Marc Shaw

Gentlemen, please try to keep it civil and on-topic or we'll just have to close the thread and move on.

Marc

Marv

I'll chime in here. I have owned both. Both are great cars! The real answer is personal. Each of us must make that call based on their needs.

Personally, I find both cars pleasing and displeasing as far as looks go. The 964 seems a little awkward with some of the plastic on the rockers and bumpers. It is sort of a transition from the classic styling to the new. The 993 headlights were, at first, a bit of a loss. However, I have quickly grown to really like them. I still like the classic looks, but I have warmed up to the 993 and have no remorse.

The interior of both cars are about the same and very close to the classic 911. I really like that better than the 996 and the 997.

Power and handling are pretty close. The 993 has more weight and power. The 993 rear suspension is a little better, but you scrub off rubber on your tires faster than thee 964. The 993 C4 is an improvement over the 964 C4 in my opinion. The C4 was a little clunky in its version, but worked. The mechanism on the 993 is both lighter and more adaptive to driving conditions.

In the end the best thing you can do is buy a 911 that is in good shape. It really will not matter which you buy if the car you buy is in great shape. The pre purchase inspection's report is the most important factor in choosing your next car.

Both cars have their issues, so research the soft spots and determine if they have been addressed or if they will need to be addressed. Valve guides are a weakness in all 911 cars.

Good luck!

ARM993

Good thread guys. Seems to me that they are both great cars and I'm glad that Porsche has given us such fine choices to make. I have spent a long time lurking and researching on all of the aircooled boards on Rennlist (nearly 2 years) as my finances came in line to finally make a purchase. When it came time to start the search I was looking for a late 964 or early 993. I ended up with a 95 C4 in December. It is a fantastic car that does everything very well and I plan to keep it a long time. That said, I hope to buy another car in a couple years to park next to her. At that point I'm thinking a well modded 964 for track/street duty for many of the reasons I've read here. A little more raw, easier to set up for the track, and I love the looks of a prepped 964. So my recommendation if you can do it is both. Good luck with the decision.

ljugete

This has been an interesting thread. IMHO, I love the classic look. If the wife would let me (on short leash ), I'd have both!

The 993 is as Adrian's new book is titled, "The King of Porsches" (awesome books - I have both 964 and just got the 993 books)!

My older brother had bought a new 911 Cab. in 1984 and as a teen I just loved it. When I was looking for a clean 964 Cab., he found my 993 in West Palm Beach, FL (a Garage Queen w/34K miles and had just been serviced by the original owner) and told me this was just to awesome a car to pass up = $40K (USD) in 2000! He was convinced on buying a 993 over a 964 if you could ($$$$).

After sorting it out to my taste (several $$$ more), I don't plan on ever selling it (my son has had an eye on it though since I got it)! I often get a look of astonishment from people when thinking it's a new 911 are told it's a 1995 MY (advantages over the classic look IMO )!

These are all awesome cars and truley all classics IMHO!

911

I'll chime in here, Chris M. However, the 964 is one of the few 911s I have not driven, yet, so I really can't give a true comparison. I do find the 964 to be a very attractive car, though, and when it's set up right the car looks absolutely fantastic. IMHO, it has a "tighter" look to it than a 993 with the same setup.

Naturally, I am more partial towards the 993 and I do think it's the best looking 911 ever built.

JimOz

Has this thread been cross posted to the 993 board?
__________________
1991 C4 Coupe, Polar Silver

As the thread originator I did not cross post it.

Eggplant Cab

I have owned both a 96 993 C2 Cab and 94 964 C2 Cab. Well actually the 96 was my wife's car and worse a tiptronic. Overall, the 993 was tighter in build and chasis rigidity. High speed runs were less demanding and the aero dynamics slightly better. The extra power was always appreciated as was the improved handling, with less urgency.
964 cab rattles in hard corners and that top still requires you to unzip the rear screen first for best longevity. You feel the speed sooner and high speed runs demand your utmost attention past 120mph. The more visceral of the 2 and perhaps less refined.
When our baby came, we had to get rid of one so the 993 left (mainly because of the tiptronic). I still have my 964 as a 3rd car.

avorkinn

There is no reason to go for a 964 in head of a 993, go for the one you like best.

Cloud964

I have a 993 C4 right now and had owned 2 964 C2's in the past. I think the 993 is a little more comfy for everyday use but the 964 is more "fun" to drive around (maybe because its a C2 and not a C4). Also I think the look of a 964 is more "porsche" in the traditional sense. If I can pick again, I'll probably get an RS america or a 964 turbo 3.6. ( I drive my car once every week, so more or less comfortable doesn't really matter to me)

Eggplant Cab

Tonight I saw a 993 Carrera Cab silver parked next to my 964 C2 Cab. Looking at it again (after so many years of not really noticing another 993 after I sold mine) I found that the rear rounded wheel flares were nice compared to the straighter 964. The front actually could grow on me too... then the wife came over and wacked me on the head, saying "Don't even think about it!!"
I'm not a fan of the wide body 964. And the 993 lines on the rear are very nice. Maybe I'll just spend 10k on a repaint job and new top on my 964.
It's not easy to choose between the 2. One has visceral driving appeal, the other has smooth lines and slightly more docility.

p993targa

I have owned two 993's and two 964's, I loved them both and if I could afford to run both then I would.

They both have there own appeal, so I don't think it is a case of choosing one over the other.

I cams back to an air cooled model after owning two 996's which were unreliable and if I change again it will be a 993.

Mark

yourlasttart

Sounds like you have enough opinion to make your mind up now! My feeling is that as long as you find a good example, it's won't really matter what you choose. Just make sure it's sound and you will be smiling. For what it's worth I have just bought a 1993 964 Cabriolet.

JimOz

Thanks to all that have replied to this post. I will be looking at a 964 c2 this week, see post titles prospective purchase. Mechanical condition and price dictate that I really need to look at this car even though its 750km away from me. I'll be taking a flight to drive it myself before deciding on whether to close a deal or not.

Regards
JimOz