Steve Weiner-Rennsport Systems

Awesome cars,.......SUPERB build quality vehicles with excellent potential to make them very good performers.

Mechanically simple, electrically complex and not quite as DIY-friendly as earlier cars. One needs either an experienced mechanic or avail yourself of the proper resources to work on them yourself.

I love 'em.

race911

Yeah, no 30-40 minute engine removals like a carb/901 trans/non air car, huh? (At least they're easier than dealing with a 993.............)

misterbeverlyhills

I have been lucky to own a 84 ROW 3.2, and still have a 73 911 and a 92 964. Each car from its own generation has a different feel and many plusses so everyone gets an opinion but I find myself picking up the keys to the 964 more often than not. I was never a fan of the looks, after the Carrera run I thought this was the best they could do? The back can look heavy from some angles and the 16 inch D90 rims were too wimpy after looking at Fuchs for close to 23 years, in my mind the best pairing of car and wheel bar none.

Fact is the 964 is a born track car and anyone who has seen them in Cup Car form or the infamous RS version available in Europe knows this is the thinking man’s 911 racecar. They are outright screamers when pushed, well balanced with 17 inch staggered rubber, easy to predict and easy to steer with brakes and throttle. Shifting is a dream at the end of a long straight you can literally stand on the ABS and shift from 5th to 2nd or 3rd where I would have to go back and pick up the pieces of my 1973’s trans if I did that. A/C spits out ice cubes, power steering is great and hard to tell it is even there and cabin is extremely comfortable but still a kissing cousin to the 73 and almost the same as the 3.2. The pop up rear spoiler is way cool.

I have tracked my 3.2 and am off tomorrow to Buttonwillow in the 964 which has some minor mods for this purpose mainly competition brake pads and 17 inch wheels and firmer HK springs. It is easily faster than the 3.2 but each is a blast to drive at the limit, the 964 being more forgiving for lift throttle oversteer and better brakes. That said there are a couple of 3.2s I meet at the track regularly that are very trick, some serious mods and lightened up that I cannot get by. I would say that as a track car the 964 is a better bet and a better buy than the 3.2 but if you spend money on each you can improve the breed no end-if you spent 5k on each car though the 964 would still trump the 3.2.

By now the looks of the 964 have really grown on me, check out the 964 forum on this site and see what some guys have done to their cars and then check out this on youtube, fun really begins after 2:08 minutes
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l14d5...eature=related

race911

Say hi to Tom, who has my old RSA. And I'm sure you know Chris, who I've only bumped into here. Gaggle of 964s for an "old 911" day? Get you guys up here sometime.

ivangene

holy crap I watched and re-watched and rewound and watched that video while laughing my a$$ off at it... those guys were serious!!! WOW, awsome vid THANK YOU for sharing

misterbeverlyhills

I will say hi to my old instructor Tom and yes, 964s at an old 911 run should be fun, Chris insisted I bring the 964, as we are not timing I give him something to pass at least.

The video is one of my favorites, have watched it so many times I now speak German!

Ed Hughes

It hasn't changed, check SPEED each December when they run 1/2 hour recaps of the Porsche Supercup season. Still the same ***** to the walls, but in 997 based race cars. A support series to F1.

rusnak

Remember the story of Mika Hakkinnen, who ran in the Supercup 964 when it was a support race to F1? They say he left mirror paint on the wall at exactly the same spot, lap after lap.

mclaudio

It's been a while since I watched the Uwe video. Thanks for sharing. I remember watching the 964 Supercups back in its period. Anyway, the video is a good way to answer whether the 964 is a "true 911" or not. The 964 probably has more period race provenance than the 3.2, which is IMHO a must pre-requisite for a "true 911".

blake

Great thread, and great posts. I own a 964 and have owned a 3.0 SC. I have also spent extensive time in a buddy's 3.2 when he throws me the keys. I really like the "raw" feel of the 3.2 compared to the 964, and especially like the lack of power steering. My favorite 964 is the 92 US Cup and the 93/94 RSA because they feel like throwback cars (no power steering, good hp-to-weight ratio). 911s starting with the 996 have become docile, so I thankfully gravitiate to the GT cars which have brought back the old swagger...

I think the 964 would make a better DE car and a better daily-driver. The 3.2 would win the "soul" award, and would make the perfect "Saturday morning spirited drive" car... Personally, I'd want both in my garage!

-B

911tracker85

that is why I have owned my '85 Carrera twice...

but as I got older, and she morphed into a harsh DE/track car, got a 928S for DD. the 928 is very comfortable, runs/handles great, but without the drama of the 911.

love 'em both for their respective purposes.

earlyapex

I find it humorous when a Porsche owner thinks there version of the car is better than another. I always thought my 3.0 L, 78 SC handled like a sofa until I had the suspension done properly. It then became the most fun car that I had driven. All the 3.0 L owners that I spoke to thought that the later 3.2 L cars got heavier, adversely affecting the dynamics of the car to the point that it no longer had the soul of the earlier, lighter cars. My 93 RSA is far from stock and closer to a race car than street car. It is not a car for wimps. It is still as much a Porsche as the current 997.2 GT3. You've started a good discussion. Every model had their fans and detractors.

911tracker85

Ultimately, the question is what do YOU want from a car.

I am glad Porsche made both of the models I own. they each satisfy a different purpose. in my limited experiences, ALL Porsches are great cars in their own right.

speaking of 3.2s being heavy. that is becoming a major limitation of my 911 on the track. still have working AC (I know, as questionable as it is), full leather interior other than the Evo2 seats, and a radio (which I assume still works but have not had it on for so long ...)

I tell my track buddies who have gutted their cars down to just over 2,000lb, "I prefer to look and feel good to being a few sec faster". some day when I no longer feel I can handle the rigor of track activity my intent is to rip the seats and cage out and return as close to original as I can, w/out reverting the mechanical upgrades.