I have been really thinking lately of selling my 87 targa and upgrading to a C2 convertible.

My car is basically stock with no modifications. I started to consider increasing the horsepower, upgrading the exhaust system, upgrading the rims, changing the bumpers, targa to convertible and the list goes on….

I guess I really want more horsepower. So I’m considering selling my car and purchasing a C2, as I have read the 92-94 seems to be the way to go.

I can say that the 911 I have is wonderful and until 9 months ago I thought I would never grow tired of it, or want to trade/sell and/or even modify it (What a joke).

I cant even put down an excellence magazine..i keep issues in the bathroom for reading.

So any input on the upgrade will be appreciated.

I think you should be able to buy a nice c2/c4 conv. for around 30k with less than 70k mi.

(My car should sell for at least 17-20k. A loan from the credit union for 10k is about $180.00 per month. I’m thinking-instead of spending all the money on the 87 to increase the horsepower, rims etc... I can get a C2 for a $200.00/mo car payment.)

How do the C2 cars compare in cost, reliability and fun factor vs. the 87 carrera. (which was very reasonable..very reliable) ive read about cylinder-head leak, failing distributors, faulty dual mass fly wheels, I assumed that only affects the cars from 89-91?

Thanks any help you guys can give me will be appreciated


Jackal

 

Dear Jackal,
Maybe you would want to post your question to the 964 forum where you will get a completely unbiased, positive and objective set of opinions from C2 owners. The C2 is a great auto. DMF problems unfortunately plagued the 964 into the 1993 model year. Distributors do not fail but the secondary drive belt did until the secondary distributor was vented to remove the ozone.
Ciao,
Adrian
911C4

PS: Tongue firmly planted in cheek by the way.

 

Jackal,

Two cents on the C2 - they have alot to offer over earlier 911's. However, they are more complex, and if a bug pops up and you're a do-it-yourself type, you need to learn the new systems, and how to work around not having a Bosch "hammer" in the garage. That said, like earlier 911's they are reliable, top notch Porsches, and the later years of the 964's avoid some of the earlier mechanical concerns.

 

Hi Jackal, I have had the pleasure of owning a C2 and also an 86 with mods. To be honest with you I feel that the 86 911 is much better. I added a chip, stainless dual tip exhaust and the mass flow air and K & N filter. Total cost of about $3900.00 if I recall. The earlier car is much easier to tinker with. I would put the money in the older car.
Good Luck.

Charles <img src="graemlins/beerchug.gif" border="0" alt="[cheers]" />

 

Jackal-
Here's my 2 cents. I own a 1990 C2 Targa. I bought it over a Carrera because I loved the power. Eventually, though, I got used to the power and now would like even more. My plan? Sell the C2 and get an SC or Carrera and change the engine to a 3.6. Don't get me wrong, the C2 is a great car. It is just heavy. Your car is about 300 lbs. less. The C2's are a more modern car with power steering, ABS, airbags and updated suspension. In the process however, I think they may have lost some of the raw feel and communicative steering of the earlier cars. Plus, I think the styling of your car is classic and your car seems to be holding its value relative to its original MSRP much better than the C2. Drive some C2's and compare them to your car. Keep in mind that parts are usually a little more expensive than those for a Carrera and it is a more complex car. If you want a fast car, sell your 3.2 and drop in a 3.6. You'll toast most stock C2's and probably even 993's. BTW, if you do decide to go the C2 route, I have listed my Targa on PCA for $21,500.

 

Jackal:

I had an '86 Carrera that I loved. I thought I'd never part with it. The 3.2 cars are wonderfull 911's.

Then I test drove a 964. It was even a Tiptronic to boot. I never looked back (though I bought a manual tranny).

I do miss the much more raw feeling of the 3.2 cars. Fighting with the 915 tranny (which you do not have to do) and that fantastic steering was fun. But, the 964 is such a jump up in power and torque. It's a very noticeable improvement from the 3.2 cars. Plus the ventilation system actually works. Get a 964 in the powerband on some curvey backroads and you may be converted...

As others have mentioned, test drive a few 964's to see if that is what you want. It's the only way to tell.

Best of luck,
Jay
90 964