Marc Gelefsky

Sorry Michael, I was not referring to you as a 911 snob.

kick7ca

I think the type 90s are the real culprit here. A 964 with cup wheels looks the part for sure!

g-50cab

I hated chasing down the electrical gremlins on my 964 and I like the non abs, no airbag, non power steering, not numbed driving attitude of my 1987.

The 964 was a much faster car just as the 996 is an even faster car.

MUSSBERGER

I've got my eye out for a late 92 or later C2 Cab. Hopefully find one this winter. I think they and the coupes are a buy right now. C4's scare me.

Streetfighter

Just my two cents, but a well maintained 964 is well worth the money. The interior is the same as the 993 and just a tad less power. Its a great handling car, looks great and has creature comforts that make driving it every day easy to do. If you live in the mountains the C4 would be a great a choice. The other great buy currently is the Boxster, which is a great handling car, a little down on the power with the non S verison, but a great car and very reliable. Don't limit your decision to a '92 or later.

flatsixnut

I would love to have a 1997 C2S in SpeedYeller. As for a 964...I'll take a 1992 Carrera RS or a 1993 RS 3.8...but i dont have the $100,000+ to spend on one.

meek

"4WD is one to probably avoid in the 964"

Where do all these kind of comments come from? On what are they based, other than idle, ill informed bar room talk? I have never, ever, heard of any issue with the 4WD system in the 964 and with plenty of 964s well over 100k and some into 200k miles. Someone please enlighten me.

I heard enough of this kind of guff when I was a 944 Turbo owner; all unfounded and repeated by those who really hadn't a clue what they were talking about.

MUSSBERGER

Something about an ex Lucas engineer being involved.

Edward

Hi Meek,

Sorry, man, I don't think it was meant to offend. While others may have their dislikes about the 964's AWD, my chief dislike about it was that it behaved too much like an all-wheel drive and was not designed to bias more power to the rear only. So there are times when you had the distinct feel like it was almost front drive-ish in its tendency to understeer. And turn in was not as crisp as it very own 2WD brother.

I am certain that in particular climates or with some drivers, this may be advantageous. But for me, in the desert-basin which is SoCal, this represents an undesirable driving trait. And of course, as with any car's inherent handling traits, this tendency could be dialed out. Many of us 993-ers, 2wd and awd alike, tweaked on the suspension/alignment to "correct" what was Porsche's handling settings for the masses

As far as reliability, I personally never stated that AWD was an issue. I alluded to the Lucas DMF that grenaded, but I also had said that issue was likely resolved by this point in time, as were the cyl head leaks. Such that the 964 in good shape today, especially with the market's dim view of the car (which as I said is unfair IMHO), represents in my opinion easily the best 911s for the money today. Now this is great news for the buyer.

So take no offense, and enjoy that marvelous car of yours knowing that you've got a real gem on your hands
...oh, and as for the gruff you've take as a 951 owner, obviously YOU knew what that car was capable of ...as does anyone who has ever driven with one on the track

Edward

meek

Hi Edward,

Don't worry, I wasn't offended, although my 964 might have been I know you didn't make the comment on reliability. I have just seen similar throw away, general statements in a few recent threads about the 964 AWD system being complex and therefore an issue, which it isn't. As far as I recall, it was designed to performance requirements rather than a budget, and was only dropped because of the expense of production. The way it performs is, of course, entirely open to debate as it is very much a subjective matter. I drive mine in all weathers in a very wet UK and cannot think of another drive system that could out perform it ( other than the Quattro system ); one would have to be beyond incompetant to get out of shape, and I am and have tried . If I lived in a sunnier spot, I would most defintely be driving a C2.

The odd thing is, that as a percentage of total imports to each country, I believe more C2s were sold in the UK than the USA; someone feel free to correct that.

With regard to pricing, 964s, I believe, will only go up. Look at the pricing on SCs and similar maligned models of all makes. Eventually, scarcity and a more enlightened view ( especially from an often less than well informed motoring press ) drives the prices up. Buy a 964 now, while they are still cheap!!!

Adam.

Bearclaw

+1
Before I bought, I poked around and found the same warnings about these cars (in no particular order):
A) DMF
B) Cyl. head leaks on pre-1992 cars
C) the C4 differential system

Upon further research:
A) most all flywheels have been replaced by now
B) If the heads leaked badly, they've been dealt with by now. If they weep a little, it's no big deal. And many are dry as a bone.
C) I could find no evidence that the 4WD system is problematic - not from searching the web, nor talking to my independent shop. True, they changed it on the 993, but it was engineering evolution to a more sophisticated system, not because the 964 system had high failure.

I did find a lot of "I've heard...", or "I've read..." in my research, but NO evidence 964's are lying dead en masse in service bays everywhere.

I think of my C4's handling as lively but predictable, but I'm one of the masses it was made for...

MUSSBERGER

I'd like to believe you but your under-tray being still installed makes it hard.

Bearclaw

You smoked me out, man. I don't think I use the correct oil or tires, either.
Someday I'll learn.

flatsixnut

Bearclaw...I would actually like to see a couple more pics of your car. There is no denying that a red 964 with clear lens is a good thing.

meek

I heart my undertray