Sifly

It won't matter if you buy a 3.3 or 3.6, as long as you buy a good one, it should not derpreciate long term. Obviously it will cost you servicing and general maintenance, but if your lucky it may actually rise in value over the years as they have been steadily creeping up for the last 5 years or so.

cobalt

OK lets get some fact straight here guys. The 3.6 was Porsche's idea of a punt. The new 965 was scrapped out and Porsche had no plans for a new turbo in the lineup until 1996. They had numerous widebody shells to get rid of and could only make so many 911 anniversary or WB AWD versions. They couldn't go 4 years without a flagship 911 and allow the 928 to sit as top model while sales were nonexistent and they were discontinuing the 928 so they threw together the 964 turbo 3.6.

Using the big brakes from the 928GTS they painted them red as they had on the earlier 3.3 turbo S, turbocharged the 3.6 liter with some internal modifications and upped the boost a little. Finished it off with 3 piece speedlines and they were able to muster up another $30 million in sales in the US and considerably more for the ROW. The reason for them all being 1994 models was the delay in getting orders here and therefore once enough were ordered they finished off another 200 or so and sold them where they could the balance of the shells made up the WB C4 and the turbo S cars.

So where does this leave us. A faster car with a few added features but the last of the air-cooled RWD single turbo cars. HP was the same ROW or US just reads different because of what method of calculating the results was used. The 3.6 is slightly quicker off the line but still a pig even compared to a n/a 964 at least up to 25mph. This was a result of the 3.6's ability to build hp and torque slightly lower in the rpm range due to larger displacement. In stock form the 3.6 is considerably faster than a 3.3 from 0-100mph this is where the car really pulls strongest and leaves the 3.3 behind. IIRC the 3.6 does 0-100 in 9 seconds vs the 3.3's 11s which places the 3.6 up there with more modern cars. It continues to out accelerate the 3.3 up to its higher top end and can out brake the 3.3.

Otherwise you are looking at 2 very similar cars which if modified can be made faster than the other neither handles like a modern car and takes great skill to master at speed..

If you are looking to modify buy a 3.3 and have your way with it. If you plan on keeping it close to stock look for a nice 3.6 the added power and performance is worth the extra. The added touch of the big reds speedlines and exclusivity are nice perks that go along with it. The only version of these cars that are going to be worth huge amounts of money one day are the turbo S's and IMO the package version will some day be worth the most.

Not worth arguing over which is better, look at which one suits your needs and price better and your decision is easy.

Lastly as is with any of these older cars reliability is strictly related to the PO's maintenance practices. Properly maintained these cars are quite reliable even with the CIS and its inherent problems as they get older. Poorly maintained cars will cost you a lot if you get a bad one so do your do diligence buy a car with complete records and make sure you have a PPI done by a reputable shop.

Max964t36

What to say more than that?

eyue

Miles965uk

If you have the $$$ lying around then buy the 3.6 and enjoy it, it's safer and more fun than sitting with some hedge fund somewhere.

When I had a 3.3, I only wanted a 3.6, so I bought a 3.6 and never wanted anything else.

RSA_27149

I've recently purchased a relatively low mileage 3.3 (20k miles) in excellent condition. If it was a 3.6 with the same mileage and condition, it would have cost upwards of 80% more than what I've paid. (for those who follow values on these cars, please let me know if that's the right range.) My 3.3 just happens to come with headers and a tune, and as such, it is actually quicker than a stock 3.6. It is a blast to drive.

The way I saw it...while the value gap between the 3.6 and 3.3 will never narrow, they will not likely widen either. I agree with cobalt, the 964 models that will continue to appreciate and be worth substantial dollars down the road are the "S"s. Those are the true "collectors".

The 3.6's are certainly more desirable compared to the 3.3's if they are in the same condition. However, you also pay more for it as well...and in the end, the differences just did not justify the upcharge for me.

RR

Thanks very much for all of the usefull information.

R

RichiRich

I have a 3.3 X33/WLS, which came with 355HP from the factory (an expensive ~30k DM or ~€15k option). That makes it only 5 HP off the 3.6 - and I didn't pay much more than a regular 3.3 Turbo.

The X33 option cars are quite rare, but I have seen a few about.

Colorado964turbo

Cobalt makes good comments. I planned on modding mine, so I bought one that already had some mods done to it, and it will hot get left behind by a lot.

For cheap speed though, there is NO better bargain right now than a 996 TT.

Bill

Metal Guru

That's the version that I hear about the S and package cars.
The profit margin on a Turbo is so good that it didn't pay for Porsche to go without one in the line-up for more than a year. This was around the time when the company was coming out of a near death experience and profits were badly needed to get the business healthy.
The first 965 (the offspring of the 959) was deemed to be unprofitable so the 3.3 Turbo was rushed to the market with the 930 engine, a nicer intercooler, fully finned pistons and electronic ignition.

gt3lbn

i do believe the Bad Boys movie did help make the 3.6 a very recognisible car. i've always been a porsche fan but i would lie if i said that the movie didnt help me love and want that car more.

last month i finally found the only one up for grabs in my area and jumped on it.

what a beast! all i need more is a 993 C2s and i'll be a happy man

Metal Guru

Nice!
I ran into a friend yesterday who's got a very nice 993 C2S. He was bitchin' about it not being fast enough.
Since I dialed in my leask wur I don't have that issue