Regulatori

I was talking to a friend of my mine that's looking for a 964 coupe and he mentioned a couple of random shops (in different areas of the US) giving a lot of negative feedback on the 964 - like 10 minute rants. Most of it is concerning oil leaks, mechanical issues, and being generally unreliable. These are sports car/Porsche shops too.

The strange thing is that the shops will look down upon the 964 but praise the 993 even though there is so many similarities (and the 993 has a host of own specific problems).

All of the negative talk scared my friend a bit but I mentioned to him if 964s are so bad, then why....
-is it so hard for you to find a 964 5-speed coupe right now? You go on pca.org and most Porsche forums and there is multiple "want to buy a 964 5-speed coupe" threads.

-are the prices continually rising? It's now common to see 25K+ for a clean one with lower miles.

-are so many European customers grabbing the US 964s and shipping them back? Here are countries that have multiple enthusiast cars (stuff we can't get here in the US) yet they want our 964s.


I've made searches and came across multiple topics about this in the past (years ago) but nothing recent....I just want some current feedback. My friend is going to read this thread so I'm hoping we can give him a little reassurance.

Frank 993 C4S

Personally, I have never heard much negative attitude towards 964s by any mechanic as these cars are pretty bullet proof. The SAI issue on 993s is another matter that is much more talked about. The 964s need maintenance just like any other car. Even though I do not drive them much, I have no oil leaks on my cars. (Actually, my GT3 leaked more oil than the 964s ever did until the RMS was fixed)

Seems that 964 Coupes are in short supply now and I'm not sure why. There are still a fair amount of Europeans buying US cars as long as the currency exchange rates are attractive to them. US West Coast (California/Arizona) cars are much sought after by Europeans because they have generally no rust issues, are better cared for and have lower mileage than comparable European units. Most Porsches in the US are garaged, whereas garages are in much shorter supply in other countries.

gchristofi

From what I can see this side of the pond, owners of good C2 manual coupes are not selling them. Supply/Demand is gradually pushing the price upwards.

Seight

I think a lot of the cars bought in California etc are to sell not in the UK but in Europe. LHD models are in great demand in Germany and coupes in black are the most sought after often reaching 30-35k+ euros which is much more expensive than they are in the UK.
Of course here in the UK as everywhere else each car is judged on it's own merits. You can get a 964 for anything from £8.5k to £22k (not inc RS, turbo etc) totally dependent on condition, history, mileage, spec, colour and so on.
The good news is they are slowly rising here but will be a while before they are at German levels. Not that I EVER intend selling mine!

Ghengis

Having recently bought my car (July 2010) I have to say I'm pleased I did as there are fewer good ones on the market than in previous years when I was looking to buy. Prices also seem to be firming up.

There is a bit of negative press regarding the oil leaks these cars have and perhaps there is some basis for that but it shouldn't deter a buyer. My car does leak a little and sure it would be better if it didn't. It is however a fantastic car to drive and is IMHO the last truly classic looking 911. The engine is strong and flexible with plenty of power in reserve for most driving situations.

All things considered I don't think I would have chosen anything else. After all I don't mind adding a pint of oil every few thousand miles as that is far outweighed by the grin inducing feeling I get each time I drive it.

Buy one - you know it makes sense!!!

vracer

I spent a few months looking for a '87-'93 Targa. I preferred the 964 for driveability. I solicited obinions from a number of mechanics, and found that those who had already paid for their yachts recommended the 911, while those who were still making payments said I should get a 964. I ended up with an '89 due to scarcity of really good 964s.

Redcoat

Makmov

I think it's because the 964 is not a 911 and not a 993 so it's an easy target.

In all honesty, I was looking from a SC or 3.2 Carrera when I stubled upon the car I bought and couldn't be happier with it.

windblown

The 964 is the first vesion of this style Porsche that is not classified as a "911" on the outside bagdging... many self proclaimed purist don't like change! I spent many years looking for the right 911; looked at 60's,70's, 80',s and then happened by accident upon a 92 964... I had driven many Porsches but after driving the 964 I couldn't imagine getting any other air cooled version for my driver; the 964 has very good manners in street traffic and absolutley is a joy to drive when the road opens up. The 964 has the classic look of the 911 with so many of the refinements of a newer car without going over board with digital parts and pieces that blink and talk at you... as most will say, be sure to get a good PPI on any P-Car you are interested in...

falcor

I dont want a 993, dont like the headlights.......and the only pre 1989 911 I want would be a 70's ducktail racer... So for me the 964 represents perfection designwise.....

alanp

Porsche's are not Italian ...so no need to be concerned

Porsche964FP

'Why do you think the 964 still gets negative feedback?'

Because the feedback doesn't come from 964 owners.

Oil leaks & flywheel issues were a problem with the first model year & by now any decent 964 would have had these issues sorted. It's a myth.

Of course badly looked after 964s will have problems. Just like any car. Let's be honest, there have been problems with all Porsches and there will be many more with future ones.

But as stated above these are Porsches not Italian tutu skirts.

The 964 was conceived at the height of the 80s boom and so the 964 is massively 'over' engineered and was built to an extremely expensive standard. Not much profit was made from their sale. The 964 took mechanical genius from the 959 which was ground breaking, no other car had ever been so technically advanced.

One would think the 3.2 and the 964 were similar just looking at them... only 15% of the 964 is the same and since they look so much alike, minus the deformable bumpers, this leaver a whopping 85% to the mechanical parts.

The 993 was born in a moment when Porsche had taken a massive blow during the recession by selling the very costly 964, therefore huge cut backs were made in order to assure a greater profit on the 993s sale. I'm not saying 993s are not good, just that 964s are IMO are a true testament to Porsche's full ability.

Hear, hear?

LUCKY LONDON 964

Hear Hear,well put Frank

Porsche964FP

911Jetta

I love this paragraph!

If you bought a 964 in the last couple of years, you've probably benefited from all the bad press...just last year these cars were sell for ridiculously cheap money!

I wish I had the extra funds (and room) to buy another one...