TomF

It depends on what you call expensive. With the 964 you have dual plugs, dual caps, distributor belt failures, DM flywheel failures, cylinder head leakage... etc.... each generation has its own set of issues and costs. The parts for the earlier cars are getting more expensive, not less, as there is less demand for them.

In terms of costs, it really is apples to oranges- the cars simply have too many different systems.

With the 996, you have RMS, IMS and AOS issues, spark plug tubes, coils, intermix, etc... the difference in my mind is the risk of a catastrophic failure. With the 964, the chance of major failure that results in a destroyed engine is probably less. On the other hand, a 996 engine appears to be a lot less expensive to source than a comparable 964 or 993 engine.

David Wilson

I feel your pain . I have both a 1990 C2 targa 964 and a 2004 996. Both are great cars and very different. Both have been very dependable. That being said I need to sell one of them. I have the 964 for sale for 17,800 on the rennlist or 20,500 on Craigslist. But if it came down to it I would sell the 996 for 30,000.

David

Ahmet

I kind of like them both, though I've never been interested in the 964 personally. That car seems like more of a toy and I couldn't look past the bang for buck that the 996 represents in today's market.

David nice 996, probably my favorite color for the MKII body cars.

Millemiglia

In addition to what TomF said, you have to remember that the youngest 964 is getting close to 20 years old, so even on a well-maintained car some of the parts will be past the expiration date...
...and when things like the steering-rack or on a 964 c4, the awd stuff fails it will quickly get expensive unless you are skilled at DIY...

Ray S

You didn't mention your use in the post. Is this going to be a DD or weekend toy? Got any track plans for the car or will it just be a street car?

pweishaupt

Nice rides... however, I'd never sell my targa.. the 996 is really just a used car....

agent325

I think the 996 performs better than a 993, but not sure if it "blows it away"

I'm not a huge fan of the 964 nor 99-01 911s. 02-04 911 are the best value out there right now. Nice motor, attrative car, pefect daily driver.

Ray S

It does on a race track. It literally performs a whole level beyond the capability of the 993 and it comes down to more than just horsepower. The 996 is also significantly lighter and has a much more advanced and rigid chassis.

You may not agree, but there is a reason the PCA classes the 993 in "G" with base boxsters and caymans, while the 996 sits in "H" and "I".

TomF

I didn't know that, but it makes sense. My 996 cab is WAY stiffer than my 87 cab... each generation benefits from new technology. (Well, three generations in this case...)

Since I am relatively new to the 996 fold, how would you describe the improvements in the 996 chassis over the 993? Thanks!

mclaudio

I've owned both. Out of the two options, daily driver = 996 and fun toy = 964.

Other than the $, you seem to really want a 993. If this is indeed the case, I would recommend saving for the 993 especially if you are keeping it as a fun toy.

VGM911

For a thorough assessment of the 993 vs. the 996, read the 996 road test in the August 1998 issue of Excellence magazine. Additional contributions to the article came from Hurley Haywood.

Here are some points in the article that identify some of the major improvements made by Porsche in the new model as well as impressions of the testers.

"The 993 lacks the poise and balance of the new 996. And it's a lot less comfortable to drive. My head feels pressed against the glass of the old upright windshield, and the floor-mounted clutch and brake pedals preclude heel and toeing."

"The longer wheelbase (up 3") and widened track (up 2") of the 996 optimize the rear-engined platform. The quantum improvement from 993 to 996 far exceeds the wampum leap Porsche made from the Carrera 2 to the 993."

"The laden ground clearance of the 996 is 1" less than that of the 993, effectively lowering the new 911's center of gravity."

"The gearchange is so much better than anything Porsche has done before...."

"Significantly, the new 3.4 liter motor is not only 26 hp more powerful than the old one (despite being 200 cc smaller) but it is also 110 pounds lighter than the old lump."


I do agree that you should drive a 964, a 993 and a 996. They are very different in many ways, and you should choose the one you like best. As far as "mass produced" or "which one is better made," you'll likely be rewarded by the ownership experience no matter which one you buy.

Good luck.

Barn996

I have an answer for you...fill a coin, heads=996, tails =964.They're different, but they're still 911 Porsches.

tcabler

This will be strictly a weekend toy. But that really isn't the deciding factor. I've driven both 996s and 964s and they both would be great daily drivers. I asked Adrian Crawford about the build quality of each and he could not help emphasizing that the 964 is a hand-crafted, more solid built car that does not share cheap, mass produced parts with all the other models. I've also heard that the 996 engine was produced by Subaru.

fpena944

If it's a weekend toy and you're not taking it to the track go with the 964. It'll give you more of the "traditional" Porsche experience.

If you use it daily though, the 996 is the way to go.

I've personally never heard of Subaru producing 996 engines...

Ray S

As a weekend toy both models would work fine, but I'm not so sure that the 964 would make a great DD. Those cars are 20 years old now and stuff starts to break and wear on even the best produced mechanical devices over time.

As for the Suburu engine bit, that is just plain misinformation. The M96 motor in the 986, 987, 996, and first gen 997 was designed by and has always been build by Porsche. The motor certainly has its detractors, but they have been out for over a decade now and contrary to internet lore they don't all explode. They have had some weak areas (as has every motor Porsche has ever produced), but improved seals and bearings are readily available for anyone who wants additional peace of mind.

In the end this really isn't about what people here tell you they like, but rather what stirs your soul. Both are fantastic models in their own right, but offer a different set or positives and negatives.

Good luck...