, particularly the 964 Cup. Not much more I can do without going to coil overs for big expense. The difficulty I see between a 3.2 and a 964 is the maintenance cost. The valve adjustment intervals should be the same; but the 964 with stock exhaust must be an order of magnitude more expensive. I cannot imagine having to remove most of the exhaust every time I wanted to adjust the valves. I do not know if an aftermarket exhaust reduces the maintenance. This is why I chose the 95 engine for my SC. I take care of my cars; but, I drive them a lot. When I was driving and tracking the 911, I drove it everywhere. I put 100,000 miles on it since I bought it with less then 75,000 miles on it in 1995. When I got the Boxster in 2001, I quit commuting as much in the 911. Now I trailer the 911; but, still drive it on the street when traffic is low and the weather is nice and....

g-50cab

Drive both - one will speak to you. I've had both - first one was a 1990 c2 Targa - second is a g-50 carrera (1987) each has it's pluses and minuses. The C2 was pretty much stock - the 1987 has had a few mods - The 1987 is easier to work on -