Best/Better Years for 964s?
10-31-2008 | 09:28 PM
#32
Drifting
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 2,483
Likes: 41
From: Austin, TX
In the USA, the 1989 C4 was the only one available without Airbags. What this means is that you do not need to worry about a 20 year old airbag bowing your head off. Also, you can swap the steering wheel to whatever you like in 20 minutes or less. Finally there is more leg room since the lower dash is open like an old 911. The Airbag 964's have a huge lower dash cover, bum ashtray and cheap glovebox.
11-01-2008 | 07:59 PM
#35
Addict
Rennlist Member
Rennlist Member
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 3,852
Likes: 2
From: Pacifica CA.
My '89 C4 was wonderful, my '91 C2 is as equally fantastic!
If these cars were 5 years old then the question would be relevant, however, after 20 years, any problems pertaining to a specific model year have been fixed. Just get a PPI and you are golden!
If these cars were 5 years old then the question would be relevant, however, after 20 years, any problems pertaining to a specific model year have been fixed. Just get a PPI and you are golden!
11-01-2008 | 10:15 PM
#38
Rennlist Member
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 9,170
Likes: 10
From: New Jersey
Otherwise, if you go to the factory today (I've been there), the cars are assembled by hand. What does that mean? There are doo-dads hanging on karts waiting for each car (e.g., a particular car's dash is shuttled over by an automated kart as the car arrives at an assembly station, a guy/gal takes the dash off the kart and screws it into the car by hand - is that assembly by hand?)
The only part that is put on the 911s/Boxsters by machine is the windshield.
While watching the assembly line, I did get to watch two workers drop an engine and tranny assembly on the floor while trying to put it into a 996. Doh!
11-06-2008 | 02:45 AM
#40
Racer
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 369
Likes: 0
From: Sydney, Australia
993 = approx 70 man/hours
They HAD to do this, otherwise they would have gone broke!!!
There's a video somewhere on Youtube, showing the old guy with the small wooden mallet at the ned of the 964 body line... feeling the WHOLE body by hand and tap tap tapping out any small imperfections...
11-06-2008 | 09:07 AM
#41
Nordschleife Master
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 5,405
Likes: 74
From: S.E. VA
Cayenne = 12 man-minutes [-- less on Fridays]
...man, you just described what sometimes feels like my garage time. 
(some) old guy with the small wooden mallet at the end of the 964 body line... feeling the WHOLE body by hand and tap tap tapping out any small imperfections...
11-06-2008 | 12:31 PM
#42
Three Wheelin'
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 1,926
Likes: 5
From: Seattle xburb - I can't see the Emerald City, but I know it's out there somewhere
I recently watched a Discovery Channel show on Ferrari. I believe it was made in 2004-2005. They were still doing this with each body - kinda like 3 or 4 PDR guys roving around, sighting down the body and tapping on it with mallets. All the while, they were crowing about their improved assembly efficiency. Guess there's no substitute for TLC - but I doubt they do this at Lexus.
