911Dave

Currently I have an 86 Carrera, which I really enjoy, but I've got a turbo jones that just won't go away.

Strange thing is, for years I didn't really care much for the 964 style bumpers but I've done an about face on that and I'm totally warmed up to the 964 look now. Especially the turbo!

But before I leap into 965 ownership without looking first, is the maintenance gonna kill me? I know turbos in general are more expensive, but are 965's reasonable as far as turbos go, or are they money pits?

Also, I'm figuring on $45-50k for a 3.3, or $50-55k for a 3.6. Super nice examples only. Is this about the right ballpark?

And finally....is the 3.6 worth the extra coin? I know they didn't make very many and I'm wondering how often they are seen for sale.

Seba911

Hello

Sounds like a good update! I used to own a -86 Carrera before upgrading to a 930. Ok, it´s not a 964 turbo, but I like the car much! I do the maintenance my self, but I´ve heard the 964 is the most expensive of the 911 range maintenance wise? Relative small production numbers and still the old technic.

The 3,6L is expensive, but you get what you pay for!

eyue

Hello,
I have a 86 Carrera and a 93 965 3.6 Turbo, love them both. The Carrera is more fun and easy to control than the turbo. But Turbo is Turbo, cannot compare. And both cars for me maintance are much the same, except the turbo is more thirsty around town !!!

Strokher Racing

I would not trade my 91 turbo for anything. I am the opposite I have always thought pre 91 bumpers ruined the cars. Put a turbo s spoiler on the cars and add brake ducts where the fogs go and you have a very tough looking front.

Eric Hood

LuisGT3

Yes.

JRRSA

I had an 86 911, then an RSA. Just got into a 3.6 Turbo, drove it for the second time today, about 100 miles. I've been back home for an hour and I still can't get the grin off my face. I very much enjoyed the 86 and the 93 RSA, however, the turbo is in a different world.

As for your pricing estimate - You say "super nice example" a 3.6 Turbo will set you back more than $55K. Very low mile 3.6 Turbos are for sale in excess of $70K. There is a 4K mile car on PCA now for $84K. RPM in Houston has one with 14K for $74K. It all depends on what you are looking for. The good news is due to the rarity of the 3.6 if you take good care, it should hold it's value very well.

All I can say it, you won't regret it. Good luck!
________________
1994 911 3.6 Turbo
1993 911 RSA sold
1986 911 Carrera sold

Frank 993 C4S

I had always dreamed of owning a 993TT. However, when the Porsche bug bit me again, I found that the 964Ts a) are more rare b) have better value retention c) can be modded to have similar performance and d) are the last of the RWD turbos and thus much less refined (in a good sense).

I had been shopping for my '94 964T for about 3 - 4 months (and should hopefully have it on my doorstep in about a week) so here are my $0.02:

- super nice low mileage 3.3 are in the $45 - $55k range. Higher mileage cars can be had for a lot less. From a performance perspective the 3.3 can be moded similar to the 3.6 and I doubt you'd really feel the difference unless you pushed the modding envelope and are looking for a track car. You can always retrofit the 3.3 with the Porsche Speedline rims and then they are almost indistinquishable.

- super nice low mileage 3.6s are about $20k - $30k ABOVE that. I actually found very few high mileage cars for sale. 50% of all 3.6Ts seem to be black/black so there is definitely more supply. Silver and red are also very prevalent. I was looking for a midnight blue one and my guess is that there are about 10 of those in the US.

I looked at some very low mileage cars that were in a lot worse shape than some enthusiast maintained higher mileage cars. Mileage alone does not seem to be a good indicator of technical soundness. I also looked at some "Museum pieces" that looked like they had just come out of the factory but were not the color combo I liked. Most of the lower mileage cars (like the one I bought) had some minor oil leak issues. If you're looking for a special one of a kind car (just because) go for 3.6. Whatever you do, have a thorough PPI perfomed by somebody that knows these cars. I found that most Porsche dealers don't know air cooled cars that well.

Boeing 717

Hey dave, heck yes you should!!!!!!!!!!!!! Just got mine about a week ago and cant stop driving it, looking through the past owners records it seems he spent anywhere from 300-1200 a year on upkeep, every few years he did somthing major and it would be like a 1200-2400 dollar bill. This car runs fantastic with 132,000 miles and looks like a 20000 mile car. They are worth every penny in my opinion. I would have been happy with a nice C2 but every time i saw a turbo i would have sulked a little. So just do it man............

JERRY

ChristianR

I have a 92' 965 and I would not trade it for anything, well, almost anything

Christian

911Dave

If the 3.6 will put me into $70k+ territory, then that's about equal to a new Cayman or a 993TT. I enjoy rarity but not THAT much! I think I'll stick to the 3.3 variety and mod if I feel it needs something more.

By the way, I have never driven, or even ridden in, a turbo of any kind. I'm pretty sure I'll like it though. Thanks for all the great advice!

JBH

Somebody give Dave a ride in their turbo!

Dave, I am not sure I understand what you want out of your ownership. If you are not looking for a collector car, then I advise getting the 3.3L and take the additional money and apply it to improving and updating the car. Frank's advice is good - low mileage does not mean low maintenance. From a driving car perspective, I would rather have the impeccably maintained and upgraded car over a stock car with low miles.

Any 15 year old car, driven or not, needs attention - as it turns out, turbos need to be driven.

911Dave

Bruce Anderson seems to agree with you on that. In the Up-fixin books, he's always commenting that turbochargers need to be used regularly or they require frequent replacement.

That won't be a problem for me (I hope). I'd be using the car at least weekly from April to November, and maybe once or twice a month Dec - March. On the order of 3k miles per year I'd imagine.

I wouldn't be looking for a collector car, and I'd be wary of any car with extremely low miles. One with 30-40k miles would be nice, and I'd be looking only at excellent condition cars with full history.

cobalt

Dave,

To begin with, you received excellent advice from everyone.

Now think of a 964 turbo like your 928. Cost is going to be about the same as a 928 to maintain minus some of the quirky problems the 928’s have. If you buy a well-maintained car that has had the work done properly you have a reliable fun car with standard maintenance issues. If it was poorly maintained no matter how many miles you will be trouble shooting gremlins and other problems created by the previous owners. 9 out of 10 times problems occur more to poor maintenance than the car itself they are pretty solid. Although an engine rebuild on a turbo will cost more than a 928 engine with a broken Tbelt to repair.

I looked at 993TT's before I bought my 3.6 and to be honest the 993TT is a very impressive car but IMO lacks the raw feeling that I love so much in the single turbo cars. If you are looking for more of a GT feel the 993TT is by far better if you want raw power and heart pounding excitement nothing beats the single turbo cars. I passed on the 993TT myself and would not trade my car for a 993TT even if it meant money in my pocket and a clean car in the trade.

A modified 3.3 will do just as well as a 3.6. The 3.6 does have considerably more low end torque which makes it easier to drive in traffic and around town but the fun is all the same once the turbo kicks the smile into gear.

I get tremendous compliments on my car and everyone always is interested in the 964 turbos because they see so few. At a meet last week a 996 owner wanted a drive in my car and was amazed at how raw and much fun these earlier cars can be. He wanted to trade his in but when you think about the price of these things many people buy the newer cars thinking they are getting the latest and the best. That is not always the case.

Good Luck in your search and I recommend driving one if you can, these cars are not for everyone.

JRRSA

Anthony,

Extremely well said...I couldn't agree more.
____________________
1994 911 3.6 Turbo
1993 911 RSA - sold
1986 911 Carrera - sold

SonnyV

I agree with all the advice. There is not much more to add except GET ONE. You will love it.