ryanmac

Basically, I fell in love with Porsche in the early to mid 90's as an elementary student. I was particularly fond of the 911. Now as an adult I'd love to own one as a weekend car.

So where do I start? What can I expect to pay? My father is a mechanic but I haven't really inherited a lot of his knowledge. And I understand there's a million combinations to consider, but based generally on the fact I like an early to mid 90's 911 where would you recommend I start researching?

This will be like a wedding gift to myself.

Some examples of what I like:

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Porsche964FP

A couple of questions,

What are your plans for the car - track, street, both?
C4/ C2, Turbo, RS - what is your budget?

Bottom line when finding a car is a PPI from a reputable specialist - It's money well spent that could save you a fortune later.

Lots of information on here - Good use of the ' search ' button will turn up lots of answers to the questions you have. There are also some great 964 buyer/ owner books out there...

You've started off well finding this forum - it'll be your Porsche bible.

Happy hunting!

ryanmac

My plans are basically just street. Something I'd cruise with on weekends and perhaps the odd day into work with it. If I took it to track it'd be rare and just for a thrill now and then.

I haven't put much thought into C2 vs C4. In terms of budget, since it's not a daily driver I would say 30 thousand and under. But if I could get it closer to 20k the Mrs would be happier.

Paulie964

I highly recommend you search around on this site. There is SOOO much information to be found here. You will find everything from discussions on this very topic, to potential issues you will run into. That search feature can be your best friend. Good luck.

oh, and don't forget to post some picture when you get your new love.

Makmov

buy the best car you can afford.

In very general terms.

Low to mid teens for a early 89-90 C2 Targa Cab

upper teens to low twenties for a good C4 Coupe

Thirties on up for Garage queens RSAs

Thirties - forties for M491s, which there are very very few of.

Hight thirties to sixties for 965s

all bets are off on the low mile, super light weight and very special cars. I have seen 90s, 120s, 179s


Twenties. You can get a nice 91-94 C4 narrow body car. Butcha aint getting a widebody, turbo or RS as pictured above for twenties.

ryanmac

I appreciate the thought you put into this detailed reply. To be honest right now I'm not educated enough on the subject to spot the difference between "narrow body" or "widebody".

I'll put the search function to use and with my OCD kicking in I should be up to speed in no time.

Makmov

I will be honest with owning an old aircooled Porsche is a pretty big commitment. They are very needy. If you have Porsche passion it will come, and there is volumes and volumes of info and resources right here on Rennlist.

Paulie964

Ryan,

By all means, I didn't mean to be dismissive of your inquiry. But just to give you an example, the first thread in the 964 section has a giant list of what people are paying for their 964's (so that will answer what you can expect to pay, along with pictures and options). If you spend a little time poking around, you will get all your questions answered and many that didn't even cross your mind.

You can also check out the Pelican forums, there are plenty of cars for sale on there as well.

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/1-por...hnical-forums/

Vandit

This ^1000

We've had a couple more of these new prospective owner threads recently. Look through them and it will give you some great perspective.

ryanmac

I didn't think you were being dismissive at all. I was genuinely appreciative of your reply.

I've already been using search quite a bit over the last two days. Sometimes you just want to hear quick opinions from the savvy vets.

ryanmac

I see this 964 cabriolet with 65 thousand miles listed at 29k. I'd rather not have a convertible, but if that's the price range we're talking I can definitely live with the investment.

Makmov

There is a clue that this is probably a pretty unmolested car. Cup wheels factory US ride height, it is probably a car to consider if you like cabs. But you really want to have a Cab to own one.

There are a number of draw back to a cab unless you are a top down must have type get a Coupe.

There are a lot of additional considerations beyond the basics when looking at cabs.

Heavier, flex more, and generally fetch a low price.

They can squeek, rattle and leak. They also have problems, alignment of the top, cables, motors, and then there is the top itself.

If you ask me there are much better covertables than a Porsche cab. So if you need a top down car you might want to look elsewhere.

Pretty much the same goes for Targas. Not to beat down any cab or targa owners, most all of the ones I ever talked to, got a Targa or cab for a specific reason.

The 911 really wasn't ever designed to be a cab or a Targa. It was more of the US market that put the pressure on Porsche to build these cars, rather than Porsche one day waking up and say, "I know, I got a great idea, lets cut the roof off a 911." Porsche just doesn't do stuff like that unless they feel like they have no other choice. There was people cutting the roofs off 911 and 44s for that matter long before the Factory ever did it.

tbennett017

Get a copy of Adrian Streather's 964 Companion book.. it has lots of background on the development of the car, and the major symptoms, and how to pre-evaluate a car (before you get a mandatory PPI) when you're buying.

Lots of help exists here... we're all happy to re-live the first time experience in a vicarious manner.

Your photos all show the more er... expensive models out there... the wide body has wide/flared rear wheel arches... and these all have more expensive wheels. As to a Cabrio, they're not as expensive since they're not suitable for track use. Also consider a Tiptronic car, (transmission) as they're less money, and for some are just as rewarding. Just like noses, everyone has an opinion.

IMHO, the 964 demands a level of technical respect, but once you master some basics, its a pretty reliable and rewarding ride.

It is interesting that there have ben so many "new owner" posts this month... is it seasonal?

Makmov

I agree with that. Most people can't afford to own a 964 if they have to take it to the Porsche mender every 5 minutes.

Paulie964

What I've come across with cabs, is that once something goes wrong with the top, you are in a world of pain trying to figure out what the culprit causing the trouble is. If it was me, and I had a 30k budget, I would definitely shoot a little lower on initial purchase price. You'll find yourself wanting to tinker and change things which quickly adds up. Keep in mind these cars are old enough to buy beer at this point, so things have worn out by now. Take the suspension for example, you may be thinking about replacing some parts there, like worn out shocks and shorter springs. You may look into wider tires and different wheels for a more custom look. One tip here, not much is cheap when it comes to these cars and don't expect to build crazy amounts of HP

C2 vs C4, C2 is lighter and a little quicker with less to go wrong

Whatever you do, and you will see this over and over again here on this forum, get a private party inspection before you commit to buy.


I've noticed that too ... All of a sudden, not only are there a new owners, but people are picking up seconds.