Moffman

The dramatic title pretty much describes it.

I'm in the market for a new daily driver/enjoyment car, and after about 6 months of research I've decided on either a 964 C2 or a 996 C2.

Everyday I constantly switch back from both cars, thats why I want to hear some of your opinions. The 996 would obviously be the better DD but I'm not sure I would enjoy it as much as the 964, and air cooled flat six is orgasmic.

Unfortunately I have only been able to test drive the 996 and that was when I was about 9 years old, I have though been fortunate enough to be a passenger in a 964 and it was pretty amazing. Anyone ever driven a 964 and a 996 and what was your thoughts on each?

(Damn every time I make a thread I have a 3 page essay in my head but it comes out trimmed, any extra info I'm forgetting I'll add it in as I go.)

candela

964 all the way, especially if it's going to be a keeper.....

Regulatori

To me they are such different cars and it's hard to compare them together. You just really need to test drive one of each....I'm pretty sure you're going to walk away from one with a "No doubt in mind, I'm picking this!" feeling. I can see people trying to choose between a 3.2/964 or 993/964 but a 996 feels like a totally different car. You definitely need some seat time in each and your decision will be much easier. You then need to do some research on that particular model to find out all of the known issues with specific years.

GeorgeK

The 996 seems plagued by engine problems. Not only on the net, but in real life, at least according to the local dealer and indy. Would suck to have a bill of the same amount as the car's purchase price within 6 months of owning it.
The 964 is the last of the seminal shape of the 911, and seems to age remarkably well.

Now silence and confort, the 996 is miles ahead.

Kahdmus

I cherish my 964 and intend to own it forever. I have thought about a 996 but only because they are relatively cheap in the current market and the prospect of a longer commute means I don't want to put extra miles on my beloved 964.

Unkle

I have only driven the 964,

However an acquaintance has driven both, and as Regulatori says they are very different. The 996 has an ordinary feel to it, and the dash is a little Ford Mondeo like with the cup holders and switch gear, which makes it feel a little less special from a nostalgic point of view. When it gets moving it is a Porsche pure and simple but it has to be worked to get the same feeling, and driving on a commuter run won't feel too far from the ordinary drab daily driver.

The 964 is an event from the start, the sound, the smell, the twitching rear end when making progress on anything other than motorway. But could it be a good daily driver? I think the great feeling when driving the 964 would lower the more its driven especially when the drive is to and from work. Its also an 18 year old car that is expensive to maintain and at that age and it will need maintaining well if you want to rely on it every day.

For driving to work in comfort and occasional spirited drive, but when the increase in miles will add to the depreciation I would go for the 996. For the best 911 experience i would go for the 964. but I wouldn't want to drive it every day, unless it was always for fun. Perhaps get both

sml

I was weighing up the same decision a few months ago and finally settled on the 964 over the 996 for these reasons:

a) the 996 seems to have some pretty serious major engine risks. when reading the 996 forums there are plenty of stories about engine failures. reading the 964 forums over the past few months both here and on pelicanparts forum, I dont recall reading about any 964 engine failures. obviously the 964 engines will wear, but a top-end (or even bottom-end) refresh is a different cost to a full new 996 engine. i made the decision that the 996 engine risk was not just 'internet' rumours but others may diagree.

b) the 964 was about 20% cheaper

c) my mechanic did not recommend taking a 996 to the track due to the engine risks. if it was just an internet forum guy advising this, then I wouldn't take much notice, but my mechanic maintains plenty of porsche race cars, so I trusted his advice.

d) i am hoping the air-cooled 964 will have a better chance of appreciating in future - following the trend of the 993.

quick feedback on the test drive experience with my minimal 911 experience ....
- jumping into the 996 was just like jumping into a Toyota ... super easy to drive just like a modern car and after 15 mins, I felt comfortable driving the car and blasting through the hills.
- jumping into the 964 was a weird uncomfortable feeling for the first 1 month ... it took some time to get comfortable but it is awesome a few months later and continues to get better! ... and the engine at 5000rpm+ sounds amazing.

FlatSix911

Easy solution ... split the difference ... Get a 993 !
The best of both worlds ... great Daily driver and Air Cooled!

boxsey911

If it's a DD I would choose the 996.

GeorgeK

Value counterpoint:
My 964 has 225'000 Kms, has been repainted a few times, has dings and dents.
How much lower can the value go? I'd guess it will not, and in enough years will raise again, assuming it doesn't burn or rust to pieces.
In fact in Switzerland at least, values are rising for all and any non-water cooled 911.

RSA_27149

Between my 997S and 964, I'd pick my 964 every time. For DD duty however, there's much to like about the water cooled cars. If this is your first Porsche, or it will be your only car, I would not get either. If that's not the case, 964 all the way!

sml

why is that?

911Jetta

I was quite impressed with the 996 during my test drive. Very fast and handled well. I just don't like the looks of the car and it just doesn't feel as special... So many of the "old-school" features are still present in the 964. The way the doors close (with that loud, solid bank vault feel, click!), the view out of the windshield, and that engine sound....

I don't really understand the daily driving comments? My car feels so solid and agile, why wouldn't you want to drive it everyday? It's faster than most cars on the road, it has better brakes, my AC works really well, I even take BOTH my kids to school in it...sure lots of short drives aren't great for the engine, but short of that (and tight parking spaces) I use every opportunity to drive my car that I can...it's 20 years old, with 125K miles and it feels so solid and fun to drive.

I learn something, I feel something, I try something new every time I drive the car...when I return home after a drive, I carefully pull into the garage and feel like getting out and lighting up a cigarette and just standing there looking at the car...

People worry too much, you can always buy someone's garage queen down the road.
A great quote I read at another forum, "the miles you don't drive a 911, you don't get those back".

Plus once you buy a 964, be prepared for all the great people you will meet with it, and the wonderful road trip adventures you will have!

964s are amazing, get what you love!

LastMezger

Daily driver? Get the 996. Fewer parts will fail due to age alone and the parts are cheaper.

If budget's less of a consideration the 964 is the best air cooled 911 hands down (unless you're on the 993 board;-)

perlfather

I had a 964 for 13 years and when simultaneously I had a windfall of $s and it was time for a new clutch, DMF, A/C repair and other fixes. I sold the 964 and purchased a 996C4S. Great cruising car, very competent in the wet, but not nearly as much fun as the old 964. It was just a car. (I know saying this about a Porsche, any Porsche is ridiculous).
After a few years I admitted I made a mistake, searched for the 964 I sold and bought it back for what i sold it for! (It had 10k additional miles and many of the things have been fixed).
I now look for occasions to drive the car and am surprised at the great "support" I got from the entire family as well as how happy they seem to be for me.
For me the choice was/is easy but it might not be everyones obvious "cup of tea".
As other people have said drive both cars for several hours over different conditions and the choice will be obvious. Maybe not at first but eventually it will be obvious!