Winterreise

Hello All:

Happy Thanksgiving! I have been ruminating on this for a while and thought I would do well to ask this question here to see what might guide me to the best decision. My purchase budget for a 911 narrows me down to two models. The 1989 - 93 Porsche 964 or the 1999 - 2002 Porsche 996. I am tempted to buy the 964 mainly because the air cooled flat 6 is so reliable and seemed to benefit from a more perfectionist attitude from Porsche when it was designed. The 996 with its water cooled 6 is much newer, more modern designed, fast and a bit more comfortable for a daily driver (which it would be). My main concern, of course, is the IMS design flaw that, if it grenades would cost me the price of the car to repair / replace the engine. I am aware that the Flat Six LN retrofit may solve the problem but if I found these two cars with similar mileage, which way should I go for longevity and reliability?
Your thoughts would be most welcome.
Thanks in advance!
Bob

JLJ11

964! maintainance costs prob higher but smile on face will more than make up for it. Do you have links for the cars you are considering? If you take the necessary care of the engine she will reward u back. I just hit 190k in one of mine and it still feels brand new.

Makmov

IMS failure usually gives plenty of notice before grenading an engine. It's just short of 20K to do an engine after a complete IMS engine failure. Or you spend a grand or so pull the transaxle replace the offending parts along with a RMS and sleep in peace.

No way of saying which will have less probems and last longer. You could have a faultless 964 that will give you many years of enjoyment as much as you could a 996. I lot will depend on its life up to the point were you take over stewardship and how you keep up with it.

From a purists POV its no contest. There is a reason 996s are so cheap to buy.

lmazzoli

You are asking this question on the 964 Forum? - I vote 964.

FastStreet

A nice na C4S 996 will go regularly in the 30k - 35k range. Now that the IMS fix has being recognized the prices have stabilized. Its a great car for the money no doubt. Actually so is the 964. Tough choice.

FeralComprehension

964 is more true pure 911.

IMO.

Makmov

Yeah but you can get an average run of the mill 996 for in the teens, easy, and not hard to find.

street rod

You can find them in the teens but a well sorted one worth buying will normally be higher. Even still its a very good value.

Makmov

Didn't know there was any well sorted ones. I thought people just drove 996s into the dirt.

pmalenfa

I put my air cooled brain aside for a moment...

A similar milleage 964 will have more value, considering it's age (it would have run less miles per year and benefit of a similar yearly maintenance). But even at low miles, a bad 964 can be a nightmare. So from a longevity and reliability perspective (aka running cost), you should think in term of condition and not pure mileage. All p-cars are expensive to repair major issues, please make a proper PPI before buying ANY first Porsche.

OK, I take back my brain.... 964 !!!

Reston911

The original poster mentioned it would likely be a daily driver. I have owned my 964 for 12 years, and consider it a great automobile, but would not recommend any 10-20 year old sportscar (964-996) a daily driver, even a porsche.. Yes, it can be done, but not my choice for dialy driving, at least in my neck of the woods.

JLJ11

I daily drive a 993 and for years daily drove a 964. I totally recommend it. I'm careful about how i treat it and its never let me down. I can understand some peoples reluctance but should not be a factor to put you off pursuing a 911.

hans57

+1

falcor

Spend X amount of money into a car today and drive it for 3-4 years....do all the maintenance on both cars (964 will cost more to service) but will hardly depreciate at all. For the 996 you'd be lucky to get more than 50-60% back on what you purchased it for.

vaughan 88 911

Bob, Here's a few options.
1. Have a PPI done on both of them. Select the one that gets the best inspection. Get a warranty if you can.
2. Inspect it yourself. Check for oil leaks, undercarriage damage, Listen to the engine at various rpm's. Look for body panel alignment. Drive each one, pick your favorite. Good luck.
3. Wait for another used Porsche to come into the equation.

I owned a 996 for a year. It was OK. I couldn't get comfortable in the stock seat though. I own a 964 now. Fits like a glove. As far as reliability, depends on condition, and depends on maintenance history. If maintained, both Porsches should have good reliability.