All: I'm back to looking for a 911 (was doing so last Fall but other things got in the way). I had been after a 993 but since have thought about the possibility of a 964 instead. Between reading this site, old reviews and magaizines, I think I have a good idea of the changes between the models as well as the key maintenance issues. Certainly the looks and pricing are very different. However, I don't really have an understanding of how different the two actually feel/perform. I've driven quite a few 993s but only one 964.

In your minds, how different are the two on the road due to changes such as the rear suspension, 6 speed, better ventilation/ac, more powerful engine better window sealing, etc? I'm primarily discussing C2s (although I would consider a 993 C4). I realize that this may sound like a simple/stupid question but thanks for any insights - I'm posting this on the 993 board also and did do searches but didn't really find an answer to the real world differences.

 

big difference to me is $10-30K in price for a weekend car. Also no clogged cell ports. Maybe for an daily driver would consider a 993 or maybe even a 996 because they are newer. Didnt know trhere was a difference in the Air/heat system.

 

964 just a bit more raw... but just a bit... It will come down to personal preferences... I want a 993 but without having to get rid of my 964

BTW, not a stupid question at all... has been asked many many times with a lot of feedback from many folks... do a search

 

Use your "butt dyno" to determine your preference. Honestly, the 993 is closer to the 964 than the 996...I have only driven a 964 once, but it is not that much different than the 993....rear suspension is different, the 993 engine is a little bit torquier, but they are both 911s "of the old school" with the air cooled engines, sounds, and smells.

I honestly don't think there are 2 correct answers to your question of 964 vs. 993 and neither is the wrong one--it comes down to personal preference. Drive 'em both, take some notes, and figure out which one gets the blood pumping for you--and, as Wachuko said, do a search on this board or the 993 board for "993 vs 964" or something of the sort and you should have a plethora of opinions to read through. If you see some people with 964s and 993s in their signatures, try sending them a PM--they might have insights or be able to talk to you more in depth about specifics.

Good luck!

 

Thanks guys! I'll try searching some more although my first efforts didn't turn up that much. Any other thoughts will be welcome.

 

Thanks guys! I'll do some more searching - I didn't find much on my first tries. Any other opinions will be welcom.

 

Is it the 993 model that has the Rear Main Seal (RMS) problem that's causing some engines to be replaced, or in milder cases, causing the RMS to be replaced every 20,000 miles? I've read a lot of traffic on this on the PCA 964-993 board. Might be worth looking into that for the particular car you're interested in. And Joel Reiser on the PCA board goes on and on about the coking of the ports.

 

The RMS problem is with the 996 & appears to have been carried over to the 997. The 993 engine does seem to be reliable when it comes to leaks, but no more than the later 964 engines (92+) that had the updated cylinder head seals.

On the other hand, the 993 can suffer from electrical problems with the wiring loom instead.

In the end, both cars will cost some cash to run, sometimes more than what we'd like & this is what's makes it important to buy the car you like best, both by the seat of the pants & by the looks.

For me? I always wanted a 911 & whilst the 964 still has the classic shape that I dreamed of when I was a kid, the 993 just hasn't. That's what swung my decision.

Andy

 

You've got some great responses so far from both here and the 993 board. I did like the the comment on the 993 board that stated "the 993 is a better car than the 964, but the 964 is a better 911".

How do you plan to use your 911? Weekend toy car or daily driver?

If it's going to be a daily driver, I'd opt for the newest 911 and purchase a 993 or even an early 996 (which are depreciating rapidly). The rear suspension improvements are noticeable. The 6 speed is nice, but you won't miss it if you get a 964.

If you want a weekend toy to tool around in, the 964 is slightly more raw.

The 993 continued Porsche's goal of refining each new generation of 911. The 993 series is aging enough now that maintenance costs probably are similar. I do feel that the 993's can depreciate a bit yet where as some of the early 964's may not drop too much more in value.

Both are great 911's. It's up to you on looks and pricing.

Jay
90 964

 

The 964 represents the ultimate development of the classic, stovepipe-fendered 911. The 993 is the harbinger of things to come, all beautiful cars in their own right. Driving either is a blast, since they're more alike than different under their skins. Buy the best example that you can afford of the one that makes you say "Man, I love that car!"

 

I agree that performance is close in speed and handling with the 993 being a bit faster (it's in a higher race class as a result), but the looks are completely different. It's hard to tell the difference in speed and handling of cars because one 964 can feel very different from another - you gotta' sample a lot of them to get a good feeling if you're looking to really figure out the difference between the "feel" of each.

But if you are talking esthetics, I like the classic 911 look - if given the option to have either one, I'd take the 964 any day, just because I like the way it looks!

 

..better for what and for whom? You just gotta' try them all to see what you like best! Isn't freedom of choice great?!

 

I remember our own Adrian writing in a recent post that a Porsche engineer told him that the 964 was "the last 911 designed for the enthusiast and we'll never do that again". It's been written that the 964 still used the old school built by hand methods and the 993 was built using more modern methods.

All that being said, the 993 is still an exceptionally well built car. The real change in build quality and material quality is when the 996 came into being. You can definitely tell things cheapened up a bit when that model was introduced. Again, both the 964 and 993 are well built cars and you can't go wrong with a nice example of either car.

 

I just posted on the 993 board that I like the looks of the 964 better...how do you guys think that'll go over?

 

I subscribed to this same thread that is running on the 993 board just to see how much they would hate our lowly, oil leaking, DMF failing, vent kit missing 964s, but I've been pleasantly surprised to see the 964 is generally held in high regard along side the 993. Many years ago here, that would not have been the case...