girlracer

As 993 owners, I need your input...

I'm planning to purchase either a 964 or a 993 - manual trans. coupe in either case. Now without considering looks, as they are subjective, tell me why should I pick a 993 over a 964 (or not, if that's the case)?

Considerations:

- fun to drive factor (handling, power, feedback, etc.)
- maintenance costs
- likelihood of major expense down the line
- value for money right now
- appreciation - will it go up any further in value or has the market levelled?
- anything else you can think of

I'm going to post the same question (in reverse) in the 964 zone - it's not a cross-post so please don't mark it as such. Thank you.

RW

993
Has more power
Not 1 problem in 4 years
Best looking of all 911's
Holds value
Absolutely a great car!!

RallyJon

Yeah all that. Except for this 964, which might make a 964 believer out of me:

https://rennlist.com/forums/for-sale-ads-member-to-member-fs-wtb-free/312783-rare-b-black-964c4-widebody-with-original-14k-miles.html

Edit: Sorry, that's a link to the members' classifieds. It's a stunning widebody 964 C4.

girlracer

RallyJon, that link's not working for me unfortunately.

Tom W

Both are fun to drive. I don't think there is a significant difference in the fun factor between them. I've had my 993 for over 4 years and my 964 for over 3 years and put a few miles on them (on and off the track).

I think the costs should be similar but the 964 may be a bit more as it's older and will have more issues with things wearing out (given similar mileage and proper maintenance from the PO). I've had more issues with replacing rubber parts on my 964 than 993. Likely hood of a moajor expeanse should be very similar between them (again, given proper maintenace for either).

964s are cheaper, but 993s are a lot cheaper now than they used to be. Neither will appreaciate, it's simply a question of additional depreciation rates.

I'd buy a 993 because I like the looks better. (But I bought the 964 because it was cheaper.)

Bill Verburg

To me it breaks down into the following categories
Transmission
The stock 6 speed G50/20 is geared way too high for fun, a G50/21 would be a lot better. The 964 G50/01-05 while only 5 speeds are geared pretty nicely. If you modify a stock /20 or get a /21 -/31 the 993 has the edge. Stock I would have to go w/ 964

Brakes
993 has it all over 964, no contest

Suspension
again 993 no contest

Engine
pretty much a toss up but the hyd lifters and MAF air meter are + for the 993

Wheels/tires
It's a lot easier to fit bigger wheels and tires on the 993. If this isn't a concern of yours, it's a toss up

Aero
the 964 is better

Reliability
toss up

value
like beauty is in the eye of the beholder

Steve 96C4S

[QUOTE=girlracer]- anything else you can think of
QUOTE]

I can think of one thing... the 993 looks better, to me. Buy it for that, and all those other reasons that came earlier on this post and after my post. The 964 is very nice, but the 993 is just plain nicer. In the end, if you get a 964, not that there's anything wrong with that and I'm totally biased, but my guess is that you'll probably wish you got the "last of the aircooled" and stepped up a bit and gotten the 993.

Steve R

Paul902

g-r, perhaps you need to be a member to see the link. Not sure. Anyway it works for me and points you here for this car for sale by another RL'er.

http://www.funktionauto.com/carsfors..._964_black.asp

Dr. No

Bill, you really think the 964 has better aerodynamics??? I'd be (or am) surprised. That must be with engine tray removed

I thought the early 964s (89-90) had some pretty expensive problems with engine seals?

If I were considering a 964, I'd spend some time poking around on that board and listening to their complaints.

I'd say best value for money is found in a 95 993 - a couple of minor issues, like adjusting the alignment to 96-98 specs and fitting a brace if you want 18" wheels, but great bang for the buck and no fear of having to pay $X,000 to pass a smog test (in CA anyway).

Bill Verburg

I know it does
964/993
frontal area m*m 1.79/1.86
Cd .32/.33
Clf -0.01/0.03
Clr 0.02/0.07
They did on '89-92 but most have been fixed by now or the price will reflect it.

Dr. No

I'll be darned. Especially b/c the 964 has the steeper windscreen and seems so much more cut up. Even more surprised by the Cl figures. Learn something new every day.

TMc993

I may be mis-remembering, but I think I read somewhere that the 993's "hips," even on the narrow body, make it less aerodynamic than the 964. I also seem to remember that there was a RUF Yellowbird (Is that correct?) that was a narrow body for the same reason...They built the a car to the same specs in a widebody and it was slower. Nonetheless, I'll take the "hips."

EndlessEarth

Gotta love this list. I learn something new every day.

Mark in Baltimore

The 964 has a steeper windscreen than the 993??

Dr. No

I'm pretty sure by a few degrees, but . . .I was also pretty sure the 993 had a better Cd than the 964 and don't have my "Porsche 911 Story" with me.